The novel coronavirus has become a worldwide pandemic and has altered daily life for virtually everyone around the world. Protecting yourself and others from COVID-19 means following recommendations for social distancing, wearing masks, washing your hands, and staying home as much as possible. Older people and those with health conditions can get especially sick from COVID-19, so people in these groups need to be very careful to protect their health. But even if you’re not in a high-risk group, you need to follow current health guidelines.

Health

• Things to Know About the COVID-19 Pandemic: Slowing the spread of COVID means social distancing, wearing a mask, and washing your hands well and often.
• Is it COVID-19, the Flu, or a Cold? Learn how to tell the difference between COVID, the flu, and the common cold.
• Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19): COVID spreads from person to person with close contact.
• What Is the Novel Coronavirus? When respiratory droplets go into the air between people, the virus can be passed.
• Vaccine Research and Development: Learn about the accelerated research and development that are going into the creation of vaccines.
• Frequently Asked Questions About COVID-19: Staying at home as much as possible and practicing social distancing are two keys to protecting yourself from COVID.
• 2019 Coronavirus: What You Should Know: The novel coronavirus is part of a family of viruses that cause respiratory infections.
• Coronavirus Myth-Busters: Most people who get COVID will recover without needing to go into the hospital.
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Self-Checker: This tool allows you to check your symptoms to see if they’re common COVID symptoms.
• COVID-19 Medical Information: People with COVID-19 experience fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, body aches, sore throat, and several other symptoms.
• COVID-19 (Coronavirus): Long-Term Effects: Long-term effects of COVID can include a cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, and joint pain.
• About COVID-19: COVID-19 is an evolving health situation because doctors are still learning about it.
• Coronavirus Symptoms and Next Steps: COVID symptoms usually appear between two and 14 days after exposure.
• COVID-19: Symptoms of Illness: Anyone who feels sick should self-isolate until they know what they have and they are no longer contagious.
• Coronavirus Symptoms and Testing: Mild COVID symptoms can often be treated by staying home to rest and recover.
• Symptoms and Sickness: Close contact is defined as being within six feet of someone for 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period.
• Facts About COVID-19: Older adults and those with other health conditions are at a higher risk for serious COVID symptoms.
• Symptoms and Risk: Some people with COVID experience worsening symptoms after the second or third week of being sick.
• Modeling the Onset of Symptoms of COVID-19: This study focused on modeling how COVID-19 starts in people.
• What You Need to Know About Coronavirus: Some people experience a loss of smell and an altered sense of taste when they have COVID.
• Symptom Checker for Self-Screening: Use this tool to help you diagnose your symptoms at home.

Safety

• Coronavirus Safety Tips for Everyone: COVID passes from person to person, and it may be picked up by touching a surface that has the virus on it.
• Food Safety and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Employees need to maintain social distancing while they are working to stay safe.
• Guidance for Employers: COVID-19 and the Workplace: Employees may have significant sources of stress and anxiety during the pandemic, which can cause mental health issues.
• COVID-19 (Coronavirus): Employers need to provide specific training regarding the pandemic to help employees stay safe while they work.
• Recommendations for a Safe Return to Physical Activity After COVID-19: Participating in sports and attending sporting events can carry a risk of infection.
• Holiday Travel: Here’s What to Buy to Stay Safe: Traveling for the holidays is not recommended, but if people choose to travel anyway, there are a few precautions they can take.
• Will the Covid Vaccine Be Safe? What the Scientists Want to See: Learn about the scientific guidelines for developing vaccines.
• COVID-19: Environment, Health, and Safety: COVID may be spread by people who are not showing any symptoms of the virus.
• COVID-19: Creating a Safe Workplace: Workplaces need to be kept disinfected, and employers may need to install new protective measures such as glass barriers to protect employees and customers.
• Coronavirus Precautions for Patients and Others Facing Higher Risks: Try not to touch surfaces in public, and always wash your hands for at least 20 seconds when you return home.
• PPE Best Practices for Non-Health-Care Workers: COVID-19 Return to Work: This video presents the best practices for people returning to work in sectors other than health care.
• Safety Tips for People at High Risk of Serious Illness From COVID-19: Those who are at a higher risk of serious illness from COVID need to take special protective steps to stay safe.
• COVID-19 Basics: Stress and anxiety caused by the pandemic can also take a toll on people’s health.
• COVID-19: Health and Safety: Anyone having symptoms should go to a testing site and not a standard health clinic unless the symptoms are severe.
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information: The Transportation Security Administration has released travel guidelines for during the pandemic.
• Prevent COVID-19: How to Protect Yourself From the Coronavirus: Understanding how the virus spreads is important to protecting yourself from it.
• Coronavirus Prevention: Wearing a face mask when you are in public or around people outside of your home is an important way to prevent the spread of the virus.
• What to Know About the Coronavirus and Blood Donation: The Red Cross shares information about blood and platelet donation during the pandemic.
• Which Type of Face Mask Is Most Effective Against COVID-19? Learn which type of mask is most effective for protecting against COVID.
• Still Confused About Masks? Here’s the Science Behind How Face Masks Prevent Coronavirus: Studies show that wearing masks is helpful for slowing the spread of COVID.
• COVID-19 Guide to Face Masks and Filtering Respirators: Masks have different designs and are made out of different materials, impacting how they help protect against the spread of the virus.