How to Protect Yourself From COVID-19

With the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) sweeping across the world, you might be wondering what steps you can take to better protect yourself from this new infectious disease. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) there are now over 375,000 confirmed cases worldwide -- a number that continues to increase with each passing day. Like all infectious diseases, though, there are ways to minimize the risk of transmission.

Wash Hands Frequently

Don't underestimate the importance of frequently washing your hands. Several of the world's leading health organizations, including WHO and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cite handwashing as one of the most effective ways to protect against COVID-19 infection.

Germs typically spread through direct contact with the hands. If you touch a dirty surface and then proceed to touch your face, for example, you may unknowingly transfer germs from that surface to your face. Therefore, health organizations across the world recommend washing your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection.

Social Distancing

Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, most people had never even heard of social distancing. Social distancing is a practice that involves physically distancing yourself from other people. According to WHO, people should maintain at least 3 feet of distance to minimize their risk of COVID-19 infection. With social distancing, you'll create "space" between yourself and other people, some of whom could be infected with COVID-19 or other infectious diseases.

Cover Face When Coughing or Sneezing

If you feel the need to cough or sneeze, remember to cover your face. This won't necessarily lower your risk of infection, but it may prevent other people from becoming infected. Not everyone who catches COVID-19 experiences symptoms. Many people who've caught this virus are asymptomatic, meaning they don't exhibit symptoms. If you catch COVID-19 but are asymptomatic, coughing or sneezing will spread the virus.

You can still cough or sneeze, but you should cover your face when doing do. Either cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow or do it through a face mask.

Track Local Outbreaks

Finally, you can track local outbreaks in your area to gain a better understanding of the number of infections. If you live in a large city, chances are there will be larger and more frequent outbreaks. If you live in a small city, on the other hand, you'll probably discover fewer and less-frequent outbreaks. Regardless, you can check the local news to learn more about outbreaks in your area.