TOGETHER, LET'S TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AGAINST COVID-19

Δημοσιεύτηκε στις April, 17 2020

Let's do what we can to protect one another.

Maintaining good hygiene is an important barrier to many infectious diseases because it promotes better health and well-being. Facing the COVID-19, we must work together to stay healthy. Here are a few recommendations : to stay healthy and ensure a healthy lifestyle, to ensure food security and nutrition, to take care of our environment and at the same time to promote Malagasy culture and values.


The recommendations we share are in line with the recommendations of the Ministry of Public Health, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Office of Nutrition in Madagascar (ONN). Most infected people present mild symptoms and recover, but others may have a more serious form. Take care of your health and protect others by following the advices below.
 
The health of our employees and staff remains our top priority. What can you do to support the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic? Read and learn more:

1. Practice personal hygiene at all times

Wash your hands often and wash your body regularly.

Good handwashing with soap and water kills viruses ! It should always be done after touching any surface, after going to the market, grocery store or wholesalers, after receiving items and bringing them inside the house, or in other cases that require contact. A regular shower is also essential for the maintenance of general health and well-being, in addition to the complete disinfection of your body after shopping.


Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.

When you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or use the inside of your elbow. Dispose of used tissues immediately in the trash and wash the handkerchief after using it. Wash your hands immediately with soap and water or an alcohol-based product, as recommended by the Ministry of Public Health. Also avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

Respect the social distancing of a minimum of 1 meter and ideally 2 meters.

Stay at least one meter away from other people, especially if they are coughing, sneezing or have a fever. When a person infected with a respiratory virus, such as COVID-19, coughs or sneezes, he or she throws small droplets containing the virus. If you are too close, you can inhale the virus.

Wear a mask.

Wear a mask, especially if you have a cold or cough. It automatically covers your mouth when you cough or sneeze. If the mask is washable, wash it immediately after a day of use or when it is dirty and dry it in the sun. If the mask is disposable, replace it every three hours and dispose of it in a closed container.

2. Regularly sanitize the environment and surfaces at home

Keep the house clean.

Recent studies show that COVID-19 can remain viable for hours or days on surfaces made from a variety of materials. The Ministry of Public Health suggests that constant cleaning of surfaces, followed by disinfection, is a good practice to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in homes and communities.

Clean frequently touched surfaces.

If the surfaces are dirty, clean them! Clean and disinfect the affected surfaces frequently. This includes telephones, laptops, tables, door handles, gates, switches and faucets. There are different disinfecting options, including the use of bleaching water or household disinfectants such as Sur'eau, or the use of alcoholic solutions containing at least 70% alcohol.

3. Prepare simple and nutritious meal

Clean all food products brought back from the market.

Eating a variety of foods has important health benefits, but we must select and prepare them properly to ensure food safety. Always wash and clean fresh food such as fruit, vegetables and meat during preparation and cooking. Disinfect the packaging of packaged and sealed foods in the grocery store by wiping them with disinfectant or 70% alcohol.

Store wastewater and reuse it to water plants.

Conserving our natural resources, such as water, is important to maintain good hygiene, food safety and food preparation practices. Get into the habit of saving, storing and recycling water used to wash vegetables, fruit or root crops during preparation and cooking - use it to water the garden!

Select a variety of local foods rich in protein and vitamins.

Offer yourself and your family a variety of safe and nutritious meals. Eat a variety of locally grown root crops such as sweet potato and cassava ; fruits such as banana, mango, avocado ; and protein-rich foods such as spinach and eggs. They can boost the essential nutrients needed for daily living. Explore recipes that use available food resources to help reduce food waste by preventing food spoilage. It is also important not to eat raw or undercooked animal products. Consult the website of the National Office of Nutrition for simple and nutritious vegetable-based meal recipes adapted to each region of Madagascar: "Torolalana ho an'ny sakafo".

4. Occupy oneself effectively

Working from home and reconnecting online with family and friends.

Embrace teleworking through the use of technology via phone, email if your employer allows it. Stay connected despite distance via social media. From home, maintain your social networks by connecting with family and friends.

Create your own vegetable garden and learn about urban agriculture.

Home gardening can be a great way to exercise and reduce anxiety while growing nutritious fruits and vegetables. It even helps protect our environment ! You'll also avoid going out shopping and eat fresh food.

Engaging in sustainable activities.

Put your phone down and stop watching, reading, listening to the news or browsing social media. Take time for your hobbies and have fun indoors! Do activities that you enjoy and find relaxing. Read a book, spend quality time with your family, garden, recycle, play fun games. Take time to learn new things and why not tell stories about the environment with the kids - learn how to save Mother Nature !

Practice physical exercises.

Adopt the right reflexes to maintain good physical condition. Exercise at least 30 minutes a day for adults and one hour a day for children. Use home exercise sites and applications to strengthen your muscles, stretch and get some fresh air. When working, move at least every two hours to drink water, use the bathroom, stretch. Get up to make a phone call and try to work standing from time to time.

Stay informed ! Consult official sources for guidance on health developments in your area.

Keep up-to-date on the latest developments regarding COVID-19. Follow the advice of your doctor, national and local health authorities or your employer on how to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. Rely only on official sources of information and avoid spreading unverified information. Be a responsible citizen and do your part.

Call toll-free numbers if you have symptoms or need information:

Toll-free numbers are available to the general public : 910 if you need information or have questions about COVID-19 and 913 if you have symptoms such as fever, cough or difficulty breathing. Avoid self-medication, call your doctor or nearest health center directly, and avoid contact with other people.

References :


"The translated text and illustrations have been adapted from the original text from WWF-Philippines : https://bit.ly/3b2wsLE