FEATURE IMAGE THUMBNAIL BY ROSS CADRANEL
The Covid-19 pandemic has profoundly altered life at Sheridan and throughout Canada. Campuses are closed and classes are now online.
There is also a lot of fear and confusion surrounding this infectious sickness and information can be a valuable tool in fighting its spread.
Washing hands
“Wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands,” says Kathryn Cameron, Sheridan College’s Chief Risk Officer, when asked for advice on stopping the spread of the virus.
Covid-19 can exist on surfaces for hours to days. Our hands are a magnet for all types of germs throughout the day that can then be communicated into our bodies by touching our face.
Washing hands has been the focal point of the Covid-19 health campaigns in countries all over the world.
It is recommended that you wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with hot water. You are also advised to use alcohol-based hand sanitizer as often as possible — if you have access to it.
Wash your hands whenever you touch objects or surfaces touched by other people and always before touching your face.
The Sheridan College Health and Wellness Centre launched a hand washing campaign in early March in preparation for the arrival of coronavirus. The initiative distributed pamphlets on the importance and techniques of hand washing.
Social distancing
Social distancing is the Covid-19 response that has changed everyday life most dramatically. Health officials recommend that you keep at least two meters away from others at all times and that you remain at home as much as possible.
In order to lower the infection rate of the disease, Ontario has closed all non-essential businesses as of last week.
During a press statement outside his residence at Rideau Cottage, Prime Minister Trudeau advised Canadians to “go home and stay home” in order to do their part to help slow the spread of Covid-19.
Self-isolation and quarantine
If you have recently traveled internationally, it is required that you self-isolate in your home for at least 14 days.
This is also the course of action recommended if you are showing any Covid-19-related symptoms. Although tests are limited and a sore throat or fever may not be the result of Covid-19, health officials still say that sick people should attempt to stop the spread by self-isolating in order to prevent the medical system from being overwhelmed.
Trips in public and cleaning
It is recommended that you leave home as seldom as possible. They should go into public only for solitary outdoor activities and to go to the grocery store, pharmacy or for other essential errands.
Oakville is officially in a state of emergency and parks and playgrounds are closed.
While inside your home, remember to disinfect commonly touched areas. Disinfectants, a small amount of bleach mixed with water and soap mixed with water are all adequate for cleaning Covid-19 particles. Do not clean with vinegar since it does not affect the virus. Despite some internet myths, vodka is not an effective cleaning agent.
Information
The Covid-19 Pandemic is a massive, world-changing event and is receiving a substantial amount of coverage on many different media platforms.
Inflammatory or overly optimistic claims about Covid-19 can spread quickly on social media and cause people who absorb them to make dangerous and ill-informed decisions about their health.
Due to how serious decisions about dealing with the virus can be, it is vital to only seek out information and guidelines from reputable news and health organizations.
SOME EXAMPLES OF RELIABLE SOURCES OF INFORMATION
It is also important to support each other in these tough times. As Kathryn Cameron points out this new normal can be “stressful for some people.”
“You never know the kind of stresses and anxieties that people carry around with them on a day to day basis,” she says. “I think it’s a really important time to show extra care and compassion for our students and faculty.”
All guidelines in this article are derived from statements by Canadian health and government officials and interviews with Sheridan health officials.
