Tips for Not Getting Sick (and Staying Healthy)
There are plenty of illnesses going around right now. Colds, flus, strep throat, and yes, even coronavirus, will continue to make their rounds for the next few months. Food delivery gigs in cities actually tend to become more popular during this time of year as more and more people stay home. If you’re a gig worker and decide to take on these extra jobs, be sure to follow these four tips for staying healthy.
Tip #1: Wash Your Hands
Yep, it’s true! Washing your hands for at least 20 seconds with warm water and soap is one of the best ways to remove germs. If you don’t have access to soap and water between gigs, use hand sanitizer. It’s not as effective, but it works as a good back-up option for staying healthy.
Not sure if you’re washing your hands long enough? Thanks to this helpful Twitter tip, here are a few songs with 20-second choruses that you can sing while you scrub away:
Beyoncé’s Love on Top
Toto’s Africa
Lizzo’s Truth Hurts
Tip #2: Keep Your Hands Off Your Face!
On average, we tend to touch our faces 23 times per hour! The mucous membranes on your face (a.k.a. your mouth, nose and eyes) are where germs enter your body. That’s why it’s so important to avoid touching your face as much as possible.
Here are two ways to keep this healthy habit top of mind:
Have tissues nearby. If you need to itch your nose or eyes, use a tissue instead of your fingers. Just remember to trash your tissues, as they can transmit your germs to other people!
Set a reminder. Put an hourly alert on your phone (or, if you’re a driver, place a sticky note by your steering wheel) to frequently remind you, “Don’t touch your face!”
Tip #3: Use Sanitizer Wipes
Did you know that cell phones carry 10 times more bacteria than most toilet seats? Many of your frequently used possessions–like your phone, wallet, and keys–can pick up a lot of germs throughout the day. It’s a good idea to regularly wipe these objects down with sanitizer wipes. If sanitizer wipes are sold out locally, you can also use 3% hydrogen peroxide and a microfiber cloth to clean surfaces.
Rideshare drivers: be sure to wipe down your steering wheel, car handles, and seatbacks between passengers, if possible.
Delivery drivers: be sure to regularly wipe down your food delivery bags, steering wheel, and/or bike handlebars!
Tip #4: Get the Care You Need
If you do catch a bug, stay home! This is important to not only avoid spreading your illness to others, but you’ll recover faster. Illnesses like colds and strep throat can take longer to heal, or worsen into pneumonia and scarlet fever if left untreated, so don’t push yourself. Sometimes staying home is the best choice for staying healthy.
Stride Tip → If you do have strep throat or the flu, and your symptoms are non-life-threatening, head to an urgent care facility for treatment. They’ll likely be able to see you sooner than your primary care doctor and often have cash-pay prices if you don’t have insurance.
The Department of Health and Human Services just announced that COVID-19 (Coronavirus) testing is covered as an essential health benefit. This means that if you have a qualified health insurance plan, Medicaid, or Medicare, the test is applied to your copays or deductible. Also, if you live in California, New York, or Washington you can be tested for free if you meet the CDC testing criteria for coronavirus.
Keep in mind that if you are only mildly ill, but you think you might have Coronavirus, health providers would prefer that you stay home. If your illness worsens (you have shortness of breath) or if you have underlying medical conditions like diabetes and heart disease, you’ll want to seek medical attention. Before you go to the doctor, be sure to call ahead so they can prepare for your arrival, and make sure you don’t spread your illness to other patients. More tips on when to see a doctor for a cold here.
Just remember that the better you take care of yourself, the better you can work! Wash your hands, get good rest, stay home when you’re not feeling well, and you’ll be clear of sick season in no time.
