WHO recommendations made simple, in the style of a typical “style guide”.
Each guideline describes either a good or bad practice, and all have a consistent presentation.
The wording of each guideline indicates how strong the recommendation is.
Do is one that should always be followed.
Don't indicates something you should never do.
For some cases, always/never might be a bit too strong of a word. Guidelines that literally should always/never be followed are rare. On the other hand, you need a really unusual case for breaking a Do/Don't guideline.
Consider guidelines should generally be followed. If you fully understand the meaning behind the guideline and have a good reason to deviate, then do so.
Avoid indicates something you should almost never do.
Why? gives reasons for following the previous recommendations.
Do be empathetic to all those who are affected, in and from any country.
Don't attach the disease to any particular ethnicity or nationality.
Why? COVID-19 has and is likely to affect people from many countries, in many geographical locations. People who are affected by COVID-19 have not done anything wrong, and they deserve our support, compassion and kindness.
Do refer to people with the disease as “people who have COVID-19”, “people who are being treated for COVID-19”, or “people who are recovering from COVID-19”.
Don't use “COVID-19 cases”, “victims” “COVID-19 families” or “the diseased”.
Why? After recovering from COVID-19, people's life will go on with their jobs, families and loved ones. It is important to separate a person from having an identity defined by COVID-19, in order to reduce stigma.
Avoid watching, reading or listening to news about COVID-19 that causes you to feel anxious or distressed.
Consider seeking information updates at specific times during the day, once or twice.
Why? The sudden and near-constant stream of news reports about an outbreak can cause anyone to feel worried.
Do seek information only from trusted sources. Get the facts; not rumors and misinformation.
Consider seeking information so that you can take practical steps to prepare your plans and protect yourself and loved ones.
Consider gathering information at regular intervals from the WHO website and local health authority platforms in order to help you distinguish facts from rumors.
Why? Facts can help to minimize fears.
Do protect yourself and be supportive to others.
Consider checking by telephone on neighbors or people in your community who may need some extra assistance
Why? Assisting others in their time of need can benefit both the person receiving support and the helper.
Why? Working together as one community can help to create solidarity in addressing COVID-19 together.
Do honor and support carers and healthcare workers supporting people affected with COVID-19 in your community.
Why? Carers and healthcare workers are saving lives and keeping your loved ones safe.
Do listen to what carers and healthcare workers have to say.
Consider seeking information so that you can take practical steps to support carers and healthcare workers after this crisis.
Why? Social and health care systems may be unscientifically funded. This and some other political decisions may have exacerbated this crisis.
Do stay connected and maintain your social networks.
If health authorities have recommended limiting your physical social contact to contain the outbreak, you can stay connected via telephone, e-mail, social media or video conference.
Consider keeping your personal daily routines or creating new routines if circumstances change.
Do pay attention to your own needs and feelings during this times of stress.
Consider engaging in healthy activities that you enjoy and find relaxing.
Do reduce long periods of time spent sitting (work, studying, watching TV, reading, or using social media or playing games using screens).
Consider taking short 3-5 minute breaks every 20-30 minutes.
Why? By just moving around and stretching you can improve your health and well-being.
Do 3-5 minutes of physical movement, like walking or stretching, several times a day.
Why? Physical movement helps ease muscle strain, relieves mental tension and improves blood circulation and muscle activity.
Why? Regular physical activity can also help to give the day a routine and be a way of staying in contact with family and friends.
Don't exercise if you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing.
Consider setting up a regular routine to be active every day.
Why? This will help you build a regular routine, and help you adjust to new ways of working, study and family life under COVID-19 restrictions.
The WHO recommends to adults over 18 years old with good mobility to do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity (or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity) physical activity throughout the week, including muscle-strengthening activities 2 or more days per week. For more information see the “How much physical activity is recommended?” section of the WHO Q&A “Be Active during COVID-19” page.
- Social Stigma associated with COVID-19: A guide to preventing and addressing social stigma, WHO, UNICEF & CIFRC
- Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public , WHO
- Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) technical guidance: Risk communication and community engagement, WHO
- Global recommendations of physical activity for health, WHO
- Stay physically active during self-quarantine, WHO
A major part of this document is a derivative of “Mental health and psychosocial considerations during the COVID-19 outbreak” by the World Health Organization, 2020, made available under the CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO license.
Guideline Vocabulary was inspired by the “Angular coding style guide” one, made by Google LLC and the Angular Contributors, 2010-2020, under the CC BY 4.0 license. See the related source file for more information.
This page may also include some extracts of the World Health Organization Q&A, especially “Be Active during COVID-19”, for educational purpose only, in compliance with the WHO Website Copyright.
© Nwel.dev 2020. This work is licensed under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 International License.
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