CDC: What you should know about coronavirus
As the coronavirus spreads around the globe, there are certain steps you can take to protect yourself.
How COVID-19 Spreads
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
Although there is currently no vaccine to prevent respiratory illness, the (CDC) recommends everyday preventive actions, including:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Recommendations for wearing a facemask: How to select, wear, and clean your mask
CDC recommends that you wear masks in public settings around people who don’t live in your household and when you can’t stay 6 feet away from others. Masks help stop the spread of COVID-19 to others.
How to select: Here are some do's and don'ts.
DO:
- Have two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric
- Completely cover your nose and mouth
- Fit snugly against the sides of your face and don't have gaps
DO NOT choose masks that:
- Are made of fabric that makes it hard to breathe, for example, vinyl
- Have exhalation valves of vents, which allow virus particles to escape
- Are intended for healthcare workers, including N95 respirators or surgical masks
For more information about masks, click HERE.
Travel
Thinking about traveling away from your local community?
Here are some resources:
Returning from International Travel
- Avoid contact with sick people.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Discuss travel to China with your healthcare provider.
- Clean your hands often by washing them with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60%-95% alcohol.
Deciding to go out guidelines from the CDC:
As communities and businesses are opening, you may be looking for ways to resume some daily activities as safely as possible.
The CDC says there is no way to ensure zero risk of infection. It is important to understand potential risks and how to adopt different types of prevention measures to protect yourself and to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Check out the CDC's tip on going out.
