I came across the recently released American Medical Association (AMA) COVID-19 tips recommended for everyone to practice to protect themselves and others from Coronavirus and stop the spread. The tips were published in one of our hospital’s publications.

Take a few minutes to review these COVID-19 tips and make personal decisions for yourself, your family and your community.

8 Coronavirus Tips from the American Medical Association:

1. Wear a mask.

2. Watch your distance.

COVID-19 is transmitted person to person by droplets when someone talks, coughs or sneezes.

3. Wash your hands.

Good hand-washing hygiene is always the best defense against germs.

4. Limit exposure, slow the spread.

Slowing the spread allows healthcare workers to better care for those who are sick because not everyone will be at the hospital at the same time.

5. Know when to get tested.

Only seek testing when demonstrating COVID-19 symptoms, after an exposure to the virus or when necessary prior to a healthcare procedure. Be considerate of the limited testing options that are in your area.

6. Cooperate with contract tracing efforts.

The AMA explains that contact tracing protects individuals by letting people know that they may have been exposed to COVID-19. It helps those that have been exposed get tested and asks those to self-isolate if they have COVID-19 or have been exposed. If you receive a call from a local public health department about COVID-19 exposure, the AMA is recommending you cooperate with these discussions. They are confidential and your personal and medical information will be kept private.

7. Protect the children.

The effects of COVID-19 in children remains under investigation. Some studies have shown that children can be asymptomatic carriers. The AMA recommends children wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to others.

8. Get a flu shot.

There is a possible threat of a “twindemic,” which is a combination of a severe flu season and COVID-19. There is no COVID-19 vaccine as yet but there is a flu vaccine which can help reduce the risk of spreading the flu.

Source: American Medical Association (www.ama-assn.org)