Older adults and people who have certain underlying conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes are at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 illness.
I am sure you don't need me to tell you how much the world, all of our worlds have changed since COVID-19 became a thing. A serious concern. As a global community, we seem to have all gone through the various stages of grief since this pandemic became... well, a pandemic.
I still cannot believe that over just a few short months, we have all gone from running around without a care in the world, to becoming used to having to wear full-body tactical SciFi movie-level protective gear just to pick up some milk from the store.
Since Americans seem to be at the Acceptance stage at this point. Although, we did get stuck in Denial, Anger, and Bargaining for a while there (mostly denial). And since your concern for your wellbeing is what led you to seek advice on selecting a health plan for you and/or your family from us, we thought we would share with you some of the basic COVID-19 safety tips as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
1. Wash your hands often
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
It’s especially important to wash:
Before eating or preparing food
Before touching your face
After using the restroom
After leaving a public place
After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
After handling your mask
After changing a diaper
After caring for someone sick
After touching animals or pets
If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
2. Avoid close contact
Inside your home: Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
If possible, maintain 6 feet between the person who is sick and other household members.
Outside your home: Put 6 feet of distance between yourself and people who don’t live in your household.
Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread virus.
Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people.
Keeping distance from others is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
3. Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when around others
Masks help prevent you from getting or spreading the virus.
You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.
Everyone should wear a mask in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
Masks should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
Do NOT use a mask meant for a healthcare worker. Currently, surgical masks and N95 respirators are critical supplies that should be reserved for healthcare workers and other first responders.
Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The mask is not a substitute for social distancing.