How Californians Can Minimize Their Risk of Exposure to COVID-19

As one of the country’s largest, most populous states, California has been hit particularly hard by the novel coronavirus. With over 2.9 million confirmed cases and more than 32,000 deaths, Californians would be wise to regard the threat posed by COVID-19 with the utmost seriousness. While there’s no denying that we’re living through scary times, minimizing your exposure risk to the novel coronavirus doesn’t have to be an uphill battle. Educating yourself, keeping your guard up and exercising caution on a consistent basis can go a long way towards keeping you and your loved ones safe. Californians looking for effective ways to minimize their risk of being exposed to COVID-19 are urged to consider the following measures.

Consult with Doctors Virtually

Given how infectious the novel coronavirus is, there’s little wonder as to why so many people are currently staying from medical facilities. While a trip to the hospital may be unavoidable in an emergency situation, many minor afflictions can be diagnosed remotely. So, if you’re currently dealing with an issue that you believe to be minor, look into virtual medical consultations. Whether you’re looking for peace of mind or need a doctor’s note for work, a virtual consultation may be right up your alley.

Avoid Get-Togethers

Although the human race has its fair share of introverts, many of us are social creatures. As such, it’s only natural that we’d want to regularly interact with our favorite people, be they friends, neighbors, coworkers or extended family members. Social butterflies are among the people who have been most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic – at least mental health-wise. In the absence of consistent human interaction, people have a tendency to become depressed and stir crazy, which can cause them to take an assortment of ill-advised risks. Wanting to see your favorite people is perfectly understandable, but organizing, attending or promoting gatherings during an active pandemic is downright negligent. Even if you’re not particularly concerned about your own health, hosting or going to get-togethers places the health of everyone else in attendance at risk.

If you’re looking for an effective way to remain in contact with your nearest and dearest, consider organizing virtual get-togethers, playing online games and engaging in regular video chats with friends and family. Furthermore, if social isolation has adversely affected your mental health, seek out online counseling options and reach out to your loved ones for emotional support.

Avoid People Who Don’t Take the Threat Seriously

People not regarding the threat posed by COVID-19 as cause for concern are among the foremost causes of rising infection numbers. In some instances, these individuals act on misinformation spread by certain public figures, media outlets and social platforms. However, this isn’t to say that everyone who fails to take the novel coronavirus seriously is driven by political views or ideology. Some people are simply too selfish to change their behavior in any way, even in the face of an ever-worsening pandemic. These individuals have no qualms about violating mask mandates and engaging in other actively dangerous behavior.

If you have anyone like this in your life, make a point of avoiding them, especially if they refuse to wear masks. You may not be able to stop them from placing their own health at risk, but you can prevent them from endangering you and your family by keeping your distance.

Utilize Contactless Grocery Pickup

Staying home whenever possible is strongly advised. In addition to being the socially responsible thing to do, limiting your time outside the house is a great way to minimize your risk of exposure. However, even people who have remained housebound tend to make an exception for grocery shopping. After all, what errand is more essential than procuring food? Fortunately, thanks to contactless curbside pickup options, you needn’t place your health at risk every time you need to make a grocery run. With contactless pickup, you can purchase your groceries online, select a pickup time and have your items loaded into your vehicle without having to get out of the car. To sweeten the deal, many stores offer this service free of charge. If you’re unable to drive, consider asking a friend or family member to make the pickup for you or utilize a contactless grocery delivery service.

Although the onset of the novel coronavirus has shaken the entire country, California is among the hardest hit states. With a booming popular of nearly 40,000,000, there’s little wonder as to why the outbreak has proven so difficult to contain and control. Californians who are serious about minimizing their risk of exposure and getting through this once-in-a-century pandemic with their good health intact will be well-served by the pointers discussed above.