Before you start planning a family trip to beach or a gathering at the park, it’s still important to adhere to social distancing guidelines when going outside. Further, protect yourself and your loved ones by doing the following if you want to partake in outdoor activities:

• Social distancing: you know the drill–stay at least 6 feet apart from others. Yes, this includes when you’re at the lake, beach, park, etc.
• Wash hands often: 20 seconds with soap and water. If you cannot, use hand sanitizer.
• Wear cloth face coverings: facial coverings may help you prevent others from getting sick. Those under 2 years of age or those who have trouble breathing should not wear cloth face coverings. More on how to correct wear one.
• Avoid group-sports: especially with people from outside your home. Stick to things like biking, running, golfing as they can be done from a distance.
• Wear sunscreen: even it looks cloudy, UV rays still come through. Make sure to wear sunscreen to protect from skin cancer.
• Avoid high-touch and shared surfaces: that means playground equipment, tables, benches etc.
• Avoid sharing food and drink: if you are going to be gathering with another family, you should not share food, drink, dishes or utensils with them. Bring your own food and drink.

And remember: Gov. Jay Inslee’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy order requires Washingtonians to stay home as much as possible except for allowable activities. Read about Everett Spine & Rehab’s COVID response.

The COVID-19 is specific type of coronavirus–you’ve probably heard of Severe Acute Respirator Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)–two other coronaviruses. These viruses may cause respiratory and gastrointestinal illness in animals and humans. COVID-19 is called a novel coronavirus because it has not been previously identified.

It is spread through respiratory droplets that are produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets could land on a person’s face and get inhaled into the lungs. It doesn’t necessarily have to be spread directly from a person to another person. It’s also possible you can come into contact with a surface or object that has the infected person’s respiratory droplets on them. More on how the virus spreads, here.

Common symptoms of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus include fever, tiredness, dry cough though some infected people may also experience nasal congestion, aches and pains, sore throat, runny nose or diarrhea. One of the dangerous aspects of the disease is that people who are infected may not experience symptoms early on then not taking necessary precautions — thus potentially spreading it to others.

How can you prevent spread and infection? The CDC has published guidance here . To summarize, they caution people to:

• Avoid contact with those who are sick.
• Avoid touching for face, nose, eyes and mouth.
• Frequently and thoroughly wash hands with soap and water. If that’s not possible, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Do this especially before or after eating, after using the bathroom, and after coughing, sneezing and blowing your nose.
• Cover your mouth when you cough and sneeze.
• Feeling sick? Stay home.
• Frequently disinfect frequently touched objects.

ESR is maintaining strict cleaning standards and social distancing practices. Read our COVID-19 response here.