We all love a good night out but all too often, and increasingly, a night out with friends is being ruined by malicious people with criminal intent, drunken bad decisions or naivety and trust issues. Many young women, and indeed men are becoming victims of themselves as well as others and in a world where health is now a top priority, looking after yourself has never been more relevant.
The good news is that you can maximize your own personal safety very easily by following simple advice. Most advice is based around common sense and established advice that we have been told all of our lives but it is always important to repeat this advice as and when you can since it can go a long way in keeping you safe.
To stay safe this year, and for the foreseeable future, you can do the following:
- Emphasise safe sex
- Follow Covid-19 measures
Sexually transmitted infection rates have been at an all-time high for years but preventing this is very easy while Covid-19 guidelines still need to be followed into the new year.
Emphasise Safe Sex
You have probably heard some of the horror stories, or even experienced it yourself where you’ve had a one-night stand and a few weeks later have noticed that something is wrong. You go to the doctor and are informed that you have a dreaded STI. STIs are transmitted infections with a high rate of contraction of between 60% and 90% probability after only one encounter and as of 2018, 1 in 5 Americans carries a sexually transmitted infection which can cause severe UTI infections and some, such as chlamydia can go undetected.
This is a shocking number but fortunately it can be reduced by following simple advice: use protection. Using such things as condoms and dental dams will reduce the chance of infection to almost zero when used properly. However, even from just kissing, you could contract herpes, one of the most prolific STIs out there. Should you suffer from Herpes but are scared of passing it on or disclosing it, a new social media app named PlusSide has recently been launched that allows for safe communication between people carrying Herpes.
Follow Covid-19 Measures
Even though the Covid-19 pandemic is beginning to become under control in most countries, with the UK and US currently easing lockdown restrictions, we are not out of the woods yet. Mass vaccination is currently underway but the majority of people under 50 years old are yet to receive treatment. Because of this, even when restrictions are lifted, it would be wise to maintain the social distancing measures to which we have become accustomed over the past 12 months.
Infection rates are beginning to become low enough that it is possible to socialize with each other but not guaranteed that infection won’t continue. Practicing the 2-meter rule, wearing a face covering and washing your hands are still the best ways of preventing transmission for the foreseeable future. Even though we are allowed to mix, it would be wise to stay safe as well, just in case. 2 meters is the maximum theorised distance that infected droplets could travel while face masks will catch any before they make contact with your face and even normal soap with hot water will kill the SARS-CoV-2 virus when washed properly.
