From WHO.int and doh.gov.ph:
“Last February 12, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that the novel disease is officially called Coronavirus Disease 19 or COVID-19 and the virus infecting it is referred to as COVID-19 virus.”
During this COVID-19 Pandemic, they say we have to
B means BASIC PROTECTIVE MEASURES against the new Coronavirus, COVID-19. (from WHO.int and doh.gov.ph)
S means STAY AT HOME!
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| Pasonanca Tree House, Zamboanga City |
Self -quarantine is advised as protection measure for persons who are in or have recently visited (past 14 days) areas where COVID-19 is spreading.
However, since the COVID-19 virus has already shown community transmission (no travel history), everyone is now vulnerable and thus, the public are asked to #StayAtHome to help “flatten the curve”.
To enforce this, nations have implemented “Lockdown” or “Enhanced Community Quarantine” (ECQ) where only essential businesses such as hospitals, groceries, markets, banks are opened.
In the Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte declared the entire Luzon area under ECQ last March 16, 2020 supposedly until April 12, 2020 (Wikipedia) but as of April 9, 2020, the President further extended the Luzon ECQ to April 30, 2020. (www.pna.gov.ph)
Zamboanga City closed all land, sea and air travel last March 17, 2020 but also declared ECQ last March 20, 2020. (Mayor Beng Climaco FB Page)
As of April 9, Mayor Beng Climaco reminds the Zamboanga City community that the BEST COURSE OF ACTION is to stay home, maintain social distancing and practice regular handwashing (FB):
PABOR ESTA NA CASA
NO MAS SALE AFUERA
NO MAS MAN PANIC
Then, on the Monday after Easter, “traffic” was again noted in some of the Zamboanga City streets.
ZC Mayor Beng Climaco on April 13, 2020 again emphasized her advisory: (Mayor Beng Climaco FB Page)
“We are reminding the public that Zamboanga City is STILL UNDER ENHANCED COMMUNITY QUARANTINE (ECQ) UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. El ciudad de Zamboanga ta esta bajo na ECQ. Nuay cambio y nuay otro declaracion el govierno local.
All residents are directed to STRICTLY OBSERVE AND COMPLY with ECQ guidelines foremost of which to STAY HOME. Pabor observa y compli con el maga directiva bajo del ECQ. Barangay officials are directed to ensure compliance of their constituents to ECQ protocols.
This is not a normal day. Except for accessing basic necessities, PLEASE DO NOT GO OUT.”
AND, As our Frontliners request :
We stay at work for you.
Please stay home for us.
From WHO.int
WHY?
Avoiding contact with others will help protect you and others from possible spread of COVID-19.
This is the most effective way to prevent droplet spread!
M means MEASURE DISTANCE.
From WHO.int
Maintain at least 1 meter (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
WHY?
When someone coughs or sneezes, they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus.
A means ALWAYS WASH YOUR HANDS.
A means ALCOHOL or ALCOHOL-BASED HAND RUB
For all types of virus, frequent HAND HYGIENE is of utmost importance.
Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with soap and water for about 20 seconds (for example, time equivalent to two “Happy Birthday” songs), by using Alcohol-based Hand Sanitizer or by using 70% ethyl alcohol.
From WHO.int
WHY?
Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.
*HANDWASHING IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE MEANS OF PREVENTING ALL VIRUSES INCLUDING COVID-19.
R means RESPIRATORY HYGIENE.
R means RESPIRATORY ETIQUETTE.
From WHO.int and doh.gov.ph
Practice proper cough etiquette or good respiratory hygiene.
This means covering your mouth and nose using tissue or with your bent elbow when you cough or sneeze.
WHY?
Droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory hygiene, you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.
With the unprecedented spread of the Novel Coronavirus, it has now reached PANDEMIC level.
Presently, everyone wants (and probably needs) to wear MASKS!
WHO. int and doh.gov.ph, however, reminds the community that medical masks should be reserved for health workers, who may need these most.
And also reminds us, that when you use masks, please do not to have a false sense of security and neglect other basic measures like hand hygiene and physical distancing. In fact, others keep on touching their faces while adjusting the masks.
Communities now mandate everyone to wear face masks, even the cloth type or other face coverings such as scarves or bandanas.
Though, this may protect the individual from droplets, using face masks may actually protect others from you.
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| CTTO |
T means TOUCH M-E-N NOT.
Avoid touching M - E - N meaning Mouth - Eyes - Nose.
For greetings, avoid shaking hands, kissing and hugging.
Thus, let us now share a wave, a nod, a bow, a beautiful SMILE and in this KPop era, let us just share a FINGER HEART!
And, for our families and friends in social media, we can always share VIRTUAL HUGS AND KISSES!
Of course, this advice goes hand in hand with physical distancing, hand washing and practicing cough etiquette!
From WHO.int
WHY?
Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.
So, DO NOT FORGET,
The community, therefore, has a gigantic responsibility of complying with the Basic Protective Measures versus COVID-19!
This is not a PASSIVE action..
Imagine, how difficult it is to STAY HOME... how to keep the physical distance... always wash hands... cough etiquette... touch our faces, which may be involuntary.
As they say, we have to develop the “NEW NORMAL” to keep COVID-19 away!
This is a strong decision each individual has to commit to, if the goal of the whole community is to “flatten the curve”!
Let us all BE DISCIPLINED and ACTIVELY COOPERATE as we follow these Basic Protective Measures and as an instrument in FIGHTING COVID-19 ... to PROTECT OURSELVES and to PROTECT OUR LOVE ONES!
LET US ALL BE “FRONTLINERS” IN OUR OWN RIGHT.
Remember:
BASIC PROTECTIVE MEASURES against the new Coronavirus 19. (from WHO.Int and doh.gov.ph)
❤️🙏🏻♥️🙏🏽❤️🙏🏾♥️🙏🏿❤️🙏♥️
P.S. 1.
These are gathered from the World Health Organization (WHO.int) website - ADVICE FOR THE PUBLIC.
These are also gathered from the Philippine Department of Health (doh.gov.ph) - COVID-19 FAQs.
P.S. 2.
Second, third and fourth photos are from the Ciudad Medical Zamboanga Facebook Page.
P.S. 3.
This B S-M-A-R-T mnemonic is revised from one given by a Philippine Department of Health representative, where SMART means, Stay Home, Measure Distance, Always Wash Your Hands, Report Cases, Tell the Truth.
