Epidemic Advice From Hong Kongers
Hong Kong has survived the Avian Flu and SARS epidemic. In face of the COVID-19 threat, Hong Kong people have been able to keep the curve flat, as the saying goes. Experts credit it to the collective response and measures Hong Kongers take to minimize the spread of the virus.
Given how many times they have gone through this, Hong Kongers have almost all the details and sequences down to a science. I would like to take this opportunity to share with you the advice from my family in Hong Kong on what to do and how to do it so as to keep yourself and the community safe.
1/ Practice self isolation.
Unless necessary, do not leave home. It is ok to go for a walk or exercise in solitary. Keep a good personal distance of a yard or two from others. No hugs, hand shakes at this time. Maintain a good inventory of food and groceries for about a week so as to minimize the number of trips outside the home.
Even though it is the Chinese custom for families to share their food at the table, during times like this, people use spoons or a common pair of chopsticks to take food from the dishes, rather than digging in using their personal chopsticks. Some families even divide up the food so everybody has their own plate of food.
2/ Wear a face mask outside your home.
There are two reasons for wearing a mask when you are outside your home: blocking saliva from others which may contain virus, and to prevent your saliva from reaching others, in case you are an asymptomatic carrier.
A good mask should have 3 layers: an outer waterproof fabric, a middle filtering layer, and an inner layer that is moisture absorbent. Two-layered surgical masks are not enough to provide protection against the corona virus.
Surgical masks have been pretty much all sold out in the US long ago. If you have no access to the commercial ones, it is possible to make fabric reusable masks at home to provide some protection. Depending on the fabric you use, and the filtering material you choose (can be non-woven synthetic fabric or even 2 layers of paper towel laid perpendicularly to each other), according to a researcher in Hong Kong, it can be as good as a N70 mask. They are not hard to make. Having 2 sets of 2 per person allows you to alternate: wear one in the morning, one in the afternoon. Wash them in the evening with disinfectant and soap and let them dry thoroughly for a day while you wear the second set.
[YouTube link for a DIY fabric mask video] with links to pattern
It is in Cantonese, but it is not hard to understand with the visuals.
3/ Cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough with your elbow.
The force behind a sneeze actually is quite strong. Your saliva can travel a great distance in high velocity. Please make sure you cover your mouth completely. Do so whether you are at home or outside because virus can stay alive on a surface for many hours.
4/ Don't touch things unless necessary.
When you are outside, avoid touching things, as much as possible -- including your face. If you can use your elbow to push the elevator button, use your elbow. If you must use your hand, try to use something to shield your hand. The idea is that: most people unconsciously touch their faces many times a day. That is how you transfer pathogens into your eyes, nose or mouth. It is much harder to touch your face with your elbow.
5/ Take off your shoes at the door.
When you get home, remove your shoes and leave them at the door. You never know what you may track into your house with your shoes. In Hong Kong, families place a door mat with disinfectant soaked into it by the entrance. They step on the doormat to wipe their shoes thoroughly before they step inside. Once inside the home, no street shoes are allowed.
6/ Street clothes vs Home clothes
Have different sets of clothes for home and for going out, and do not mix them. If possible, designate a transition space to be the "Dirty Room" where you take off your street clothes and leave them there when you come home. If you are going to be home for the rest of the day, take a shower before you put on your home clothes.
7/ Wash your hands!
This is probably the most important thing of all. Wash your hands carefully and wash them often! Washing hands with water and soap beats using hand sanitizers. Lather up thoroughly both the front and back of your hands, and in between fingers. Scrub your finger tips with your palms to make sure nothing can hide under your nails.
Question: Should I take off my face mask first, or should I wash my hands first?
Answer: First, wash your hands. Take off your disposable face mask, dispose of it properly in a sealed plastic bag. Then, wash your hands again!
Similarly: Come home. Take off your shoes. Wash your hands. Change your clothes. Wash your hands again. Even better, take a shower before getting into home clothes!
8/ Have a daily wipe down of surfaces you may have touched with your "dirty" hands.
After all members of the household have come home for the day, wipe the door knobs and light switches by the entrance with disinfectants. Any other surfaces you might have touched when you come home deserve a wipe down as well.
9/ Wear garments that virus does not hitchhike on easily.
Spring has not quite sprung yet, so we may still need to wear a jacket when we go out. A windbreaker is more preferable than a woolen sweater in terms of its resistance to pathogens clinging.
10/ Practice good personal hygiene.
Keep your home clean. Shower everyday. If you are going to only shower once a day, do it after you come home from outside. Wash your hair as well because it can catch things drifting in the air easily.
