In 2020, the UK government rejuvenated its fight against coronavirus by launching a new slogan, ‘Hands, Face, Space’. It was a campaign to give clear guidance on the steps the public should take to prevent the spread of the virus. This comes after pressure was put on the government to stop the second spike of COVID-19, especially as cases were already expected to rise in the coming winter months due to the colder climate. “As we approach winter and inevitably spend more time indoors, we need the public to keep following this important advice to control the spread of the virus,” said chief medical officer Prof Chris Whitty.

To help Britons follow the advice of the slogan and protect themselves and their loved ones from the virus, Austin Macauley Publishers has used the information within ‘Prevention and Control: Coronavirus the Experts’ Guide’ to help you understand the science behind the slogan. It is a comprehensive, easy-to-grasp, and informative guide on coronavirus. Edited and reviewed by a team of leading health experts, it is designed to be a useful handbook to help understand the virus better. The book throws light on almost every aspect of COVID-19. What is the Coronavirus? How and where did it emerge? How does it spread? How can it be prevented? How to contain it? And much more. If you think you can contribute by writing an insightful guide on coronavirus, feel free to submit your manuscript with us.

Below, we dissect the slogan to understand the science behind it with the help of Prevention and Control: Coronavirus the Experts’ Guide:                             

The Science Behind the Slogan 

‘Hands, Face, Space’ recognizes the three most important pieces of advice experts have suggested during this pandemic. It's simple and easy. If these measures are followed religiously, they can protect us from the virus and contain its spread.

A. Hands 

“Hands are the key medium in the transmission of viruses” Dr Wang Zhou, the Chief Editor of the book, writes. Since coronavirus stays in the air for 24 hours or more in indoor settings, washing hands with soap for 20 seconds or using hand sanitisers is imperative to avoid the risk of catching or transmitting the virus. This way, we do not give space to the virus to make it to the digestive tract and thus protect ourselves and our loved ones.  

B. Face

Face refers to face coverings. The virus is carried in the air by tiny droplets which people infected with the virus spread while breathing or talking. Face coverings—especially facemasks— work in two ways: For those who are not carrying the virus, it reduces the risk of inhaling these droplets. For those already infected, the mask limits their entry into the air. Some skeptics question the use of facemasks. Some have debated whether they are effective or not. Experts have addressed this within our guide to coronavirus. “The masks are effective. Because the purpose of wearing the mask is to block the ‘carrier’ by which the virus is transmitted, rather than directly blocking the viruses. Common routes for transmission of respiratory viruses include close contact over a short distance and aerosol transmission over a long distance; and aerosols that refer to respiratory droplets from patients. Wearing a mask can effectively block respiratory droplets and therefore prevent the virus from directly entering the body.” There is a detailed chapter on masks, their types and effectiveness, who is to wear them and how and where to wear them. 

C. Space

‘Space’ means social distancing. It is the most important of the suggested tools through which we can defeat this life-disturbing virus. A group of scientists believe that the role of social distancing is more impactful than washing hands and wearing facemasks. Aerosol transmission has helped coronavirus spread exponentially, even more so than direct contact has. Virologist Julian Tang of Leicester Royal Infirmary “pointed to studies that suggest [direct] contact is the cause of transmission of the Covid-19 virus in only about 20% of cases while aerosol transmission, often in poorly ventilated rooms, accounted for the rest.”

Safety Tips and Insightful Guide on COVID-19 

If we have to stop this exponential spread, we must follow a set of safety tips and precautions. It’s the only way to curb down the escalation of this disease. 

1. Wash your hands now and then 

 It's necessary to wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. More so if you were hanging out with your friends at a bar, or travelling in a metro. Also, wash your hands after blowing your nose, sneezing or coughing. 

2. Keep a hand sanitiser with you. 

Use a hand sanitiser if soap and water are not available. Make sure the sanitiser you are using contains at least 60% alcohol. Sanitisers containing less than 60% alcohol are not effective at killing the coronavirus. 

3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands

The main entry points for the virus are your nose, eyes and mouth. You should avoid touching them with unwashed hands, and especially when you are out in public.

4. Keep a safe distance from people to control the spread of coronavirus 

You never know who might be infected with the coronavirus already. Practice social distancing by always keep a distance of 2m from people when you are outside. Some people may not even have any symptoms, and you might be shaking hands with them without knowing they are infected. 

5. Avoid unnecessary travel.

Stay home as much as possible and avoid non-essential travel. Stay connected with loved ones through video and phone calls, texts and social media.

6. Cover your mouth with a mask. 

Whenever you step outside your house, make sure to wear a mask at all times. It can be a cloth mask or a surgical mask. The important thing is that your mouth should be covered around others when you go out in public, such as to a grocery store or a pharmacy. The face mask helps to protect other people in case you are infected.

7. Always cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough 

Use tissue paper to cover your nose and mouth and throw used tissues in a lined trash can. If a tissue isn’t available, cough or sneeze into your elbow — not your hands. Wash your hands immediately.

8. Clean and disinfect floors and frequently touched objects 

Use a disinfecting agent to mop the floors around your house. The virus tends to settle down on the floor so make sure you disinfect it thoroughly. Make sure to disinfect frequently touched objects such as tables, countertops, doorknobs, light switches, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets and sinks. 

Apart from general guidance on keeping distance, Prevention and Control: Coronavirus the Experts’ Guide also informs the readers about where and how to keep a safe distance. For instance, how to protect yourself when in cinemas, theatres, elevators, workspaces, learning places, hospitals and canteens—or while travelling on public transport or going shopping.

We hope you learn something new and helpful by reading our insightful guide to coronavirus. If you have a liking for literature and want to become an accomplished writer, check out our ‘how to become an author’ manual. Submit your work now at Austin Macauley Publishers, the best book publishers in the UK, USA and UAE. You can make a quick submission by filling our online submission form also. To stay in touch with us, tune in to our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Need any other information? Contact us now!