Here is a brief overview of some of the advice given from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and infection control experts, regarding how you can help prevent the spread of COVID-19 (also known as the coronavirus, novel coronavirus, and coronavirus disease 2019) to reduce your risk of infecting others or becoming infected yourself.
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| Image by Carole Jakucs, 2020. Subject to copyright. |
Hand washing
Wash your hands frequently with soap and clean, running water for at least 20 seconds. Singing the song, "Happy Birthday" twice, which is about 20 seconds.
Make sure you rub all surfaces of both your hands under clear, running water and don't forget to include your fingertips, thumbs, tops of hands, palms and between your fingers.
If you're not near a sink with soap and running water, the next best way to clean your hands is by using hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol to clean your hands, until you can get to a sink and wash your hands with soap and water.
Make sure you wash your hands before and after eating, using the bathroom, touching your eyes, nose and mouth or the rare venturing out of the house for necessities such as groceries.
Cover your coughs and sneezes
Always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough and sneeze (a sleeve will do if you don't have a tissue and is better than nothing) then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.
Don't touch your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed (unclean) hands
If you don't heed this advice and your hands have infectious germs on them, you can make yourself sick (inoculate yourself) with COVID-19, other viruses and bacteria.
Stay home when advised to do so
Heed the rules, guidelines and recommendations by your local, state and federal leaders and public health departments regarding sheltering in place. The current CDC Guidelines of 15 days to Slow the Spread is for the entire U.S. Some states that have greater numbers of COVID-19 infections such as New York, California and Washington, may have additional guidelines dictated by their local conditions on the ground.
If you're sick and have seen a physician and/or have had a known exposure, the current recommendation is to isolate yourself at home for at least 14 days (known as self-quarantine or self-isolation). Always follow the advise given to you by your physician.
Practice social distancing
When you do need to venture out of the house for groceries for example, ensure you maintain at least 6 feet of space between yourself and others.
Disinfect suspected or confirmed contaminated and high-use surfaces
Make sure you frequently clean (using disinfectant solution or wipes) any and all surfaces that may be contaminated such as: Shopping cart handles, payment key pad surfaces at grocery or pharmacy check-outs, counter tops, door knobs, light switches, keyboards, cell phones, the steering wheel of your car, etc.just to name a few.
*This blog is not a comprehensive list of all you can do to protect yourself and others from getting COVID-19. Please visit the CDC and the National Institutes of Health for more information.
