How Can I Protect myself from the Novel Coronavirus? Faced with the current new coronavirus outbreak, personal prevention is the top priority. According to the views of experts from China CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and WHO (World Health Organization), we should pay attention to the following precautions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses:

1. Wash your Hands Frequently and Maintain Hand Hygiene

Wash your hands frequently with running water and use soap or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Wipe your hands with disposable paper towels or clean towels. Wash hands immediately after touching respiratory secretions. When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue, towel, etc. Wash your hands after coughing or sneezing, and avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with your hands. Remember wash your hands before meals, after the bathroom, before and after preparing food.

2. Wear Masks When Going Out

It is highly recommended to wear masks and goggles when going out. Wear medical surgical masks or N95 masks when going out to public places for medical treatment, food purchases, or public transportation. Avoiding crowded places and wearing masks when necessary can effectively reduce the risk of infection. Avoid closed, airless public places, especially children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with underlying diseases. Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.

3. Minimize Outdoor Activities

Avoid going to areas where the disease is endemic, such as Wuhan. It is suggested to reduce visits to friends and relatives and have meals together during the epidemic of 2019-nCoV, and try to rest at home as much as possible. Reduce activities to people-intensive public places, especially places with poor air mobility, such as public baths, hot springs, cinemas, Internet cafes, KTVs, shopping malls, stations, airports, terminals, exhibition halls, etc.

4. Avoid Close Contact with the Source of Infection

Stay away from suspected and confirmed the Novel Coronavirus patients. Avoid close contact with people who have respiratory symptoms such as fever and cough. Avoid sharing cups, tableware, towels, toothbrushes and other items with others. Do not slaughter or eat sick or dead poultry. Try not to have close contact with farmed or wild animals without protection, avoid contact with sick animals and spoiled meat. Try not to have close contact with farmed or wild animals without protection, and avoid contact with stray animals and waste water in the fresh market.

5. Health Monitoring and Timely Medical Treatment

Do personal health monitoring, it is recommended to take temperature in the morning and evening. The normal temperature of the human body is between 36.3℃ and 37.2℃. If you have suspicious symptoms such as continued fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, you should consciously avoid contact with others, wear a mask, and go to a medical institution in time according to the condition. You should take the initiative to tell the doctor about your travel and residence history in the area where the disease is endemic, and who you have contacted since the onset of the disease, and cooperate with the doctor to carry out related investigations.

6. Keep Good Hygiene and Healthy Habits

Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. Covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately. Cook meat and eggs thoroughly during cooking. Avoid eating raw or undercooked meat or animal organs. Keep the environment clean and ventilated regularly. Do not touch, buy or eat wild animals. Prepare thermometers, medical surgical masks or N95 masks, disinfection supplies and other materials in case of emergency.

7. Enhance Physical Fitness and Immunity

Maintain a healthy lifestyle. The key to keep fit is doing more exercise, reasonable diet, working and resting regularly and keeping happy mood. Besides, you should eat a well-balanced diet to enhance the body immunity.  Eat more fruits and vegetables. Keep a good mood and maintain a positive attitude towards to the New coronavirus outbreaks, believing that the current crisis will end and China will successfully fight off the coronavirus.