There is no vaccine to prevent COVID-19, and there are no medications approved to treat it. That means the best strategies to prevent the spread of the disease are exercising common-sense precautions and practicing physical distancing. Physical distancing is a public health practice designed to limit the spread of infection by ensuring there is significant distance between individuals.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face covering when around others.
• When possible, keep six feet between yourself and another person in all public places. When not possible to maintain a six-foot distance between you and others, a face covering must be worn.
• Avoid close contact with others including shaking hands, high-fives or hugging.
• Maintain a clean environment. The CDC recommends cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets and sinks.
• Open windows for some fresh air, especially with the current nice weather.
• Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Don’t share personal items with others.
• Cover your coughs. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or crook of your arm when you cough or sneeze (not your hands). Toss the tissue in the trash, and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer immediately after.
• Wash your hands often. The CDC recommends washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Hand washing should be done regularly, including after you’ve been in public, after blowing your nose, sneezing or coughing, using the restroom and before you eat any food.
