mteb/FeedbackQARetrieval huggingface dataset:
Q&A: Mass gatherings and COVID-19
How large does a meeting or event need to be in order to be a “mass gathering”?
High profile international sporting events such as the Olympics or World Cups
as well as international religious events such as the Hajj count as mass
gatherings. However, lower profile conferences and events can also meet WHO’s
definition of a mass gathering. An event counts as a “mass gatherings” if the
number of people it brings together is so large that it has the potential to
strain the planning and response resources of the health system in the
community where it takes place. You need to consider the location and duration
of the event as well as the number of participants. For example, if the event
takes place over several days in a small island state where the capacity of
the health system is quite limited then even an event with just a few thousand
participants could place a big strain on the health system and then be
considered a “mass gathering” event. Conversely, if the event is held in a big
city in a country with a large, well-resourced health system and lasts just a
few hours, the event may not constitute a “mass gathering” event.
Q&A: Mass gatherings and COVID-19
Should event organizers provide COVID-19 testing?
No, testing should be conducted in accordance with local health providers and
national guidance. Anyone unwell or symptomatic should not be allowed to
participate in the event. Establish close collaboration with local public
health authorities well before the event, to facilitate testing for athletes,
officials or spectators who meet pre-agreed suspect cases definitions.
Consider host-country health service capacity to manage any COVID-19 activity,
and other public health issues happening at the event over and above its own
national pandemic response.
Q&A: Mass gatherings and COVID-19
What if my organization does not have the expertise to assess the risks COVID-19 poses for our planned mass gathering?
The national and local public health authorities in the country where you plan
to hold the mass gathering will most likely know how to conduct a health risk
assessment. If there is a WHO Country Office there they may also be able to
provide some expert support. So too might the WHO Regional Office in your part
of the world. You can find the names and contact details of the WHO Regional
Offices at https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/regional-offices
Q&A: Mass gatherings and COVID-19
Where can I find more advice on assessing and managing health risks around international mass gatherings?
WHO has produced guidance and also a training course on how to plan for a mass
gathering. The guidance and the course both look at how to conduct a risk
assessment, plan for and manage health risks in partnership with the local
authorities: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-
coronavirus-2019/technical-guidance/points-of-entry-and-mass-
gatherings You can find advice to give
individual participants on how to protect themselves and their loved ones from
COVID-19 at: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-
coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public
Q&A: Mass gatherings and COVID-19
What factors should organizers and health authorities look at when assessing whether the risks are acceptable or not?
For countries not currently known to be experiencing community transmission of
COVID-19, the priority consideration will be whether the planned mass
gathering event substantially increases the risk of the virus entering the
country and becoming established, as well as the risk for participants to
importing infection back to their home country and further increasing global
spread. In making this assessment, the organizers and their national or local
health authorities should recognize that the risk of imported cases of
COVID-19 is naturally linked to international travel. They should also
recognize that it is neither realistic or desirable to aim for zero risk. When
organizers and health authorities are determining whether to hold a mass
gathering, they should determine what is an acceptable risk and what
additional measures should be implemented to mitigate the risks.
For countries where COVID-19 has already started to spread in the community,
key consideration will be:

aiming at containing or at least slowing down the spread of the virus in the local community/country.
preventing participants from other countries being infected with COVID-19 

