COVID-19 FAQs
COVID-19 FAQs
- The air by coughing and sneezing, or close person-to-person contact
- Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands
Symptoms of coronavirus may include:
- Fever
- Difficulty breathing
- Cough
If you have traveled to/from any of the countries with travel alerts or outbreaks, and have symptoms, contact a healthcare provider.
If you have been notified by public health authorities that you might have been exposed, please follow instructions provided by the Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control.
- Everyone get a seasonal flu vaccination if possible. While it will not prevent the novel coronavirus, influenza is currently in widespread circulation, and initial symptoms can be similar to novel coronavirus.
- Avoid contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home from school or work if sick.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, and for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Don’t share food and drinks.
- Clean and disinfect shared surfaces and objects that are touched frequently.
To prevent the spread of any respiratory diseases, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends you:
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and throw the tissue away
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water
The proper way to wash your hands is for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating, after going to the bathroom and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
- Store a two-week supply of food. Select foods that do not require refrigeration, preparation or cooking. Ensure that formula for infants and any child’s or older person’s special nutritional needs are a part of your planning. Plan for your pets as well.
- Store a supply of nonprescription drugs, such as pain relievers, cough and cold medicines, stomach remedies and anti-diarrheal medication, as well as vitamins and fluids with electrolytes (such as sports drinks).
- Store health and cleaning supplies, such as bleach, tissues, a thermometer, disposable gloves, soap and alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
- Periodically check your regular prescription drugs to ensure a continuous supply in your home.
- Get copies and maintain electronic versions of health records from doctors, hospitals, pharmacies and other sources and store them, for personal reference.
- Talk with family members and loved ones about how they would be cared for if they got sick, or what will be needed to care for them in your home.
- Major events, church and community services and many businesses may be temporarily closed.
- Public transportation might be reduced or suspended.
- Childcare centers and schools may be closed.
- It could be difficult to buy basic supplies.