Tips and Tricks

1. Use a Mask

When should I use a mask?

If you are healthy, only wear a mask if you are caring for a person suspected of infection.

If you are coughing or sneezing.

How do I properly use a mask?

You MUST wash your hands immediately before putting the mask on.

Avoid touching your mask frequently, ensuring you are washing your hands regularly.

If the mask becomes damp, you must replace the mask.

Never re-use a single-use mask.

How do I remove a mask?

Remove the mask from behind, dispose immediately into a bin with a lid, and wash your hands.

2. Wash Your Hands

How often should I wash my hands? And with what?

Wash your hands with an alcohol-based hand soap or rub throughout the day whenever your hands may have come in contact with an infected surface.

3. Maintain your Distance

How far away should I be from people?

Try to maintain a distance of 3 feet between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.

Why do I need to keep my distance?

When someone sneezes or coughs, they release small liquid droplets that could contain the virus. If you are too close, you may breathe in the droplets.

4. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth

Why?

Your hands touch many surfaces and can pick up the virus. If contaminated, your hands can transfer the virus to these areas and it can enter your body.

5. Cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough

Why do I need to cover my mouth?

The virus can be spread through liquid droplets that come from coughs and sneezes.

What do I cover my mouth with?

Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue. If into a tissue, dispose of the tissue immediately.

6. Go to the Doctor if Experiencing Symptoms

What symptoms do I need to look out for?

If you have a fever, cough, and/or difficulty breathing seek out a medical professional. Be sure to call in advance so they can set up the proper protocol. The provider will direct you to the proper facility for assistance in your local area.

7. Listen to your Doctor!

Why should I listen to my doctor, if there are articles online I can use to treat myself?

Local providers are the most up-to-date on the best interventions for assisting anyone who is diagnosed.

Myth 1: Hand dryers will kill the virus.

You should dry your hands after washing with a paper towel after frequently washing with an alcohol-based soap.

Myth 2: UV lights can disinfect my hands.

No, this actually is more likely to cause skin irritation.

Myth 3: Spraying or ingesting alcohol or chlorine will kill the virus.

No, in fact these substances can be very harmful to your body and clothing. While these substances are effective in cleaning household surfaces, they should not be used on the body without appropriate recommendations by a medical professional.

Myth 4: You will get the virus if you open mail or a package from China.

No, the coronavirus is unable to live long enough on objects such as letters or packages.

Myth 5: I can get the virus from my pets.

Currently, there is no current evidence that your pet can transfer the virus to you. However, it is always better to be safe and wash your hands after touching your pets.

Myth 6: Vaccines like the flu and pneumonia vaccines can protect me against coronavirus.

No, the virus needs its own vaccine, and as it is very new, one has not been developed.

Myth 7: If I rinse my nose with saline, it will prevent the coronavirus.

While there is some evidence to show people have recovered from the common cold quicker using this method, there is no evidence that this assists with respiratory infections like the coronavirus.

Myth 8: Eating garlic will prevent the coronavirus.

There is no evidence to support this, although it is always good to eat healthy in general to boost your system.

Myth 9: If I put sesame seed oil on my body, it will block the virus.

Sesame seed oil does not kill the new virus.

Myth 10: Only old people and children will get the virus.

People of all ages can be infected with the virus. However, the elderly and people with pre-existing medical conditions seem more susceptible to becoming more severely ill.

Myth 11: If I take antibiotics, I cannot get infected.

No, antibiotics only work against bacterial infections, not viral infections.

Myth 12: There HAS to be a medicine to treat this.

To date, there is no medications that is specifically used to treat this virus.

**VTC strongly urges you to talk with medical professionals regarding prevention and treatment of the coronavirus. Please do NOT utilize home remedies. If you are experiencing symptoms, or are diagnosed, please notify your assigned CM by phone.