The months long home quarantine has finally come to an end. All the offices are opening, soon schools & collages are opening as well, it’s just a matter of time that we’’ll again be our on streets, free to go wherever we want. Then there’s the festive season, a time for lot of societal contact, isn’t it?

Among all the things that’s happening & that’s going to happen, let’s not forget the reason for which we were quarantined in the first place that is the Covid-19. It’s not gone yet & it has same capability to harm us & our families so we need be keep taking safety precautions, be it quarantined or not.

So let’s get started with the post quarantine safety tips we should take care of at all times.

MASKS

While we’ve all heard how important it is to wear a mask, we’re here to tell you that you wouldn’t have to always. If you’re staying 6 feet away from other people in an outdoor setting, you should be fine without a mask. One primary reason this is safer is the great air circulation. If someone is sick and does produce aerosols by coughing or sneezing, even a small breeze will whisk those aerosols away quickly.

Wear a mask in indoor settings as well as outdoor settings where you can’t maintain 6 feet of distancing from others at all times.

Obviously there are some situations — like eating at a restaurant — where this won’t be possible.

However, wearing a mask whenever possible is important because it helps protect others, particularly people who can’t wear a mask for medical reasons.

Cloth masks are great and still effective — just make sure you wash them regularly. If you can, it’s best to save medical-grade masks for care providers.

And, yes, you should wear one even if you don’t have any COVID-19 symptoms. Many people who get sick can spread the virus even if they don’t have symptoms.

EATING OUT

If you want to go out & dine at your favourite restaurant or café, there are few things you should keep in mind.

First of all, if there’s an option to eat outside, take it. If there isn’t, make sure the restaurant has tables spaced to maintain physical distancing between patrons and staff.

Other things to look for, are that staff are wearing masks, that the restaurant has installed some kind of shield or clear barrier to protect staff at the cash registers, and that there is social distancing signage in place. If none of these things are in place, it might be a better idea to stick with takeout for now, at least from that particular restaurant.

USING PUBLIC RESTROOMS

If you’re going out to eat again there will likely be a moment when you need to take care of business — but using a public bathroom may not seem like a good idea. There’s been a theory going around that a flushing toilet could cause aerosols, but there are no studies to show that poses a significant risk. No cases of COVID-19 that have been linked to public facilities were heard of till now.

If you have to use a public restroom, make sure you wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds when you’re done. And maybe use a paper towel to open the door on your way out.

GOING TO PARLOUR

Again, part of the risk comes down to whether or not masks can be worn. For something like a manicure or pedicure, both you and the nail artist can be wearing a mask and helping keep each other safe but it is not possible while having a facial massage so it is advisable to avoid that. Or if you do, make sure the other person wears mask & has clean hands.

If you’re waiting for your appointment, it’s also important to keep at least 6 feet away from other customers.

MEETING PEOPLE

It’s been long & we all want to see other people & there is nothing wrong with that. But it is advisable to maintain safety protocols & instead of rushing out to meet up with each and every friend you’ve missed spending time with, start by expanding your social circle gradually.

Your social bubble is you and anyone who lives in your household — essentially, the people you’ve been spending quarantine with. If you then agree to only hang out with, say, your best friend and her wife, then you’re expanding your social bubble to include them — but only them. In turn, they agree to only expand their social bubble to include you.

This way, you keep the amount of exposure you have under control so if anyone does happen to get sick, the virus can’t spread to a larger group of people. 

Given that there’s still some uncertainty around how opening up again will go and how safe certain activities are, all you can do is your best. Since it’s a new disease, our understanding of it is evolving. What’s safe to do is changing over time as we learn more about how the disease spreads and behaves.

We’re all in this together & we will pass these hard times if we maintain all safety protocols. Now you have the idea about what to do & how to react this post quarantine phase, thanks to Right as Rain by UW Medicine that we could get all this helpful information & pass this to you. So stay safe, keep the people around you safe.

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