Lifestyle change is the mantra to live during COVID-19 times: Pune Divisional Commissioner

The coronavirus started creating havoc in Maharashtra in March 2020. It is now clear that unless a vaccine is developed or a confirmed treatment is developed, we will have to learn to live with corona. Considering the exponential rise in infections of coronavirus, it has forced us to change our lifestyle.

Way to use masks 

• We have to accept that masks are an integral part of our lives.
• If you are using cloth masks, please keep three masks per person. When you step out of home, wear one mask and keep one spare. In case the mask you are using becomes dirty, the spare one will come handy. 
• The mask used during the daytime should be washed and cleaned before using it the next day. Make sure the masks are washed in soap water or boiling water for sufficient time.
• The three-layered surgical mask is not reusable. It should be disposed of scientifically. When using the surgical mask, the belt on the upper side should be tied on the head, and the belt on the lower side should be tied behind the neck. 
• The N-95 mask can be reused after five to six days. If you are using these masks, then you should have at least seven to eight masks with you. After using the N-95 mask, please keep it in a dry storage place like a plastic jar and then reuse it after a week. 

Before starting work at the office

• Before starting your work, wash your hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 minutes. Then use gloves. Remember not to touch your nose, face, mouth after wearing gloves. Do not put your gloves in your pockets. 
• Wherever sanitiser is available, take 7ml of it and sanitise your hands properly. The sanitiser liquid should have at least 60 per cent alcohol in it. 
• Seating arrangements for employees should be made in such a way that they are not seated face-to-face. Whenever possible, avoid meetings and if it is necessary, then maintain physical distancing during the meetings. Try to organise virtual meetings or in case of physical meets, maintain minimum possible attendance. 
• All places where frequent contact is expected (like door handles, water taps etc.), make sure that it is sanitised every two hours with one per cent concentration of sodium hypochlorite. 
• Workplaces where a large number of employees need to come together, make small groupings so that even if the infection spreads, it is limited to a small number of people. These small groups can be isolated easily, and the daily routine work will remain unaffected. 
• Seatings at workplaces should be sanitised frequently with one per cent sodium hypochlorite solution.
• Use speakerphone while using mobiles of other persons. Don't touch pen, handkerchief or mobiles of other persons. 
• The washrooms at offices should be sanitised frequently. Take a shower/bath immediately after returning home. 
• While having lunch, all people will be removing masks at the same time. Hence while seating at the canteen, make sure that a minimum 8-10 feet distance is maintained between two persons. Preferably face towards the wall while eating so that infection risk is minimised. 

While travelling 

• Maintain physical distancing of six feet from other persons.
• Avoid touching door handles or metal bars behind car seats 
• Sanitise your vehicle after every single ride.
• Ban entry of passengers without a mask.
• Use a thermal scanner at the office entrance. Wash your hands with soap and water. 
• Wear masks, hand gloves and aprons if necessary, along with your uniform.
• Water, soap and hand sanitiser should be made available in sufficient quantities at the workplaces.

(Dr Deepak Mhaisekar is the Pune Divisional Commissioner.)