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Coronavirus Lockdown India: Dos & Don'ts, Survival Tips

Team AckoJun 25, 2024

The Indian COVID-19 lockdown, unprecedented in its scale, underscores the collective responsibility of citizens to adhere to safety protocols and curb the spread of the virus. Despite its necessity, prolonged confinement indoors can lead to feelings of isolation and depression.

It's crucial for individuals to prioritise mental well-being by staying connected with loved ones, engaging in hobbies, and seeking support when needed. By balancing adherence to lockdown measures with self-care practices, Indian citizens can navigate through these challenging times while safeguarding both their physical and mental health. This is where lockdown survival tips will come in handy.

Coronavirus

Contents

What to do During Lockdown?

Here are things you should do during Coronavirus lockdown:

Wash your hands frequently: One can reduce the chances of getting infected by Coronavirus by frequently washing their hands. This should be done especially after touching potentially contaminated surfaces like doorknobs, railing of a staircase, shop counters, packages, letters, etc. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth as well.

Maintain cleanliness of the house: It is important to clean and disinfect the house regularly. Normal household disinfectants like phenyl, or diluted bleach are effective against Coronavirus. Use a wipe or a mop dipped in a disinfecting solution to clean the floor, kitchen counters, etc. Make use of sanitizer sprays as well.

Use face covers: It is essential to cover your face when stepping out of the house in case of an emergency. A face cover will help both, you and other people. Using a medical-grade face cover is not mandatory to protect yourself from COVID-19. Homemade face covers should suffice.

Eat healthily: Eating a healthy diet will help maintain good health during the lockdown. You should take additional measures to eat nutritious food during this period. Include green leafy vegetables, nuts, whole grains, fruits, and fibre in your daily diet.

Follow a routine: The COVID-19 lockdown is keeping everyone confined to their homes for a long time. Remaining in your house can get quite boring. Thus, try to follow a routine that will keep you busy no matter how redundant it feels.

Also, read: Coronavirus Helpline Number, India

Things to Avoid During Lockdown:

Here are things you should avoid doing during the COVID-19 lockdown:

Don’t step out of the house: It is quite understandable that people were used to stepping out of the house for work, shopping, or casual strolls. Meeting friends and visiting family regularly was also a norm. However, it is necessary that now these things should be avoided. By staying home, the spread of COVID-19 disease can be avoided. Thus, unless it is an emergency do not step out of the house.

Don’t panic: Recent events can be quite scary. With the number of COVID-19 cases increasing day by day, it is quite normal to feel anxious. Try to relax as panicking is not fruitful, on the contrary it can prove to be counter-productive. Remember that every dark cloud has a silvery lining and the Coronavirus pandemic will end soon.

Don’t waste food or water: This is the time to conserve resources like food and water as only these will take us through the lockdown. Wasting food will only result in empty containers and you would need to step out to buy more. Avoiding the wastage of food will help you remain in the house for a longer time.

Don’t share unverified news: With the internet and a large catalogue of news channels, a lot of unverified news is, unfortunately, being circulated regularly. Such news or rumours can lead to discouragement and panic among citizens. Avoid sharing anything that is not available on official sources.

Don’t socialize: A lockdown requires you to remain indoors. Thus, socializing even with the people in the close proximity of your house (e.g. neighbours) is not a good idea. A person may not show symptoms but could still be infected and pass COVID-19 to other people.

COVID-19 Lockdown Survival Tips:

Keeping calm will help you sail through these tough times. You can additionally do the following things to peacefully survive the lockdown:

Stay Connected:

Keep in touch with your friends and family via phone calls and internet. This will help you achieve two goals – 1) you can know about their well-being. 2) it can be a great pastime.

Take Care of Your Mental and Physical Health:

Remaining confined to your house can take a toll on your mental and physical health, especially if you are an extrovert. Thus, take extra care of your mental and physical health.

Seek Help:

Even if lockdown is imposed, people are allowed to visit medical practitioners and seek help regarding any concerns, even if they are unrelated to Coronavirus. If you face any issue regarding your health, you should seek immediate help.

Read Novels of Interesting Genres:

Reading novels is an excellent way of engaging in things that interest you. It is also a great pastime. You should also consider inculcating a new hobby that will help you remain happy and positive.

Also, read: How to Renew Car Insurance During Coronavirus Lockdown?

Arrange Special Treats for Weekends:

One could easily lose track of time under a lockdown. Each day may seem similar to the previous one. In this situation, differentiating weekends from weekdays will be refreshing. Arrange casual treats like carrom day, cooking day, cards day, etc. on weekends. Sky’s the limit!

Keep Active:

Home workouts are a trend these days. Follow an exercise routine. If not, simply walk around in the house for a few minutes. Stand up and stretch if you are sitting for a long time. Consider doing yoga and stretching as well.

Sleep Well:

Your sleep pattern may get disturbed when you have a lot of time on your hand. Make it a point to get at least 7 to 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep. Less, or disturbed sleep will negatively impact your health.

