The safety of each one of us is in our hands, literally. No pun intended. We are in the middle of a very severe health situation and all of us need to take it very seriously. As the country with the highest number of cases in the world along with the highest mortality figures, we need to ensure that all of us, our loved ones, and our communities stay safe. The novel Coronavirus is virulent in some cases especially for the senior citizens, young children, and those living with comorbidities such as heart ailments, Diabetes, and lung conditions such as Asthma.

Global medical experts believe that we are currently in the 1^st wave of the pandemic and a 2^nd wave is expected to hit countries by the end of the year.  Already China, Korea and New Zealand which had “done away” with Corona cases are now seeing a return of cases, though in small numbers. So there is no scope for complacency or letting our guard down.

Here are some general tips on staying safe and minimizing the risk of infection and exposure:

• Maintain physical distancing when visiting public places (minimum 6 feet between 2 people).
• Stay home and order groceries and supplies through delivery apps.
• Wear a good quality face mask when stepping out of the home (covering the nose all the way down to the chin).
• Wash hands with soap and water on a regular basis for at least 20 seconds.
• If no water is available, then use bottles of hand sanitizers in the same way.
• Wearing gloves and surgical shields is another way to stay safe in public places.
• Sneeze or cough into the sleeve of your clothing top or use a paper tissue (and discard it carefully after use).
• Boost your immunity with powerful supplements, antioxidants, and fruits loaded with Vitamin C.  It is advisable to check with the family physician before starting any over-the-counter medications.

COVID-19 is here among us and till a vaccination is released, the only way we can stay safe is to remain at home & isolate ourselves. This is particularly important for the elders who are the most at risk. Studies have shown that seniors above 55 years had longer durations of hospital stay, prolonged recovery, increased lung involvement, and a quicker progression of the illness.

Here are some ways to care for the elders during this pandemic:

• Be in regular touch through telephone or video calls.  Practice physical distancing and not social distancing.
• Regular use of telehealth services for medical conditions.
• Postponement of all elective operations such as cataracts and hernia.
• Involve the elders in all aspects of decision making.
• Avoid self-medication of any sort (Anti-virals, Hydroxychloroquine, herbal supplements, or quick remedies going viral on social media).
• Be aware of the early symptoms of Covid-19, so that timely action can be taken.
• Be aware of the rise of psycho-social issues and the need to address it sensitively with mental health professionals. 

We will beat the coronavirus just as we have other viruses and pandemics in the past. Be cautious, be safe, and stay home as much as possible. As we all know prevention is the best defense, whether for the young or the elderly.  The power to stay safe and secure is with all of us.