Protecting Yourself Against COVID-19

COVID-19 is a new virus, so scientists are still learning how it works and how to prevent it. There is currently no vaccine for COVID-19, so for now, avoidance is the best way to protect yourself.

How does COVID-19 spread?

The coronavirus spreads easily from person to person. The latest information suggests that it can be spread even by people who have no symptoms. For this reason, the most effective way to protect yourself from the virus is to avoid close contact with others.

COVID-19 spreads by:

• Close contact (within 6 feet) with an infected person.
• Contact with respiratory droplets from an infected person’s coughing, sneezing, or talking, which are then inhaled into the lungs.
• Touching your face with infected hands, which allows the virus to enter your body through your mouth, nose, or eyes.

Who is most at risk?

Older adults are at higher risk, but young people are also contracting the virus. People of any age with underlying medical conditions are at especially high risk for serious complications. Such conditions include heart disease, lung disease, and diabetes.

What can I do to protect myself?

Social distancing

• The single most effective thing you can do is to stay home except for essential activities such as grocery shopping or picking up medications.
• If you must go out, keep distance of at least 6 feet between yourself and others. Remember that people can spread the virus without even knowing they have it.
• Avoid any contact with people who are sick.

Wash your hands

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Wash them before and after shopping, eating, or going out in public. Wash them every time you cough, sneeze, or blow your nose.
• If you are not near soap and water, use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Don’t touch your face with unwashed hands. Remember that the virus enters the body through the nose, mouth, and eyes.

Wear a mask or face cover

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is now recommending that nearly everyone cover their nose and mouth with a cloth face cover when they are in public.

• This precaution is meant to protect others because anyone can spread the virus without knowing they have it.
• Children under 2 should not wear a face mask. Nor should anyone who has breathing issues or who can’t remove the mask on their own.
• A mask does not protect you from catching the virus from others. Be sure to continue careful social distancing by staying at least 6 feet away from other people.
• DON’T use masks designed for healthcare workers.

Cover your coughs and sneezes

• Anytime you are not wearing a face mask, be sure to use a tissue when you sneeze or cough, or do it into your elbow.
• Throw your tissue in the trash right away.
• Wash your hands immediately or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

Clean and disinfect surfaces

• Every day, clean and disinfect surfaces your family touches often, such as countertops, tables, handles, light switches, faucets, sinks, toilets, desks, and keyboards.
• Clean dirty surfaces first with soap and water.
• Use disinfectant products known to be effective against COVID-19. These include:
• A disinfectant that is on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) list of products approved for use with COVID-19.
• Household bleach. Mix 5 tablespoons of bleach with a gallon of water, or 4 teaspoons of bleach in a quart of water. Be sure to follow safety precautions for ventilation and never mix bleach with ammonia.
• Alcohol. Any alcohol solution that is at least 70% alcohol is effective against COVID-19.

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