How to Protect Yourself & Others

Updated Nov. 4, 2020

     Older adults and people who have certain underlying conditions like heart or lung 

disease or diabetes are at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 illness. More information on Are you at higher risk for serious illness.

head side cough light icon

Know how it spreads

    COVID-19 spreads easily from person to person, mainly by the following routes:

Between people who are in close contact with one another (within 6 feet).

Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, breathes, sings or talks.

     Respiratory droplets cause infection when they are inhaled or deposited on mucous membranes, such as those that line the inside of the nose and mouth.

People who are infected but do not have symptoms can also spread the virus to others.

       Less common ways COVID-19 can spread

Under certain circumstances (for example, when people are in enclosed spaces with poor ventilation), COVID-19 can sometimes be spread by airborne transmission.

COVID-19 spreads less commonly through contact with contaminated surfaces.

Everyone Should

hands wash light icon

Wash your hands often

     Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

       It’s especially important to wash:

            Before eating or preparing food

            Before touching your face

            After using the restroom

            After leaving a public place

            After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing

            After handling your mask

            After changing a diaper

           After caring for someone sick

          After touching animals or pets

   If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.

     Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

people arrows light icon

Avoid close contact 

     Inside your home: Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

If possible, maintain 6 feet between the person who is sick and other household members.

     Outside your home: Put 6 feet of distance between yourself and people who don’t live in your household.

     Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread virus.

Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people.

Keeping distance from others is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.

head side mask light icon

     Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when around others

You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.

The mask is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.

Everyone should wear a mask in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.

       Masks should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.

Do NOT use a mask meant for a healthcare worker. Currently, surgical masks and N95 respirators are critical supplies that should be reserved for healthcare workers and other first responders.

Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The mask is not a substitute for social distancing.

box tissue light icon

Cover coughs and sneezes

       Always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow and do not spit.

Throw used tissues in the trash.

Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

spraybottle icon

Clean and disinfect

     Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.

If surfaces are dirty, clean them. Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

Then, use a household disinfectant. Most common EPA-registered household disinfectantsexternal icon will work.

head side medical light icon

Monitor Your Health Daily

     Be alert for symptoms. Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.

Especially important if you are running essential errands, going into the office or workplace, and in settings where it may be difficult to keep a physical distance of 6 feet.

Take your temperature if symptoms develop.

     Don’t take your temperature within 30 minutes of exercising or after taking medications that could lower your temperature, like acetaminophen.

Follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop.

box tissue light icon

Protect Your Health This Flu Season

     It’s likely that flu viruses and the virus that causes COVID-19 will both spread this fall and winter. Healthcare systems could be overwhelmed treating both patients with flu and patients with COVID-19. This means getting a flu vaccine during 2020-2021 is more important than ever.

While getting a flu vaccine will not protect against COVID-19 there are many important benefits, such as:

Flu vaccines have been shown to reduce the risk of flu illness, hospitalization, and death.

Getting a flu vaccine can also save healthcare resources for the care of patients with COVID-19  

for more information please visit the CDC.gov or click the link below

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html