3 Ways to Stay Safe as COVID-19 Cases Rise This Winter
Written By Adelaide Keller
Written By Adelaide Keller
As COVID-19 cases rise this winter, we will need to be extra cautious. Here are 3 ways you can keep yourself and others safe.
Wear a Mask
The CDC says that studies have shown that when covering your nose and mouth, masks provide a barrier against respiratory droplets that are produced by coughing, sneezing, and/or talking. Although not all masks are effective, they can reduce the risk of getting COVID. The most effective masks have multiple layers, breathable and tightly woven fabric, fit snugly, and contain an inner filter pocket. You shouldn’t wear masks that don’t fit properly, are hard to breathe through, are made from loose fabrics or are knitted, have only one layer, or contain exhalation vents/valves. Never substitute scarves, ski masks, or balaclavas for your mask, instead you should wear those on top of a mask. When you go to the store buy disposable non-medical masks, or resuasable, washable ones, (To find out how to make your own reusable masks use this source from the CDC that provides instructions on making both sewn and no-sew masks.) and save the medical masks such as N95 respirators for medical workers. Also, don’t forget to wear your mask correctly. That means over the mouth and nose. While wearing it, make sure you don’t touch it or adjust it, because that could lead to you getting the germs from the surface of the mask on your hands. If your mask ever gets wet, (it probably will this winter because of snow) take it off and exchange it for a new one. Masks can help a lot, but even if you are wearing one you should also social distance when possible.
Social Distance
Social distancing is when you stay at least 6 feet (2 meters) from those you do not live with (it does not matter whether you are outdoors or indoors). “COVID-19 spreads mainly among people who are in close contact (within about 6 feet) for a prolonged period.” says the CDC. Droplets are transferred from one person’s mouth or nose to another’s, when the infected subject sneezes, coughs, or talks/yells. Social distancing can help this winter, because if you are far enough away from the infected person when they transfer droplets you won’t be close enough for those droplets to land on you. However, when you are social distancing, (if you are able to) you should also wear masks as an extra precaution.
Wash Your Hands
If you wash your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds whenever possible you can get rid of some of the germs and chemicals on your hands. If you don’t have soap and water you can also use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Use this link from the CDC to learn what types of sanitizers you should buy and how to use those sanitizers. You can also be infected with COVID by getting the germ on your hands, and then touching your face (which people do a lot). When you wash your hands frequently you wash off the germ, and reduce your risk of getting sick. Some key times to wash your hands are before and after eating, after touching things that could have been contaminated, and after coming in from outside. Washing your hands is something that is a good idea in general, but has become especially important during the coronavirus pandemic.
Doing these 3 things might not always be possible, but try to do them as much as you can this winter, to protect yourself and those around you.
Works Cited:
"Considerations for Wearing Masks." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-guidance.html. Accessed 29 Dec. 2020.
"How to Select and Use Hand Sanitizer." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/hand-sanitizer.html. Accessed 29 Dec. 2020.
Person Washing Hands. Pexels, www.pexels.com/photo/blur-bubbles-cleaning-close-up-545021/. Accessed 29 Dec. 2020.
Person Wearing a Mask. Pexels, www.pexels.com/photo/serious-black-woman-wearing-mask-3960588/. Accessed 29 Dec. 2020.
"Social Distancing." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/social-distancing.html. Accessed 29 Dec. 2020.
Social Distancing Sign. Pexels, www.pexels.com/photo/yellow-and-black-caution-wet-floor-sign-4515086/. Accessed 29 Dec. 2020.
Wear a Mask
The CDC says that studies have shown that when covering your nose and mouth, masks provide a barrier against respiratory droplets that are produced by coughing, sneezing, and/or talking. Although not all masks are effective, they can reduce the risk of getting COVID. The most effective masks have multiple layers, breathable and tightly woven fabric, fit snugly, and contain an inner filter pocket. You shouldn’t wear masks that don’t fit properly, are hard to breathe through, are made from loose fabrics or are knitted, have only one layer, or contain exhalation vents/valves. Never substitute scarves, ski masks, or balaclavas for your mask, instead you should wear those on top of a mask. When you go to the store buy disposable non-medical masks, or resuasable, washable ones, (To find out how to make your own reusable masks use this source from the CDC that provides instructions on making both sewn and no-sew masks.) and save the medical masks such as N95 respirators for medical workers. Also, don’t forget to wear your mask correctly. That means over the mouth and nose. While wearing it, make sure you don’t touch it or adjust it, because that could lead to you getting the germs from the surface of the mask on your hands. If your mask ever gets wet, (it probably will this winter because of snow) take it off and exchange it for a new one. Masks can help a lot, but even if you are wearing one you should also social distance when possible.
Social Distance
Social distancing is when you stay at least 6 feet (2 meters) from those you do not live with (it does not matter whether you are outdoors or indoors). “COVID-19 spreads mainly among people who are in close contact (within about 6 feet) for a prolonged period.” says the CDC. Droplets are transferred from one person’s mouth or nose to another’s, when the infected subject sneezes, coughs, or talks/yells. Social distancing can help this winter, because if you are far enough away from the infected person when they transfer droplets you won’t be close enough for those droplets to land on you. However, when you are social distancing, (if you are able to) you should also wear masks as an extra precaution.
Wash Your Hands
If you wash your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds whenever possible you can get rid of some of the germs and chemicals on your hands. If you don’t have soap and water you can also use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Use this link from the CDC to learn what types of sanitizers you should buy and how to use those sanitizers. You can also be infected with COVID by getting the germ on your hands, and then touching your face (which people do a lot). When you wash your hands frequently you wash off the germ, and reduce your risk of getting sick. Some key times to wash your hands are before and after eating, after touching things that could have been contaminated, and after coming in from outside. Washing your hands is something that is a good idea in general, but has become especially important during the coronavirus pandemic.
Doing these 3 things might not always be possible, but try to do them as much as you can this winter, to protect yourself and those around you.
Works Cited:
"Considerations for Wearing Masks." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-guidance.html. Accessed 29 Dec. 2020.
"How to Select and Use Hand Sanitizer." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/hand-sanitizer.html. Accessed 29 Dec. 2020.
Person Washing Hands. Pexels, www.pexels.com/photo/blur-bubbles-cleaning-close-up-545021/. Accessed 29 Dec. 2020.
Person Wearing a Mask. Pexels, www.pexels.com/photo/serious-black-woman-wearing-mask-3960588/. Accessed 29 Dec. 2020.
"Social Distancing." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/social-distancing.html. Accessed 29 Dec. 2020.
Social Distancing Sign. Pexels, www.pexels.com/photo/yellow-and-black-caution-wet-floor-sign-4515086/. Accessed 29 Dec. 2020.