Coronavirus tips – from hand washing to wearing masks and helping the elderly
TODAY'S Google Doodle sees the letters enjoying themselves at home, with the tagline: "Stay Home, Stay Safe: Save Lives".
So here's our guide on how to get through lockdown, with coronavirus tips from washing your hands to wearing masks and helping the elderly.
⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
Health tips
It's crucial that you wash your hands regularly with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds - it helps to stop the spread.
Do it as soon as you get home.
You should also avoid touching your face - anything on your hands, including the virus, can enter your system through your eyes, nose and mouth.
How to wash your hands properly
According to the NHS, these are the 11 steps you should be following every time:
1. Wet your hands with water
2. Apply enough soap to cover your hands
3. Rub your hands together
4. Use one hand to rub the back of the other hand and clean in between the fingers. Repeat with other hand
5. Rub your hands together and clean in between your fingers
6. Rub the back of your fingers against your palms
7. Rub your thumb using your other hand. Do the same with the other thumb
8. Rub the tips of your fingers on the palm of your other hand. Repeat with the other hand
9. Rinse your hands with water
10. Dry your hands completely with a disposable towel
11. Use the disposable towel to turn off the tap
Coughs and sneezes should be caught in a tissue, or your sleeve - never your hands - and you should wash your hands after disposing of the tissue.
If you can't wash your hands with soap and water, use a sanitizer gel.
Experts say it's good to have a designated area for outside clothes, like coats, bags and shoes - and these should be put away as soon as you get inside.
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Should I wear a face mask?
There's a bit of a debate about how effective wearing a face mask can be.
The NHS has previously maintained there is "very little evidence" the masks will protect you against the virus.
But the rules might change soon - keep checking back to Sun Online for updates.
In countries across Asia where it's more common to don a facemask in public - even before the pandemic - the idea behind it generally was if you were feeling unwell, you would wear a mask to stop it spreading to others - not the other way round.
And the World Health Organisation has said people only need to wear masks if they are caring for someone with Covid-19, or if they themselves are coughing or sneezing.
Dr Mike Ryan, from the WHO, warned against the widespread use of masks on Monday.
He said: “There is no specific evidence to suggest that the wearing of masks by the mass population has any potential benefit.
“In fact, there's some evidence to suggest the opposite in the misuse of wearing a mask properly or fitting it properly."
Looking after your mental health
The lockdown can be tough on your mental health - spending lots of time alone and indoors can be difficult.
It's vital as well as checking up on yourself, reach out to others too.
The NHS says its important to reach out during these times by staying in touch with friends and family on the phone or via social media.
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) CEO Simon Gunning has revealed there are some simple steps you can take during this uncertain time to keep on top things and stay mentally fit and healthy while at home.
He told The Sun: "Coronavirus is here, and it looks likely it’ll be part of our daily life for a little while to come.
"Because of all the uncertainty it can be easy to feel out of control, which is why it is more important than ever to look after your mental and physical health and of those around you."
Simon recommends staying connected, switching off from social media and keeping up with a routine, you can read his full list of tips here.
The Sun also recently launched the You're Not Alone campaign to remind anyone facing a tough time, grappling with mental illness or feeling like there's nowhere left to turn, that there is hope.
WHERE TO GET HELP
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, , 0800 585 858
- Heads Together,
- Mind, , 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus,, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, , 116 123
Cleaning tips
While its unlikely you'll catch coronavirus inside your home, scientists think the bug can survive on plastic and metal for several days.
There is also a suggestion the virus may be able to survive on your clothes.
It won't hurt to deep-clean your home if you can, including airing out spaces you regularly spend time in.
Dr Alexa Mieses, an assistant professor in the department of family medicine at the University of North Carolina, said people should be cleaning and disinfecting their houses regularly.
When it comes to cleaning, she told the Huffington Post: "You should be doing a regular cleaning routine, which includes removing dirt and dust, and regular household cleaning products are fine for this."
But when it comes to disinfecting surfaces, Dr Mieses urges people to use bleach or a cleaner with 70 per cent alcohol.
Lockdown tips
It's important to occupy your time during lockdown - not only because it can be really boring, but because keeping busy and maintaining routine is vital for your mental health.
Here's some ingenious ways to make lockdown bearable:
- Make your own yeast and make bread at home
- Here's how to make your own McDonald's burger
- Make food last longer during lockdown
- Recipes for DIY Nandos
- Missing Greggs? Here's how to make your own cheese, sausage and bean melt
- Ingenious three-ingredient chocolate chip cake - you can make in the slow cooker
- Best home workouts
MOST READ IN HEALTH
But most importantly, stay home.
Only head to the shops as infrequently as possible - ideally once a week,
And only leave the house once a day to exercise, to help someone who can't get out or to head to work - and only if you can't work from home.
If you do head out, try and go on your own or with one other person from your household.