Even if you don’t consider yourself a germaphobe, it’s likely that you have been taking extra precautions over the past several months to help keep yourself and your family safe from COVID-19. While there is still much that we don’t know about COVID-19, there are a few simple things you can do to help prevent and reduce the spread of coronavirus within your household and in your community.
- Wear a Mask
- Wash Your Hands
- Sanitize Common Surfaces at Home
- Practice Social Distancing When Possible
Wearing a face mask while in public greatly reduces the distance that an airborne virus can travel, especially if you cough or sneeze while wearing one. So if you are a carrier of the virus, you’re less likely to infect those around you. It’s respectful to wear them in situations where you can’t maintain social distancing at all times, like in crowded grocery aisles. Face masks also help discourage absentminded touching of your nose or mouth, which further reduces your risk for contracting COVID-19. You don’t have to buy an expensive mask either; simply tying a bandana or a breathable piece of fabric over your nose and mouth is better than nothing.
Washing your hands often and for at least 20 seconds each time is one of the best ways to protect yourself from any type of infection. For example, clean your hands after you return home from being out in public, before eating, and after using the restroom. A hand sanitizer that contains at least 70% alcohol can also work well in a pinch.
Frequently sanitize surfaces like doorknobs, countertops, sinks, and bathrooms, even if you rarely leave your house. Clorox and Lysol have both proven themselves effective when it comes to killing COVID-19.
The best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is by staying home as much as possible. However, most people need to leave their homes at some point for food, medicine, and other essential reasons, in which case your best option is to try to keep at least six feet of distance between yourself and anyone you do not live with. This helps prevent the airborne spread of germs from person to person, which is the main way that the coronavirus spreads. Even though the rule is six feet of distance, the further away you can stay from others, the better.
We Are Open!
Our Westerville dental office is open for all your family’s dental needs. Our team has implemented a range of safety and sterilization precautions to reduce the spread of illness during each patient’s visit. Let us know if you have any questions about what we are doing to keep you and your family safe during this time.