Effectiveness of Lockdowns in Controlling COVID-19 Transmission

Lockdowns played a crucial role in mitigating the spread of COVID-19 by implementing strict restrictions on social interactions and movement. Here's how they helped:

Reduced Transmission

Lockdowns limited people's movement and interactions, thereby reducing the opportunities for the virus to spread from person to person. By staying home and avoiding non-essential outings, individuals decreased their chances of coming into contact with the virus.

Flattening the Curve

Lockdowns aimed to flatten the curve of infection, spreading out the number of cases over time to prevent overwhelming healthcare systems. By slowing down the rate of transmission, healthcare facilities had more time to prepare, procure necessary equipment, and treat patients effectively.

Time to Prepare For Emergency Response

Lockdowns provided governments and healthcare systems with valuable time to ramp up their response to the pandemic. This included increasing testing capacity, expanding healthcare facilities, and developing strategies for contact tracing and isolation.

Protecting Vulnerable Populations

Lockdowns helped protect vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions who are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19. By reducing community transmission, it lowered the chances of these individuals being exposed to the virus.

Facilitated Vaccine Distribution

Lockdowns also facilitated vaccine distribution efforts by reducing transmission rates, allowing for more controlled and efficient vaccination campaigns. This was crucial in achieving widespread immunity and ultimately ending the pandemic.

Promoted Awareness and Compliance

Lockdowns raised public awareness about the seriousness of the pandemic and the importance of adhering to safety measures such as wearing masks, practising good hygiene, and maintaining social distancing. This collective effort helped to further reduce transmission rates.

Global Cooperation

Lockdowns were implemented globally, demonstrating a coordinated effort to combat the pandemic. This unified approach helped prevent the spread of the virus across borders and limited the resurgence of cases in areas where transmission had been successfully controlled.

While lockdowns were effective in controlling the spread of COVID-19, they also had significant social, economic, and mental health impacts. Therefore, a balanced approach that considers both public health and socio-economic factors is necessary for managing future pandemics.

Impact of Lockdown on Mental Health

Lockdowns can have a significant impact on mental health due to various factors:

Being confined to one's home and limited social interactions can lead to feelings of loneliness, isolation, and disconnection from others. Lack of in-person contact with friends, family, and support networks can worsen feelings of loneliness and contribute to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.

Disruption of Routine

Lockdowns disrupt daily routines, leading to uncertainty and loss of structure. Changes in work, school, and recreational activities can increase stress and feelings of disorientation, particularly for those who thrive on routine and predictability.

Financial Stress

Economic uncertainty during lockdowns, such as job loss or reduced income, can cause significant financial stress. Worries about financial stability, providing for oneself or one's family, and meeting basic needs can contribute to anxiety and depression.

Limited Access to Support Services

Lockdown measures may restrict access to mental health services, counselling, and support groups. This limitation can leave individuals struggling with mental health issues feeling isolated and without the necessary resources to cope effectively.

Increased Substance Use

Some individuals may turn to substance use as a coping mechanism during lockdowns, leading to substance abuse issues and exacerbating mental health problems.

Overall, lockdowns can negatively impact mental health by exacerbating feelings of isolation, disrupting routines, causing financial stress, limiting access to support services, and increasing reliance on unhealthy coping mechanisms.

Strategies for Productivity During Lockdowns

Maintaining productivity during lockdowns can be challenging, but implementing the following strategies can help:

Establish a Routine

Set a daily schedule that includes dedicated time for work, exercise, relaxation, and hobbies. A consistent routine provides structure and helps maintain productivity.

Set Goals

Break down large tasks into smaller, manageable goals. Setting specific, achievable objectives provides clarity and motivation to stay on track.

Create a Dedicated Workspace

Designate a quiet, organised space for work or study to minimise distractions and promote focus. Having a separate area for productivity helps signal to the brain that it's time to work.

Limit Distractions

Identify and minimise distractions such as social media, television, or household chores during designated work hours.

Take Breaks

Incorporate regular breaks into your schedule to rest, recharge, and prevent burnout. Short breaks can boost productivity by improving concentration and reducing mental fatigue.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

The symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, difficulty in breathing, tiredness, runny nose, sore throat, etc. One should get in touch with a medical practitioner if these symptoms arise.

What is social distancing?

Social distancing means keeping a safe distance between yourself and other people when you step out of the house. A distance of at least 3 to 6 feet should be maintained.

How should I protect myself from COVID-19 if I step out?

You should wear a face cover to avoid any unwanted particles from getting into your nose or mouth. Use a sanitizer or an alcohol rub frequently. Wash your hand thoroughly for 20 seconds when you return home.

References:

Detail Question and Answers on COVID-19 for Public, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Government of India, https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/FAQ.pdf.

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**The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. It is based on industry experience and several secondary sources on the internet; and is subject to changes. Please go through the applicable policy wordings for updated ACKO-centric content and before making any insurance-related decisions.