Five tips to help you avoid catching Covid 19

Covid 19 is here and the everyday calculation of risk just got a whole lot more complicated. Luckily, a video about managing that risk came to our attention. The video is by Dr Sandhya Ramanathan, a GP in Auckland, who has amazing work on her channel.

We definitely recommend you watch the video for the full rundown on managing Covid 19 risk, but as it’s an excerpt from a Zoom meeting, we figured we’d post a summary of the top tips for minimising risk.

Tip 1: Get vaxxed!

This is always going to be top of the list. We love vaccinations! If every eligible person in your household is vaxxed, then you’re collectively creating a wee bubble of safety around those in your household who can’t yet get the Covid 19 vaccination.

The jab doesn’t stop you from getting infected, but it makes it far less likely. If you’re vaccinated, you are eight times less likely to get infected and 25 times **less likely **to end up in hospital if you do get a breakthrough infection. Vaccination also greatly reduces your risk of experiencing 'Long Covid'.

Breakthrough Infections: This is the term for someone who is double jabbed when they contract Covid. There will always be a few of these infections but we can reduce the number of them by following Dr Ramanathan’s other excellent guidelines:

Tip 2: Ventilation, ventilation, ventilation

When it comes to keeping safe, focus has shifted from minimising contact to maximising air flow. When we speak or breathe, we create tiny wee aerosol sprays that the virus loves to hang out in. If we keep fresh air flowing, we won’t end up in an invisible Covid Soup.

If you’ve got guests at home, keep doors and windows open. If it’s too cold or windy to keep them open, try to open your windows for 10 minutes every hour (thank goodness we’re coming into summer!)

If you’re able, you can invest in an air purifier with a HEPA filter. Consumer have an excellent guide.

Tip 3: Go outside!

This tip is two for the price of one. First of all, outside is where air keeps moving, especially if you live in Wellington! We know it’s impossible to avoid indoor premises entirely, but it is possible to minimise the amount of time spent in them. When walking to work, don’t take the shortcut through the mall. Bring your lunch to avoid cafes and supermarkets. Stay outside the shelters when waiting for public transport. Don’t attend events that occur indoors. If you’re going out to eat, go to a place that has tables outside or get your food to take away so you can eat in a park, on a beach, or anywhere else that takes your fancy!

Secondly, if you’re outside and getting sunshine, your body can produces vitamin D. Covid patients with lower levels of vitamin D have worse outcomes, so make sure you get some sun (while staying sunsafe!) to boost your immune system.

Tip 4: Stay Active and healthy!

This will be old hat to those of us who are immune compromised or have immune compromised family members, so sorry for the repetition. For the rest of us, remember that you can strengthen your immune system by eating a varied diet (fresh fruit and veg!), getting a walk in as often as possible, and getting regular sleep. Easier said than done when you’re administering medications to your child throughout the night - but we do need to remember to do as much as we can to protect ourselves as well as our tamariki.

Tip 5: Mask up against Covid 19!

When you must go indoors, wear a mask. Some masks are better than others, but any mask is better than no mask! Create a habit of “Inside = Mask On”, regardless of legal requirements.

This does two things:

• you’re keeping yourself and others safe
• you’re contributing to a culture where wearing a mask is normal.

We’ve had some big changes since Covid appeared on the scene, and the need for masks is definitely one of them. They’re here to stay so let’s use them!

Here’s a list of places where masks are required.

We definitely recommend checking out Dr Sandhya Ramanathan’s channel for more sensible advice.

Awhi Ngā Mātua

This article has been developed by Awhi Ngā Mātua with research support from the IHC library.