Around the globe, and in America, billions of workers are facing the challenge of returning back to the workplace amidst a pandemic. COVID-19 — a new novel coronavirus which spread globally after hitting Wuhan, China in late 2019 — has stopped the world in its tracks. Although COVID-19 is part of a large family of viruses, including Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), both known to cause severe illnesses with common symptoms to the cold and flu, it has never been previously identified in humans. It has caused widespread havoc, shutting down entire economies and killing millions as doctors and specialists scramble to create a vaccine. In the meantime, it is critical that everyone takes precautions. In addition to wearing masks and sanitizing hands, all workers should undergo Covid Safety Training to learn more about reducing the spread. Keep reading for Covid-19 Safety Tips and Rules.
How Covid-19 is Spread
As of October 2020, 41 million worldwide have contracted Covid-19. Not long after the novel coronavirus was first discovered in China, scientists and doctors around the world warned that the virus would spread. It has now impacted over 115 countries, with ranging effects. Some countries, like Vietnam, have seen less than a thousand deaths while Brazil’s death toll has almost reached 100,000. Not everyone who contracts Covid-19 displays symptoms — some are completely unaware that they have the virus while others have mild, flu-like symptoms, including muscle and body aches, sore throat, and diarrhea. Still others have been sent to the ICU with severe, life-threatening symptoms. Because the novel coronavirus is transmitted through respiratory droplets, it is very easy to spread unless the proper precautions, including Covid Safety Training, are taken.
4 Covid Safety Training Tips
- Practice Physical Distancing, always. Respiratory droplets are spread anytime we breathe, cough, talk, sing, or sneeze. At any moment, there is a chance Covid-19 is being spread in the air by someone who may appear completely asymptotic. Whenever you are out in public or around other people who don’t belong in your cohort, remember your Covid Safety Training and stay six feet away while wearing a mask.
- Plexiglass face shields or barriers can also help limit the spread of Covid-19 particles. If you work in areas with high volumes of people, consider making this part of your team’s Covid Safety Training. All public spaces should limit the number of people who can be in once space at a time.
- All Covid Safety Training should emphasise the importance of cleaning and sanitizing High-Touch Points. Covid-19 can live on surfaces for a number of days. If you touch these surfaces, and then your face or eyes, you could possibly expose yourself to Covid-19. Keep sanitizer and cleaning supplies at your workstation, in your car, and on your person as often as possible. Wipe down all surfaces and your hands before and after entering a space. Wash your clothes and mask every day.
- Ask others for their cooperation and share any Covid-19 safety training you have with them. This is a global learning experience for everyone, so creating a team environment is important. Inviting others to tell you if you’re doing something, even if it is subconscious, like touching your face — which isn’t safe—can help create a more comfortable and honest dynamic.