Taking precautions against the new coronavirus has become an everyday fact since the beginning of the pandemic. But with the discovery of a new highly contagious mutated variant of the virus from the UK, medical experts warn that the increased transmission is likely to lead to an increase in cases on top of an already severe national upsurge. Fortunately, there are still ways to protect yourself and others from the new COVID strain that is spreading across the US – and many of what experts recommend is well-known advice. Read on to see what steps will keep you safe, and for more information on what else you can do to reduce your risk, go to If you do not, your mask will not protect you, says study.
1
Continue to follow basic guidelines
As the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) predicted that the British variant would probably become the dominant strain in the US by March, many experts were initially afraid that the strain – which is at least 50 percent more contagious – could be difficult. to contain. But while the virus may have changed slightly, it seems that the best way to prevent congestion is to continue to follow the same basic health measures recommended since day one, such as wearing a face mask, avoiding crowds , wash your hands regularly, and avoid spending time indoors with people you do not live with.
Instead of a new routine, experts recommend just being diligent about what we already know. “I think there is no room for error or sloppiness in following the following precautions, whereas in the past we may have succeeded in letting one slip,” Linsey Marr, PhD, professor of civil and environmental engineering at Virginia Tech and leading aerosol scientist, tells the New York Times.
2
Reconsider your daily assignments
Even though there may be a global pandemic raging around us, there is still the need to run to the grocery store for essentials. But with a lot of contagious tension becoming the norm, the trip to the supermarket has become more risky than ever before.
Fortunately, there is no reason to starve: experts simply recommend reducing time to limit your exposure. “Buying five minutes in the grocery store is much better – six times better – than buying 30 minutes,” Tom Frieden, MD, former director of the CDC, told Vox. “Picking up groceries at the curb is even better, and it’s even better to deliver it.” And for more information on what your symptoms may tell you, check out This is the “Strongest, Most Consistent” Sign You Have, says study.
3
Upgrade your mask
You can not deny that wearing a mask will protect you and others from the new coronavirus. But many cloth masks, which were meant to be used as a stopgap during the earliest days of the pandemic, do not come up with the protection you need to stay safe amid a new, highly contagious strain, reports Vox.
According to experts, N95 masks offer the best protection, but with short available stock, there are other options. A study conducted by Marr’s laboratory at Virginia Tech in November looked at masks made of 11 different materials and found that the well-fitted three-layer cloth masks – including a filter layer – can filter up to 90 percent of particles, close to the 95 percent provided by N95, reports the New York Times. If not, doubling up on cloth mask may provide a safer option in a pinch.
4
Get vaccinated
Despite the new infectious strain, medical experts still claim that the effective vaccines currently being rolled out are the most likely way to finally curb the pandemic. A recent CDC report states that due to the new nature of the virus, more of the population now needs to be vaccinated in order to be truly effective.
“Increased transmissibility also means that higher income than expected vaccination must be achieved to achieve the same level of disease control to protect the public compared to less transmissible variants,” the CDC report states. And for more information on what you need to know before you go for a while, you can consult the FDA that you can not do these 4 things with the COVID vaccines.