Corresponding author:
Farid Rahimi, PhD, ELS
Division of Biomedical Science and Biochemistry
Research School of Biology
The Australian National University
Canberra, ACT 2600
Australia
Tel: +61 2 61252851
Email: farid.rahimi@anu.edu.au
Acknowledgment: Authors have no funding sources to declare in relation to this perspective. The contents of the perspective and the opinions expressed therein are
those of the authors. Abstract
Physical/social distancing, handwashing, respiratory hygiene, and face-masking have been recommended as realistic counterstrategies to control the COVID-19 pandemic. These strategies have been critical in the fight against the present pandemic in many countries. Here, we detail the background to such countermeasures, present some examples in different settings, and finally emphasize that they should remain in place worldwide as a cultural and behavioral “new normal” until a vaccine or a decisive treatment for COVID-19 is developed and made available globally.
Keywords: COVID-19, pandemic, quarantine, respiratory hygiene, social distancing