There is no reason to panic before a pandemic, but we can use the remaining time wisely.
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How to protect yourself against the coronavirus
People around the world are strapping on breathing masks to prevent a viral infection. Other measures are more effective, though. Here are some tips based on WHO guidelines.
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Better than nothing
It has not been proven that the face masks seen above can effectively protect you against viral infections. That said, these masks are probably able to catch some germs before they reach your mouth or nose. More importantly, they prevent people from touching their mouth or nose (which most people do instinctually). If you are already sick, such masks may keep you from infecting others.
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Disinfect your hands
One of the best ways to protect yourself from the virus is to frequently clean your hands, according to the World Health Organization's (WHO) list of recommendations. The WHO recommends alcohol-based hand rub, like the ones seen here in a hospital.
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Soap and water will do as well
The simpler day-to-day solution is to use water and soap, if you've got some handy. But make sure to wash your hands thoroughly. Health authorities in the US recommend washing your hands for at least 20 seconds, making sure to pay attention to areas like your fingertips, thumbs and underneath your nails.
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Coughing and sneezing - but doing it right!
So here's what the doctors recommend: When coughing and sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with your flexed elbow. Or use tissue — but then immediately throw that tissue away and wash your hands. With your shirt or sweater, however, no, you don't need to throw them away. Do wash them frequently, though, or take them to the dry cleaner's.
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Stay away!
Another recommendation that may not work for everybody: Avoid close contact with anyone who has fever and cough! If you have to tend to sick people, make doubly sure to take additional protective measures.
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Got a fever? Go to the doctor, not on a trip!
If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early. Avoid public places so you don't infect others. And also, explain to your doctor where you've previously traveled and who you may have come in contact with.
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Avoid contact!
When visiting live markets in areas currently experiencing cases of the novel coronavirus, avoid direct unprotected contact with live animals. That includes any surfaces that are in contact with animals as well.
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Well done — not rare!
Cook meat thoroughly. The consumption of raw, or undercooked, animal products should be avoided. Raw meat, milk or animal organs should be handled with care to avoid cross-contamination with uncooked foods. These are good food safety practices and help prevent the spread of illnesses.
Every single citizen, but also companies, institutions and organizations can take measures to protect themselves from the virus and be prepared for a pandemic.
Limiting the number of people exposed to the infection
Equipping private households with the essentials necessary for surviving the emergency
Restricting major social disturbances and events where the infection could spread
How can I protect myself?
Coronaviruses are passed on by droplet infection, the virus multiplies in the throat. From there the pathogens can be expelled from the body faster than from the lungs, for example by sneezing, coughing or blowing. In this way SARS-CoV-2 spreads onto surfaces where it comes into contact with mucous membranes and infects others by smear infection via the hands.
What concrete measures can individuals undertake to protect themselves and others from a droplet infection?
Keep a distance of one to two meters from anyone who is infected.
Wash your hands regularly and carefully (at least 20 seconds with soap, including the wrists).
Avoid shaking hands and hugging people
Develop self-protection reflexes: Press elevator buttons with your knuckle instead of your fingertip.
Avoid busy places and events. Set priorities.
Avoid touching your own face or the faces of friends and relatives.
Do not touch the mucous membranes of your mouth, eyes and nose with your fingers.
Put on gloves if necessary. Wash or change them daily.
Do not sneeze in your hand. Use your elbow or a tissue instead.
Dispose of used tissues quickly.
If possible, avoid busy places and events and wash your hands!Image: AFP/A. Solaro
Breathing masks offer little protection to healthy people. When worn, the masks become moist through air intake. After just 20 minutes their protective barrier deteriorates. Masks should be reserved for medical staff.
How can I prepare for a pandemic?
If it comes to an intense wave of infections, restrictions on movement will most likely be imposed and this could lead to supply bottlenecks. Take precautions so that you can stay at home for several weeks if necessary.
Have important prescription medication (if necessary) ready for a month.
Keep a supply of non-perishable food.
