Useful tips

08.06.2020

The girls took part in the Nuckids 2016 Project, and since 2018 they have been traveling to the project as counselors.

Tatarenko sisters study at the Obninsk Institute for Nuclear Power Engineering, at the Engineering and Physical Institute of Biomedicine, specializing in medical science.

Girls, why do we still need to take measures against COVID-19? Isn’t the virus dead yet?

Let us start with the fact that a virus is a non-cellular life form that surrounds us. In fact, we have already learned to live with some viruses. For example, with herpes, the HIV virus. The new virus – COVID-19 – from the coronavirus family, which caused such a pandemic this year, has changed dramatically the way of life of the whole world. But, in fact, it is just a new virus to which humans have not yet adapted. We have to realize that it will not disappear and will be with us forever. We will not be able to eradicate it completely. It will not die, even despite the warm summer weather, which is very unfavorable for it. But, again, these are non-cellular life forms, so heat, sunlight, and basically summer are limiting factors for viruses. So summer will not favor its development and spread.

The same precautions should be taken now:

1) Don’t panic. We can only say goodbye to the virus when 60% of the world’s population has been exposed to it. This does not mean that everyone has to get over it, it can be asymptomatic. COVID-19 will step back when we develop collective immunity. According to doctors, this is somewhere around 1-2 years.

2) Wash your hands when you come home from the street.

3) Masks, although introduced almost everywhere, do not rescue from COVID-19. However, they cover the mucous membranes of the carrier, where the virus accumulates, thus protecting others from infection.

4) Hand sanitization.

5) Gloves.

6) Be sure to clean your phones and keys with antiseptic or wash with soap.

7) Keep a distance from everyone except family members with whom we live.

However, the main preventive measure, of course, is good health and immunity.

How do one share warmth with each other if there is no chance to hug?

In fact, this is one of the most unpleasant circumstance in this situation. We think that you can perfectly transfer warmth to each other with your smiles and make your loved ones happy remotely. You can call each other on Skype or even write handwritten letters to each other. Even a simple wish of “good morning” will warm your friend’s heart. Feel free to write and express your feelings more often!

Many people stay at home, literally within four walls. How can one move and stay in good shape in such conditions?

You should not lock yourself up at home, because you can already go for walks with family members, do sports outside and walk with your pets. Unfortunately, it is still impossible to gather with large groups of friends, although we all miss it so much.

But if someone is suddenly locked up at home, the numerous sports workouts on YouTube are there to help! There you can find a huge number of free classes, physical exercises that are necessary in our new living conditions.

It doesn’t matter what kind of training format you choose. The main thing is consistency! At least 20 minutes a day should be devoted to yourself and your body.

We also encourage you to follow a daily schedule, keep a planner where you will note all the things you need to do today.

Another great way to keep moving is to sort out your closet, your desk, cabinets, and bookshelves. You could go through some family photo albums. Believe me, this can be one of the most fun family activities over a cup of tea.

From a nutritional point of view, it is important to keep to a meal schedule and choose healthy foods. We used to go to school and university, and we had a normalized routine of lessons, breaks, and classes. Now there is no such thing, the fridge is in easy reach, and we eat more for nothing to do. But you need to limit yourself to 5 meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner and 2 small snacks. It is better to replace sweets with fruits, it is necessary to reduce the use of fast carbohydrates, chocolates, candy and so on. Eat more products containing fiber, as well as the right fats.

By the way, we often confuse the feeling of hunger and thirst, so every time you should drink a little water before eating. This way you will be able to reduce the number of calories consumed, as well as maintain the water balance in the body.

What about vitamins and minerals?

Let me say right away, it is very important to understand that vitamins and minerals are necessary when you really have avitaminosis. This is a diagnosis that you should be given by your doctor based on the results of tests. But, again, we can get all the necessary vitamins and minerals from a proper diet: vegetables, complex carbohydrates and the right fats. Naturally, if you have bought chips, sodas and McDonald’s for self-isolation, then vitamin intake is out of the question. To begin with, it is necessary to establish a proper dietary regimen and properly compose your menu. For example, to increase the amount of vitamin D in the body, which is so lacking in Russia, we advise you to eat more currants, onions, garlic and drink berry juice. I believe everyone knows about vitamin C.

Marina and Arina, as you know many people have now gone to country houses to escape the stone jungle. As a rule, ticks, these nasty insects, begin to appear in May. Can you tell us more about them?

Ticks are insects that are widespread everywhere. They start their activity in spring, when everything comes out of the winter bio-pause, and keep it up until the fall frosts. In summer and fall, they live in woods, parks, and tall grass. The most dangerous thing about them is the encephalitis virus, as it leads to paralysis of the central nervous system.

However, it is quite easy to protect yourself from them – take light-colored clothes (ticks are more visible on them), repellent (spray for protection), wear high rubber boots when going into the forest, tuck your pants into socks or boots. The warmest places on the body should be closed – neck, armpits, groin area, back and so on. When you get home, ask your parents or siblings to look at you from the outside.

Often tick bites are not noticeable because the insects inject anesthetic into the skin. But if you suddenly feel itchy and a tick is still there, you should go to the doctor immediately to have a test done to make sure that there is no threat and everything is fine.

From editorial staff with love