How to Protect Yourself from Coronavirus COVID-19 (2021)

Protecting Yourself Against COVID-19

Get vaccinated if a vaccine is available to you. Several different vaccines have been approved for emergency use in the US and around the world. Whether you are eligible to receive the vaccine depends on the specific regulations in your area, but generally, healthcare workers, residents of long-term care facilities, essential workers and people with medical conditions that put them at higher risk will receive the vaccine first. Three vaccines have been approved for emergency use in the US. These are made by Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson. You are unlikely to be able to choose which vaccine you will receive when you get an appointment because supplies are limited. However, each vaccine has shown excellent protection against COVID-19 in trials and greatly reduces your chances of severe disease and being hospitalized.

Stay away from people who are coughing or sneezing. Since COVID-19 is a respiratory infection, coughing and sneezing are common symptoms. Additionally, coughing and sneezing both release the virus into the air, so they may increase your risk of infection. Keep your distance from people who appear to have symptoms of an upper respiratory infection. If it’s appropriate, ask the person to stay away from you. You could say, “I noticed you were coughing. I hope you feel better soon, but please keep your distance from me so I don’t get sick.” If you know someone that has been around sick people, it’s a good idea to distance yourself from them, too. You never know if that person got sick.

Wash your hands with soap and water to minimize your infection risk. The best way to prevent COVID-19 is to wash your hands as often as possible. Wet your hands with warm water, then apply a mild soap. Work the soap into a lather for 20-30 seconds, then rinse your hands clean under warm running water. This is about how long it takes to sing the "Happy Birthday" song to yourself twice, so pretend you're celebrating someone's birthday. The World Health Organization recommends not just rubbing your hands palm to palm, but interlacing and interlocking your fingers in a variety of different ways to make sure every surface is clean. Use the paper towel you dry your hands off with to turn off the faucet. Always wash your hands before you eat or drink anything. However, it’s also best to wash your hands anytime you’re out in public or after you’re around someone you suspect may be sick. If you can't wash your hands, use a hand sanitizer that contains 60-95% alcohol. Alcohol percentages higher than 95% are actually less effective.

Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth. You may come into contact with coronavirus on a surface, like a doorknob or a countertop. When this happens, the germs can linger on your hands, so you can easily infect yourself if you touch your face with dirty hands. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth in case the virus is on your skin. If you need to touch your face, wash your hands first so you’re less likely to infect yourself.

Don’t shake hands with people, whether they show symptoms or not. Unfortunately, people who are infected with COVID-19 may spread the illness even if they aren’t showing symptoms. You might say, “I’m happy to meet you! Normally I’d shake your hand, but the CDC recommends limiting personal contact right now to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.” EXPERT TIP United Nations Foundation United Nations Foundation International Humanitarian Organization The United Nations Foundation brings together the ideas, people, and resources the United Nations needs to drive global progress and tackle urgent problems. The UN Foundation’s hallmark is to collaborate for lasting change and innovate to address humanity’s greatest challenges. The UN Foundation focuses on issues with transformative potential, including Climate, Energy and Environment; Girls and Women; Global Health; and Data and Technology. United Nations Foundation United Nations Foundation International Humanitarian Organization Our Expert Agrees: To protect yourself, limit your contact with others just in case. Kindly decline to shake hands or come in close contact until the coronavirus threat is over.

Disinfect high-touch surfaces daily using a product that kills viruses. Unfortunately, coronavirus can linger on surfaces, such as doorknobs, countertops, and faucets. Use a spray disinfectant or bleach wipes to clean these surfaces daily. Make sure the surface stays wet for about 10 minutes so it effectively kills the virus. This limits the risk of the virus lingering on the surfaces and potentially causing an infection. In your home, disinfect your front doorknob, kitchen counters, bathroom counters, and faucets. At work, clean surfaces that people tend to touch, such as doorknobs, stair railings, tables, and surface counters. You can also make disinfectant by mixing 1 cup (240 ml) of bleach with 1 gallon (3.8 L) of warm water.

Avoid bad information and unconfirmed rumors about coronavirus. Myths about COVID-19 have spread on social media, sometimes causing unnecessary fear. Get the facts about COVID-19 from a reliable source like the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the World Health Organization (WHO). Additionally, it's helpful to fact-check your sources before making any decisions. While this new strain of coronavirus was first thought to have originated in China, it is not connected to Asian people. Don’t treat someone differently or distance yourself from someone because they are Asian. Treat everyone with kindness and remember that anyone can get infected no matter what their race or ethnicity is. According to WHO, you cannot get COVID-19 from mail or products. WHO also denies that there are specific foods that prevent COVID-19.

Flattening the Curve

Stay home as much as possible to distance yourself from other people. You’ve probably heard about “social distancing” or "physical distancing" which can help limit the spread of the virus. To practice social distancing, only leave your home for necessities, like restocking groceries or going to work. If you can, work or do your schoolwork at home, as well. Don’t go out to eat, hang out in bars, or participate in recreational activities, like going to the movies. By social distancing, you reduce the likelihood you’ll come into contact with the virus. If everyone does this, the virus won’t spread as easily. If you’re in a high-risk group for complications, it’s very important to stay in your home as often as possible. You’re considered high-risk if you’re 65 or older, have a compromised immune system, or have a health condition like heart disease or asthma. If you have been fully vaccinated you may be able to relax social distancing in certain ways according to the CDC, such as gathering indoors without masks with other fully vaccinated individuals.

