Seeing these COVID safety measures distilled into four bite-sized recommendations makes them not only manageable but masterable. They draw attention to all the things you still can do amid the chaos—while putting your safety front and center. Read on for the CDC’s four habits that best protect you from COVID-19, and for more on recent changes, check out The White House Just Mandated Masks in These 5 Places. Wearing a mask any time you leave home is one of the easiest ways to prevent catching and spreading COVID-19. The CDC recommends choosing either a cloth mask made with multiple layers of a breathable fabric, or a surgical mask. These will protect your nose and mouth from coming into contact with the virus, and will inhibit your own respiratory droplets from reaching others. And for more essential mask tips, check out The CDC Warns Against Using These 6 Face Masks. According to the CDC, social distancing is an essential safety measure for slowing the spread of the novel coronavirus. “COVID-19 spreads mainly among people who are in close contact (within about six feet) for a prolonged period,” the CDC explains. “Spread happens when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, and droplets from their mouth or nose are launched into the air and land in the mouths or noses of people nearby. The droplets can also be inhaled into the lungs.” While isolating is especially important in the event that someone is knowingly sick, the CDC advises that even those without any symptoms should keep six feet apart in case they have a pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic case of COVID. And for more on how the virus spreads, check out You’re More Likely to Get COVID From Someone Doing This Than From Coughing. The CDC also warns against spending time in crowds or indoor locations with poor ventilation. Even if you wear a mask, the virus can still be transmitted through aerosolized particles that linger in the air under these conditions. For this reason, places like indoor bars, restaurants, gyms, concert halls, places of worship, and even people’s homes can all spur super spreader events. And for more regular COVID news, sign up for our daily newsletter.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb While most of the time, COVID is spread via respiratory droplets, it can also be spread by touching contaminated surfaces, the CDC warns. That’s why it’s so important to frequently wash your hands and avoid touching surfaces unnecessarily. The CDC recommends scrubbing for a minimum of 20 seconds, with special care given to lathering the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and underneath your finger nails. Dry with a clean towel, and—if you’d like an extra dose of safety—finish the ritual off with a pump of hand sanitizer. And for more on the spread of the virus, check out The Strange New Way You Could Get COVID, Study Says.
