And with the onset of winter, health experts say it’s only going to get worse, as more people gather indoors to avoid the cold weather.
How can you be safe without yourself and the one you love? Here is a refresh of the basics.
Wear the mask properly
N95 masks provide the best protection, but they are in short supply, and the CDC tells people not to go out and buy them, as there is an urgent need for health care workers.
A washable, non-breathable cloth mask will work, but it should have at least two layers – three are better – and you can add filters for more protection.
The mask should cover both your nose and mouth, and fit snugly, without any spaces.
Wash your hands
Do a good woodworking and scrub your hands, fingers and under your nails for at least 20 seconds. To rinse thoroughly, use running water, then wipe it dry.
Washing for at least 20 seconds has been shown to remove more germs than washing for a short period of time. Singing “Happy Birthday” can act as a “timer” when washed twice.
Use a hand sanitizer
It is important that both your hands, including the fingers and under the nails, are fully covered. Rub until your hands are dry. If your hands are greasy or really dirty according to the CDC, the sanitizer may not be as effective, so use generously.
Minimize your risk
The best thing you can do is stay home if possible, and reduce your risk by reducing roles and trips to the store.
Outdoor spaces are a safe place outside your home. But even there, you should keep a safe distance from people you do not live with.
If possible, you can also reduce the risk by eating out and avoiding public transportation instead of eating out.
Going to bars and nightclubs is one of the most dangerous things you can do.
Be prepared
With coronavirus infections on the rise across the country, the coming winter is likely to get worse as people spend more time indoors.
And there is always the possibility that if you come in contact with a person infected with the virus you will have to keep it separate.
Public health officials advise taking food on hand for two weeks. Having pantry stock will also reduce your trips to the grocery store.
Make sure you have adequate cleaning and disinfectant supplies and your medicine cabinet is filled with cough drops and syrup for cough symptoms, decongestants for congestion, acetaminophen and ibuprofen for pain and fever and antidiarrheals. Put an adhesive bandage on the wound.
If you are taking prescription medications, make sure you have enough hands.
Check and test for symptoms
But there is also diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, loss of smell and taste, body aches, mental confusion and delirium.
If you have been exposed to coronavirus, symptoms will probably appear within a week, health experts say. That is, if you are going to keep it all – some people don’t. U.S. Department of Disease Control and Prevention According to the centers, any or all of the symptoms can appear between two and 14 days after exposure to the virus.
Unless you have serious symptoms, avoid emergency rooms, which are overcrowded. Call your doctor and follow her or her instructions.
In that case, call 911 or call the emergency care facility near you, the CDC advises.
Don’t stress about the disinfection of packages
The same is true for washing fruits and vegetables, according to the FDA. Just wash them in plain water.
We now know that the main route of transmission of the virus is through the air through respiratory drops or aerosols of an infected person. But it is still important to disinfect the surface and wash your hands after objects coming out or touching the outside of your home.
CNN’s Maggie Fox, Holly Yan, Sandy Lamotte, AJ Willingham, Kristen Rogers, Scotty Andrew and Alicia Lee contributed to the report.
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