Help stop spread of Covid-19

LET us pay attention to what the Government has announced to take effect relating to the coronavirus and to abide by it to stop the virus from entering our respective communities.
From the World Health Organisation, people can catch Covid-19 from others who have the virus.
The disease can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with Covid-19 coughs or exhales.
These droplets land on objects and surfaces around the person.
Other people then catch Covid-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, when touching their eyes, nose or mouth.
People can also catch Covid-19 if they breathe in droplets from a person with Covid-19 who coughs out or exhales droplets.
This is why it is important to stay more than one meter (3 feet) away from a person who is sick.
And so the message of ensuring one’s home is clean and for people to maintain general hygiene and cleanliness and social distancing is very important.
And we can only achieve that when accurate information is transmitted or disseminated.
We have said and will say it again, what our people need right now is accurate, consistent and regular information.
We also note that two important events – World TB day (March 24) and World Water day (March 22) went by without much attention as the world focused on the coronavirus.
And mind you, these days are related to coronavirus.
Coronavirus is highlighting how vulnerable people with lung diseases and weak immune systems can be.
Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by bacteria that is spread through the air from person to person.
If not treated properly, TB can be fatal.
World TB Day is commemorated to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of TB, and to step up efforts to end the global TB epidemic.
While World Water Day is an opportunity to learn more about water-related issues, be inspired to tell others and take action to make a difference.
It is basically a day to focus attention on the importance of water.
Water is a precious substance that meets our physical needs.
Water, we all know is an essential building block of life.
It is more than just essential to satisfy thirst or protect health; water is vital for creating jobs and supporting economic, social, and human development.
With all these mentioned, the biggest challenge for us in PNG will be our effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus is cleanliness and hygiene in urban areas.
It is a relevant and timely message. For rapidly growing urban centres where crowds of people are interacting daily, the need for personal hygiene and concern for other people’s health are often disregarded.
It is for everyone’s benefit that these measures are being put in place – from social distances to getting into crowded areas and the simplest reminder of personal hygiene.
The message of practicing hand hygiene (wash your hands regularly with soap and water), respiratory hygiene (cover your cough), and food safety (cook food well before eating) as a prevention measure for yourself as well as your family members and your community must continue.
Bottom line is, we need to get the basic of personal hygiene right and adhere to the don’ts and dos of the lockdown.