Limit groups to 10 or fewer and practice social distancing if you socialize. You may decide to still see family or friends, but realize there is still a risk of transmitting the virus. Even people not in high-risk groups can still contract the virus and spread it to others or fall ill themselves. Different regions have different recommendations or laws about what size gatherings are allowed, so check with your local government or health authority to be sure. Following local guidelines can help limit the spread of the virus, especially if you allow each other personal space. This includes gatherings at your home or outdoors where others aren't around. Don't meet up with friends or family at a public place. It's best to have a meeting on an online platform instead.

Maintain a distance of 6 ft (1.8 m) between you and others when you go out. You may need to leave your home to shop for groceries, get take-out, or exercise and get fresh air. You can take a walk or go for a run, but make sure you don’t get too close to other people - keeping your distance will protect you. In general, keep a 6 ft (1.8 m) circle of personal space around you. If someone is getting too close to you, move away and kindly remind them that the CDC recommends maintaining a 6 ft (1.8 m) gap. Say, “Hey, I’m not trying to be rude, but I’d like to maintain some space between us like the CDC recommends. I just want to make sure we both stay safe.”

Wear a surgical or medical-grade mask over your nose and mouth when in public. The CDC recommends even healthy people in the US wear masks when expecting to encounter others in public, like when you are going to the grocery store or using public transportation. Face coverings are NOT a replacement for social distancing! Since the Omicron variant of the virus became the dominant strain worldwide, cloth masks are no longer effective at preventing the transmission of COVID-19. Use a medical-grade surgical mask instead.

Watch for updates from trustworthy organizations. The World Health Organization, the CDC, and other authorities are constantly updating their pages with information about the best ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Paying close attention to these updates may help you take additional steps to protect yourself and the people around you. If you're able to, it's also great to donate to organizations that are dealing with the COVID-19 crisis.

Caring for a Sick Person

Wear disposable protective gear while providing care if possible. Put on disposable gloves, a face mask, and a paper gown before you care for the sick person. When you leave their room, take off your protective gear and throw it in a plastic trash bag. Don’t reuse your protective clothing because you may accidentally come into contact with the virus. Coronavirus spreads through droplets and can linger on your clothing, so protect yourself as best you can.

Don’t share household items with the infected person. Coronavirus can linger on commonly-used items like cups, plates, utensils, and towels. Use separate items for each member of the household while someone is sick. Otherwise, you might accidentally spread the infection. Play it safe! When in doubt, wash the item before you use it or get another one.

Wash all laundry on hot to disinfect it. Clothing, bedding, and towels can all hold coronavirus, so it’s important to wash them thoroughly. Set your washing machine on the hottest setting and measure out the recommended amount of detergent for the load size. Then, wash your laundry on the normal or heavy-duty setting, depending on your model. If it’s safe for your fabrics, add a cap full of bleach or color-safe bleach to sanitize the laundry.

Open a window to ventilate the room if weather permits. Since COVID-19 is transmitted when people are in close contact, you’re at a greater risk of infection while you’re sharing a space with a sick person. Ventilating the room may help clear out the air, which can minimize your risk of contracting the virus. Open a window or turn on an air conditioner if you can. Don’t open a window if it’s raining or the temperature is uncomfortably cold or hot.

Dealing with a Possible Infection

Call your doctor or the health department if you think you have COVID-19. If you have a fever, cough, and shortness of breath, stay at home and contact your doctor or the health department to ask about COVID-19 testing. Your doctor will ask if you’ve recently traveled, have been to an area with an outbreak, or may have come into contact with someone who might have COVID-19. If your doctor thinks you need to be tested for COVID-19, they’ll give you instructions on where to go. In the meantime, stay at home so you don’t risk infecting others. The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Some patients are also reporting other respiratory symptoms, as well.Tip: If you go into your doctor’s office, be sure to wear a facemask to prevent spreading the infection to those with weakened immune systems. Notify your provider about any new symptoms of fever or difficulty breathing.

Stay home if you have symptoms of a respiratory infection. Don’t leave your home if you’re sick. You may be contagious and don’t want to spread the virus to anyone else. Focus on resting and giving your body time to recover. If you feel you need to see a doctor, call ahead so the office can prepare to receive you and take steps to prevent exposure to others. If you go to the doctor, wear a disposable face mask. This will help prevent germs from spreading, but you must continue to observe social distancing and wash your hands! COVID-19 is characterized by a fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Other symptoms include congestion, runny nose, fatigue, sore throat, headache, muscle or body aches, loss of taste or smell, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience severe symptoms. Try not to worry, but COVID-19 may cause serious complications. It’s important that you get medical treatment right away if you develop serious symptoms. Get emergency care or call for help if you have the following symptoms: Difficulty breathing or severe shortness of breath Persistent pain or pressure in your chest New confusion or inability to arouse Bluish lips or faceWarning: Talk to your doctor to find out if there are other symptoms that may be severe or concerning for you. This list doesn’t include all possible serious symptoms, just the most common ones.

Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough. You’ll likely cough and sneeze a lot if you have COVID-19 or another respiratory infection. Protect others from your germs by covering your mouth with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands). This will prevent your germs from becoming airborne. Discard the tissue immediately into a closed container and wash your hands. Try to keep a box of tissues near you at all times. However, it’s also okay to sneeze into your bent elbow if you don’t have a tissue.