mteb/FeedbackQARetrieval huggingface dataset:
Q&A: Be Active during COVID-19
How much physical activity is recommended?
WHO has detailed recommendations on the amount of physical activity people of
all ages should do to benefit their health and wellbeing. (available
here for children under age
of 5 and
here
for youth, adults and olders) Here are the minimum levels we recommend:
Infants under the age of 1 year need to 


be physically active several times a day.

Children under 5 years of age 

should spend at least 180 minutes a day in physical activities, with 3-4 year-olds being moderately or vigorously active for an hour a day. 

Children and adolescents aged 5-17years ****

all children and adolescents should do at least 60 minutes a day of moderate to vigorous-intensity physical activity, including activities that strengthen muscle and bone, at least 3 days per week. ****

Adults aged over 18 years ****

should do a total of at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity throughout the week, or at least 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity throughout the week, including muscle-strengthening activities 2 or more days per week.
older adults with poor mobility should do physical activity to enhance balance and prevent falls on 3 or more days per week. 

But any physical activity is better than none. Start with small amounts and
gradually increase duration, frequency and intensity over time.
Being active during the COVID-19 pandemic is challenging for us all. Because
the opportunities to be physically active seem to be more restricted, it is
even more important to plan in every day the ways to be active and to reduce
the time spent sitting for long periods. Put simply, it is a critical time to
ensure we all move more and sit less.
Q&A: Be Active during COVID-19
Why do we need it?
Regular physical activity benefits both the body and mind. It can reduce high
blood pressure, help manage weight and reduce the risk of heart disease,
stroke, type 2 diabetes, and various cancers. It also improves bone and muscle
strength and increases balance, flexibility and fitness. For older people,
activities that improve balance help to prevent falls and injuries. For
children, regular physical activity helps support healthy growth and
development and reduce the risk of disease in later life, and through regular
activity, children can develop fundamental movement skills and build social
relationships.
Regular physical activity also improves mental health and can reduce the risk
of depression, cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia - and improve
overall feelings of wellbeing.
Q&A: Be Active during COVID-19
What is physical activity?
Physical activity includes all forms of active recreation, sports
participation, cycling and walking, as well as activities you do at work and
around the home and garden. It doesn’t have to be exercise or sport – play,
dance, gardening, and even house cleaning and carrying heavy shopping is all
part of being physically active.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, when so many of us are very restricted in our
movements, it is even more important for people of all ages and abilities to
be as active as possible. Even a short break from sitting, by doing 3-5
minutes of physical movement, such as walking or stretching, will help ease
muscle strain, relieve mental tension and improve blood circulation and muscle
activity. Regular physical activity can also help to give the day a routine
and be a way of staying in contact with family and friends.
EndFragment
Q&A: Be Active during COVID-19
So how do I stay safe while exercising in COVID-19?
Do not exercise if you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing. Stay
home and rest, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the
directions of your local health authority.
If you are able to go for a walk or bicycle ride always practice
physical distancing and wash your hands with water and soap before you leave,
when you get to where you are going, and as soon as you get home. If water and
soap are not immediately available, use alcohol-based hand rub.
If you go to a park or public open space to walk, run or exercise always
practice physical distancing and wash your hands with water and soap, before
you leave, when you get to where you are going, and as soon as you get home.
If water and soap are not immediately available, use alcohol-based hand rub.
Follow the directions of your local health authority in regards to any
restrictions on the number of people with you and/or restrictions on the use
of public outdoor play or exercise equipment.
If you are not regularly active start slowly and with low intensity
activities , like walking and low impact exercises. Start with shorter
amounts, like 5-10 minutes, and gradually build up to 30 minutes or more
continuously over a few weeks. It is better and safer to be active for short
periods more frequently than to try and be active for long periods when you
are not used to it.
Choose the right activity so that you reduce the risk of injury and that
you enjoy the activity. Choose the right intensity according to your health
status and fitness level. You should be able to breath comfortably and hold a
conversation while you do light- and moderate-intensity physical activity.
Q&A: Breastfeeding and COVID-19
I have confirmed or suspected COVID-19 and am too unwell to breastfeed my baby directly. What can I do?
If you are too unwell to breastfeed your baby due to COVID-19 or other
complications, you should be supported to safely provide your baby with breast
milk in a way possible, available, and acceptable to you. This could include:

Expressing milk;
Donor human milk. 

