Good Hygiene Habits During COVID-19

Protecting yourself during a pandemic may seem overwhelming, but there are simple steps we can all follow to protect ourselves and others.

Covid-19 is primarily spread person to person when you are within six feet of distance. According to the CDC, the spread of the virus occurs when water droplets containing the virus are emitted through talking, laughing, coughing, or sneezing. It is important to remember that people who have no symptoms can also spread the virus.

With that seemingly daunting information in mind, you may be wondering how you can protect yourself. The steps to keep yourself as safe as possible are simple and relatively easy to incorporate into your daily routine. Just remember: wash, sanitize, repeat. Wash your hands after you:

• • • • • • • • Touch shared surfaces such as doorknobs, electronic devices, etc.
              • Use the restroom
              • Before you touch your face
              • Before you eat
              • After you cough, sneeze, or blow your nose

Make sure that you are washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Follow up this washing of hands with a hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol as recommended by the CDC.

Also, to ensure that you are helping to protect others who may be immunocompromised, wearing a mask in public protects others from germs you may be carrying. You wouldn’t want to unknowingly spread the virus to someone if you are not showing symptoms. To make your mask as effective as possible it should be:

• • • • • • • • At least two layers of material that is breathable and washable
              • Large enough to fully cover your nose and mouth
              • Fit your face properly without large gaps

With wearing a mask and social distancing, the chance for the virus to spread is significantly lowered. Paired with good hand washing and sanitizing habits, you are well protected from the virus! These unprecedented times call us to a new level of responsibility when it comes to caring for our neighbors.