COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly through close contact from person-to-person. Some people without symptoms may be able to spread the virus. We are still learning about how the virus spreads and the severity of illness it causes. We know the virus is spread in...
Mask wearing is an essential part of how you can protect yourself and others from COVID-19. But it isn't enough by itself. It needs to be used in combination with other forms of protection and not be seen as a cure-all. And for your mask to do its job correctly, you...
Face shields are plastic guards that are worn in front of your face. They are usually attached around your forehead. Face shields can reduce the amount of droplet-spread respiratory virus you inhale. In a simulation study, face shields were shown to reduce immediate...
Wash your hands with soap thoroughly for 20 seconds or use a greater than 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Song choruses can be a good approximation of 20 seconds. When To Wash Your Hands After returning home from ANY activity where you were around other people!...
Should I get a seasonal flu vaccine? Yes, for four good reasons! It is possible to get the flu and COVID-19 at the same time and this would increase the severity of your illness. Your immunization protects the elderly and other vulnerable people. If you are protected...
Different activities come with different levels of risk. And different people have different levels of comfort with risk. Understanding the riskiness of different activities can help you make informed choices about what you are willing to do. And understanding what...
A social bubble is a small group of people (usually no more than 10) who have all agreed to maintain the same level of caution with people outside the bubble so that you can relax around each other. Communication and trust are key to establishing a social bubble. You...
Having a shared language about risk is an important part of being able to create a good social bubble. Dr. Evelin Decker's Covid Care model offers a set of risk levels that you can begin to use to identify what kind of risks you are comfortable with--and what kinds of...
Exercise is good! but be careful around others. Studies show that moderate exercise can increase immune function. Can outdoor exercise increase transmission of COVID-19? Maybe. The number of viral particles increases due to heavier breathing. But you can decrease that...
If you need to fly, there are a few things you can do to reduce your risk as much as possible. You should, however, avoid recreational travel as much as possible. Check with the airlines before purchasing tickets for sanitizing and distancing policies. A window seat...
Before you leave, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Wear a cloth face covering. During travel, try to keep at least 6 feet (2 meters) from people who are not in your household--for example,...
Public restrooms are confined, high-traffic spaces that will probably contribute to the transmission of COVID-19. When out and about or at work, the safest restrooms are ones with the least traffic, the fewest occupants at one time, and the greatest distance between...
Both smoking and vaping have been found to be associated with a higher risk of COVID-19. A recent study of those who smoked or vaped found that: Depending on which nicotine products they used and how recently they had used them, young people who vaped or smoked, or...
The more you interact with others, and the longer that interaction, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spread. Just because restaurants are open for indoor sit-down eating doesn't mean that it is safe! The risk of COVID-19 spread increases in a restaurant or bar setting...