If you've got a holiday or big event coming up, the fear of catching COVID-19 could be on your mind a little more than usual.
Experts say there are lifestyle changes you can make to your daily routine that could help you avoid getting sick before an event, and it's not just wearing a mask and washing your hands.
So, what can you do to reduce your chance of catching COVID, and how long before your big event do you need to take extra precautions?
What are the time frames where you're most at risk?
COVID-19 usually takes five days to show symptoms after being infected, but it can be up to 14 days.
University of Melbourne's Dr Ash Porter, who is a research officer at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, says your risk of catching COVID is much higher in poorly-ventilated spaces, and if you spend a longer time with an infected person.
"Pre-symptomatic, asymptomatic and symptomatic people can transmit SARS-CoV-2, so even if they don't seem sick, they could be contagious," Dr Porter says.
"Although there is limited data, it appears that infected people are most infectious just before they develop symptoms, and during the early stage of their illness."
So while it may feel like a long time, taking extra precautions two weeks ahead of your plans could help you reduce the risk, but even then there's no guarantee you won't catch COVID.
Making lifestyle changes
Dr Porter says certain choices you make could impact your chances of catching COVID-19.
"Common spreading events involve people gathering indoors and talk, sing, or breathe heavily, such as offices, restaurants, fitness and exercise classes, or places of worship," they say.
"Your risk is much higher in poorly-ventilated spaces, and if you spend a longer amount of time with an infected person."
But there are some lifestyle choices that are safer than others.
Tap on the cards to see what they are.
Socialising
- Choose to dine outdoors
- Opt for a picnic in the park instead of having friends at your house
- Get takeaway
- Meet a friend for a walk
- Spend one-on-one time with friends rather than gathering in a group
- Organise a virtual game night
Leisure
- Choose to exercise in an outdoors fitness class
- Find a home workout online
- Organise a family game that gets everyone on their feet
- Switch up your exercise routine with some walks, runs or bike rides
- Exercise at the gym in off-peak hours
- Get creative at home, learn to cook something new or try a new craft
Work
- Make sure you're socially distanced at work
- Drive by yourself to work
- Catch public transport during off-peak hours
- Consider temporary childcare arrangements, like a family member or friend
- Work from home if you can
- Change your work hours, if you can, to a time when there are fewer people in the office
Changing your day-to-day routine
If there are public settings you can't avoid, like catching the train or sending your child to childcare, Dr Porter says you can still work towards lowering your risk.
"Public transport can be crowded and poorly ventilated – make sure that you wear a mask and wash your hands regularly," Dr Porter says.
"If possible, travel off-peak to make public transport a safer option."
Childcare often involves close contact, they say.
"Choosing childcare that involves more outdoor time or is well-ventilated is a safer option."
"Avoiding childcare altogether is also a safer option, if possible."
Minimising your risk of infection
To date, Australia has recorded more than 10 million COVID cases and with thousands of cases being recorded daily at the moment, there's still a lot of it around.
You may have heard them time and time again but there are proven ways to reduce your risk of infection.
Here's a reminder:
- Getting vaccinated
- Social distancing
- Wearing a fitted mask, especially in poorly ventilated settings
- Washing or sanitising your hands regularly
- Regularly cleaning surfaces that are handled often (door handles, phones, railings)
- When handling your mask, use clean hands
- Wash fabric masks after every use, and dispose of medical masks in the bin (make sure to cut the ear loops first, to prevent entangling wildlife).
Dr Porter says encouraging others to practise these measures, and stay home if feeling unwell, can also go a long way to reducing the risk of infection.