If expressing breast milk or donor human milk are not feasible then consider
wet nursing (another woman breastfeeds the child) or infant formula milk with
measures to ensure that it is feasible, correctly prepared, safe and
sustainable.
Q&A: Breastfeeding and COVID-19
I have confirmed or suspected COVID-19, is it safer to give my baby infant formula milk?
No. There are always risks associated with giving infant formula milk to
newborns and infants in all settings. The risks associated with giving infant
formula milk are increased whenever home and community conditions are
compromised, such as reduced access to health services if a baby becomes
unwell, reduced access to clean water and/or access to supplies of infant
formula milk are difficult or not guaranteed, affordable and sustainable.
The numerous benefits of breastfeeding substantially outweigh the potential
risks of transmission and illness associated with the COVID-19 virus.
Q&A: Breastfeeding and COVID-19
Following delivery, should a baby still be immediately placed skin-to-skin and breastfed if the mother is confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19?
Yes. Immediate and continued skin-to-skin care, including kangaroo mother
care, improves the temperature control of newborns and is associated with
improved survival among newborn babies. Placing the newborn close to the
mother also enables early initiation of breastfeeding which also reduces
mortality.  
The numerous benefits of skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding substantially
outweigh the potential risks of transmission and illness associated with
COVID-19.
Q&A: Breastfeeding and COVID-19
I had confirmed or suspected COVID-19 and was unable to breastfeed, when can I start to breastfeed again?
You can start to breastfeed when you feel well enough to do so. There is no
fixed time interval to wait after confirmed or suspected COVID-19. There is no
evidence that breastfeeding changes the clinical course of COVID-19 in a
mother. Health workers or breastfeeding counsellors should support you to
relactate.
Q&A: Breastfeeding and COVID-19
Can women with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 breastfeed?
Yes. Women with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 can breastfeed if they wish to
do so. They should:

Wash hands frequently with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand rub and especially before touching the baby;
Wear a medical mask during any contact with the baby, including while feeding;
Sneeze or cough into a tissue. Then dispose of it immediately and wash hands again;
Routinely clean and disinfect surfaces that mothers have touched.

It is important to replace medical masks as soon as they become damp and
dispose of them immediately. Masks should not be reused or touched in the
front.
Q&A: Breastfeeding and COVID-19
If a mother confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19 does not have a medical face mask should she still breastfeed?
Yes. Breastfeeding unquestionably reduces mortality in newborns and infants
and provides numerous lifelong health and brain development advantages to the
child.
Mothers with symptoms of COVID-19 are advised to wear a medical mask, but even
if this is not possible, breastfeeding should be continued. Mothers should
follow other infection prevention measures, such as washing hands, cleaning
surfaces, sneezing or coughing into a tissue.  
Non-medical masks (e.g. home-made or cloth masks) have not been evaluated. At
this time, it is not possible to make a recommendation for or against their
use.
Q&A: Considerations for the cleaning and disinfection of environmental surfaces in the context of COVID-19 in non-health care settings
What areas should be prioritized for disinfection in non-health care settings?
Disinfection practices are important to reduce the potential for COVID-19
virus contamination in non-healthcare settings, such as in the home, office,
schools, gyms, publicly accessible buildings, faith-based community centres,
markets, transportation and business settings or restaurants. High-touch
surfaces in these non-health care settings should be identified for priority
disinfection such as door and window handles, kitchen and food preparation
areas, counter tops, bathroom surfaces, toilets and taps, touchscreen personal
devices, personal computer keyboards, and work surfaces.
Q&A: Considerations for the cleaning and disinfection of environmental surfaces in the context of COVID-19 in non-health care settings
Are public systems for disinfecting individuals such as spraying via tunnel or chambers safe to use?
No. Spraying of individuals with disinfectants (such as in a tunnel, cabinet,
or chamber) is not recommended under any circumstances. This practice could be
physically and psychologically harmful and would not reduce an infected
person’s ability to spread the virus through droplets or contact. Even if
someone who is infected with COVID-19 goes through a disinfection tunnel or
chamber, as soon as they start speaking, coughing or sneezing they can still
spread the virus.
The toxic effect of spraying with chemicals such as chlorine on individuals
can lead to eye and skin irritation, bronchospasm due to inhalation, and
potentially gastrointestinal effects such as nausea and vomiting. In addition
to health safety concerns, the use of chlorine in large-scale spraying
practices may prevent this resource from being used for important
interventions such as drinking water treatment and environmental disinfection
of health care facilities.
Q&A: Considerations for the cleaning and disinfection of environmental surfaces in the context of COVID-19 in non-health care settings
What protection measures should people take when using disinfectants?
It is important to reduce your risk when using disinfectants:

The disinfectant and its concentration should be carefully selected to avoid damaging surfaces and to avoid or minimize toxic effects on household members (or users of public spaces).
Avoid combining disinfectants, such as bleach and ammonia, since mixtures can cause respiratory irritation and release potentially fatal gases.
Keep children, pets and other people away during the application of the product until it is dry and there is no odour. 
Open windows and use fans to ventilate. Step away from odours if they become too strong. Disinfectant solutions should always be prepared in well-ventilated areas.
Wash your hands after using any disinfectant, including surface wipes. 
Keep lids tightly closed when not in use. Spills and accidents are more likely to happen when containers are open. 
Do not allow children to use disinfectant wipes. Keep cleaning fluids and disinfectants out of the reach of children and pets. 
Throw away disposable items like gloves and masks if they are used during cleaning. Do not clean and re-use.
Do not use disinfectant wipes to clean hands or as baby wipes.
The minimum recommended personal protective equipment when disinfecting in non-health care settings is rubber gloves, waterproof aprons and closed shoes. Eye protection and medical masks may also be needed to protect against chemicals in use or if there is a risk of splashing.

