As everyone is trying to get back to normalcy, it may not seem like it, but we’re still in the middle of the global COVID-19 pandemic. The numbers are starting to spike again; we still need to Corona-proof ourselves even though most states are easing restrictions.
It’s worth noting my state, Pennsylvania Department of Health reported 526 new cases. Across Pennsylvania, 6,399 Coronavirus death linked to COVID-19 since the outbreak earlier this year.
June 8, my Pennsylvania county went yellow, and now it is green. I went back to work part-time after sheltering in place since March 15. My company supplied me with a PPE kit that includes masks, 70% hand sanitizer, and alcohol wipes for my iPad.
In general, the more closely you interact with others, and the longer that interaction, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spread. So, think about:
All interactions over ten people?
Interacting with more people raises your risk.
Being in a group with people who aren’t social distancing or wearing cloth face coverings increases your risk.
Engaging with new people (e.g., those who don’t live with you) also raises your risk.
Some people have the virus and don’t have any symptoms, and it is unknown how often people without symptoms can transmit the virus to others.
Can you keep 6 feet of space between you and others? Will you be outdoors or indoors?
The closer you are to other people with a possible infection, the higher your risk of getting sick.
Keeping distance from other people is especially important for people who are at higher risk for severe illness, such as older adults and those with underlying medical conditions.
Indoor spaces are riskier than outdoor areas where it might be harder to keep people apart, and there’s less ventilation.
What’s the length of time that you will be interacting with people?
Spending more time with people who may be infected increases your risk of becoming infected.
Spending more time with people increases their risk of becoming infected if there is any chance that you may already be infected.
Other Tips for Minimizing Everyday Corona Risks:
♦ Take the stairs, not the elevator.
♥ Encourage people to bring their food and drinks to your cookout.
♦ Use hand sanitizer after banking at an ATM.
♥ Call ahead to restaurants, nail and hair salons to make sure staff are wearing face masks.
♦ No high-fives – or even elbow bumps
♥ Many medical offices now offer Tele-doc or waiting in the car until it’s time for your appointment.
We can all help stop the second wave of COVID-19. Now we need the commitment to do our part. How? We still need to Corona-proof ourselves, the easiest way – wear a mask.
As always, thank you for reading. Have a fantastic first week of summer.
