Attending an Event or Meeting? Ways to Stay Safe from Coronavirus

As the numbers of Coronavirus cases are increasing in countries, the World Health Organization has released guidelines on organizing gatherings, mainly office meeting and events. Whereas, they also state that you must avoid gathering unless it is very important to attend.

Check out the twitter thread:

Organizers of meetings & events need to think about the potential risk from #COVID19 because:
1⃣ There is a risk that people attending your meeting or event might be unwittingly bringing the #coronavirus to the meeting. Others might be unknowingly exposed to COVID-19. pic.twitter.com/nlwvK5FKu0

— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) March 8, 2020

Key considerations to prevent or reduce #COVID19 risks BEFORE a meeting or event:
👥 Consider whether a face-to-face meeting or event is needed. Could it be replaced by a teleconference or online event?
👥 Could the meeting or event be scaled down so that fewer people attend? pic.twitter.com/vG5NimYfZY

— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) March 8, 2020

The coronavirus spreads when someone with the disease coughs or exhales, releasing droplets of the infected fluid. If the droplets fall on surfaces of various objects like tables, desks or telephones and other people come in contact with the contaminated surfaces and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth, they too can get infected.

As per WHO, those with weakened immune systems and having conditions like diabetes, heart, and lung disease are more vulnerable to get this serious illness.

Check out some precautions to take before going to a meeting or event:

• See if the meeting can be replaced with video calling or teleconference?
• Arrange a sufficient amount of tissues and hand sanitizer for the participants.
• Have masks available for the ones who are suffering from cold and flu
• Advise participants who have any symptoms of COVID-19 to avoid attending the event
• Arrange a room for someone who feels unwell.
• Make sure any ill person can be transferred to a health facility real soon
• Provide detailed information about COVID-19
• Encourage saying hello instead of a handshake
• Ask attendees to wash their hands with soap often
• Tell the participants to cover their face while they cough or sneeze

When you should wash your hands:

• Wash them after sneezing or coughing
• After using washroom
• After touching anything dirty
• After they come in contact with animal
• Before having any meal
• After having a meal

Other than this follow the basic precautions that are being advised.