Stay safe: tips for avoiding COVID-19

Even as a few restrictions are lifting, we all need to follow these strategies to avoid contracting COVID-19:

• Learn about signs and symptoms, which may include fever, dry cough, tiredness, difficulty breathing, aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, diarrhoea, and a loss of taste and smell.

• Shelter in place. Stay home except for necessary trips such as for groceries or medications--when possible, order online and have  them delivered.

• Wear a mask or face covering in public places such as grocery stores. Visit cdc.gov to learn how to sew a mask, or create a simple non-sew mask from an old T-shirt. Bandanas, etc. are also acceptable coverings. Coverings should fit snugly. Do not use on chidren under the age of 2, or people medically unable to tolerate one.

• Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as doorknobs, keyboards, cell phones and light switches.

• Communicate and reinforce best practices for washing hands and covering coughs and sneezes.

• Maintain a supply of medications, food, and other essentials.

• Cancel or postpone  in-person gatherings and activities. Consider offering video or audio of events.

• Consider tele-learning or tele-work opportunities, where feasible.

• Limit non-essential work travel.

• If you  have a loved one in a care facility, monitor the situation, ask about the health of the other residents frequently, and know the protocol.

• Limit visitors at hospitals and other facilities to only those who are absolutely necessary.

For more information, visit www.cdc.gov.