PRECAUTIONS AGAINST COVID-19
27/03/2020                                            Issue: 10
IKU Distance Education Studies
 

Note: The statistics belong to Monday, March 27 - 12.00.
 
Stay physically active during self-quarantine
 

As new COVID-19 cases continue to emerge in the WHO European Region, many healthy individuals are being requested to stay at home in self-quarantine. In some countries, fitness centres and other locations where individuals are normally active, will remain temporarily closed. Staying at home for prolonged periods of time can pose a significant challenge for remaining physically active. Sedentary behaviour and low levels of physical activity can have negative effects on the health, well-being and quality of life of individuals. Self-quarantine can also cause additional stress and challenge the mental health of citizens. Physical activity and relaxation techniques can be valuable tools to help you remain calm and continue to protect your health during this time.

WHO recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week, or a combination of both. These recommendations can still be achieved even at home, with no special equipment and with limited space. The following are some tips on how to stay active and reduce sedentary behaviour while at home in self-quarantine:
Take short active breaks during the day

Short bouts of physical activity add up to the weekly recommendations. You may use the suggested exercises below as inspiration to be active every day. Dancing, playing with children, and performing domestic chores such as cleaning and gardening are other means to stay active at home.
Follow an online exercise class

Take advantage of the wealth of online exercise classes. Many of these are free and can be found on YouTube. If you have no experience performing these exercises, be cautious and aware of your own limitations.
Walk

Even in small spaces, walking around or walking on the spot, can help you remain active. If you have a call, stand or walk around your home while you speak, instead of sitting down. If you decide to go outside to walk or exercise, be sure to maintain at least a 1-meter distance from other people.
Stand up

Reduce your sedentary time by standing up whenever possible. Ideally, aim to interrupt sitting and reclining time every 30 minutes. Consider setting up a standing desk by using a high table or stacking a pile of books or other materials, to continue working while standing. During sedentary leisure time prioritize cognitively stimulating activities, such as reading, board games, and puzzles.
Relax

Meditation and deep breaths can help you remain calm. A few examples of relaxation techniques are available below for inspiration.

For optimal health, it is also important to remember to eat healthily and stay hydrated. WHO recommends drinking water instead of sugar-sweetened beverages. Limit or avoid alcoholic beverages for adults and strictly avoid these in young people, and pregnant and breastfeeding women, or for other health reasons. Ensure plenty of fruits and vegetables, and limit the intake of salt, sugar and fat. Prefer whole grains rather than refined foods. For more guidance on how to eat healthily, please see the WHO fact sheet on healthy diet.
Examples of home-based exercises

To support individuals in staying physically active while at home, WHO/Europe has prepared a set of examples of home-based exercises.

Knee to elbow

Touch one knee with the opposite elbow, alternating sides. Find your own pace. Try to perform this for 1–2 minutes, rest for 30–60 seconds, and repeat up to 5 times. This exercise should increase your heart and breathing rates.
Plank

Support your forearms firmly on the ground, with the elbows under the shoulders. Keep the hips at the level of the head. Hold for 20–30 seconds (or more, if possible), rest for 30–60 seconds, and repeat up to 5 times. This exercise strengthens your belly, arms and legs.
Back extensions

Touch your ears with your fingertips and lift your upper body, keeping the legs on the ground. Lower the upper body again. Perform this exercise 10–15 times (or more), rest for 30–60 seconds, and repeat up to 5 times. This exercise strengthens your back muscles.
Squats

Place your feet at hip distance with the toes pointing slightly outwards. Bend the knees as much as feels comfortable, keeping the heels on the ground and the knees over (not in front of) the feet. Bend and stretch the legs. Perform this exercise 10–15 times (or more), rest for 30–60 seconds, and repeat up to 5 times. This exercise strengthens your legs and glutes.