In each case the risk should be considered in the context of the known
features of COVID-19, its severity, its transmissibility and the effectiveness
of measures to prevent or reduce transmission. The strain already placed on
the local health system in responding to COVID-19 outbreak(s), and the
additional strain the mass gathering might place on the system also need to be
taken into account.
You can find more advice on what to look at in the WHO document Key planning
recommendations for Mass Gatherings in the context of the current COVID-19
outbreak of 14 February 2020. See: https://www.who.int/publications-
detail/key-planning-recommendations-for-mass-gatherings-in-the-context-of-the-
current-covid-19-outbreak
Q&A: Mass gatherings and COVID-19
Does WHO recommend that all international mass gatherings be cancelled because of COVID-19?
No. As each international mass gathering is different, the factors to consider
when determining if the event should be cancelled may also differ. Any
decision to change a planned international gathering should be based on a
careful assessment of the risks and how they can be managed, and the level of
event planning. The assessment should involve all stakeholders in the event,
and in particular the health authorities in the country or community where the
event is due to take place. These authorities and stakeholders are in the best
position to assess the level of stress the event might place on the local
health system and emergency services – and whether this level of stress is
acceptable in the current situation.  
It is WHO’s view that all countries with community transmission should
seriously consider postponing or reducing mass gatherings that bring people
together and have the potential to amplify disease and support the recommended
best practice of physical distancing. Any decision will be supported through
the use of WHO tools, in particular the Risk Assessment for Mass Gatherings
during COVID-19.  
If movement restrictions and further national measures have been established
in the country, the WHO RA does not apply. However, when the process of re-
opening/conducting mass gatherings is being considered post movement
restrictions, it will be key to ensure any decisions are based on a risk
assessment, such as the WHO Mass gatherings COVID-19 risk assessment.
Q&A: Mass gatherings and COVID-19
If we go ahead with an international mass gathering, what can we do to reduce the risk of participants catching COVID-19?
Promote hand washing, respiratory hygiene and social distancing at the event.
Make sure you have emergency contact details for all participants, including
where they are staying during the event. You should make it clear to them that
this information will be shared with the local public health authorities to
enable rapid contact tracing if a participant at the event becomes ill with
COVID-19. The event organisers need to have an agreed preparedness plan in
case one or more participants become ill with COVID-19 symptoms. This should
include rapid isolation of the ill person and their safe transfer to a local
health facility. You should consider whether the number of participants at the
event could be reduced, making available participation by video or
teleconference and possibly screening participants for COVID-19 symptoms
(cough, fever, malaise) at points of entry to the venue. You can find advice
on how individual participants can protect themselves and their loved ones
from COVID-19 at: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-
coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public
Q&A: Older people and COVID-19
What should I do if I have symptoms of COVID-19?


If you present symptoms related to COVID-19, seek medical advice. __ Call by phone first if possible and give information about pre-existing health conditions and medicines that you are taking. Follow the instructions of the health-care worker and monitor your symptoms regularly. 


If you have difficulty breathing, contact health emergencies immediately as this may be due to a respiratory infection. Call by phone first if possible to learn what to do next.




If you live with others, make sure that you isolate yourself __ as soon as you suspect infection  __by using the space that you identified in advance. You and other members of the household should also wear a medical mask as much as possible if these are available. You can learnhow to wear a mask here.

__

If you live with others and home care for COVID-19 is advised by your health-care worker , other household members should follow available guidance on home care for patients with COVID-19 presenting with mild symptoms and management of their contacts (guidance here __ ) . See related flyers for people who are ill , for household members _andfor caregivers  ._

__

If you live alone and home care for COVID-10 is advised by your health-care worker , ask your family, friends, neighbours, health-care worker or a local volunteer organisation to check in on you regularly and to provide support as needed following existing guidance for caregivers (guidance here __ ) .
Q&A: Older people and COVID-19
What can I do to prevent infection?
To prevent infection, there are a five things that you can do.
1. Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and wate r and
dry them thoroughly.
You can also use alcohol-based hand rub if your hands are not visibly dirty
and if this product is available. Cleaning your hands frequently will remove
the virus if it is on your hands. You can learn how to wash your hands hands
in this video (or this
visual). If an alcohol-based hand rub or soap is not
available, then using chlorinated water (0.05%) for handwashing is an option,
but it is not ideal because frequent use may irritate your skin.
2. **Cover your mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue when
coughing and sneezing**.
And remember to throw away the used tissue immediately in a bin with a lid and
to wash your hands. This way you protect others from any virus released
through coughs and sneezes.
3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
****Hands touch many surfaces which can be contaminated with the virus. If
you touch your eyes, nose or mouth with unclean hands, you can transfer the
virus from the surface to yourself.
4. Keep physical distance from others.
If your national or local authorities have put in place confinement measures,
it is important to respect them. Taking exercise outside is good for your
physical and mental health, but should only be undertaken if regulations for
your area allow it. When you do go out, avoid crowded spaces and maintain at
least 1 metre distance (3 feet or arms-length) from others. Avoid unnecessary
visits to your house. If visits are necessary (e.g. caregiver to support with
activities of daily living), ask your visitor to regularly check for symptoms
to ensure that they are symptom free when visiting you. Ask them to also
follow these five key actions, including washing their hands when they first
enter your home.
5. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces every day.
This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks,
phones, keyboards, toilets, taps, and sinks. If surfaces are dirty, use
detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection. Learn more by clicking
here.
Q&A: Older people and COVID-19
How is COVID-19 transmitted?
People can catch COVID-19 from others who have the virus. The disease can
spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth,
which are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales. These droplets
land on objects and surfaces around the person. Other people then catch
COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, and then touching their eyes,
nose or mouth. People can also catch COVID-19 if they breathe in droplets from
a person with COVID-19 who coughs out or exhales droplets.
Q&A: Older people and COVID-19
Is there a vaccine, drug or treatment for COVID-19?
While some western, traditional or home remedies may provide comfort and
alleviate symptoms of mild COVID-19, there are no medicines that have been
shown to prevent or cure the disease. WHO does not recommend self-medication
with any medicines, including antibiotics, as a prevention or cure for
COVID-19. However, there are several ongoing clinical trials of both western
and traditional medicines. WHO is coordinating efforts to develop vaccines and
medicines to prevent and treat COVID-19 and will continue to provide updated
information as soon as research results become available.
Q&A: Older people and COVID-19
I have recently lost someone I care about. What advice do you have to help me cope?
Losing someone close to you is always hard, whatever the cause. During these
extraordinary circumstances, when your usual routine may be disrupted and when
funerals may not be permitted, it may be even harder. Following this advice
may help.  


