COVID-19 Information
How Coronavirus Spreads
Community (person-to-person spread) usually happens through:
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the air by coughing and sneezing
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close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
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touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands
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rarely, fecal contamination
Additional Tools + Information
Recommendations
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Wash your hands
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WET your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
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LATHER your hands by rubbing them with soap. Clean the backs, palms, between your fingers, and around and under your nails.
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SCRUB your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? You can sing the "Happy Birthday" song from beginning to end twice or any of our other favorites (click here).
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RINSE hands well under clean, running water.
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DRY hands using a clean towel or let them air dry.
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TURN OFF the faucet with a towel and throw it away or put it in your dirty laundry.
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Don't touch your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
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Maintain a safe distance (3-6 feet) between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
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Cough or sneeze into a clean tissue or your bent elbow.
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Stay home when you are sick.
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If you develop a fever, cough, and shortness of breath, immediately get medical assistance.
For more information, including videos explaining why these steps are necessary, visit WHO's Advice for Public or the CDC's Coronavirus website.
Watch for the following symptoms:
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Fever
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Cough
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Shortness of breath
*Based on what has been seen previously as the incubation period of MERS-CoV viruses, symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.ert icon
Call your doctor: If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider for medical advice.
Emergency Warning Signs
Get medical attention immediately if you exhibit these symptoms:
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Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
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Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
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New confusion or inability to arouse
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Bluish lips or face
*This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.
For more information, visit WHO's Q & A on Coronavirus or the CDC's Coronavirus website.
Just for Kids: A Comic Exploring the New Coronavirus
This NPR report presents information about the virus written and reported for kids to understand.
NPR's Malaka Gharib created a comic of the report that can be printed and made into a zine. To access the comic, click the image of the first page, found below.
Malaka Gahrib/NPR - Click the image to see the whole comic.
Additional Resources
Especially:
The Keep Boone Healthy YouTube Channel
Silver Linings section
Contact the NC Department of Health & Human Services
If You Have...
Proper Handwashing
Remember, germs are EVERYWHERE! It's a great idea to use proper handwashing techniques all the time.
