Steps to Prevent Illness

The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.

 

The virus is thought o be spread mainly from person-to-person.

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

• Through respiratory droplets produced when and infected person coughs or sneezes.

These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly inhaled into the lungs.

 

How to protect yourself.

Clean your hands often

• Wash your hands 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.

• 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.

Avoid close contact

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick

• Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 Is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.

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How to protect others

Stay home if you’re sick

• Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care.

Cover your coughs and sneezes

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow

• 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, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.

Wear a facemask if you are sick

• If you are sick: You should wear a facemask when you are around other people (e.g. sharing a room or a vehicle) and before you enter a health care provider’s office.

• If you are not sick: you do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and are not able to wear a facemask).

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.

 

When can I return to normal activities?

          People who have symptoms of acute respiratory illness are recommended to stay home and not come to work until they are free of fever (100.4° F [37.8° C] or greater using an oral thermometer), signs of a fever, and any other symptoms for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines (e.g. cough suppressants). Employees should notify their supervisor and stay home if they are sick.

 

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention.html