Prevention of Covid-19
See also: COVID-19 pandemic § Prevention, flattening the curve, workplace hazard
controls for COVID-19, and cloth face mask
Without pandemic containment measures—such as social distancing, vaccination, and use of face
masks—pathogens can spread exponentially.[102] This graphic shows how early adoption of
containment measures tends to protect wider swaths of the population.
Progressively stronger mitigation efforts to reduce the number of active cases at any given time
—"flattening the curve"—allows healthcare services to better manage the same volume of patients.
[103][104][105] Likewise, progressively greater increases in healthcare capacity—called raising the line
—such as by increasing bed count, personnel, and equipment, helps to meet increased demand.[106]
Mitigation attempts that are inadequate in strictness or duration—such as premature relaxation of
distancing rules or stay-at-home orders—can allow a resurgence after the initial surge and
mitigation.[104][107]
A COVID-19 vaccine is not expected until 2021 at the earliest. [108] The US National
Institutes of Health guidelines do not recommend any medication for prevention of
COVID-19, before or after exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, outside the setting of a
clinical trial.[109][110] Without a vaccine, other prophylactic measures, or effective
treatments, a key part of managing COVID-19 is trying to decrease and delay the
epidemic peak, known as "flattening the curve".[104] This is done by slowing the infection
rate to decrease the risk of health services being overwhelmed, allowing for better
treatment of current cases, and delaying additional cases until effective treatments or a
vaccine become available.[104][107]
Preventive measures to reduce the chances of infection include staying at home, wearing
a mask in public, avoiding crowded places, keeping distance from others, washing hands
with soap and water often and for at least 20 seconds, practising good respiratory
hygiene, and avoiding touching the eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands. [111][112]
[113][114] Those diagnosed with COVID-19 or who believe they may be infected are
advised by the CDC to stay home except to get medical care, call ahead before visiting a
healthcare provider, wear a face mask before entering the healthcare provider's office
and when in any room or vehicle with another person, cover coughs and sneezes with a
tissue, regularly wash hands with soap and water and avoid sharing personal household
items.[115][116]
Personal protective equipment
For health care professionals who may come into contact with COVID-19 positive bodily
fluids, using personal protective coverings on exposed body parts improves protection
from the virus.[117] Breathable personal protective equipment improves user-satisfaction
and may offer a similar level of protection from the virus.[117] In addition, adding tabs and
other modifications to the protective equipment may reduce the risk of contamination
during donning and doffing (putting on and taking off the equipment). [117] Implementing
an evidence-based donning and doffing protocol such as a one-step glove and gown
removal technique, giving oral instructions while donning and doffing, double gloving, and
the use of glove disinfection may also improve protection for health care professionals.
[117]
Face masks
The World Health Organization (WHO) and most government health agencies (such as
the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the UK National Health
Service (NHS), or the New Zealand Ministry of Health) recommend individuals wear non-
medical face coverings in public settings where there is an increased risk of transmission
and where social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. [118][119][120][121][122] This
recommendation is meant to reduce the spread of the disease by asymptomatic and pre-
symtomatic individuals and is complementary to established preventive measures such
as social distancing.[119][123] Face coverings limit the volume and travel distance of
expiratory droplets dispersed when talking, breathing, and coughing. [119][123] Many
countries and local jurisdictions encourage or mandate the use of face masks or cloth
face coverings by members of the public to limit the spread of the virus.[124][125][126][127]
Masks are also strongly recommended for those who may have been infected and those
taking care of someone who may have the disease.[128]
Social distancing
Social distancing strategies aim to reduce contact of infected persons with large groups
by closing schools and workplaces, restricting travel, and cancelling large public
gatherings.[129] Distancing guidelines also include that people stay at least 2 metres
(6.6 ft) apart.[130] After the implementation of social distancing and stay-at-home orders,
many regions have been able to sustain an effective transmission rate ("R t") of less than
one, meaning the disease is in remission in those areas. [131]
Hand-washing and hygiene
When not wearing a mask, the CDC, WHO, and NHS recommends covering the mouth
and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and recommends using the inside of
the elbow if no tissue is available. [112][121][132] Proper hand hygiene after any cough or
sneeze is encouraged.[112][121] The WHO also recommends that individuals wash hands
often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the toilet or
when hands are visibly dirty, before eating and after blowing one's nose. [132] The CDC
recommends using an alcohol-based hand sanitiser with at least 60% alcohol, but only
when soap and water are not readily available.[121] For areas where commercial hand
sanitisers are not readily available, the WHO provides two formulations for local
production. In these formulations, the antimicrobial activity arises
from ethanol or isopropanol. Hydrogen peroxide is used to help eliminate bacterial
spores in the alcohol; it is "not an active substance for hand antisepsis". Glycerol is
added as a humectant.[133]
Sanitizing of frequently touched surfaces is also recommended or required by regulation
for businesses and public facilities; the United States Environmental Protection
Agency maintains a list of products expected to be effective. [134]
