Best way to protect yourself from the new strain of COVID, experts say

Taking precautions against the new coronavirus has become a daily reality since the start of the pandemic. But with the discovery of a new, highly contagious mutated variant of the virus originating in the UK, medical experts warn that increased transmissibility will likely lead to an increase in cases in addition to an already disastrous nationwide push. Fortunately, there are still ways to protect yourself and others from the new strain of COVID spreading in the United States – and much of what experts recommend is familiar advice. Read on to see what steps will keep you safe, and to learn more about what else you can do to reduce your risk, see If you don’t, your mask won’t protect you, study finds. .

1

Continue to follow basic guidelines

With the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) predicting that the British variant would likely become the dominant strain in the United States by March, many experts originally feared that the strain – which is at least 50 % more contagious – not be difficult. contain. But while the virus may have changed slightly, it turns out that the best way to avoid contracting it is to continue to follow the same basic health precautions that have been recommended since day one, such as wearing a face mask, avoiding crowds, washing your hands regularly and avoiding spending time indoors with people you do not live with.

Instead of a new routine, experts simply recommend being diligent about what we already know is working. “I think there is no room for error or neglect in following precautions, whereas before we could have gotten away with leaving a slide.” Linsey MarrSaid a PhD, professor of civil and environmental engineering at Virginia Tech and prominent aerosol scientist the New York Times.

2

Rethink your daily errands

Even though a global pandemic is raging around us, the need to run to the grocery store for essential supplies still exists. But with a highly contagious strain becoming the norm, the trip to the supermarket has become riskier than ever.

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Fortunately, there is no reason to be hungry – experts simply recommend cutting down on the time to limit your exposure. “Spending five minutes at the grocery store is much better – six times better – than shopping for 30 minutes”, Tom peace, MD, former CDC director, told Vox. “Sidewalk grocery shopping is even better, and having it delivered is even better.” And to learn more about what your symptoms might be telling you, check out This is the “strongest, most consistent” sign you have COVID, according to the study.

3

Upgrade your mask

There’s no denying that wearing a mask will help protect yourself and others from the novel coronavirus. But many sheet masks, which were meant to be used as a stopgap during the early days of the pandemic, don’t provide the protection you might need to stay safe amid a highly contagious new strain, reports Vox.

Experts say N95 masks offer the best protection, but with limited supplies available, there are still other options. A study conducted by Marr’s lab at Virginia Tech in November looked at masks made from 11 different materials and found that properly fitted three-layer fabric masks – including a filter layer – could filter up to 90% of particles, bringing them closer to the 95 percent provided by N95, reports the New York Times. Otherwise, lining fabric masks may provide a safer option in a pinch.

4

To get vaccinated

Despite the contagious new strain, medical experts still say that effective vaccines being rolled out are the most likely way to permanently curb the pandemic once and for all. A recent report from the CDC said that due to the new nature of the virus, more of the population would now need to be inoculated for it to be truly effective.

“Increased transmissibility also means that higher than expected vaccine coverage must be achieved to achieve the same level of disease control to protect the public from less transmissible variants,” the CDC report said. And for more on what you need to know before you get your vaccine, check out The FDA Just Said You Cannot Do These 4 Things With COVID Vaccines.