The COVID‑19 pandemic has now lasted three years, evolving from localized outbreaks to a nationwide and global crisis. While infection rates soared across the world, China adhered to its dynamic zero‑COVID policy, imposing strict lockdowns at all costs to safeguard people’s lives and health, earning widespread acclaim.

In fact, throughout Chinese history there have been numerous successful responses to epidemics, and ancient scholars distilled the lesson: “A major epidemic lasts no more than three years.” Today, the COVID‑19 pandemic has reached a similar juncture. According to the latest scientific research, the pathogenicity of Omicron—the virus’s most recent variant—has declined significantly. Consequently, it is time to adjust our epidemic‑control policies, with a broad shift toward fully lifting restrictions—a pivotal moment in managing the pandemic.

In fact, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, and other regions have already undertaken pilot initiatives and gained valuable experience. In Guangzhou, following the relaxation of restrictions, 170,000 people were infected, but the vast majority were asymptomatic—meaning they experienced no symptoms at all. There were only four severe cases, and no deaths have been reported so far.

Building on the experience gained from localized easing measures, the state has made new adjustments to its COVID‑19 control policies, calling on all localities to further refine their prevention and control strategies. Compared with the initial measures, the current approach is now considerably more relaxed, leaving only a single step away from full reopening.

Once restrictions are fully lifted, the virus will be everywhere, making personal protective measures more critical than ever. Each individual is ultimately responsible for their own health.

So the question is: how can we practice effective personal protection in our daily lives? How can we minimize the risk of infection or delay it as much as possible? And, in particular, how can we safeguard the elderly and children at home?

Here are five tips—keep them handy and remember them, as they could come in handy when you need them most!

Recommendation No. 1: Boost your immune system. Human immunity is the most reliable, enduring, and effective barrier against all kinds of viruses, and this holds true for preventing COVID‑19 as well. Why do some people who contract the virus remain asymptomatic, while others develop fever, cough, fatigue, and even severe complications that can lead to death? Ultimately, it comes down to differences in immune strength.

Therefore, when confronting viruses, boosting one’s immune system is key. In daily life, maintaining a regular sleep schedule, keeping a positive mood, ensuring adequate nutrition, and engaging in regular physical activity are all effective ways to strengthen immunity. However, enhancing immune function is a long-term endeavor that cannot be achieved overnight.

Therefore, the following four recommendations will be crucial, as they directly determine whether you will contract COVID-19 at this time.

Recommendation No. 2: Go out less. Once restrictions are fully lifted, the number of people carrying the virus will surge, and everyone you encounter outside could be infected—though they may not even know it themselves.

Therefore, for a period of time, you should minimize all non-essential outings. Remember: the further we go, the lower the virus’s virulence becomes, and the less harm it inflicts on the human body. This is an important lesson learned over the three years of pandemic response and also the most critical scientific basis for fully lifting COVID‑19 control measures.

Recommendation No. 3: Strengthen self‑monitoring of health. With the full lifting of restrictions, nucleic acid testing is no longer mandatory, temperature checks are no longer required, and scanning health codes is no longer needed to enter public venues. While external requirements have been lifted, it remains essential for each of us to intensify personal health monitoring—taking our own temperature once daily, or getting a nucleic acid test when entering public spaces—and staying vigilant at all times, always putting our health first.

Recommendation No. 4: Always wear a mask when you go out. COVID‑19 is transmitted through the air and primarily affects the respiratory tract, so wearing a mask is the most effective protective measure. Whenever you leave home—no matter where you’re headed—be sure to put on your mask. Once restrictions are lifted, there will no longer be any “high‑risk” areas; every location will be considered a potential risk zone.

In particular, when entering crowded places, it is essential to wear a mask at all times—ideally an N95 medical-grade mask, which offers the highest level of protection. These days, even doctors have switched from standard blue masks to white N95s, thereby raising the standard of protection. Elderly individuals and young children should also wear N95 masks throughout their outings, as their immune systems are generally less robust.

Recommendation No. 5: Stock up on essential supplies. These days, numerous online articles advise people to hoard certain medications, which has led to widespread shortages. It’s crucial to remain rational: if you do become infected and develop severe symptoms, you must seek medical care at a hospital. Rather than stockpiling medicines, it’s far more important to detect the illness early and address it promptly—when medical attention is needed, don’t hesitate to go to the hospital. Self‑treatment carries significant risks, as you’re not a trained physician.

So, how can we detect it early? The answer is to keep some antigen test kits on hand. These tests are easy to use—you can do them yourself without going to the hospital. Moreover, hospitals will no longer offer community‑wide testing, making antigen test kits an essential household item. Families with elderly members or young children should especially stock up.

By following these five guidelines, you can minimize your risk of infection and better protect your own health and that of your family. Wishing everyone peace and safety, and hoping the pandemic will end soon!

Note: Images and text are sourced from the internet.