Protecting Yourself and Others During a Pandemic
Confusing, misleading, and sometimes downright inaccurate information about the coronavirus pandemic has been spreading almost as quickly as the illness itself. People in the media continuously describe the current situation as “unprecedented.”
While it may be true that very few people alive today have witnessed a cataclysm of this magnitude, pandemics are nothing new. The most recent event of this nature was probably the 1918 influenza pandemic, but there was also the Black Plague in Europe during the Middle Ages that lasted for five years and wiped out more than half of the entire population according to some estimates. COVID-19 isn’t the first pandemic, and it probably won’t be the last. Fortunately, there are ways to protect yourself and others from both the virus and the irresponsible misinformation about it.
1. Consider the Source
Only get your news about the virus from reliable sources, such as local broadcasts and newspapers. Cable news networks, regardless of where they fall along the political spectrum, should be regarded as “infotainment” and given little credence. It is also very hard to verify the accuracy of information from blogs and social media. Look for sources that defer to established medical experts.
2. Don’t Hoard Supplies
Doing so robs your neighbors of the basic essentials. Be courteous and compassionate to those around you and take only what you need.
3. Wear a Mask if You Can
The mask is less for your protection and more for that of people around you. It is possible for people who are infected but asymptomatic to spread the virus. A cloth face-covering prevents your respiratory droplets from getting into the air and landing on other people.
4. Don’t Question Other People’s Mask Choices
Not everyone is able to wear a mask because of hypersensitivities and other legitimate medical problems. Don’t make snap judgments about someone else’s decision to wear a mask or not. Chances are, whichever they choose, they have a good reason. Rather than starting a confrontation with someone who isn’t wearing a mask, just give him or her some extra space.