Adjusting to live safely with the pandemic

Adjust from the smallest behavior

The need for “positive social adjustment” - according to Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, is to adjust to change long-standing habits, even those that are fundamental to the character and living habits of Vietnamese people. And with today's open, modern life, many values ​​that seem to be traditional have become outdated and need to be eliminated. People will understand this more clearly in the meals of almost every Vietnamese family. On the tray, all dishes, although placed separately in different bowls and plates, are common food for all members, not divided into separate portions for each person. We Vietnamese use chopsticks to eat rice, pick up food and dip them together in a bowl of dipping sauce.

Many mealtime habits such as picking up food and dipping it together in the same bowl of sauce also need to be changed. Illustration photo

Researching Vietnamese cuisine, many people have long believed that each family's meals reflect the spirit of solidarity, community culture, and the attachment of each member to their family. Not only in family meals, but also in large gatherings, food and drinks are arranged in the same way. Enhancing the bond of community solidarity - researchers on national culture believe that this is the factor that helps Vietnamese people succeed in the fight against natural disasters, enemies, etc.

However, with today's modern life, our above-mentioned eating habits are no longer suitable. It would be a disaster if people still pick up food together and dip in the same sauce during their daily meals when the Covid-19 epidemic is spreading and cannot be controlled.

Positive social adjustment is first of all strictly implementing Directives 15, 16 and 19 of the Government on Covid-19 prevention and control. Positive adjustment is also changing from the smallest behaviors of life. As Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam said, in many places and localities, people "like" to shake hands during meals. This goes against the regulations on Covid-19 prevention and control. Not far away, in Nghe An, from family meals to receptions, funerals, and weddings, every time people finish drinking a glass of wine, they shake hands as if to show "unanimity and unanimity"... In addition, Vietnamese people often have the habit of speaking loudly, noisily and rudely in public places. This not only annoys others but also poses a risk of spreading the disease if unfortunately one of them is a victim of the Corona virus.

Traffic police check alcohol concentration of traffic participants. Photo: Document

Therefore, positive adjustment is also changing the behavior of each individual when participating in community activities. According to the report of the National Traffic Safety Committee, on the days when the whole country implemented Directive 16 of the Government on Covid-19 prevention and control, especially during the period of social isolation, the traffic accident situation decreased in all three criteria: number of cases, number of deaths and injuries. Of course, at this time, there were fewer people and vehicles participating in traffic, but more importantly, people had time to calm down, there were no more signs of fighting and chaos when traveling on the road.

In addition, crowded events such as weddings, funerals, and banquets are no longer organized in a lavish, wasteful, formal manner. Many families have even postponed their weddings, instead only going to the local authorities to register the marriage for the young couple; any family that unfortunately has a death will have a quick funeral, held within the family space.

Find a way to live safely together

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam affirmed that the work of preventing and combating the Covid-19 epidemic must be carried out through 5 steps: Prevention, detection, isolation, containment and suppression. Weakness in any of these 5 steps will lead to a great disaster. While the world does not have a vaccine to prevent the Corona virus, it is necessary for authorities and people to find every way to control the epidemic and live safely with it.

Measuring students' body temperature at the school gate to prevent disease. Illustration photo: My Ha

To do so, people must adjust and change all their bad behaviors and habits in a direction that is suitable to the context of relationships that are constantly being connected and expanded, especially international exchange and cooperation.

Living safely is first and foremost about taking care of your health properly. That is eating hygienically, focusing on physical exercise to improve your physical health. Each family's living space must be airy and clean; people should regularly visit the doctor to monitor their health.

Living safely with the epidemic also means ensuring a safe and healthy learning environment for students. Schools need to strictly implement regulations on disease prevention such as controlling and strictly managing students, preparing facilities well, fully equipping hand washing systems with soap, disinfectants, and social distancing standards for each grade and class.

Participation in public activities must also be based on the principle of ensuring safety, regularly wearing masks, using antiseptic solutions, limiting talking in crowded places; when the epidemic is not yet under control, limit the use of public transport.

Nghe An people participate in traffic during social distancing. Photo: Bao Anh

More than ever, administrative reform must be strengthened by public agencies. That is to accelerate the implementation of the 4.0 scientific and technological revolution into practice; upgrade technical infrastructure and social infrastructure to digitize administrative activities. Increase online transactions instead of direct transactions as before; use electronic payments instead of cash... That is also a positive adjustment of society to live safely with the epidemic...

Up to now, after nearly half a year of its appearance, the Corona virus has torn through all borders, causing a pandemic on a global scale, with nearly 3 million people infected, more than 203,000 deaths, and the world has yet to find a vaccine. The Covid-19 pandemic has pushed the economy and social life to the brink of serious decline. And currently there is still no scientific basis to know when the pandemic will be stopped. Therefore, the most important thing at this stage is that Vietnam simultaneously carries out two tasks: fighting the epidemic and developing the economy. To successfully complete this dual task, each ministry, branch, Party committee, government at all levels and people must actively adjust society.

Van Nhi