Acıbadem Altunizade Hospital Chest Diseases Specialist Prof. Dr. Hacer Kuzu Okur says that one of the most effective ways to protect yourself from diseases, both in the pandemic process and in the winter months when the risk of transmission increases, is to comply with the pandemic rules and not to share personal items with others. prof. Dr. Hacer Kuzu Okur made important warnings and suggestions about the precautions that should be explained to children against the risk of Covid-19 and winter diseases during the pandemic process.
WASHING HANDS FREQUENTLY AND CORRECTLY
Covid-19 infection, influenza and jaundice viruses, diarrhea, hepatitis, rash diseases and intestinal parasites are mostly transmitted through hands. Acıbadem Altunizade Hospital Chest Diseases Specialist Prof. Dr. Hacer Kuzu Okur stated that thousands of disease-causing microorganisms can be found even on clean-looking hands and said, “Washing hands frequently and correctly is very effective in preventing important diseases. Getting our children into the habit of washing hands will be the most important measure to protect them from many infections. Hands should be washed before and after meals, before and after the toilet, after sneezing and coughing, after getting off the school bus, after contact with cats, dogs and other animals, after coming home from school, and after removing the mask and throwing it away.
NOT TO GET HANDS ON FACE, MOUTH AND EYES
Drawing attention to the fact that hands are rubbed into the face, eyes and mouth most of the time during the day without being aware of it, Prof. Dr. Hacer Kuzu Okur “It is very important to avoid bringing the hands to the face, mouth and eyes. Nowadays, in addition to Covid-19 infection, we also encounter flu infections, hepatitis, rash diseases and parasitic infections very often.
WEAR THE MASK CORRECTLY
prof. Dr. Hacer Kuzu Okur emphasizes that the correct use of masks is one of the most effective methods in protecting against Covid-19 infection and diseases such as colds and flu, which increase in the winter months. He emphasizes that the mask should be worn in a way that covers not only the mouth but also the nose, not touching the fabric while removing it, removing it only by holding the strings, throwing it in the trash immediately, and then washing the hands.
CHANGE THE MASK IF IT IS HUMID.
Stating that it is very important to change the mask after sneezing and coughing or if it gets wet in the rain, Prof. Dr. Hacer Kuzu Okur “When the mask gets wet, it loses its filtering feature and may become harmful rather than beneficial. It is more difficult for the mask to stay dry due to the cold and rainy weather due to the winter season. It is important that the mask is dry and clean in order to provide effective protection. The wet mask should be changed immediately, and the slightly moistened mask after talking and running should be changed after 4 hours. Stating that children should be able to easily reach a spare mask when needed at school, and that there should be a spare mask in their bag, Prof. Dr. Hacer Kuzu Okur emphasizes that it is imperative to wear a new mask every day, and that the same mask should never be worn on the second day.
NOT TO SHARE SCHOOL TOOLS DURING THE PANDEMIC PROCESS
Even sharing food with items such as erasers and pencils among children at school during the pandemic process can increase the danger in this extraordinary process we are in. Disease-causing microbes, which are transmitted to these items and foods by coughing and sneezing, are carried to the body through the hands. prof. Dr. Hacer Kuzu Okur says that children should be taught to share and cooperate, but that these sharing should be suspended for a while as a precaution and protection due to the Covid-19 infection, which is the epidemic disease of the century and has the risk of rapid transmission.
EATING WITHOUT TALKING
prof. Dr. Hacer Kuzu Okur states that children should not get too close to each other, stay at least an arm’s length away from each other, should not run around during breaks and should not take off the mask except outdoors. Not chatting during meals and eating without speaking as much as possible play a major role in preventing the transmission of viruses through the respiratory tract.