Do not criticise yourself for how you feel. When you lose a family member or friend to COVID-19, you may experience a range of emotions. You may also have difficulty sleeping or low levels of energy. All these feelings are normal and there is no right or wrong way to feel grief. 


Allow yourself time to process your emotions in response to your loss. You may think that the sadness and pain that you feel will never go away, but in most cases, these feelings lessen over time. 


Talk regularly with people that you trust about your feelings.




Keep to your routines as much as you feel able and try to focus on activities that bring you joy.



Seek advice and comfort from people that you trust __ (e.g. religious/faith leaders, mental health workers or other trusted members of your community) while maintaining physical distance (e.g. attending virtual mass) . ****



Think of alternative ways to say goodbye to the person who passed away __ such as writing a letter or dedicating a drawing to your loved one. These are small actions that can help you cope with grief and loss, particularly in situations where funeral services are not permitted
Q&A: Older people and COVID-19
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is a disease caused by a new coronavirus, which has not been
previously identified in humans. In most cases, COVID-19 causes mild symptoms
including dry cough, tiredness and fever, though fever may not be a symptom
for some older people. Other mild symptoms include aches and pains, nasal
congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhoea. Some people become infected
but don’t develop any symptoms and don't feel unwell. Most people recover from
the disease without needing special treatment. Around 1 out of every 6 people
who gets COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and has difficulty breathing.
Q&A: Older people and COVID-19
How can I keep healthy on a daily basis during the COVID-19 pandemic?
You can follow these 10 steps to keep healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic. 
__


Keep to your regular routines as much as possible and maintain a daily schedule for yourself including sleeping, meals and activities. 


Stay socially connected. Speak to loved ones and people you trust every day or as much as possible, using the telephone, video-calls or messaging, through writing letters, etc. Use this time to share your feelings and to do common hobbies together. 


__

Be physically active every day. Reduce long periods of sitting and set up a daily routine that includes at least 30 minutes of exercise. Make sure to do activities that are safe and appropriate for your level of physical fitness as indicated by your health-care worker. You can use household chores as a way to keep physically active, follow an on-line class (e.g. Tai Chi, yoga) or choose your favourite music and dance to that. __

__

Drink water and eat healthy and well-balanced meals. This will keep you hydrated, help strengthen your immune system and lower the risk of chronic illnesses and infectious diseases. __For nutrition advice click here.

 __


Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol . Smokers are likely to be more vulnerable to COVID-19 because smoking can affect lung capacity and because the act of smoking increases the possibility of transmission of virus from hand to mouth. Drinking alcohol not only disturbs your sleep but may also increase your risk of falls, weaken your immune system, and interact with any prescription medicines that you are taking. Limit the amount of alcohol you drink or don’t drink alcohol at all. 


Take breaks from news coverage about COVID-19 as prolonged exposure can cause feelings of anxiety and despair. Seek updates at specific times of the day from a reliable source like the WHO website click here or national or local channels in order to help you distinguish facts from rumours or scams. ****


__

Engage in hobbies and activities that you enjoy or learn something new. Cognitive exercise such as reading a book or doing crosswords/sudoku will keep your mind active and distract you from worrying. You can also use this time to keep a well-being diary (click here for an example.)

 __

If you have ongoing health conditions , take your prescribed medicines and follow the advice of your health-care worker  __regarding any health visits or phone consultations.

