As new COVID-19 variants continue to wreak havoc and case numbers ratchet up in certain states, we should all remain on guard. While the availability of highly effective vaccines is a huge step in the right direction, it behooves responsible citizens to continue taking common-sense precautions against the novel coronavirus. Not only will such behavior help protect you and the people you love, but it will also go a long way towards improving public health. Anyone looking to stay safe and uphold public health until this pandemic is finally in the rearview can benefit from the following tips.
Get Vaccinated and Stay Current with Boosters
As is the case with any virus, getting vaccinated represents the greatest protection against COVID-19. Although the currently available vaccines shouldn’t be regarded as magical infection shields, they are highly effective at preventing serious and fatal cases of the novel coronavirus. While some people have medical conditions that prohibit them from getting vaccinated, this group represents a slim minority – and unless you happen to be among them, it’s important that you get vaccinated posthaste.
COVID-19 vaccines are being administered at countless pharmacies, popup clinics, and medical facilities, so no matter where you’re based, accessibility should not be an issue. Furthermore, since these vaccines are being administered free of charge, affordability won’t be a hindrance, either. In addition to getting vaccinated, you should encourage any unvaccinated friends, family members, or coworkers to do the same. If any of these people value your opinions or look to you as an authority on certain subjects, taking the crucial step of vaccination may help persuade them to do the same.
In addition to your initial vaccination, you’ll eventually need to receive a COVID-19 booster shot. In fact, depending on how long the novel coronavirus remains an active threat, additional boosters may also be required. As of August of 2021, booster shots are available to immunocompromised individuals in the U.S., but the coming weeks and months should see them becoming accessible to a greater number of people.
Continue Taking Various Precautions
Considering the continually high number of COVID-19 infections and fatalities in the U.S., it can be concluded that placing the country on the honor system with regard to masking and social distancing was a mistake. Since there are currently millions of unvaccinated individuals walking around unmasked and releasing virus particles into the air, it’s in everyone’s best interest to continue masking up in public and practicing social distancing measures.
While being fully vaccinated provides you with a tremendous amount of protection, no vaccine is flawless, and breakthrough cases are possible. Additionally, fully vaccinated people can still carry and spread virus particles, so by wearing a mask and social distancing, you may be saving the lives of unvaccinated individuals and preventing potential infection clusters. By the same token, if you are exhibiting symptoms of the novel coronavirus, arrange to take a COVID-19 test with your preferred pharmacy or medical center, and avoid venturing out into public until you’ve been given the all-clear.
Don’t Place Yourself in High-Risk Situations
If you reside in an area where masking and other common-sense measures are a rare sight, you should be extremely selective about which businesses you frequent. For example, if a certain store regularly draws large crowds of unmasked and potentially unvaccinated patrons, it’s in your best interest to take your business elsewhere. Fortunately, many businesses have taken to offering free contactless pickup options to customers who make purchases online.
Avoid entering any business or medical facility that you don’t believe is taking the appropriate measures to protect visitors. Cincinnati-based healthcare seekers looking for a medical center that takes the threat of COVID-19 seriously should get in touch with a good Wilmington health center.
The novel coronavirus has proven to be an unprecedented problem in the United States and abroad. Not only is the virus itself extremely infectious and deadly, but this crisis has also been made exponentially worse by dangerous, misguided and outright heinous behavior on the part of many Americans. Because a sizable chunk of the populace has consistently refused to take COVID-19 seriously, the virus continues to infect and kill a significant number of our fellow countrymen every day. In the interest of staying safe and upholding public health during this trying time, take care to implement the measures discussed above.