Stay Safe
Help Slow the Spread
While officials wrestle with how to slow the spread, including ever-changing orders regarding what’s open and what’s not, health officials remind revelers of the steps you can take that are known to slow the spread:
• Wear a cloth face covering in public
• Stay 6 feet away from others, especially if you are at high risk for serious illness from Covid-19 (over age 65 or any age with underlying medical conditions).
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily.
• Avoid crowds and mass gatherings, and yes, this includes drinking with friends in your backyard.
• Stay home if you are sick.
WHICH FACE MASK IS BEST?
Researchers at Florida Atlantic University tested face coverings used by the general public to see which types most effectively minimize the spread of droplets from coughs or sneezes. Results showed that loosely folded facemasks and bandana-style coverings stop aerosolized respiratory droplets to some degree. However, well-fitted homemade masks with multiple layers of quilting fabric, and off-the-shelf cone-style masks, proved to be the most effective in reducing droplet dispersal. These masks were able to curtail the speed and range of the respiratory jets significantly, albeit with some leakage through the mask material and from small gaps along the edges.
Best Ways to Use Hand Sanitizer
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends frequent hand washing to help discourage the spread of COVID-19. While soap and water offer the best protection, hand sanitizer is a convenient way to kill germs if you aren’t near a sink. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol; avoid using methanol (wood alcohol), a substance that can be toxic when absorbed through the skin. Food and Drug Administration experts explain that “the alcohol in hand sanitizer works best when you rub hand sanitizer all over your hands, making sure to get between your fingers and on the back of your hands. Do not wipe or rinse off the hand sanitizer before it is dry.”