How to Protect Yourself and Others

What preventive actions can I take?

The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. Follow simple everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases: wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, dry hands with a clean towel, avoid touching your face, stay home when you are sick, avoid close contact with people who are sick, eat well-balanced meals and get adequate sleep, cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a disinfectant household cleaning spray or wipe, and call your doctor before visiting the doctor’s office. View COVID-19 prevention information.

Avoid the Three Cs:

1. Closed Spaces. Avoid closed spaces with poor ventilation that could allow contagious droplets to linger in the air.
2. Crowded Places. Avoid crowded places with many people nearby; the greater the number of individuals in an area, the greater the chances of COVID-19 spreading from person-to-person.
3. Close-Contact Settings. Avoid close-range conversations and stay at least six-feet from others.

Practice Physical Distancing

Physical distancing measures are taken to restrict when and where people can gather to stop or slow the spread of infectious diseases. Physical distancing measures include limiting large groups of people coming together, closing buildings, and canceling events. Keep at least six feet between you and other people. Limit interactions especially if you are 65 or older or have underlying or chronic health conditions such as compromised immunity, diabetes, or heart or lung disease.

Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19

CDC recommends everyone wear facial coverings when leaving their homes due to evidence that people with COVID-19 can spread it even when not exhibiting symptoms. The use of properly-worn facial coverings is key to stopping the spread of COVID-19. Everyone must be vigilant in the use of facial coverings and remember—facial coverings are not a substitute for physical distancing. Both physical distancing and facial coverings should be used at all times. A facial covering worn below the nose or mouth is not a facial covering, it’s a chin strap. Facial coverings must cover the nose and mouth at all times to be effective. Statistics regarding the spread of COVID-19 in Broward County have been a troubling reminder that the pandemic is not over and we cannot be complacent. Facial coverings should not be placed on children under two-years-old, anyone with trouble breathing, or anyone who is unconscious/incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove a mask without assistance.

Contact Tracing

Contact tracing is one key to slowing the spread of COVID-19 and can help keep Parkland, your family, and you safe. This method has been used for decades to assist health officials in slowing the spread of infectious disease. A simple journal can assist this effort. View contact tracing information from the CDC.