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Covid-19: Lessons on simple hygiene

So who is worried about the coronavirus? Everyone in Washington DC, that’s who.

Covid-19 is officially in town after a few cases were reported in surrounding states of Maryland and Virginia. Perhaps the biggest kicker is that two senators just announced that they came into contact with someone at a political activist convention recently, so both senators are on self-quarantine now for the next two weeks.

Toilet paper, hand sanitisers, face masks and bottled water are all out in local grocery stores and pharmacies. Schools are now instructing teachers to come up with a syllabus that can be administered remotely and that can last 30 days.

Organisations are clamping down on non-essential international and domestic travel as well as gearing up many to work from home.

I, for one, don’t mind a lockdown here. Don’t get me wrong. It is purely for two reasons. First, I would be able to work from home. Second, the disgusting metro and streets of DC could so with a wipe-down or even better – a spray-down.

Gross people are everywhere. I have seen people on the metro sneezing without covering their mouths, tossing snot-filled tissues on the train floors, food wrappers and drink containers left on the train, someone picking their nose and place their hands back on the grab handles or poles.

Perhaps the most disgusting thing I’ve seen was a person wearing pants that were way too loose and leaning against one of the poles on the train. Yep, his butt crack was out on a hot day and the cool pole must’ve been a nice sensation. Visualise that!

I can only hope that this Covid-19 experience will educate the public on simple hygiene – wash your hands, cover your mouth when you cough and dispose all garbage responsibly.

Don’t panic buy but do plan ahead. Be responsible and heed advice from health authorities. Keep calm and carry on.

This is the personal opinion of the writer and does not necessarily represent the views of Twentytwo13.