CORONAVIRUS
Stay a safe distance
2 metres (6ft)
Everyone is being asked to play their part in ‘flattening the curve’ of the spread of
coronavirus through social distancing measures. When we reduce our day-to-day contact
with other people, we reduce the spread of the infection.
B
y slowing the number of people
contracting the COVID-19 virus,
we can help to stop the ‘peak’ of
infection from becoming too huge
and overwhelming our emergency services. If
too many people become seriously unwell at
one time, the NHS will be unable to cope. This
will cost lives.
Social distancing can save lives by
protecting those who may be most vulnerable
in our community. Even if you do not have
symptoms you can still spread the virus.
If you do go outdoors you must always
keep a two-metre (or six-foot) gap between
you and other people to avoid contagion –
and then thoroughly wash your hands when
you get back.
That is why the council has closed leisure
centres, libraries, outdoor play areas, gyms
and tennis courts.
Social distancing is important because
coronavirus spreads when an infected person
coughs or sneezes out small droplets –
packed with the virus – into the air. These can
be breathed in if you are within two metres
of the infected person. Alternatively, the
droplets cause an infection if you touch a
surface they have landed on, and then touch
your face with unwashed hands.
Unless you are officially designated a ‘key
worker’ by the government (such as NHS
staff), or are helping someone vulnerable, the
government requirement on most of us is to
only leave the house for essential food and
medicine supplies; but you can also exercise
outdoors once a day – either alone, or with
members of your household.
You should work from home wherever
possible and avoid unnecessary travel
on public transport. You are advised to
use telephone (111) or online services
(111.nhs.uk/covid-19) to contact the NHS –
call your GP rather than visit – and to keep in
touch with friends and family using phones,
the internet and social media.
Anyone designated as being at-risk,
such as those aged over-70 and those
with underlying health conditions, should
stay at home and cut off all non-essential
physical interaction with others. If you are
in these categories and need help from
the community, see pages four-five of this
magazine on Ealing Together.
More advice from the government on
all of the above is available online at
Gov.UK – and also in a variety of different
languages at www.doctorsoftheworld.org.
uk/coronavirus-information.
Symptoms?
If you, or someone you live with, has:
n A high temperature, or
n A new, continuous cough
…you should self-isolate and not leave
home for any reason. If you live alone,
you should not leave your home for
seven days. If you live with others,
all of you need to remain inside the
home for 14 days.
Find out more online at 111.nhs.uk
(or, if you do not have internet access,
call 111).
around ealing Coronavirus
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