China Daily:
How do overseas students in heavily hit regions, such as European countries and the United States, protect themselves to reduce the risk of infection? For example, many of them are living in rented collective apartments; how can these students avoid cross infection? How can they protect themselves when they go out to shop or perform an essential activity?
Zhang Yang:
No matter what the occasion, overseas students should maintain good personal health habits. They should not spit everywhere, they should cover their mouth and nose with a tissue or their elbow when sneezing or coughing and they should improve hand hygiene and abide by the laws and regulations of the country where they are living. In daily life, they should eat a balanced diet, exercise more, get enough sleep and keep a good state of mind. All these things help to improve their immunity. Meanwhile, they must wear a mask when staying in a crowded or relatively closed environment, such as public transportation, elevators or indoor public places.
Students who live in a collective apartment should keep their living environment clean and ventilate their rooms often. Experts recommend rooms be ventilated two to three times a day for 20 to 30 minutes on each occasion. They should pay attention to whether their roommates exhibit such symptoms as a fever, cough or other abnormal conditions, and they should take active protective measures. Students should reduce close contact with others who live in the same apartment. If close contact is necessary, wear a mask and keep a distance of at least one meter.
If they go out to shop or perform an essential activity, they should wear a mask when taking public transportation and staying in a crowded or closed environment. They should keep a distance and avoid direct contact when communicating with staff members and carry quick-drying hand disinfectant to keep their hands clean. Thank you.