Note: Where cleaning and disinfection are not possible on a regular basis
due to resource limitations, frequent hand washing and avoiding touching the
face should be the primary prevention approaches to reduce any potential
transmission associated with surface contamination.
Q&A: Considerations for the cleaning and disinfection of environmental surfaces in the context of COVID-19 in non-health care settings
How should I clean food items from the grocery store, for example fruit, vegetables or packaged items?
There is no evidence to date of viruses that cause respiratory illnesses being
transmitted via food or food packaging. Coronaviruses cannot multiply in food;
they need an animal or human host to multiply.  
The COVID-19 virus is generally thought to be spread from person to person
through respiratory droplets. Currently, there is no evidence to support
transmission of the COVID-19 virus associated with food.  
Before preparing or eating food it is important to always wash your hands with
soap and water for at least 40-60 seconds. Regular food safety and handling
guidance should be followed.
See: https://www.who.int/activities/promoting-safe-food-
handling.
For food service businesses, please see the below guidance on COVID-19 and
Food Safety: https://www.who.int/teams/risk-communication/food-and-
agriculture-sectors.
Q&A: Considerations for the cleaning and disinfection of environmental surfaces in the context of COVID-19 in non-health care settings
Which surface disinfectants are effective against COVID-19 in non-health care setting environments?
In non-health care settings, sodium hypochlorite (bleach / chlorine) may be
used at a recommended concentration of 0.1% or 1,000ppm (1 part of 5% strength
household bleach to 49 parts of water). Alcohol at 70-90% can also be used for
surface disinfection. Surfaces must be cleaned with water and soap or a
detergent first to remove dirt, followed by disinfection. Cleaning should
always start from the least soiled (cleanest) area to the most soiled
(dirtiest) area in order to not spread the dirty to areas that are less
soiled.  
All disinfectant solutions should be stored in opaque containers, in a well-
ventilated, covered area that is not exposed to direct sunlight and ideally
should be freshly prepared every day.  
In indoor spaces, routine application of disinfectants to surfaces via
spraying is not recommended for COVID-19. If disinfectants are to be applied,
these should be via a cloth or wipe which is soaked in the disinfectant.
Q&A: Considerations for the cleaning and disinfection of environmental surfaces in the context of COVID-19 in non-health care settings
What is the guidance for the disinfection of outdoor spaces such as open markets, roads?
In outdoor spaces, large-scale spraying or fumigation in areas such as streets
or open market places for the COVID-19 virus or other pathogens is not
recommended. Streets and sidewalks are not considered as routes of infection
for COVID-19. Spraying disinfectants, even outdoors, can be noxious for
people’s health and cause eye, respiratory or skin irritation or damage.  
This practice will be ineffective since the presence of dirt or rubbish for
example, inactivates the disinfectant, and manual cleaning to physically
remove all matter is not feasible. This is even less effective on porous
surfaces such as sidewalks and unpaved walkways. Even in the absence of dirt
or rubbish, it is unlikely that chemical spraying would adequately cover
surfaces allowing the required contact time to inactivate pathogens.
Q&A: Considerations for the cleaning and disinfection of environmental surfaces in the context of COVID-19 in non-health care settings
What are the recommended practices once back home after outdoor activities?
Thorough hand hygiene: washing hands with soap and water or using alcohol-
based hand gel, should be performed before touching surfaces, items, pets, and
people within the household environment. Please see:
https://www.who.int/gpsc/clean_hands_protection/en/.  
While outside, people should always follow physical distancing measures,
staying at least one metre from another person; perform hand hygiene by
washing hands frequently with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub;
follow good respiratory hygiene by covering your mouth and nose with your bent
elbow or tissue when coughing or sneezing; avoid touching your eyes, nose and
mouth; and avoid crowded places.
Q&A: Considerations for the cleaning and disinfection of environmental surfaces in the context of COVID-19 in non-health care settings
Are gloves recommended for the community in public spaces to protect against COVID-19, for example when going to the grocery store supermarket?
No. The use of gloves by the public in public spaces is not a recommended or
proven prevention measure. Wearing gloves in public spaces does not replace
the need for hand hygiene, nor does it offer any additional measure of
protection against the COVID-19 virus than hand hygiene. Gloves do not provide
complete protection against hand contamination, as pathogens may gain access
to the hands via small defects in gloves or by contamination of the hands
during glove removal. People can also transfer pathogens from one surface to
another by touching with gloved hands, or even transfer pathogens to the
mouth, nose, or eyes if they touch their face with gloved hands.
Q&A: Contraception/Family planning and COVID-19
What is the best contraceptive method to use during the COVID-19 pandemic?
All modern methods of contraception help to prevent pregnancy. Women and their
partners can choose any modern contraceptive method that is acceptable to and
safe for them. The best method of contraception is the one that works well for
you.
There is a wide variety of modern methods, one of which may suit you best. For
more information see here.
Condoms, when they are used consistently and correctly, are the only method of
contraception that help to prevent unintended pregnancy and protect against
sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. They can be used together with
other methods of contraception to protect against both unintended pregnancy
and sexually transmitted infections.
Emergency contraceptive pills can prevent up to 95% of pregnancies when taken
within 5 days after intercourse, and they can be taken by anyone with or
without a health condition
Q&A: Contraception/Family planning and COVID-19
I am a policy maker. What can I do to make sure people can access contraception and family planning information and services?


