In This Post:
– Stop Panic Buying
– Don’t Waste Water
– Restrict Travel
– Social Distancing
– Assist Senior Citizens
– Don’t Spread Rumours
– Verify Information
– Adhere Govt. Orders
They say ‘desperate times call for desperate measures,’ but we say ‘desperate times call for greater responsibility.’ Granted, COVID-19 can spread through touch, but there’s something equally infectious that can, quite unlike the illness, help others survive: one act of kindness. During these troubled times, your compassion and good deeds would create a ripple effect. Learn how to act responsibly during the coronavirus outbreak and help everyone around you in dealing with this global crisis.
How to Act Responsibly During the Coronavirus Outbreak
As the number of coronavirus cases in Pakistan is on the rise and the government is doing every bit to control the disease, a lot of responsibility also lies on our shoulders as citizens of this country. Fortunately, we have come up with a list of do’s and don’ts during the coronavirus outbreak that will help you understand how to act responsibly during an epidemic. Let’s check that out.
- Don’t hoard groceries & medicines
- Don’t leave the tap open while washing hands
- Restrict travel to avoid possible spread of coronavirus
- Practise social distancing
- Offer assistance to senior citizens
- Avoid spreading false rumours & fake news
- Verify information before you pass it on
- Adhere to official government orders
We will now discuss each of these points one by one for better understanding.
Don’t hoard groceries & medicines
As many cities around the globe are in complete lockdown, the fear of facing a similar situation is rising. People are now hoarding groceries, medicines and even toilet paper! All across the world, there is a shortage of hand sanitisers, hand wash, toilet paper and many household items, leaving shelves completely bare.
The vulnerable segment of the society like senior citizens, pregnant women, families with small kids are finding it harder to get regular supplies and medicines as people are buying in bulk and storing them for any unexpected lockdown like situation.
Although there is no harm in buying essential items like prescribed medicines, dry supplies, dry milk for infants, pampers and baby wipes, etc. but hoarding groceries for six months should be discouraged. In order to act responsibly during a crisis, you must think of others before you.
Just like you need groceries, there are so many people out there who have not been able to get essential items mainly because people have started panic-buying. Your one irresponsible act can affect someone badly.
Don’t leave the tap open while washing hands
We all know that the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) recommends washing hands for 20 seconds as a precautionary measure against coronavirus. However, this does not mean that you leave the tap running for a good 20 seconds, while you are rubbing scum and grease off your hands.
It is better to run a little bit of water on your hands, turn off the tap, make lather, and then turn on the tap and wash your hands. This is how a responsible human being should wash their hands (even when there is no crisis).
Leaving the tap running while you wait for the lather to build up is going to create water shortage in the long run. Imagine the amount of water loss when each time we keep the tap running while washing hands. If you want to act responsibly during the coronavirus outbreak then turn off the tap when rubbing your hands with soap.
This little act of yours can help save many litres of water. Let’s not address a crisis situation by creating another global crisis. It is time we act sensibly and stop wasting water. If you are a conscientious citizen, then take a look at these 7 ways to conserve water at home.
Restrict travel to avoid possible spread of coronavirus
It is advised to ‘stay where you are’ during an epidemic. Some of the symptoms of coronavirus appear at a later stage until then you might have been the cause of coronavirus spread. If you have traveled to those countries who are facing the coronavirus outbreak, then it is better you stay there and not take a flight back home to avoid coronavirus from spreading.
Moreover, for your own safety as well it is better you avoid traveling as the risk doubles up, especially at airports where there are people coming in from all parts of the world. This is perhaps one of the best ways of limiting the spread of coronavirus by being responsible and protecting others from harm.
Practise social distancing
If you are going to work then don’t shake hands with people. A friendly wave would do. These simple precautions in an epidemic protect many people who are at risk. Don’t go out on dinners, hang out with friends or go on a picnic just because you are bored while staying at home.
If you have elderly parents or small children at home and you are attending not-so-important dinners, you are putting each of your family members’ lives at risk! Find some good constructive activities at home to keep yourself busy.
Please don’t invite guests at home unnecessarily just because you want something to keep you busy. These are not normal vacations. Schools have been closed to protect children from contracting the virus. It is also advised to work from home if your company allows you to. Take the benefit of this facility in these testing times.
Offer assistance to senior citizens
Look around you. Are there senior citizens living in your neighbourhood? Do they need any assistance? Something as simple as doing grocery runs for the elderly can help them a great deal.
If you are grocery shopping and spot an elderly person making their way to the store shelves, ask them what they need and buy it for them. This is how you can act responsibly during the coronavirus outbreak and make it rewarding both for you and for others around you.
Avoid spreading false rumours & fake news
If you want to act responsibly during the coronavirus outbreak, don’t follow the herd. The basic rule when disseminating any information is to verify and check it first. In these pressing times when people are keeping an eye out for any latest update about the coronavirus pandemic, one fake news can cause panic.
One of the best ways to act responsibly during the coronavirus outbreak is to stick to official sources such as the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) and all government institutions for any information regarding prevention and symptoms of the disease.
For instance, if you want to know about the latest updates on the development of the coronavirus vaccine, you should look for authentic news sources only. Don’t fall for bogus home remedies for coronavirus or any fake news. Also, beware of spreading any false rumour.
Verify information before you pass it on
Here’s a thing: When you receive any information, whether on Whatsapp or via the internet, don’t just hit the share button.
First, read what is written in the message, corroborate the information with multiple sources and once you are completely sure that the information you are about to pass on is absolutely true and there is not an iota of falsehood, only then you should share the content with your family and friends. Blindly hitting the share button is going to do more harm than good.
Adhere to official government orders
The government of Pakistan is trying hard to combat coronavirus. As responsible citizens of the country, we should act sensibly and responsibly in this hour of need. By making jokes and ridiculing the efforts of the government or making light of the severity of the epidemic is not what you should do.
The Sindh government has banned entry to malls, restaurants, cinemas, parks and Seaview. Make sure you are adhering to all government orders. If one infected person goes out in the crowd he can infect so many others. Act sensibly and take responsibility to stop the spread of coronavirus.
Remember, it only takes one person to pass on the germs to others. Your one responsible act can do wonders. Take responsibility to stop the spread of coronavirus. Check out these cleaning tips to disinfect your home from coronavirus.
Subscribe to the Zameen Newsletter appearing on the right-hand side of the page. Don’t forget to write to us at blog@zameen.com and we will surely get back to you. Keep visiting Zameen Blog, the best lifestyle blog in Pakistan for regular updates.