It is sad that we have to take extreme measures because of the epidemic, but it is better to be safe than sorry. Life will be back to normal. It is just a matter of time, if we tackle it together. Hope to see you soon again.
Be patient. Be safe. Be well.
Given how many times they have gone through this, Hong Kongers have almost all the details and sequences down to a science. I would like to take this opportunity to share with you the advice from my family in Hong Kong on what to do and how to do it so as to keep yourself and the community safe.
1/ Practice self isolation.
Unless necessary, do not leave home. It is ok to go for a walk or exercise in solitary. Keep a good personal distance of a yard or two from others. No hugs, hand shakes at this time. Maintain a good inventory of food and groceries for about a week so as to minimize the number of trips outside the home.
Even though it is the Chinese custom for families to share their food at the table, during times like this, people use spoons or a common pair of chopsticks to take food from the dishes, rather than digging in using their personal chopsticks. Some families even divide up the food so everybody has their own plate of food.
2/ Wear a face mask outside your home.
There are two reasons for wearing a mask when you are outside your home: blocking saliva from others which may contain virus, and to prevent your saliva from reaching others, in case you are an asymptomatic carrier.
A good mask should have 3 layers: an outer waterproof fabric, a middle filtering layer, and an inner layer that is moisture absorbent. Two-layered surgical masks are not enough to provide protection against the corona virus.
Surgical masks have been pretty much all sold out in the US long ago. If you have no access to the commercial ones, it is possible to make fabric reusable masks at home to provide some protection. Depending on the fabric you use, and the filtering material you choose (can be non-woven synthetic fabric or even 2 layers of paper towel laid perpendicularly to each other), according to a researcher in Hong Kong, it can be as good as a N70 mask. They are not hard to make. Having 2 sets of 2 per person allows you to alternate: wear one in the morning, one in the afternoon. Wash them in the evening with disinfectant and soap and let them dry thoroughly for a day while you wear the second set.
[YouTube link for a DIY fabric mask video] with links to pattern
It is in Cantonese, but it is not hard to understand with the visuals.
3/ Cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough with your elbow.
The force behind a sneeze actually is quite strong. Your saliva can travel a great distance in high velocity. Please make sure you cover your mouth completely. Do so whether you are at home or outside because virus can stay alive on a surface for many hours.
4/ Don't touch things unless necessary.
When you are outside, avoid touching things, as much as possible -- including your face. If you can use your elbow to push the elevator button, use your elbow. If you must use your hand, try to use something to shield your hand. The idea is that: most people unconsciously touch their faces many times a day. That is how you transfer pathogens into your eyes, nose or mouth. It is much harder to touch your face with your elbow.
5/ Take off your shoes at the door.
When you get home, remove your shoes and leave them at the door. You never know what you may track into your house with your shoes. In Hong Kong, families place a door mat with disinfectant soaked into it by the entrance. They step on the doormat to wipe their shoes thoroughly before they step inside. Once inside the home, no street shoes are allowed.
6/ Street clothes vs Home clothes
Have different sets of clothes for home and for going out, and do not mix them. If possible, designate a transition space to be the "Dirty Room" where you take off your street clothes and leave them there when you come home. If you are going to be home for the rest of the day, take a shower before you put on your home clothes.
7/ Wash your hands!
This is probably the most important thing of all. Wash your hands carefully and wash them often! Washing hands with water and soap beats using hand sanitizers. Lather up thoroughly both the front and back of your hands, and in between fingers. Scrub your finger tips with your palms to make sure nothing can hide under your nails.
Question: Should I take off my face mask first, or should I wash my hands first?
Answer: First, wash your hands. Take off your disposable face mask, dispose of it properly in a sealed plastic bag. Then, wash your hands again!
Similarly: Come home. Take off your shoes. Wash your hands. Change your clothes. Wash your hands again. Even better, take a shower before getting into home clothes!
8/ Have a daily wipe down of surfaces you may have touched with your "dirty" hands.
After all members of the household have come home for the day, wipe the door knobs and light switches by the entrance with disinfectants. Any other surfaces you might have touched when you come home deserve a wipe down as well.
9/ Wear garments that virus does not hitchhike on easily.
Spring has not quite sprung yet, so we may still need to wear a jacket when we go out. A windbreaker is more preferable than a woolen sweater in terms of its resistance to pathogens clinging.
10/ Practice good personal hygiene.
Keep your home clean. Shower everyday. If you are going to only shower once a day, do it after you come home from outside. Wash your hair as well because it can catch things drifting in the air easily.
It is sad that we have to take extreme measures because of the epidemic, but it is better to be safe than sorry. Life will be back to normal. It is just a matter of time, if we tackle it together. Hope to see you soon again.
Be patient. Be safe. Be well.
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