By Nigel Salvador
At a time when Covid-19 infections had started to drop globally, the emergence of the Omicron variant has become a cause for concern. With most countries engaged in widespread vaccinations, it was hoped that the worst of the pandemic would soon be in the past. However, when South Africa reported the identification of a new variant on November 24, concerns arose that the Omicron variant could undo the progress made in the fight against Covid-19.
The physical and mental impact of the pandemic has left many people dealing with stress and perpetual anxiety. Increasing cases of anxiety and depression have been recorded since the start of the pandemic and this has also exacerbated the negative impact of the pandemic on physical and mental health. Natural holistic remedies for stress such as autoflower feminised seeds can help in preventing depression and keep the body’s natural immunity robust.
Protect Yourself from Omicron
The spread of the Omicron variant has been swift with cases reported in most parts of the world and the U.S, including Los Angeles County and the Antelope Valley. This means that just like previous variants such as Delta, Omicron is likely to spread worldwide. Scientists and drug makers are currently working on vaccines designed specifically to target the Omicron variant but this is likely to take months. In the meantime, people still need to stay safe and protected from the new variant.
Get Vaccinated
According to the Centers for Disease Control, current vaccines are still the best way to protect yourself from Omicron. Even though the Omicron strain may be more resistant to the current vaccines, the severity of symptoms and extent of infection can still be largely reduced in vaccinated people.
It is important to get vaccinated and go for booster shots to ensure that you are protected. Drugmakers Moderna and Pfizer have indicated that it may take months to come up with a vaccine that specifically targets Omicron. This means that in the meantime the current vaccines are the best line of protection available against the Omicron variant.
Maintain Social Distance, Sanitize and Mask Up
It is still unclear whether the Omicron variant is more transmissible than other Covid-19 variants. However, scientists have observed that Omicron has more mutations than any other variant which may make it more resistant to the immune system and more evasive of vaccines. This means that it may be more likely to spread even among those who are vaccinated.
Social distancing has proven effective in limiting the spread of the Covid-19 virus and is therefore advisable as a safety measure against Omicron. It is also recommended that people wear masks, especially in indoor spaces where the virus spreads faster. Like previous variants, Omicron also spreads from person to person and through contaminated surfaces so ensuring that you are not in crowded spaces or constantly exposed to contaminated surfaces is important.
When using shared spaces, it is important to sanitize your hands and shared surfaces. This helps to reduce the risk of you picking up the virus from surfaces. Sanitizers help to ensure that even when you cannot wash your hands you can constantly disinfect your hands and surfaces that you come into contact with.
Keep Your Immunity Robust
Your body’s natural immunity is one of the best defenses you have against viral infections such as Omicron. When your body’s immune system is robust, you can fight off infections and even if you get sick the severity of the disease will be limited since your body is strong. It is therefore important to ensure your physical health.
Taking care of your diet by ensuring you are consuming nutrient-rich foods is a simple way to boost your immunity. Go for foods rich in Vitamins such as C and A as well as healthy minerals such as Zinc. A healthy diet may not entirely prevent illness but it will ensure that your body’s natural defenses are strong enough to fight off infections.
It is also important to engage in regular exercise as part of keeping your body healthy and strong. Exercise not only boosts physical strength but also ensures your mental health which is important for a healthy immune system.
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