Protect Yourself & Others

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Protect yourself and others from COVID-19

Last updated April 21, 2022 at 10:45 am

 

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How to Protect Yourself and Others and Prevent Getting Sick

Source: CDC Protect Yourself & Others

Get Vaccinated and Stay Up-To-Date on Your COVID-19 Vaccines

  • COVID-19 vaccines are effective at preventing you from getting sick. COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalizations, and death.

  • Getting vaccinated is the best way to slow the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

  • CDC recommends that everyone who is eligible stay up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines, including people with weakened immune systems.

  • To find a Free COVID-19 Vaccine Site in Sauk County, click here.

Wear a Mask

  • Everyone ages 2 years and older should properly wear a well-fitting mask indoors in public in areas where the COVID-19 Community Level is high, regardless of vaccination status.

  • Wear a mask with the best fit, protection, and comfort for you.

  • If you are sick and need to be around others, or are caring for someone who has COVID-19, wear a mask.

  • If you are at increased risk for severe illness, or live with or spend time with someone at higher risk, speak to your healthcare provider about wearing a mask at medium COVID-19 Community Levels.

  • People who have a condition or are taking medications that weaken their immune system may not be fully protected even if they are up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines. They should talk to their healthcare providers about what additional precautions may be necessary.

​​ Test to Prevent Spread to Others

  • You can choose from many different types of tests.

  • Tests for SARS-CoV-2(the virus that causes COVID-19) tell you if you have an infection at the time of the test. This type of test is called a viral test because it looks for viral infection.

  • Regardless of the test type you select, a positive test result means that you have an infection and should isolate and inform your close contacts to avoid spreading disease to others.

  • Over-the-counter self-tests are viral tests that can be used at home or anywhere, are easy to use, and produce rapid results. Anyone can use self-tests, regardless of their vaccination status or whether they have symptoms.

  • COVID-19 self-tests are one of many risk-reduction measures, along with vaccination, masking, and physical distancing, that protect you and others by reducing the chances of spreading COVID-19.

Stay 6 Feet Away From Others

  • Inside your home: Avoid close contact with people who are sick, if possible. If possible, maintain 6 feet between the person who is sick and other household members. If you are taking care of someone who is sick, make sure you properly wear a well-fitting mask and follow other steps to protect yourself.
  • Indoors in public: If you are not up to date on COVID-19 vaccines, stay at least 6 feet away from other people, especially if you are at higher risk of getting very sick with COVID-19.

Avoid Crowds and Poorly Ventilated Spaces​

  • If indoors, bring in fresh air by opening windows and doors, if possible.

  • If you are at increased risk of getting very sick from COVID-19, avoid crowded places and indoor spaces that do not have fresh air from the outdoors.

Wash Your Hands Often

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • It’s especially important to wash your hands:​
    • Before eating or preparing food
    • Before touching your face
    • ​After using the restroom
    • After leaving a public place
    • After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
    • After handling your mask
    • After changing a diaper
    • After caring for someone sick
    • After touching animals or pets
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Cover Coughs and Sneezes

  • If you are wearing a mask: You can cough or sneeze into your mask. Put on a new, clean mask as soon as possible and wash your hands.
  • If you are not wearing a mask:
    • Always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or use the inside of your elbow and do not spit.
    • Throw used tissues in the trash.
    • Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Clean and Disinfect

  • Clean high-touch surfaces regularly or as needed and after you have visitors in your home. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
  • If someone is sick or has tested positive for COVID-19, disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

Monitor Your Health Daily

  • Be alert for symptoms:
    • Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.
    • Take your temperature if symptoms develop.
    • Don’t take your temperature within 30 minutes of exercising or after taking medications that could lower your temperature, like acetaminophen.
    • Follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop.
  • Monitoring symptoms is especially important if you are running errands, going into the office or workplace, and in settings where it may be difficult to keep a physical distance of 6 feet.​

 

Additional Guidance, Resources, and Links:

Travel Guidelines 

Effective April 18, 2022, wearing a mask is no longer required on public transportation (including planes, buses, and trains) traveling domestically in the United States and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to recommend that people wear a well-fitting mask in indoor public transportation settings, especially if they are at increased risk for severe disease. WI DHS and the CDC recommend knowing the COVID-19 Community Level of your travel destination to determine necessary COVID-19 prevention measures in counties across the United States.

For current travel recommendations, visit the WI DHS COVID-19 Travel Page.

For more information about International Travel, visit the CDC's Travel to and From the United States Page.