There are now over 6.8 million confirmed COVID-19 cases in the United States, and over 200,000 deaths linked to the coronavirus. We are still averaging 30,000 NEW cases per day in the United States. California specifically is averaging 3,000 new cases daily. COVID-19 is far from over. World and local leaders warn that a second wave of infections is possible as cities reopen and people come into closer contact once again. This can be even more complicated in the midst of flu season. Staying safe is all of our responsibility!

So, what can we do?

1. Don’t let your guard down. Continue to wear a face mask in public places

A few months ago, wearing a face mask when going out in public was purely voluntary. In many places it is now mandatory,  though the CDC now encourages it as a voluntary health measure in areas with high transmission rates, and in places where people can’t maintain social distancing of six feet many states are requiring face masks. It’s not considered necessary while you’re alone in your car, or taking a walk where keeping six feet from others is easy to do. At the very least, it’s a good idea to keep a face covering on hand.

Even where cities are reopened, expect to find employees wearing face masks, which are part of the CDC’s recommendation for phased reopenings of schools, factories and businesses. Chances are they’d feel more comfortable if you do, too. 

2. Don’t make shopping trips a source of entertainment

I know, I know. The point of shelter in place and distancing efforts is to keep you from transmitting the virus to others or acquiring it yourself. Yes, that can be boring, but the list of COVID-19 symptoms is long and frightening for people who have it, even if they do recover, which can take weeks. 

The bottom line: You don’t want this, and you want to limit your exposure to others. So shop swiftly and efficiently. Now’s the time to get what you want and get out, not to browse aisles as a way to pass the hours. Entertain yourself these other ways instead. 

3. Enough with the fingertips: Use your knees, feet, elbows and knuckles instead

If you’re still pressing buttons for walk signs with your fingertips, stop. Any time you have to open a door, push a button, pull a lever or digitally sign for something, use a different body part instead. You have plenty. For example, I’ll often tap out a PIN code or make a selection on a digital screen with my knuckle instead of the pad of my finger. I’ll push open a door with my shoulder, hip or foot instead of my hands.

You can usually flip on a light switch or sink faucet with your elbow or wrist, and you can wrap the sleeve of your sweater or jacket around the handle of any doors you have to physically pull open. It’s easy enough to toss your clothing into the wash later rather than expose your skin now, especially if the chances you’ll use your hands to touch food items or your face is high.

4. Enforce social distancing even if others don’t

The practice of keeping six feet away from those outside your home group extends to waiting in line at the grocery store, going on walks  and picking up food to go.

If you need to keep more distance between you and someone else while on a walk or when reaching for an item at the store, take a step back or wait your turn. Now’s not the time to feel bad about moving away from someone, but be polite.  You can also politely ask a person to give you more clearance. It’s perfectly acceptable to say something like, “Oh, I’m really trying to keep my distance from everyone,” or “You go ahead, I’d rather wait until there’s enough space.”

5. Watch where you put your phone

While we’ve gotten the go-ahead to use disinfecting wipes on phones, another smart idea is to avoid placing your device on iffy surfaces to begin with. Do you really need to put your phone down, or can you just stash it in a coat pocket or purse? The less you can expose your phone to shared surfaces, the less you need to worry about them in the first place. .

6. Wash your hands every time you get ‘home’

Along with social distancing, washing your hands thoroughly is one of your best defenses against acquiring the coronavirus. Give your hands a thorough scrub each time you get back to your destination. Twenty seconds is the going recommendation, which may seem like ages, but if you wash slowly, it’s easy to do. We are all tired of singing “Happy Birthday” but you can jazz up hand washing with the chorus of Marvin Sapps “Never Would have made it”, it’s about 20 seconds long at regular tempo.

Be safe and be smart. Just hold on a little while longer. We are almost there.

ABOUT OUR CONTRIBUTOR:

Dr. Nicole Sims, D.O., is Board Certified in Internal Medicine, affiliated with numerous hospitals in the Inland Empire.  Dr. Sims has over 10 years of experience in treating an extensive variety of disorders and illnesses.  In addition to being an Internal Medicine Physician, she currently serves as a Chief Hospitalist.