How to protect yourself and others

July 31, 2020

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going in and out of public places, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
Especially important times to wash your hands:
- Before eating or cooking
- Before touching your face
- After defecation
- After leaving a public place
- After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
- After handling the mask
- After changing a diaper
- After caring for the patient
- After touching or petting an animal
If soap and water are not readily available, use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover your hands with it and rub them together until they are dry.
Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose with unwashed hands.

At home : Avoid close contact with sick people .
- Maintain 6 feet of distance from sick people and other household members, if possible.
Outside of your home: Maintain 6 feet of distance from people you don’t live with.
- Some people without symptoms can also spread the virus.
- Maintain at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ lengths) away from others.
- Maintaining distance from others is especially important for people who are at higher risk for severe illness.

Even if you are not sick, you can still spread COVID-19.
The purpose of a mask is to protect others in the event that you are infected.
Everyone should wear a mask when in public and around people who don’t live with you, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
- Masks should not be worn by children under 2 years old, or by anyone who has trouble breathing, is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
Do not use masks intended for healthcare workers. Medical masks and N95 respirators are critical supplies right now and should be reserved for healthcare workers and other first responders.
Continue to maintain approximately 6 feet of distance between yourself and others. Masks are not a substitute for social distancing.

Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily , including tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handrails, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
Clean soiled surfaces with detergent or soap and water before disinfecting.
Then use a household disinfectant.