 __

If you have an emergency medical condition that is not related to COVID-19 , contact health emergencies immediately and ask what you should do next. Follow the instructions of the health-care worker. ****

__

If stress, worry, fear or sadness get in the way of your daily activities for several days in a row, seek psychosocial support __ from available services in your community. If you are subject to abuse or violence from others, tell someone you trust and report this to the relevant authorities. You can also seek support from dedicated helplines that may be available in your country. ****
Q&A: Pregnancy, childbirth and COVID-19
Can I touch and hold my newborn baby if I have COVID-19?
Yes. Close contact and early, exclusive breastfeeding helps a baby to thrive.
You should be supported to

Breastfeed safely, with good respiratory hygiene; 
Hold your newborn skin-to-skin, and 
Share a room with your baby

You should wash your hands before and after touching your baby, and keep all
surfaces clean.
Q&A: Pregnancy, childbirth and COVID-19
I’m pregnant. How can I protect myself against COVID-19?
Pregnant women should take the same precautions to avoid COVID-19 infection as
other people. You can help protect yourself by: ****

Washing your hands frequently with an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
Keeping space between yourselves and others and avoiding crowded spaces.
Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Practicing respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.

If you have fever, cough or difficulty breathing, seek medical care
early. Call before going to a health facility, and follow the directions of
your local health authority. ****
Pregnant women and women who have recently delivered – including those
affected by COVID-19 - should attend their routine care appointments.
Q&A: Pregnancy, childbirth and COVID-19
Are pregnant women at higher risk from COVID-19?
Research is currently underway to understand the impacts of COVID 19 infection
on pregnant women. Data are limited, but at present there is no evidence that
they are at higher risk of severe illness than the general population.
However, due to changes in their bodies and immune systems, we know that
pregnant women can be badly affected by some respiratory infections. It is
therefore important that they take precautions to protect themselves against
COVID-19, and report possible symptoms (including fever, cough or difficulty
breathing) to their healthcare provider.
WHO will continue to review and update its information and advice as more
evidence becomes available.
Q&A: Pregnancy, childbirth and COVID-19
What care should be available during pregnancy and childbirth?
All pregnant women, including those with confirmed or suspected COVID-19
infections, have the right to high quality care before, during and after
childbirth. This includes antenatal, newborn, postnatal, intrapartum and
mental health care.  
A safe and positive childbirth experience includes:

Being treated with respect and dignity;
Having a companion of choice present during delivery;
Clear communication by maternity staff;
Appropriate pain relief strategies:
Mobility in labour where possible, and birth position of choice.

If COVID-19 is suspected or confirmed, health workers should take all
appropriate precautions to reduce risks of infection to themselves and others,
including hand hygiene, and appropriate use of protective clothing like
gloves, gown and medical mask.
Q&A: Self-care interventions for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and COVID-19
Who is self care for?
Self care can be practiced by everyone and evidence-based self-care
interventions have the potential to benefit even the most vulnerable
populations. For individuals who may need to access information, counselling
or a health services before, during or after accessing a self-care
intervention, links with existing health services remains important. Examples
of providing access to referrals and health facilities for non-COVID-19
related SRH conditions may include ensuring antenatal care visits, delivery
and postpartum care; retesting and HIV treatment if an individual’s HIV self-
test is positive along with other STI diagnostic and treatment as required. In
addition, crisis centers, shelters, legal aid, and protection services for
individuals subject to violence.
Q&A: Self-care interventions for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and COVID-19
Why are self-care interventions important during a pandemic like COVID-19?
With the major disruptions to the normal functioning of national health
systems caused by the need to respond to people who have or are affected by
the virus, evidence-based, high-quality self-care interventions can provide an
important alternative to the usual health facility- or health worker-based
services. Self-care is a valuable part of a well-functioning health system and
can be particularly useful when physical distancing measures make it more
difficult for people to access their normal health care services and
medications.
More information can be found here:
Q&A: Self-care interventions for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and COVID-19
What self care actions can I take to protect my sexual and reproductive health?
In 2019, WHO issued a new guideline that brought together 32 existing or new
recommendations on a range of sexual and reproductive health self-care
interventions. The guideline has recommendations on pregnancy and newborn
care, contraception, abortion, sexually transmitted infections including HIV
and HPV, and for sexual health more broadly. The full list of recommendations
can be found here:
Q&A: Self-care interventions for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and COVID-19
What are self-care interventions?
Self-care interventions recommended by WHO are evidence-based and can include
information about a sexual or reproductive health issue as well as ways in
which individuals can obtain drugs, devices, diagnostics and/or digital
products fully or partially separate from formal health services that can be
used with or without the direct supervision of a health worker. For example,
self-injectable contraception, HPV self-sampling kits or HIV self-tests.