5. Preventing COVID-19 |

5. Preventing COVID-19

5.1 Social distancing

At numbers continue to climb to unprecedented levels in the current pandemic, governments around the globe are advising people to socially distance themselves in order to lower the spread of COVID-19. But what exactly social distancing measures are implemented in different countries? How does it help to lower the spread of COVID-19?

Disclaimer: The APJO COVID-19 FAQs resource has aggregated the below third-party content and resources. For the avoidance of doubt, the views and opinions expressed are those of third-party authors and do not reflect the official policy or position of any APJO/APAO/AAPPO affiliated agency, organisation or individual.

5.1.1 Thailand (viewer discretion is advised)

5.1.2 Malaysia (viewer discretion is advised)

5.1.3 USA (viewer discretion is advised)

5.1.4 China

5.1.5 India

Source: Alibaba Cloud (https://www.alibabacloud.com/tc/campaign/fight-coronavirus-covid-19)

5.2 Respiratory hygiene

5.2.1 Mask selection

Healthcare workers: surgical masks should be worn when performing sterile procedures, or as general protection against droplets infections. N95 respirators should be worn in the clinical care of patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19.

Public use (especially for individuals with respiratory symptoms): surgical masks are recommended to people exposed in crowded and poorly ventilated places, such as taking public transports, students in school and individuals visiting clinics or hospitals.
* Hand hygiene should be performed before and after taking off the mask to avoid contamination of our hands. Change masks timely. Replace the mask immediately if it is damaged, wetted or soiled. After taking off the mask, discard it into a lidded waste bin and perform hand hygiene immediately.

*Hand hygiene should be performed before and after taking off the mask to avoid contamination of our hands. Change masks timely. Replace the mask immediately if it is damaged, wetted or soiled. After taking off the mask, discard it into a lidded waste bin and perform hand hygiene immediately.

Surgical Masks or N95 Respirators

5.2.2 Structures and mechanisms of filter materials

Larger particles: captured by filter fibers directly when they impact or intercept the fibers
Smaller particles: constantly bombarded by air molecules, causing them to deviate from the air stream and come into contact with a fiber
Oppositely charged particles: attracted to charged fiber

* All particles that come into contact with a fiber will stay attached to the fiber firmly, thus filters can capture particles smaller than the pore size.

References
Van Doremalen N, Bushmaker T, Morris DH, et al. (2020): Aerosol and Surface Stability of SARS-CoV-2 as Compared with SARS-CoV-1. New England Journal of Medicine. In press.
He X, Reponen T, McKay R & Grinshpun SA (2014): How Does Breathing Frequency Affect the Performance of an N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirator and a Surgical Mask Against Surrogates of Viral Particles? Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene 11: 178-185
He X, Reponen T, McKay RT & Grinshpun SA (2013): Effect of Particle Size on the Performance of an N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirator and a Surgical Mask at Various Breathing Conditions. Aerosol Science and Technology 47: 1180-1187.
N95 Respirators and Surgical Masks. Available at: https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2009/10/14/n95/. Accessed 17 Feb, 2020.

5.3 Hand hygiene

5.3.1 Hand rubs

Alcohol Hand Rubbing vs Washing

Standard recommendations: alcohol-based handrubs or handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
When hands are visibly dirty: handwashing with soap and water
When hands are not visibly dirty: alcohol-based handrubs is a preferred method as it demonstrated better antiseptic efficacy. It is also easier to be used at the point of care and is minimally time-consuming, resulting in better compliance.

* Use of gloves do not constitute part of hand hygiene. Proper hand hygiene should still be performed before and after wearing gloves. It is not recommended to use alcohol-based handrubs whilst gloves are on hands.

Ethanol vs Isopropyl Alcohol

References
Peiris JSM, Guan Y, Yuen KY (2014): Severe acute respiratory syndrome. Nature Medicine 10: S88-S97.
Gaunt ER, Hardie A, Claas ECJ, et al. (2010): Epidemiology and Clinical Presentations of the Four Human Coronaviruses 229E, HKU1, NL63, and OC43 Detected over 3 Years Using a Novel Multiplex Real-Time PCR Method. Journal of Clinical Microbiology 48: 2940.
Matoba Y, Abiko C, Ikeda T, et al. (2015): Detection of the Human Coronavirus 229E, HKU1, NL63, and OC43 between 2010 and 2013 in Yamagata, Japan. Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases 68:138-141.

5.4. Applying technology in COVID-19

[Commentary]

5.4.1 Coronavirus: Chinese police wear smart helmets to check body temperature in crowds