They say the best defense is good offense, and that certainly applies to staying healthy during flu season and COVID-19. And, without a doubt, the best “game plan” comes from the Centers For Disease Control, who determine the most effective strategies for preventing the spread. From there, healthcare providers such as a doctor or dentist in Bellingham are in a great position to share that information with the community. And, particularly right now, people should be using both local and national resources for the most up-to-date health information available. Keep reading for a helpful summary of 5 tips from the CDC for how to protect yourself and others from viruses like COVID-19.

1. Wash Your Hands Regularly

Hand-washing is not only about frequency (although that’s important as well). It’s equally about doing it the right way so that it’s effective. Be sure to wash at least 20 seconds with soap and water and thoroughly rub your fingertips, nails, in between your fingers, and the front and back of your hands.

Also, your soap doesn’t need to be anti-bacterial, which only kills bacteria and offers no added advantage for viruses like COVID-19 or cold and flu. Regular soap is the best choice.

It’s important to wash your hands when:

• You return home from a public place (particularly if you used a touch screen or keypad to make payments, as they harbor a huge amount of “bugs.”)
• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• After using the bathroom.

2. Avoid Contact Closer Than Six Feet In Public

Staying home is incredibly important, and most states have enacted a shelter in place rule during COVID-19. But when you’re in a public place like the grocery store, maintain a six foot distance between yourself and others as much as possible.

3. Cough and Sneeze Into a Tissue Or Your Elbow

If possible, coughing or sneezing into a tissue and then disposing of the tissue immediately is your best bet, as any droplets from your nose, mouth and lungs that might contain the virus are prevented from spreading to other people. If that’s not possible, cough or sneeze into the inside of your elbow. Avoid using your hand because that’s an easy way to spread viruses to any surface you touch.

4. Use Cloth or a Mask To Cover Your Nose and Mouth

Since people can spread COVID-19 or the flu before they have symptoms themselves, the CDC has recommended covering your nose and mouth with cloth or a facemask. However, they advise against using a medical facemask such as an N95 that could otherwise be used by a healthcare worker. There are many tutorials online for how to create a DIY facemask with a piece of fabric and two elastics or rubber bands.

5. Disinfect Surfaces

Each day, disinfect frequently touched items like doorknobs, light switches, counters, remote controls, drawer handles, phones, toilets, faucets, keyboards, sinks, etc.

If you aren’t able to find any disinfectant on store shelves, you can make your own by diluting 5 tablespoons of bleach into a gallon of water, or 4 teaspoons into a quart of water (just make sure the area is well ventilated, wear gloves, and avoid mixing with ammonia). You can also simply use rubbing alcohol with at least 70% strength.

It goes without saying that no one wants to see themselves or a loved one get sick from COVID-19. By diligently following these 5 simple guidelines, you’ll have a much better chance of staying healthy.

About the Author

Dr. Ronald A. Moreno is a family dentist in Bellingham with more than 25 years of experience. He’s committed to helping his patients maintain their dental health and overall health, so he’s happy to share information that prevents the spread of illnesses like COVID-19. While his office is only open for emergencies during COVID-19, he’s always available to provide help or information over the phone and can be reached via his website.