Side knee lifts

Touch your knee with your elbow, lifting the knee to the side, alternating sides. Find your own pace. Try to perform this for 1–2 minutes, rest for 30–60 seconds, and repeat up to 5 times. This exercise should increase your heart and breathing rates.
Superman

Place your hands under your shoulders and knees under your hips. Lift one arm forward and the opposite leg back, alternating sides. Perform this exercise 20–30 times (or more), rest for 30–60 seconds, and repeat up to 5 times. This exercise strengthens your belly, glutes and back muscles.
Bridge

Plant your feet firmly on the ground with the knees over the heels. Lift the hips as much as it feels comfortable and slowly lower them again. Perform this exercise 10–15 times (or more), rest for 30–60 seconds, and repeat up to 5 times. This exercise strengthens your glutes.
Chair dips

Hold onto the seat of a chair, with your feet about half a meter away from the chair. Bend your arms as you lower your hips to the ground, then straighten the arms. Perform this exercise 10–15 times (or more), rest for 30–60 seconds, and repeat up to 5 times. This exercise strengthens your triceps.
Chest opener

Interlace your fingers behind your back. Stretch your arms and open your chest forward. Hold this position for 20–30 seconds (or more). This position stretches your chest and shoulders.
Child’s pose

With the knees on the ground, bring your hips to your heels. Rest your belly on your thighs and actively stretch your arms forward. Breathe normally. Hold this position for 20–30 seconds (or more). This position stretches your back, shoulders and sides of the body.
Seated meditation

Sit comfortably on the floor with your legs crossed (alternatively, sit on a chair). Make sure your back is straight. Close your eyes, relax your body and progressively deepen your breathing. Concentrate on your breath, trying not to focus on any thoughts or concerns. Remain in this position for 5–10 minutes or more, to relax and clear your mind.
Legs up the wall

Bring your hips close (5–10 cm) to the wall and let your legs rest. Close your eyes, relax your body and progressively deepen your breathing. Concentrate on your breath, trying not to focus on any thought or concern. Rest in this pose for up to 5 minutes. This position is meant to be comfortable, relaxing and de-stressing.
 
Are smokers and tobacco users at higher risk of COVID-19 infection?
 

Smokers are likely to be more vulnerable to COVID-19 as the act of smoking means that fingers (and possibly contaminated cigarettes) are in contact with lips which increases the possibility of transmission of virus from hand to mouth. Smokers may also already have lung disease or reduced lung capacity which would greatly increase risk of serious illness.

Smoking products such as water pipes often involve the sharing of mouth pieces and hoses, which could facilitate the transmission of COVID-19 in communal and social settings.

Conditions that increase oxygen needs or reduce the ability of the body to use it properly will put patients at higher risk of serious lung conditions such as pneumonia.
News From Turkey and World

Information is taken by HASUDER (Public Health Experts Association) COVID-19 page, supported by Public Health Specialist Assist. Prof. Meltem Akın Dikleli, faculty member of the Faculty of Health Sciences of our university.

Definite cases: Turkey (3.629), World (537 thousand 808)

Death:             Turkey (75), World (24 thousand 127)

WHO Risk Assessment: Global level - Very High
News from World

World Health Organization (WHO);

- The United Nations announced it has allocated $ 2 billion for the COVID-19 Global Humanitarian Response Plan to support the world's most vulnerable countries. Source

-WHO Managing Director stated that while sorting out the keys to effectively fighting COVID-19, it maintains physical distance, not social distance. Source

-Who, COVID-19: functional guide to maintaining basic health services during an epidemic, and Public Health Handbook of capacity building and cross-border cooperation in land crossings published March 25, 2020. Source

- In the light of additional evidence, WHO suggested hand hygiene, regular cleaning and disinfection of surfaces, while the use of medical masks and respirators should be performed depending on some procedures.

- USA ranked first in the country with the highest number of cases, with 83,836 (27/03/2020)
Developments in Turkey

Ministry of Interior;


With the Additional Circular Sent to 81 Provincial Governorships in the Scope of Coronavirus Measures;

- The activities of all markets where clothing, toys, ornaments, bags, etc. are sold in exhibitions and stalls, especially those called society markets, are temporarily suspended by 17:00 on March 27, It was instructed to arrange markets / sales places in the new market / sales places determined, with a distance of at least 3 meters between each sales place (bench / exhibition) (27.03.2020).

With the Additional Circular Sent to 81 Provincial Governorships in the Scope of Coronavirus Measures;

- It was requested by the governorates and district governorships to postpone the April, May and June meetings of the metropolitan, provincial, district, municipal municipalities and local administrative unions and provincial general assemblies (26.03.2020).


This Journal was prepared by the General Secretariat with the contribution of the Directorate of Information System and Technologies.
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