How you can prevent the spread of COVID-19
Disinfect
Your
Space
Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces and objects daily (e.g. tables, desk supplies, hard-backed chairs, door handles, light switches, phones, tablets, touch screens, keyboards, desks, handles to drawers, refrigerator handles, water cooler dispensers, microwave buttons, toaster buttons, and coffee makers). Be mindful of other people working in your area and disinfect after yourself and wash your hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds.
If you would like, more information about disinfecting your space, check out the links from the CDC:
Handwashing
Why is washing your hands such a big deal? Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick. Many diseases and conditions are solved by not washing your hands with soap and clean, running water. Still not convinced?
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (that’s the length of singing the happy birthday song twice), especially before and after eating, after being in a public place, after using the bathroom, after starting laundry, after working out, or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
When washing your hands with soap and water is not an option, hand sanitizer is the next best practice. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Put enough sanitizer on your hands to cover all surfaces. Rub your hands together until they feel dry (this should take at least 20 seconds). DO NOT rinse or wipe off the hand sanitizer before your hands are dry.
Face Coverings
Covering your face is about caring for yourself and those around you. Some people are asymptomatic which means they are carrying the virus without having symptoms, so covering your face can help limit the spread.
Wash your hands before putting your mask on. The mask should cover your nose, mouth and under your chin. It should be snug but allow you to breathe. Protect the people around you while you protect yourself.
For more information regarding cloth face coverings, check out these resources:
- Recommendations regarding the use of face cloth coverings, especially in areas of significant community-based transmission
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover.html - How to Safely Wear and Take Off a Cloth Face Covering
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/cloth-face-covering.pdf - How to Wash Cloth Face Coverings
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-to-wash-cloth-face-coverings.html - How to Wear Face Coverings
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-to-wear-cloth-face-coverings.html
Social Distancing
Social distancing means staying six feet apart from others when you are out in public and avoiding large groups and crowded places. When inside campus buildings, traveling across campus, or waiting in line at the dining hall, maintain proper space from those around you and use other tools, such as wearing face coverings, to help mitigate risks of exposure or transmission.
How to Know When You’re Sick
Being able to recognize symptoms of COVID-19 is a key component to reducing the spread of COVID-19. If you have any symptoms, contact the Dyson Wellness Center at 630-637-5550 or dysonwellness@noctrl.edu, and fill out and submit the COVID-19 online reporting form. Some of the common symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, chills, muscle pain, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, and cough. Not all the symptoms need to be present to indicate COVID-19, and the severity of the symptoms may range from mild to severe.
How to Reduce the Spread
Help prevent the spread of COVID-19- by avoiding close contact with people who are sick. Practice social distancing and cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue. Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. Avoid touching your nose, eyes and mouth. Wear a face covering when in public. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects. Stay home if you are sick except to get medical care. Encourage those around you to also help stop the spread by following all these steps!
For more information, go to the CDC website:
