The first European countries are slowly easing their lockdown. However, the pandemic will go on - either until a certain level of immunity has been achieved in the population or a vaccine has been developed. As you ease back into ordinary life, remember to observe social distancing as much as possible, keep high hygiene standards and take protective measures. Here’s what you should know about COVID-19 to protect yourself and others.
Infection and symptoms
- COVID-19 is mainly spread by a droplet infection.
- It cannot be excluded that transmission also occurs through contact with contaminated surfaces.
- The main symptoms are: fever, cough, shortness of breath, muscle pain/fatigue. More rarely, phlegm, headaches, coughing up blood and diarrhoea occur.
What to do when symptoms appear?
- Stay home if you feel sick.
- Avoid public transport, carpools or taxis.
- Stay away from other people and pets in your apartment.
Keep your distance
- There is currently no vaccine available.
- The best protection against the virus is not to be exposed to it.
- Stay at home as much as possible.
- Avoid close contact with others while travelling and keep a distance of at least 1.5 metres.
- Do not shake hands when greeting others.
- When coughing or sneezing turn away.
- Use a disposable tissue - use it only once.
- If you don’t have a tissue, sneeze or cough in the crook of your arm.
Wearing an mask
- In some countries, masks are compulsory.
- Mouth and nose masks must be multi-layered and fit the face well.
- A pocket in which a medical fleece can be inserted and replaced periodically increases protection.
- Wearers should only touch the mask at the straps and wash their hands before putting it on.
- Before removing the mask, clean your hands thoroughly. Otherwise germs on your hands can contaminate the mask.
- Wash or disinfect your hands again afterwards.
- Hang the mask up to dry.
- The mask must not be shared with anyone.
- Wash the mask regularly at a temperature of at least 60 degrees.
Hand hygiene
Wash your hands regularly and frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Before and after preparing food
- Before and after dressing a wound
- After going to the toilet
- After contact with body fluids
- After touching animals
- After the journey with public transport
- After touching surfaces in highly frequented places
Hand disinfection
- Hand disinfection is important in certain professions – in public health services for example.
- Rub the palm of the hand on the palm of the other hand.
- Rub right palm over the back of the left hand and left palm over the back of the right hand.
- Rub palm on palm with crossed, spread fingers.
- Rub outside of fingers on opposite palms with interlaced fingers.
- Rub right and left thumb.
- Rub closed fingertips into right and left palm.
- Repeat these steps within 30 seconds.
Why you should use a hand disinfectant with a moisturising effect?
- Alcohol, the main component of hand disinfectants, removes water from cells.
- As a result, the skin can dry out.
- Moisturising hand disinfectants compensate for the dehydrating effect of alcohol and make the skin smooth. Uncomfortable micro cracks do not develop
When is a hand disinfectant advisable?
- Currently, the supply of hand disinfectants is limited. Therefore, manufacturers of hand disinfectant solutions are prioritising the supply of public health care professionals with hygiene solutions.
- In private everyday life it is sufficient to wash your hands thoroughly to protect yourself and others against infection.
With the information provided in our blog we would like to make an active contribution to general health protection. Therefore, we regularly report on current developments and give tips on how you can protect your own health and that of others.
On our own behalf
Despite the increase in our production volumes, we cannot meet current demand. Therefore, we can only supply registered users, primarily from the health care, elderly care and public service sectors. If you belong to one of these groups, please use our registration form and we will activate your account.
