Coronavirus (COVID-19) Best Prevention Is Avoidance

During the past few days we have seen a major escalation in government and public concern over the financial, social and most importantly, the health impact COVID-19 presents to America.

Self-quarantine during this nationwide escalation phase of infection appears to be the most prudent means of containment and defeat of this pandemic.

While the risk of severe illness remains low for children and adults in good health, the fact remains that healthy individuals can still carry and spread the virus to immunocompromised Americans such as the elderly and those with preexisting chronic health conditions (ie. those with heart or lung disease).

Please exercise extreme care for your health and the health of others. Take care to:

𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻 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.

• 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.

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗜𝗳 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝗶𝗰𝗸 (𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲)

𝗖𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 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, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

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 vehicle) and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If you are not able to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then you should do your best to cover your coughs and sneezes, and people who are caring for you should wear a facemask if they enter your room.

If you are NOT sick:

You do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a facemask). Facemasks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers.

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.

𝙍𝙀𝙈𝙀𝙈𝘽𝙀𝙍, 𝘼𝙉 𝙊𝙐𝙉𝘾𝙀 𝙊𝙁 𝙋𝙍𝙀𝙑𝙀𝙉𝙏𝙄𝙊𝙉 𝙄𝙎 𝙒𝙊𝙍𝙏𝙃 𝘼 𝙋𝙊𝙐𝙉𝘿 𝙊𝙁 𝘾𝙐𝙍𝙀.