By Dr Paritosh Baghel, Consultant General Physician, SL Raheja Hospital, Mahim – A Fortis Associate
The city of Mumbai is finally limping back to normalcy. Soon the local trains, restaurants, malls, and recreations areas will open for people. As restaurants resume and continue operations in the city, here are a few considerations for ways in which people can reduce risk and the spread of COVID19 and ensure a healthy life. COVID19 is mostly spread when people are physically near (within 6 feet) a person with COVID19 or have direct contact with that person. When people with COVID19 cough, sneeze, sing, talk, or breathe, they produce respiratory droplets. Infections occur mainly through exposure to respiratory droplets when a person is in close contact with someone who has COVID19.
There is evidence that under certain conditions, people with COVID19 seem to have infected others who were more than 6 feet away – this is called airborne transmission. These transmissions occurred within enclosed spaces that had inadequate ventilation. Available data indicates that it is much more common for the virus that causes COVID19 to spread through close contact with a person who has COVID than through airborne transmission.
Respiratory droplets can also land on surfaces and objects. It is possible that a person could get COVID19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes. Spread from touching surfaces is not thought to be a common way that COVID19 spreads. Fortunately, there are a few actions operators of restaurants and bars can take to help lower the risk of COVID19 exposure and spread while dining out.
- Wearing mask
- Promote hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette
- Post signs in highly visible locations (e.g., at entrances, in restrooms) that promote everyday protective measures
- Keep enough ventilation
Food habits to consider:
While maintaining hygiene some dietary factors can also reduce risk of COVID19 such as eating a healthy diet, being physically active, managing stress, and getting enough sleep, are critical to keeping our immune system strong. In the face of current uncertainties, here are some strategies and resources to help maintain some of these practices in dining.
For people dining out:
- Recognize risk points
- Evaluate your risk tolerance
- Maintain good hygiene practice
Your diet should include:
- Plenty of vegetables, including different types and colours, and legumes/beans
- All seasonal fruits
- Grain (cereal) foods, mostly wholegrain and/or high cereal fiber varieties, such as Breads, Cereals, Rice, Pasta, Noodles, Polenta, Couscous, Oats, Quinoa and Barley
- Lean meats and poultry, fish, eggs, Tofu, nuts and seeds, and legumes/beans
- Milk, Yogurt, Cheese, and/or their alternatives
Healthy eating habits include:
- Be physically active and choosing amounts of nutritious food and drinks to meet your energy needs
- Enjoy a wide variety of nutritious foods
- Drink plenty of water
- Limit intake of foods containing saturated fat added salt and added sugars such as biscuits, cakes, pastries, pies, processed meats, commercial burgers, pizzas, fried foods, potato chips, crisps and other sugary or savoury snacks
- Limit intake of alcohol
- Care for your food, prepare and store it safely
- Plan a set time for exercise or other fun physical activities