Plan and develop innovative strategies to ensure as many eligible people as possible can access information and contraception during this period. 


Increase use of mobile phones and digital technologies to help people make decisions about which contraceptive methods to use, and how they can be accessed. 


Enable health care workers to provide contraceptive information and services as per national guidelines to the full extent possible. This is particularly important where pregnancy poses a high risk to health. 


Expand availability of contraceptive services (including both information and methods) through places other than healthcare facilities, such as pharmacies, drug shops, online platforms and other outlets. This can be with or without prescription depending on national guidelines and contraceptive method. 


Relax restrictions on the number of repeat issues of prescription-only hormonal contraceptives that can be issued. 


Ensure access to emergency post-coital contraception, including consideration of over the counter provision. 


Enable access to contraception for women and girls in the immediate post-partum and post abortion periods when they may access health services.
Q&A: Contraception/Family planning and COVID-19
Why is providing contraception/ family planning, as well as family planning services and information, important during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Contraception and family planning information and services are life-saving and
important at all times. Sexual activity does not cease with the COVID-19
pandemic, it is therefore crucial to ensure that people are able to access
rights-based services and information to initiate and / or continue use of
contraception.
By preventing unintended pregnancies, contraception helps to protect girls and
women from the negative health consequences of unintended pregnancies, which
can save their lives. Contraception reduces the need for abortion, meaning
that women and girls are less at risk of unsafe abortion, which again can be
lifesaving.
Condoms, when used consistently and correctly, help to prevent both unintended
pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (including HIV).
In addition, by preventing the negative health consequences associated with
unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortion and sexually transmitted infections
(including HIV), contraception can help alleviate additional pressure on
already-stretched health systems which are working hard to address COVID-19.
Q&A: Contraception/Family planning and COVID-19
I want to remove or replace my implant or IUD – can I do this during COVID-19 pandemic?
Removal of long acting methods such as implants or IUDs, after the recommended
period of use (and routine follow up appointments) may not be prioritized by
your country’s health system during this health emergency. Seek advice from
your health provider. If you are experiencing side effects or desire urgent
removal for other reasons, contact a provider to find out what options suit
you best, and which are available and feasible.
If, due to restrictions on movement due to the COVID-19 pandemic you cannot
have your long acting method removed straight away, it is important to use
another method of contraception to avoid pregnancy at this time.
There are no medical problems caused by delaying removal of long acting
methods such as implants or IUDs. Do not try to remove the contraception
method yourself; wait until you are able to access health care from a trained
provider.
Q&A: Contraception/Family planning and COVID-19
Is contraception/ family planning safe to use during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Yes. All modern methods of contraception are safe to use, including during the
COVID-19 pandemic.
If you have had a baby in the last six months or have a health condition, such
as diabetes, high blood pressure, or breast cancer – or if you smoke – seek
advice from a health care professional to ensure you are using a method of
contraception which is suitable and safe for you.
Q&A: Contraception/Family planning and COVID-19
I can’t access my contraceptive method of choice. What do you advise?
If you cannot access your contraceptive method of choice – perhaps because it
requires a prescription, or because it can only be given to you by a health
worker – consider using condoms, fertility awareness-based methods,
lactational amenorrhea (if you are exclusively breastfeeding), or other
contraceptive methods that are recommended for self-care in your country.
Depending on the situation in your country, methods recommended for self-care
could include the pill or mini-pill, emergency contraception pills, and DMPA-
SC (Sayana Press®).