Reduce the spread of COVID-19 in 2021! CDC Tips

How can you do your part to make 2021 a safer, healthier year?

Here are a few tips from the CDC!

#1 Wear A Mask

We've heard it all year long, and we see it posted at the front doors of most businesses. But are you putting your guard down when it comes to being masked up in other public places?

The CDC recommends that you wear masks in public settings, like on public and mass transportation, at events and gatherings, and anywhere you will be around other people.

Wear a mask correctly and consistently for the best protection.

• Be sure to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before putting on a mask.
• Do NOT touch the mask when wearing it. If you have to often touch/adjust your mask, it doesn’t fit you properly, and you may need to find a different mask or make adjustments.

Reusable masks should be washed regularly. Always remove masks correctly and wash your hands after handling or touching a used mask.

• Include your mask with your regular laundry
• Use regular laundry detergent and the warmest appropriate water setting for the cloth used to make the mask
• Use the highest heat setting and leave in the dryer until completely dry

#2 Practice Social Distancing

It's the buzz-word of 2020, and it's not going away in 2021. Continue to practice social distancing whenever possible. This step protects not only you but also your loved ones.

The CDC says to stay at least 6 feet from other people who are not from your household in both indoor and outdoor spaces. Avoid crowds.

Tips for Social Distancing

When going out in public, it is important to stay at least 6 feet away from other people and wear a mask to slow the spread of COVID-19. Consider the following tips for practicing social distancing when you decide to go out.

• Prepare for Transportation
• Limit Contact When Running Errands
• Choose Safe Social Activities
• Keep Distance at Events and Gatherings
• Stay Distanced While Being Active

#3 Wash Your Hands

You know the drill. Whenever you can, make sure you're taking the additional step of washing your hands. Especially after being in public.

Use soap and clean running water for 20 seconds at key times such as after using the bathroom or before eating.

DID YOU KNOW?
The 5 handwashing steps are wet, lather, scrub, rinse, and dry.

You can help yourself and your loved ones stay healthy by washing your hands often, especially during these key times when you are likely to get and spread germs:

• Before, during, and after preparing food
• Before and after eating food
• Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea
• Before and after treating a cut or wound
• After using the toilet
• After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
• After handling pet food or pet treats
• After touching garbage

#4 Consider Your Family Gatherings

The holidays are behind us, but that doesn't mean family gatherings will go away.

Take steps to protect yourself by wearing a mask, stay 6 feet apart, avoid crowds, and wash your hands often, even during small gatherings.

Several factors can contribute to the risk of getting and spreading COVID-19 at small in-person gatherings. In combination, these factors will create various amounts of risk:

• Community levels of COVID-19
• Exposure during travel
• Location of the gathering
• Duration of the gathering
• Number and crowding of people at the gathering
• Behaviors of attendees prior to the gathering
• Behaviors of attendees during the gathering

Do not host or participate in any in-person gatherings if you or anyone in your household

• Has been diagnosed with COVID-19 and has not met the criteria for when it is safe to be around others
• Has symptoms of COVID-19
• Is waiting for COVID-19 viral test results
• May have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days
• Is at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19

People at increased risk for severe illness
If you are an older adult or person with certain medical conditions who is at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19, or live or work with someone at increased risk of severe illness, you should avoid in-person gatherings with people who do not live in your household.