As the world worries about the increasing number of confirmed cases of COVID-19, aka novel coronavirus, people in the United States might want to consider taking Barack Obama’s advice. The former President of the United States has called on Americans to follow available scientific pieces of advice and precautions to help stop the spread of the virus.
Barack Obama speaks up, offers advice on coronavirus outbreak
It can be said that Obama has been one of the most popular American presidents in the country’s modern history. And his supporters might find it helpful to listen to the former president’s advice as people around the world might be starting to panic about the effects of the spread of COVID-19.
Obama tweeted earlier, “Protect yourself and your community from coronavirus with common sense precautions: wash your hands, stay home when sick and listen to the @CDCgov and local health authorities.” Anywhere in the world where the first cases of COVID-19 were confirmed, people’s initial reaction is usually to wear masks in public places. However, there is no study yet to prove that the virus is airborne, which explains why Obama said in the same tweet, “Save the masks for health care workers.”
Barack Obama encourages people to ‘stay calm’
Health authorities have been explaining that one of the main ways the virus spreads is through inhaling respiratory droplets from a person infected with the virus. This means when an infected person coughs or sneezes, the droplets can be transmitted to someone as close as 6 feet from the patient. The droplets can be inhaled or may land on another person’s mouth or nose.
People may also contract the virus by touching surfaces where respiratory droplets from infected persons have landed. This explains why frequent and thorough washing of hands with soap is more advisable than wearing a mask, especially to those who are not sick.
Experts also advise having hand sanitizers with at least 60 percent alcohol solution if running water and soap is not available. The mentioned ways to protect one’s self from the virus are rather easy procedures explaining why Obama had asked his 113.6 million Twitter followers, “Let’s stay calm, listen to the experts, and follow the science.”