CDC Recommended Guidelines

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has outlined steps you and your family can take to plan and prepare for COVID-19. Though the guidelines are always evolving as the center learns more about the virus, there are a few standard ways you can protect yourself and your family and help in the efforts to contain the virus.

Protect Yourself

One of the best ways to contain the spread of COVID-19 is to take measures to protect yourself. The CDC recommends doing the following:

• Avoid close contact with others, especially with those who are sick.
• Wash your hands thoroughly. This means with soap and water and for 20 seconds at a time. Wash your hands after sneezing, coughing, using the restroom and touching un-sanitized or public surfaces.
• If you do not have access to soap and water, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your mouth, nose, eyes and face with unwashed hands.

Practice Social Distancing

Until the spread of COVID-19 starts to slow, the CDC urges everyone to stay home if they can. Though most governments are enacting their own restrictions, for those areas that still have unrestricted freedom, the CDC asks everyone to avoid crowded areas and only leave home for emergency medical care and essential grocery items.

Leave Facemasks for Healthcare Workers

The CDC asks people to only use facemasks if they’re already sick. If you are not sick, you do not need to wear a mask unless caring for someone who has the virus. Facemasks are in short supply, so please leave them for those who need it.

Try To Avoid Travel

Though the CDC does not typically issue travel advisories for domestic travel, it’s currently urging people to avoid unnecessary travel. If you do need to travel, ask yourself the following:

• Do you plan to travel to an area where COVID-19 is spreading?
• Are you coming from an area with known COVID-19 cases?
• Will you be in close contact with others during your travels?
• Are you at high risk of severe illness, or is someone you live with?

If you answered yes to any of the questions, travel is likely not a good idea.

Travelers Returning From High-Risk Areas

The CDC asks anyone who is returning from a high-risk area to self-quarantine for 14 days from the time you left the area with widespread and ongoing community spread. Practice social distancing, and monitor your health. You can do this last part with the help of DrOwl’s telemedicine feature.

What To Do If You’re Sick

If you do become sick with a cough, fever and shortness of breath, seek medical care. Use Dr.Owl’s telemedicine feature or call your doctor’s office to book an appointment. Only go to the emergency room if you experience difficulty breathing, pneumonia-like symptoms or bronchitis-like symptoms. Avoid contact with others.

As new information comes out about the virus, the CDC will update its guidelines. Check back periodically for the latest info and tips.