Guidelines for re-opening in safety
in a new coronavirus world
These are some guidelines that I would like to see governments and center for disease control set for a safe exit quarantine strategy.
In the presence of a transmissible virus we ought to change our style of lives from what we are used to, this is both painful and inconvenient, but having family member die or be compromised for life because of our laziness and selfishness is not an outcome we want to have.
In general, reopening a country after quarantine means we have to contain new spread of the virus. Lockdown at home may end, and as such we will welcome more time in shared spaces. We ought to minimize contact with others for some time, at least until safe vaccines become prevalent.
First rule
R0- If you are sick, with cough or sneezing: stay at home and quarantine, and get tested for covid-19 if you can. Absolutely be careful not to infect any members of your family and immediate surroundings.
General guidelines
G1- everyone needs to wear a mask in public and in confined spaces where others are present. Keep 6 ft = 2 m distance from any other person or family group. Mask is very important, and often neglected in official guidelines! Masks are effective! See also simulations of how far your breathing and sneezing and cough can travel!
G2- wash hands often after being in public places and do not touch your face while outside, and after touching items in public space; also keep your house clean; disinfect door handles and any surface that outsiders may touch.
G3- avoid any gathering of more than your household; if you are absolutely sure family members have been in quarantine and disease-free for 7–14 days, you may visit them, but always with mask and precautions! Avoid visiting many friends and households, as you can become a vehicle of infection between them!
G4- avoid playgrounds where little children continuously contaminate surface; everyone in park use masks and keep distance enforced by 6 ft or more; exercise, walking, all with same distance guidelines. Use mask if in confined spaces near other people.
When outside
G5- demand precaution for store and services: absolute keeping of distance between people, use masks, make sure they disinfect pens and credit cards when possible
G6- enforcing distance in restaurants, bars, salons, will be most difficult. It can be achieved by using plastic screens and dividers, and always using mask when possible (while not eating). It is also very important to clean all surfaces after every visit and every customer
G7- ask nail and hair salon, and any place where individuals may come in close contact with you to wear a full protective mask, hair ties and gloves
What we can do for others
G8- provide gentle and corteous peer policing, remind people to keep distance and wear masks, and not to come too close. policing and tickets and even some discouraging looks may help. But always with courtesy and patience.
Final notes
Hopefully this will help us all to decrease the risks to us and our families, friends, loved ones, and all around us!
But before all: stay healthy and positive!