Make arrangements for how to protect your friends and family. The elderly and sick with weak immune systems are particularly at risk and dependent on help.
Organize possibilities for caring for sick children.
Make arrangements for caring for sick family members without infecting yourself.
How can I help the community?
The more people make efforts to prepare, the more the feeling of togetherness increases. You can improve the situation by helping communities to organize help for themselves.
After surviving the COVID-19 disease you are immune to the pathogen. Therefore, you can leave your home and volunteer to take over other errands and do some shopping for those who are still sick and infectious.
If not already in place, employers should work out possibilities for home office and teleworkingImage: picture-alliance/dpa/D. Naupold
What can employers do?
When a highly infectious virus spreads, businesses need to take precautions to protect their employees. Sick or at-risk employees should stay at home. Whenever possible, employers should offer possibilities for home office or teleworking.
Employees with acute symptoms of respiratory illness (for example, coughing or shortness of breath) or those who become ill during the day should be separated from other employees immediately and sent home.
Companies should provide fresh air at workplaces and in social rooms, and replace filters in ventilation systems.
They should provide facilities for hygiene with clean water, soap and paper towels. In the office, cleaning wipes and sprays to disenfect keyboards and telephones should be made available and regularly used.
All work surfaces and the surrounding area should be routinely cleaned.
Employees who are healthy but have a sick family member with COVID-19 at home should notify their supervisor.
Supervisors should identify particularly relevant positions in the work processes and arrange for substitutes. This way the absence of one person will then not endanger or affect the functioning of the whole organization.
What about business and leisure travel?
During a pandemic, travel plans should be regularly reviewed. Employers and employees need to study the latest guidelines and recommendations for each destination. Companies should advise their employees to have themselves examined for symptoms of acute respiratory illness before travel and to stay home if they become ill.
Myths vs. facts: How true is coronavirus information on the web?
Rinse your nose with saline? Reject all packages delivered from China? The internet is full of misinformation about how to protect yourself from the new coronavirus. DW separates fact from fiction.
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Does rinsing your nose with saline protect you?
According to the World Health Organization, there is no evidence to support claims that a saline solution will "kill” the virus and protect you.
Will gargling mouthwash prevent an infection?
Certain brands of mouthwash may eliminate particular microbes from your saliva for a few minutes, but, according to the WHO, this does not protect you from the new coronavirus.
Can eating garlic help?
This dubious claim has been spreading like wildfire across social media. Though it is possible that garlic may have some antimicrobial properties, there is no evidence to suggest from the current coronavirus outbreak that eating this bulb will protect people from the virus.
Can pets spread COVID-19?
There is no evidence to suggest pets, such as cats and dogs, can be infected or transmit the coronavirus. Regularly washing your hands with soap and water after touching your beloved moggy or pooch will help stop the spread of bacteria that they commonly carry, such as E. coli and salmonella.
Can the corona virus be transmitted via air mail?
People receiving parcels from China are not at risk of contracting the new coronavirus, as the virus does not survive long on objects. Due to the poor survivability of the coronavirus on surfaces, there is a very low risk of spread from products or packaging that are shipped over a period of days or weeks.
Is there a vaccine yet?
The new coronavirus needs its own vaccine. Pneumonia vaccines such as the pneumococcal and the Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) vaccine will not protect you against the coronavirus.
Do bleach products protect you?
Bleach/chlorine-based disinfectants, solvents, 75% ethanol, peracetic acid and chloroform can kill the 2019-nCoV on hard surfaces; however, they have little or no impact if you put them on your skin.
Avoid direct contact!
To avoid a coronavirus infection, always cook raw foods thoroughly. It is also advisable to avoid direct contact with people who are sick.
Keep your hands clean!
Frequently washing your hands with soap and water can help prevent an infection. You can also use an alcohol-based sanitizing gel instead. If you have to cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow. If you have contracted the disease without knowing it, coughing or sneezing in this manner might help to reduce the spread.
