HEALTH

As COVID-19 cases surge nationwide, it is as important as ever to keep yourself and your community as safe and healthy as possible. Whether you've already contracted the virus, or want to educate yourself on what to do if you do contract COVID-19, we have the best and most important steps to take if you contract the coronavirus. 

Inform those you have had close contact with

To slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, let your close contacts know that you are ill as soon as possible. By alerting these individuals quickly, they can begin staying home and monitoring their health to prevent them from infecting others.

Your local health department may also call you to ask about your symptoms and find out who you have had close contact with. Your cooperation during this phone call will help the health department begin their contact-tracing process.

Find a safe place to self-isolate

Unless you are seeking medical attention, *please* stay home. The CDC recommends that you find one room and one bathroom that you can use throughout your self-isolation. Avoid using common areas like the kitchen, and ask family members to deliver your meals to your door. Try to avoid sharing dishes, utensils, towels and toiletries with people you live with while you are sick.

Wear a mask around your family

Even if you are just walking to the bathroom or getting air in your backyard, keep your mask on. If your family has to enter the same room as you, make sure they wear a mask as well—even if they are 6+ feet away. If anyone in your family is immunocompromised, it is *especially* important to steer clear of them while you are sick.

Stay away from your pets

We know it's hard, but it is *so* important to stay away from your pets while you are sick. Although it is unlikely that your pet will contract coronavirus, some research suggests that respiratory droplets can remain on your pet's fur and potentially infect other people in your home.

Take care of yourself

One of the most important things to remember while you're sick is to take care of your own health. Try to eat consistent, healthy meals, drink lots of fluids and get as much rest as possible. Stay in contact with your doctor to find out the best ways to recover as soon as possible. Don't forget to also check up on your mental health as well as physical, as being sick can be very draining and stressful, so take some time in your day to listen to your favorite album or check out a new show that you've been dying to watch on Netflix. 

Clean surfaces frequently

Stop the spread of germs by cleaning and disinfecting your frequently touched objects and surfaces. That means your kitchen counters, doorknobs, bathroom surfaces and yes, even your phone or computer. Don't forget to wash your hands after cleaning!

Learn when you can stop self-isolating

To ensure you're keeping yourself and others healthy, learn about when the best time for you to stop isolating is. The CDC says that you can begin to be around others after ten days have passed since your first symptoms and you have had 24 hours with no fever and your other symptoms are improving. Make a note on your calendar or phone of when you first started showing symptoms, and the date of when it's safe for you to stop self-isolating to best help stop the spread. 

Tell us what you're doing to keep your community safe by tagging us on social media @girlslifemag!

We want to hear from you! Send us your weirdest body questions here (seriously, we'll answer anything!) and it just might get featured.

by Abigail Adams and Claire Hutto | 11/20/2020