Coronavirus: How to Protect Yourself and Avoid Contagion

These were the guidelines that mattered most when Covid-19 first arrived in Mexico. The WHO had declared it a global pandemic, and the steps below were what public health authorities recommended to slow the spread.

What you can do

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or the inside of your elbow when you cough or sneeze.
• Don't spit in public. If you need to, use a tissue and dispose of it immediately.
• Don't touch your face, especially your nose, mouth, and eyes, with unwashed hands.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, in the office, and in transport.
• Stay home unless you have to go out.
• See a doctor if you develop a fever above 38°C, headache, sore throat, or runny nose.
• Stock up on two weeks of groceries, without panic buying.

These measures were most effective when followed consistently and shared widely. The more people who followed them, the slower the virus spread.