Firearms safety tips reworked to address coronavirus spread

Editor’s Note: Dick Haines, a Baker Valley resident and hunter education instructor, has revised the 10 Commandments of Firearm Safety to address the coronavirus pandemic.

1. Treat every human as positive for COVID-19. Regardless of who they are. And remember some humans are asymptomatic carriers. Do not let down one’s guard for those we are most familiar with or care about for your and their protection. The most common statement in the accidental firearm discharge statistics is “but I didn’t know the gun was loaded.”

2. Always point your face in a safe direction. Do so when approaching others or being approached by someone. This protects against germ spore transmission via eyes, mouth, nose and contamination of the face.

3. Control the direction of your sneeze or cough discharge. Turn away and direct sneeze or cough into one’s elbow. Never one’s hand. In addition to humans turn away from areas of common use such as counters, desks, food, dishes, phones, computers, door and appliance handles, vehicle steering wheel and driving controls, keys, radios, TV controls and stereo players. And more.

4. Wash your hands frequently, and thoroughly. Particularly after touching people, surfaces, objects. Key times include when shopping, receiving mail and packages, and when using common surfaces used by the public such as doors, restrooms, ATMs, credit card machines, and shopping carts.

Wash before preparing or eating food, following the use of a toilet, changing a diaper, treating a wound, blowing your nose or coughing or sneezing, feeding pets food or treats and handling garbage. Washing involves soap and water, at least 20 seconds of washing, Maintain a clean towel for drying. In a public restroom open the door via an elbow or towel where possible.

5. Always keep a safe distance of 6 to 10 feet from other humans when in public areas — outside the normal range of human germ spore trajectory.

6. Walk defensively, on the lookout for others who approach you violating your safe distance. Or who may sneeze or cough in your direction.

7. Avoid spending time in areas of small confining public space used by others. Examples include commercial aircraft, buses, general public transit, shared vehicle travel, offices, small businesses, post offices, doctor’s offices and hospital waiting rooms.

8. Invest in a face mask and gloves and use them when in public places to reduce risk. Sanitize for reuse if a supply is not readily available. People may stare at you but healthcare workers and doctors wear them for a reason. This is a parallel to wearing hearing and eye protection when on range amidst live fire.

9. Avoid people and places of greater risk to COVID-19. This is the elderly over 60, young children and infants, and those of us with health complications that compromise our immune system and its ability to protect against disease germs.

10. Get plenty of rest, eat healthy foods, exercise daily and be thoughtful about reducing stress on a daily basis. These things help lead to a healthy immune system that makes us less susceptible to illness. Use the time to read and become better informed about how to strengthen our immune system. Seek joy, compassion for others and their needs, and gratitude for what we have, and positive uplifting news on a daily basis.