To say we are in challenging times might seem to be an understatement. At first glance, we do not seem to have much control or say about the circumstances we find our communities in. When you look a little deeper though, you find that we actually do.
Each community is comprised of individual people and each individual person has the ability to make the choice and commitment to do their part to BE ONE LESS and NOT ONE MORE that contracts or spreads the virus.
Our federal, state and local governments along with national and world health organizations have given us the tools and information we need, as individuals, to know how to protect ourselves and others and stop the spread.
The CDC reminds us that the best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus which is spread person-to-person. This means limiting your exposure to others. Stay home unless you need to leave for reasons such as work, to seek medical care or to get food or other necessities. If you feel you need to get out of the house and move around consider going for a walk, going for a drive, doing outside chores, playing outdoor games with your children etc.
Virus symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure. People are at the highest risk of spreading the virus once symptoms have appeared, however it is thought that a person may spread the virus before becoming symptomatic. This is why it is important for each of us to do our part and limit our exposure to others.
Other ways to stop the spread include:
Clean your hands often for at least 20 seconds
- If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
Put distance between yourself and others
- If you need to be away from your home, stay 6ft apart and stay out of groups of 10 or more.
Stay home if you are sick unless you need to seek medical care.
- If you are sick, stay away from others in your home as much as possible. You should stay in a specific “sick room” if possible, and away from other people in your home. Use a separate bathroom, if available.
Clean and disinfect all frequently touched surfaces in your home daily.
- This includes door knobs, counter tops, light switches, tv remote etc.
If each one of us makes the choice to do our part to BE ONE LESS and NOT ONE MORE then we have the opportunity to slow, if not stop the spread of COVID-19 in our communities. Make a commitment to your self to be one less and not one more for your families, your healthcare workers, for yourself and for your community.
Please feel free to print the attached flyer, take a selfie or picture with your family, and share it using #beoneless and show your committed to stopping the spread of COVID-19 in your community.
If you would like more information about COVID-19 visit www.cdc.gov.