Older  adults and people who have certain underlying conditions like heart or  lung disease or diabetes are at increased risk of severe illness from  COVID-19 illness. More information on Are you at higher risk for serious illness.

• COVID-19 spreads easily from person to person, mainly by the following routes: 
  • Between people who are in close contact with one another (within 6 feet).
  • Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, breathes, sings or talks. 
    • Respiratory droplets cause infection when they are inhaled or  deposited on mucous membranes, such as those that line the inside of the  nose and mouth.
• People who are infected but do not have symptoms can also spread the virus to others.

• Under certain circumstances (for example, when people are in  enclosed spaces with poor ventilation), COVID-19 can sometimes be spread  by airborne transmission.
• COVID-19 spreads less commonly through contact with contaminated surfaces.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you  have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or  sneezing.
• It’s especially important to wash: 
  • Before eating or preparing food
  • Before touching your face
  • After using the restroom
  • After leaving a public place
  • After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
  • After handling your mask
  • After changing a diaper
  • After caring for someone sick
  • After touching animals or pets
• If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

• Inside your home: Avoid close contact with people who are sick. 
  • If possible, maintain 6 feet between the person who is sick and other household members.
• Outside your home: Put 6 feet of distance between yourself and people who don’t live in your household. 
  • Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread virus.
  • Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people.
  • Keeping distance from others is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.

• You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.
• The mask is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.
• Everyone should wear a mask in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. 
  • Masks should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who  has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise  unable to remove the mask without assistance.
• Do NOT use a mask meant for a healthcare worker. Currently, surgical  masks and N95 respirators are critical supplies that should be reserved  for healthcare workers and other first responders.
• Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The mask is not a substitute for social distancing.

• Always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow and do not spit.
• Throw used tissues in the trash.
• Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for  at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean  your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

• Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
• If surfaces are dirty, clean them. Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
• Then, use a household disinfectant. Most common EPA-registered household disinfectantsexternal icon will work.

• Be alert for symptoms. Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.  
  • Especially important if you are running essential errands, going into the office or workplace, and in settings where it may be difficult to keep a physical distance of 6 feet.
• Take your temperature if symptoms develop. 
  • Don’t take your temperature within 30 minutes of exercising or after  taking medications that could lower your temperature, like  acetaminophen.
• Follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop.

 It’s likely that flu viruses and the virus that causes COVID-19 will both spread this fall and winter. Healthcare systems could be overwhelmed  treating both patients with flu and patients with COVID-19. This means  getting a flu vaccine during 2020-2021 is more important than ever.   While getting a flu vaccine will not protect against COVID-19 there are many important benefits, such as:
   

1. Flu vaccines have been shown to reduce the risk of flu illness, hospitalization, and death.
2. Getting a flu vaccine can also save healthcare resources for the care of patients with COVID-19.