Prevention

You should wash your hands for a minimum of 20 seconds using soap and water.  An easy way to “time” your hand washing is to sing the “happy birthday song twice.

This video is a good illustration of the proper handwashing technique.

Source:  CDC, David Gravelle

In epidemiology, the curve refers to the projected number of new cases over a period of time.

In contrast to a steep rise of coronavirus infections, a more gradual uptick of cases will see the same number of people get infected, but without overburdening the health-care system at any one time.

The idea of flattening the curve is to stagger the number of new cases over a longer period so that people have better access to care.

Source:  CDC, New York Times

You can do your part to slow the spread of COVID-19 by:

• Staying home, leaving as infrequently as possible and only for approved activities
• Practicing social distancing by staying at least 6 feet apart
• Washing your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• Avoid touching your face
• Coughing and sneezing into a tissue or your elbow
• Cover your nose and mouth with a face cover when around others
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily

Source: Marin HHS, CDC

If you feel sick, even after a negative test result, you should take precautions, including isolating yourself in order to protect others.

CDC expects that widespread U.S. transmission of COVID-19. In the coming months, most of the U.S. population will be exposed to this virus. You should continue to practice all the protective measures recommended to keep yourself and others free from illness. See “How to Protect Yourself” on the CDC website.

If you know you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 you should quarantine yourself in your home and contact your healthcare provider.  If you do not have a healthcare provider, call 415) 473-7191.

Even if your healthcare provider decides you do not need to be tested, you should remain quarantined until 15 after your exposure to make sure you do not develop symptoms.

Source: Marin HHS

An emergency was declared in order to ensure Marin is best prepared to address this global outbreak. Marin County Public Health is working with elected officials, other city agencies, the public and private health care system, schools, businesses and community organizations to ensure that we as a county are well informed and able to respond and mitigate the harm of the new virus.  The proclamation reinforces that this is not business as usual. We must be confident that our local response efforts are as robust as possible to protect the health of Marin residents. This declaration gives us more tools to better respond.

As of April 3, 2020, the CDC recommends the public wear a face covering when in public.  N95 masks should be saved for our front-line workers. The CDC recommends the use of cloth masks for the public.  However, even if you wear a face-covering you  must continue to protect yourself in other ways:

• Shelter in place, leaving your home as infrequently as possible and only for approved activities
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• Practice social distancing by staying 6 feet away from others

If you chose to wear gloves when you are outside your home, you should know how to take them off without contaminating yourself.  Whether or not you use gloves, you should always wash your hands thoroughly when you return home.

Source:  CDC