These TikToks by the World Economic Forum Answer FAQs About the Coronavirus
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Information about the novel coronavirus has taken over the media, and although we don't want to add to any preexisting concern or panic, it's imperative that we educate ourselves about the coronavirus and how to best protect ourselves and others from contracting and spreading it.
To do this, the World Economic Forum — the international organization for public-private cooperation — has been creating TikToks to help spread accurate and science-based information pertaining to the virus.
The videos are a creative way to reach people of all ages worldwide and are full of informative and actionable tips to decrease the spread of the coronavirus. The minute-long videos touch on simple steps you can take to protect yourself and others from the virus, why you shouldn't hoard masks, when to know if you need a mask, and how to stop touching your face to prevent the spread of the virus. If you have questions or concerns about the coronavirus, we recommend referencing the CDC's website and the World Health Organization's website and speaking with a healthcare professional.
When to Buy a Mask to Protect Against the Coronavirus
According to Emanuele Capobianco, director of health and care at the International Federation of Red Cross, "You should buy a mask if you're a doctor or a nurse taking care of people that are affected by [the] coronavirus or if you are sick yourself." With regard to the general public, he said, "Buying a mask doesn't make a difference. You should not buy it because you will take away masks that are important to have in hospital settings." Instead, he recommends frequently washing your hands for 20 seconds throughout the day and making sure your kids, friends, and family are washing their hands as well.
Why Buying Face Masks Can Make the Coronavirus Spread Faster
The World Economic Forum explained that workers who make the masks need protective gear such as goggles, masks, and gloves to prevent spreading the virus. When people begin to panic and hoard supplies, it puts other lives at risk, they explained in the video.
"While it's intuitive that you might need a mask, if everyone does that, and we have masks in places where they're not needed, it might be the case — and frankly it looks like it could be the case — that there won't be masks available in places where they're needed most. And we could have frontline healthcare workers responding to COVID and not protected themselves. And as long as that's the case, COVID will continue to spread in places where it could otherwise have been suppressed," Ryan Morhard, community lead, IO and IGWELS, explained in the video.
How to Stop Touching Your Face to Limit the Spread of the Coronavirus
The CDC recommends avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth if your hands are not clean to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Here are three things you can do to limit touching your face according to the World Economic Forum:
- Use a tissue instead of your hand when you need to scratch or rub your face and sneeze.
- Use a scented soap or hand cream. The scent can help remind you to keep your hands away from your nose.
- Instead of mindlessly touching your face, play with something like a stress ball.
4 Things You Can Do to Help Stop the Spread of the Coronavirus at Work
To prevent spreading the coronavirus at work, Emanuele Capobianco, director of health and care at the International Federation of Red Cross, encourages practicing the following four steps:
- Have recommendations for people to wash their hands everywhere.
- Don't stand or sit too close to your workmates.
- If applicable, businesses should plan for employees to work virtually.
- Have technology to hold meetings virtually.