How to Stay Healthy During the Novel Coronavirus Outbreak

Uh-oh, the coronavirus has spread in most parts of the globe and it has affected the NFL cheerleading world as well. The New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, and LA Rams have already postponed their auditions. There's a high chance that your dream squad might cancel their auditions as well. This is due to precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the virus through social distancing.

What is the coronavirus?

The Coronavirus Disease of 2019 or SARS-CoV-2 comes from a large family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). This kind of virus hasn’t been identified by humans before but the studies conducted on it suggested that it is zoonotic - meaning, it is and can be transmitted from animals (particularly bats) to humans and vice versa.

The virus is so contagious that it could be transmitted in three ways: Direct, contact, and airborne. Direct contact means that talking directly or being in the company of an infected person within 10 meters or less can put you at risk of infection. Contact transmission is when an uninfected person touches their face after they touch infected surfaces that an infected person has coughed or sneezed on. Examples of these surfaces include elevator buttons, doorknobs or hand railings.

(Read: They Say Coronavirus Isn't Airborne—but It's Definitely Borne By Air)

6 Steps You Can Take to Avoid Coronavirus and Stay Healthy

1. Stay home and self-quarantine

Healthy people can get infected by coronavirus and be asymptomatic. Meaning, they produce or show no symptoms of the infection. You can get infected by being near them and you’ll never know who it is. It's best to stay home and avoid crowded areas like your local gym and gatherings. Put your outdoor or gym workout on hold for a while and do your workouts and dance practices at home instead.

2. Wash your hands frequently

Aside from direct contact, the virus can also live on surfaces where infected people coughed, sneezed, or spat on. There’s no detection where these surfaces are and you can accidentally touch them. As a preventive measure, always wash your hands with antibacterial soap for at least 20 seconds - it is the most effective way to stay safe so far. If soap isn’t available, use rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizers with at least 70% solution. Keep those with you at all times and remember to refrain from touching your face.

3. Filter the air you breathe

The virus can also live in the air for several hours after being transmitted by an infected person so better wear a surgical mask or respirator when heading outdoors or going to crowded places.

4. Get high on Vitamin C

Ascorbic Acid or Vitamin C is a supplement that's known to boost body immunity but it is not a guaranteed cure for coronavirus. However, it's still good to stay safe by boosting your immune system. Eat oranges or fruits high in Vitamin C, drink ascorbic acid tablets, and stay hydrated.

5. Clean and disinfect your home

Use diluted household bleach or disinfectants to kill viruses and bacterias in your home. Not only does this kill pre-existing pathogens, but it also reduces the chances of them staying on surfaces where they land.

6. Avoid panic buying

The best way to stay healthy is to keep your community healthy as well. Don’t panic buy and hoard sanitation necessities. Give everybody else the chance to protect themselves.

To stay healthy during this time of the outbreak, it is most effective to practice proper sanitation and stay away from crowded places. Stay tuned for updates by the CDC and your government.

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