RECOMMENDED STEPS TO KEEP YOU AND YOUR FAMILY HEALTHY
Expert advice to keep you and your family safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
1. Wash your hands
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This is especially important after going to the bathroom; before eating; after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; or if your hands are visibly dirty. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
2. Stay home when you’re sick
Except for getting medical care, try to restrict activities outside your home. Avoid going to work, school, and public areas or using public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis.
3. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue
And then, throw that tissue into a lined trash can. Then, do the first tip above –– wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. You should cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
4. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
This one is difficult, but important. These three areas are portals for viruses and other germs to enter your system. Throughout our day, we touch a lot of surfaces where a virus can live for days. To break your face-touching habit, try keeping a box of tissues nearby and use tissues instead of your hands or fingers.
5. Disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
Use a household cleaning spray or wipe, according to its instructions and safe-use guidelines. You’ll especially want to clean “high touch” surfaces like counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables.
6. Call ahead before visiting your doctor
If you have or may have coronavirus, call your healthcare provider to schedule an appointment. Tell them that you have or may have COVID-19 so that they can take any necessary steps to keep other people from getting infected or exposed.
For more information, visit these resources:
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “What You Should Know”
CDC, “COVID-19 Situation Summary”
CDC, “Resources for Healthcare Facilities”