We are still in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
There’s a lot of information out there, but it can be complex and confusing. Here is the key information you need to know.
To keep yourself and others safe, the two most important things to know are:
1.
The air around someone with COVID-19 can be full of the coronavirus. If you breathe this air, you can get sick. If you touch surfaces the sick person has touched or breathed on and then touch your mouth, nose or eyes, you can also get sick.
2.
Even people who feel completely healthy can have COVID-19 and not know it. This means you can get COVID-19 from someone who seems perfectly healthy and has no symptoms. And you can give the virus to someone else even if you feel fine.
To reduce the risk of getting sick or making others sick:
Get Vaccinated!
Vaccination is a safe and effective way to prevent disease. The COVID-19 Vaccine is free to all eligible persons. Immigration status and insurance are not required. Medical information is protected by law. You can help stop the pandemic by getting a COVID-19 vaccine when one is available to you.
Wear a mask
Health experts in the US and globally now recommend that everyone wear a cloth mask covering both your nose and mouth when not at home. If you have COVID-19 (even if you don’t know it), a mask prevents you from infecting others. It may also reduce the amount of viruses you inhale.
Physical distancing
Physical distancing reduces the chances that you will breathe in the coronavirus or that you will give the virus to other people. Since people can have the virus even when they seem perfectly healthy, stay at least six feet (2 meters) away from everyone who does not live with you. Unfortunately, no hugs or shaking hands either.
Avoid crowded places
Coronavirus spreads more easily in crowded places. It is harder to stay six feet (two meters) away from everyone else. Being around more people increases the risk that at least one of them has COVID-19 (even though they may not know if). Crowded places are safer if everyone wears a mask covering their mouth and nose, but physical distancing is still important.
Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly
You can get coronavirus on your hands without knowing it. Washing your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water, reduces the chances that you will get COVID-19 or give it to someone else.
Outdoors is safer
Outdoors is safer than indoors for seeing people you don’t live with. Coronavirus passes from one person to another primarily by air. Outdoor environments are safer because there is more fresh air and the risk of breathing in other people’s viruses is lower. Even outdoors it is still essential to wear a mask and physical distance.
Stay home as much as possible
Stay home as much as possible. The easiest way to physical distance and to avoid contact with people who have COVID-19 is to stay at home as much as possible. Work at home and shop from home if you can.