CoronaVirus Update: Health and Active Gansbaai Gym

Dear Health and Active members

We have been almost a little reluctant to add to the information overload on this matter, however a number of you have reached out to know what precautions we are taking, so we will endeavour to make a brief statement on this.  

Firstly, we would like to say that Health and Active Gansbaai have exemplary cleaning standards. You will see cleaners go into the studios after every class. Our cleaning team disinfect the studios in their entirety. We also have cleaners in the club from opening to closing with a deep clean at the beginning and end of every day. You can help make our gym a safe space by sanitizing your hands before entering the gym with the sanitizer provided at reception also by washing your hands or sanitizing your hands before and after your class with the sanitizers provided. Please also make use of the sanitizer spray and paper towels provided to wipe equipment and exercise mats before and after use.

With this in mind, we ask that members feeling ill or who is sick to please refrain from using our facilities until you are well again as we urge you to be mindful towards other members and helping us to maintain a germ-free gym environment.   

Thank you for your continued support, I hope we all stay fit and healthy - and we all wash our hands.

If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

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Knowledge is king and therefore,

As you know this country is now facing the spread of the Coronavirus and as such it is our responsibility to share our position on the matter, as it stands now. In doing so I must qualify that although I have done extensive reading on the matter, I am obviously not an expert and this content is formed from my research and my own personal opinion.

Firstly, I think it’s important to understand some of the numbers in order to put this into context. So far around 90,000 people globally have contracted the virus, with the vast majority being in China. Of that number, 50,000 have already recovered. The death rate currently stands at around 2% of all those infected, however, that number dramatically differs depending on your age and your current health. The death rate for people between the ages of 10 and 50 stands at just 0.2%. To put that into context, 0.1% of the population die every year due to the common cold. So the good news is that if you are fit and healthy and between 10 and 50, you would stand a great chance of a swift recovery.

I think it’s also important to know how you could actually be infected with the virus. The virus is a respiratory virus. This means you have to inhale or ingest the virus in order to have it.  Let me give some examples; if someone with the virus, sneezed on their hand and shook your hand - you would not have the virus. However, if you then touched your mouth or nose with that hand it is highly likely that you would. If in the meantime you washed your hands then the virus would be destroyed and you would run no risk. Similarly, if someone with the virus sneezed in their hand, then touched a surface, the virus will die within 24 - 48 hours, or when that surface is properly cleaned.

So what can you do?

It is critical that you drastically up your handwashing regime. Soap and water is just as effective as hand sanitizers or alcohol gels. My advice would be to make extra efforts to wash your hands as much as possible. Try to wash your hands for up to 30 seconds each time. Everyone plays a part in containing this, and doing this should be your personal responsibility. 

The symptoms of coronavirus are a cough, high temperature and shortness of breath. These symptoms do not necessarily mean you have the illness because the symptoms are similar to other illnesses that are much more common, such as cold and flu.

How to avoid catching or spreading germs

There are things you can do to help stop the virus from spreading. Remember that although you yourself may not be in danger if you catch the disease, you may help to limit the spread to someone who may be at higher risk. 

Don’t

• Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.
• Have close contact with people who are unwell.

Do

• Realise how often you do touch your nose or face normally.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze.
• Put used tissues in the bin immediately.
• Wash your hands with soap and water often - use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
• Always wash your hands before and after eating, smoking, blowing or touching your nose, touching animals, travelling on public transport and using the bathroom.
• Wash your hands thoroughly - 20-30 seconds.

Face Masks 

Face masks are only recommended to be worn by symptomatic individuals (advised by a healthcare worker) to reduce the risk of transmitting the infection to other people.

We recommend that the best way to reduce any risk of infection is good hygiene and avoiding direct or close contact with any potentially infected person. 

The world is likely to be facing this challenge for some time to come. Currently, there are 20 expert organisations around the world working on a vaccine, with one in London ready to do human trials in a matter of weeks.  And whilst we must take this seriously, we must also not spread fear or panic, as those are often self-fulfilling prophecies.  I would encourage you to go about your day to day lives as normal, but just taking extra care with your handwashing regime and be vigilant of your friends and loved ones around you.  

For more info please follow this link.

Healthy Regards Management