Coronavirus Frequently Asked Questions
How to protect yourself
- Social distancing
- The virus spreads person-to-person. The CDC estimates that 6 feet is a safe distance from someone who may be infected.
- Stop handshaking
- Use other noncontact methods of greeting
- Wash your hands
- 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
- Responding to public health crises can have a detrimental effect on mental health
- The CDC recommends limiting consumption of media coverage about the disease and focusing on self-care activities at home.
How to protect others
- Stay home if you are sick
- Unless medical care is needed, the safest way to protect others is to stay home.
- Cover coughs and sneezes
- Cough and sneeze into your elbow, to prevent any particles transferring to another person through touch.
- Wash your hands
- Use warm, soapy water, and wash for at least 20 seconds.
- Wear cloth face coverings in public settings
- Especially in places like grocery stores and other communal areas where it is hard to maintain social distancing.
- Recent studies have shown that coronavirus patients can be asymptomatic (lack any symptoms of the disease), so face coverings are important.
- Use non contact methods of greeting, rather than handshaking to prevent spread of virus
Tips for your home
Increase the ventilation in your home or place of work by opening windows or adjusting air conditioning
- Clean and disinfect commonly used surfaces
- Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms may not appear for up to two weeks. If you feel you may have been exposed, please exercise caution when considering leaving home.
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
Who is most at risk?
- Older Adults
- People with underlying health conditions (heart disease, diabetes, lung disease)
Where can I find more information?
You can also find more information about how to stay safe in this unprecedented time at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html