Covid-19, the second wave. How to stay ready?

The Nigerian government has indicated that Nigeria has been hit by the Second wave of Covid-19, Numbers keep going up and more than ever we have to realize that staying safe and following the necessary guidelines are our best bet.

What is the second wave?

According to Internews, Second waves are a phenomenon of disease outbreaks where the number of people infected by the virus may appear to decrease and then increase again later in the same population or a different one.

Infectious diseases spread via contact between infectious and susceptible people. In the absence of any control measures, an outbreak will grow as long as the average number of people infected by each infectious person is greater than one.

We have been very lucky not to have massive breakouts in Nigeria as they had over in the west in places like Europe and America. However, the numbers have gone up the past couple of days. Now more than ever we must make sure that we help each other by following the necessary measures or guidelines available in order not to go into another difficult phase of the pandemic.

Some of the necessary measures we must follow include;

1. Continue Social Distancing – The holidays may be around the corner but so is Covid-19, you might want to cut down on going out, throwing large parties, or being in gatherings where there are so many people. I know you have been communicating with your family members, your friends, or even your colleagues through zoom or skype and it’s only natural that you want to meet them face to face but the truth is staying safe is more important than meeting them now. It is very important to limit person-to-person contact, which is the way the virus spreads. You must stay at least 6 feet away from others if you must go out.
2. Wear a mask – It is inevitable for us not to go out during the Christmas holidays especially if we are to get groceries or other necessary stuff that we need to celebrate Christmas with family but if you have to go out, you also have to make sure that you are wearing a mask at every point in time. Use face masks if you have to use public transport because social distancing would be difficult. WHO has advised that that face masks should be worn either for the protection of healthy persons (worn to protect oneself when in contact with an infected individual) or for source control (worn by an infected individual to prevent onward transmission).
3. Keep Listening to Advise and directives from the government and WHO – You must also take time to listen to directives and advice from major authorities like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Nigeria Center for Disease (NCDC) and Control, the Nigerian federal government agency, under the ministry of health. WHO will give you the latest information about COVID-19, including what the symptoms are, what to do if you think you have it, and how to reduce your chances of getting it.
4. Do not be complacent about your hygiene – Lastly, we must try as much as possible to have great hygiene during these tough times. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after being in a public place, coughing, sneezing, or after blowing your nose. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer. You must also try as much as possible to avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.

Overcoming Covid will require us to work together, Please follow all the guidelines. Covid-19 is very much out there. Remember we need each other to survive.