2020 hit us with challenge after challenge, and now it’s rolling over the viral outbreak, coronavirus at us in 2021 too. While the scaremongering in the media and across the web to prevent coronavirus in 2020 was Check for symptoms of coronavirus! Stay indoors! Stock up on toilet paper! Don’t breathe near another human being!
However, in 2o21, we’ve become complacent to the terrors and wander about in nonchalance.
However, confirmed cases in New York continue to rise, so it makes sense to take some steps to prevent coronavirus when we’re so close to getting the vaccine.
When you’re living with a roommate, there are certain things you can do to ensure your space is clean and you’re both staying healthy and hygienic.
What is coronavirus?
Technically, coronaviruses (CoV) are a larger family of viruses that cause the common cold or more serious conditions like respiratory diseases. They’re transmitted between humans and animals, and symptoms can range from mild to severe.
What are the symptoms of coronavirus?
Some common symptoms of coronavirus include:
- Breathing troubles
- Coughing
- Sore throat
- Shortness of breath
- Fever
- Loss of smell and taste
In more severe cases, patients might experience kidney failure, severe acute respiratory syndrome or pneumonia. And new symptoms of coronavirus keep showing up with time. So make sure you stay informed to prevent coronavirus by visiting WHO’s official website.
Is having a cough a symptom of coronavirus?
Health experts still don’t recommend visiting the doctor if you have a cough. However, if you’ve recently travelled and are showing some symptoms of coronavirus, wear a mask and isolate yourself from other people. Call emergency services or your doctor to inform them of your travel and your symptoms. The same goes if you’ve been in contact with someone who is unwell.
What can I do to prevent coronavirus when living with a roommate?
When you’re living in such close proximity with another person, you and your roomi should take steps to prevent coronavirus. Because when your roommate is sick, it can be easy for the infection to pass over to you.
Here are some steps you should both be taking to prevent coronavirus:
Wash your hands often.
Surely it doesn’t take a health outbreak to force us to wash our hands?! Whatever – carry sanitizer with you or wash your hands with soap and running water regularly. After you use the bathroom, before you eat food, before and after contact with someone else, etc. And yes, this is still a necessary reminder to prevent coronavirus because we’ve stopped caring so much with time.
Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze to prevent coronavirus from spreading.
Use a tissue and throw it into the trash after use. If your roomi’s tissues are strewn over their dressing table, have a quiet word.
Keep your apartment clean.
Use anti-bacterial cleaning products and ramp up your apartment cleaning to reduce the spread of germs. Disinfect objects you regularly touch, like door handles and tap fixtures to prevent coronavirus from spreading.
Avoid close contact with someone showing flu-like symptoms.
If your roommate, friend or colleague is showing flu-like symptoms, avoid hugging them, shaking their hand or otherwise coming into close contact with them, to prevent coronavirus.
If someone in your building is infected, current advice from the city is to inform a doctor immediately.
Don’t go out without a mask to prevent coronavirus!
Even if you see other people doing it, don’t go out without a mask. And if possible, advise others to do the same to prevent coronavirus from spreading.
Coronavirus myths – busted!
It seems like the myths around coronavirus have been spreading with the same intensity as the virus, ever since ‘rona came around. And it’s because it’s easy to fall for the fables around protecting yourself from the virus. Ignore all these myths and more. Instead, be more diligent around hygiene to prevent coronavirus:
- Eating garlic and sesame oil will prevent coronavirus!
- I can go to the doctor and get vaccinated! (Hopefully you will be able to, soon)
- I have to avoid eating at Chinese restaurants to prevent coronavirus!
- I can catch coronavirus from my pet!
D’you know what else Roomi does outside of helping its readers prevent coronavirus when living in NYC? With our ever-increasing lists of rooms and roommates across the world, we help you find your perfect match! Download the app here and hop on the easiest ride home, ever!
