Coronavirus Resource Page

• Clean your hands often.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick, like older adults and people with serious chronic medical conditions (e.g. heart disease, diabetes, lung disease).
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, throw the tissue in the trash, and immediately wash your hands with soap and water.
• Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.
  • 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 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 frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

According to CDC, “the virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person: (1) Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet), and (2) through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.”

“People are thought to be most contagious when they are most symptomatic (the sickest). Some spread might be possible before people show symptoms; there have been reports of this occurring with this new coronavirus, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads. It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.”

“Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed COVID-19 cases,” according to CDC. Fever, cough, or shortness of breath may appear 2-14 days after exposure.

• Stay home except to get medical care.
• Separate yourself from other people in your home—known as home isolation. Limit contact with pets and animals.
• Call ahead and inform your health care provider about your exposure or suspected exposure so that they can protect other patients before your arrival.
• Wear a facemask if you are sick.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes.
• Clean your hands often.
• Avoid sharing personal items.
• Clean all “high-touch” surfaces every day.
• Monitor your symptoms.

Now is the time to be actively preparing to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our communities. I know there are a lot of questions about how employers, schools, childcare centers, colleges, groups organizing large community gatherings, healthcare settings, and others should be preparing. The latest guidance on recommended preparations for these and other entities can be found here.