1. Social Distancing
The novel coronavirus is primarily spread through person-to-person contact. With this in mind, the CDC recommends individuals practice “social distancing” to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.
That means staying home as much as possible, and staying at least 6 away from other people when out in the community. Your local government may also have additional recommendations depending on the number of cases in your area.
Take a moment to learn more about social distancing best practices.
2. Cloth Face Coverings
In light of recent studies, the CDC recommends individuals wear cloth face coverings when in public, especially in areas where social distancing is difficult to maintain — such as grocery stores and pharmacies. Doing so will lower the risk of acquiring — or in the case of asymptomatic carriers, spreading — COVID-19.
The recommended face coverings are not surgical masks or N95 respirators. Such equipment must be reserved for healthcare workers on the front lines.
Learn how to make your own cloth face covering at home.
3. Cleaning and Disinfecting
It is recommended that individuals regularly clean and disinfect “high touch” surfaces such as doorknobs, phones, and toilet seats. Cleaning means removing germs from a surface, while disinfecting means killing them with EPA-registered household disinfectants.
The way you clean and disinfect will vary depending on the type of surface you’re dealing with, so take a moment to review guidance from the CDC on how to ensure every surface in your home is germ-free.
4. Daily Life and Coping
Daily life during the COVID-19 pandemic entails a lot of time spent at home, only leaving for crucial errands, and for some, living in close quarters with family members who, like you, are struggling to wrap their heads around the “new normal.”
For this reason, the CDC has released a few guidelines to help individuals cope with daily life during this difficult time. These guidelines include making household checklists to plan for potential infections, protecting yourself while running errands, child care, and much more.
5. Caring for Someone at Home
As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in each state, it is important to know what to do if you think a loved one, or anyone else in your care, is sick. Should that be the case, the infected individual should be quarantined inside the home, preferably with their own bedroom and bathroom.
From there, caregivers should focus on monitoring and caring for symptoms, preventing the spread of germs, and assessing when/if it is necessary to seek medical intervention at a local hospital or health center.
See what the CDC recommends for people providing care to someone affected by COVID-19.
Helping our Hospital Heroes:
While staying at home is currently the best way to help your community’s hospital heroes, people across the nation have been showing appreciation for healthcare workers on the front lines with #Solidarityat8. Tonight at 8pm, you can clap, take a moment of silence, or even just retweet this graphic to show your gratitude. For more ways to help your hospital, visit www.protecttheheroes.org.