The COVID-19 pandemic is still active, with no end in sight. Preventive measures such as hand washing, keeping social distance, and wearing masks, especially in enclosed public spaces, are essential, but not always easy to maintain in the long term.
Transmission seems to occur most frequently at private social events, such as dinners, weddings and birthday parties. The opening of bars and nightclubs has also led to some outbreaks, and they are closed again.
Many people have pinned their hopes on a vaccine to counteract the virus; however, although many vaccines are being developed, it may still be a long time before they reach the market and can be administered by citizens. In the meantime, we must focus more on prevention and building resilience. In individuals, resilience is the ability to withstand adversity and bounce back from difficult life events.
Community resilience is the sustained ability of a community to use available resources (e.g., urban planning, transportation, food) to respond to, withstand, and recover from adverse events.
Personal resilience
Smoking, obesity, and lack of physical activity have been linked to increased risk of COVID-19 transmission and/or increased disease severity. Too many people continue to smoke, are overweight, and are not physically active.
Being resilient does not mean not feeling pain, discomfort or not encountering difficulties in the face of adversity; resilience starts from a realistic point of view, from the confidence that the blow received will not destabilize us if we face it, assume it and use it to improve our lives. We cannot live convinced that there are no problems because this distances us from reality and causes it to hit us harder when we decide to approach it again.
To increase resilience, it is important to quit smoking, maintain weight within a healthy range (body mass index between 18.5 and 24.9) and get enough physical activity (at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week).
We know that physical activity is important for a well-functioning immune system and that having a healthy immune system is important for preventing and fighting SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Visits to parks, nature and other green spaces can reduce stress and improve brain recovery, thereby improving mental health and building resilience. Green spaces are essential for good physical and mental health. In addition, in open spaces the risk of COVID-19 transmission is very low compared to the risk of transmission in enclosed spaces.
Finally, healthy eating habits, including, for example, sufficient consumption of vegetables and fruits, are important for a good immune system and overall good health. The immune system includes beneficial live bacteria housed in the gut (obtained from fiber-rich foods), which protect the human body from disease. Plant foods improve the microbiome and, therefore, the immune system.
Resilience starts from a realistic point of view, from the confidence that the blow received will not destabilize us if we face it, take it on and use it to improve our lives.
Air pollution increases the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and disease, possibly because it increases susceptibility to the virus. Cities are hotspots for air pollution, but air pollution levels can be reduced, as we have seen during recent confinements.
Greater efforts should be made to reduce current levels of air pollution to reduce the risk of COVID-19; for example, motorized traffic could be drastically reduced and electrification promoted, and cleaner household fuels from renewable sources could be used.
People spend their time indoors. And in these indoor spaces, including the home, there is a much higher risk of transmission than outdoors. Sufficient ventilation can significantly reduce the risk of transmission; a well-designed ventilation system and open windows are essential.
Reference
#1
#2
#3
#4
