Coronavirus Safety, Masks, Symptoms & Myth Busters

With all that has been changing lately you may ask yourself what can I do to help keep myself and loved ones safe from the Coronavirus? According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) following these 5 simple steps can help protect us all.

Safety first

1. Clean 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.
• 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

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Stay home as much as possible.
• Put distance between yourself and other people.
• Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread virus.
• 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 cloth face cover when around others

• You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.
• Everyone should wear a cloth face cover when they have to go out in public, for example to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities.
• Cloth face coverings 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.
• The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.
• Do NOT use a facemask meant for a healthcare worker.
• Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.

4. Cover coughs and sneezes

• If you are in a private setting and do not have on your cloth face covering, remember to always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
• Throw used tissues in the trash.
• Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

5. Clean and disinfect

• Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
• If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

 

Mask Up!

You may ask yourself, “what do I do if I need to go to the store but I don’t have access to a mask?” Great question! The CDC has offered options on how to properly wear a mask if you have it, how to sew your own make with normal household items, and even a few ways to make your own mask if you are sewing illiterate, like I happen to be. You can have fun making these to match all your outfits- even if they happen to be pajamas right now! Select Here for your tutorials. 

 

Watch for symptoms

Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.

These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure (based on the incubation period of MERS-CoV viruses).

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

Link to Self Checker via CDC Here

When to Seek Medical Attention

If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. Emergency warning signs include*:

• Trouble breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion or inability to arouse
• Bluish lips or face

*This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.

 

 Myth Busters

If you are like me and have been trying to stay up to date with all the changes that are going on with COVID-19 but have run into some information that you are just not sure if it is correct or not, try looking up that information on the World Health Organizations’ Coronavirus  Myth Busters.