-Isms

Sometimes, human nature amazes me ... and not in a good way.

The entire coronavirus conversation makes me shake my head.

While I understand worse-case scenarios are often used as a prompt to get people to think, a little common sense, a dollop of soap and a lot of hot water should clear up any misconceptions.

Here’s what we know for sure:

• As of March 9, 555 confirmed cases have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with individuals from 35 states and the District of Columbia included in that count.

• Twenty-two people in the United States have died from the virus. Eight individuals have recovered.

• More than 100,000 cases have been reported worldwide, according to data presented Saturday by the World Health Organization.

I choose to educate myself about the spread of the virus and make decisions based on fact, not hypotheticals.

I’m not attempting to minimize potential danger. I do believe the virus may develop in isolation, resulting in pockets of patients who will require medical attention.

I applaud the two U.S. senators who self-quarantined themselves after exposure to an infected individual at a recent gathering, choosing to err on the side of caution, instead of risking others’ well-being.

But I also believe precautionary measures that are common sense tactics will lessen any potential harm. Now, if everyone else will practice what is being preached by health professionals across the country, the chances of getting infected with COVID-19 will decrease.

Want to avoid getting sick?

It’s pretty straightforward and something that should be second nature: Wash your hands.

I’m not talking a quick swish under the faucet, sans soap. I’m talking a good 30-second scrubbing on all surfaces, including between fingers and underneath fingernails. My mom taught me to sing the ABC song while scrubbing my digits. Or, you may prefer to sing Party in the USA or Jolene or Shake It Off instead of counting down the clock.

Do not be like the mother and daughter I encountered Saturday, who, after using the restroom at an area restaurant, returned to the dining room without washing their hands.

Gross.

Invest in an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, with at least 60% alcohol. If you’re not near a water source or soap, sanitizer will do the trick. I keep a bottle in my purse, another in my desk and one in the car.

Here’s another practical tip: If you’re sick, stay home. I think a lot of us are guilty of going to work when our noses are running or we’re nursing a scratchy cough. This time, though, maybe it’s best to stay put and take it easy.

Stop touching your face. Cover a cough or sneeze with a tissue or use the crook of your elbow. Stop sneezing into open air, which can send droplets at least six feet from where you are located. Think about that.

Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces using a household cleaning spray or wipe. And good grief, people, disinfect your cell phone. How many germs are crawling on the average cell phone screen? More than 17,000 bacterial gene copies. According to University of Arizona scientists, your cell phone has 10 times more bacteria than most toilet seats.

Makes you want to wash your hands, right?

I’m not a germaphobe, but since cases of the virus have been reported in the U.S., and now with cases in Nebraska, I wash my hands more than I normally would. And I wipe down my phone screen twice a day and my workspace daily.

You won’t see me wiping out the local grocery store’s supply of toilet paper. I already stockpile at least a one month supply.

If, perchance, I am quarantined for two weeks, someone will need to make a grocery run.

Leave fresh fruit - because you can never have enough - along with ingredients for pizza on the front porch. Not sure I can go half a month without a slice of pie.