How to prepare for a coronavirus outbreak in your community

STAY AT HOME, HAVE A BUDDY • Avoid sick people and crowds. • Postpone travel, including airplane trips, and avoid cruise ships. • Pay attention to the local news and follow the advice of

local health officials. • Stay in touch with others by phone, email and video chats. • You might need to ask friends, family, neighbors or community health workers for help, especially if

you become sick. • Seek out a “buddy” who will check on you, help you prepare and stock up on supplies, and help care for you if needed. PRACTICE HEALTHY HABITS • Cover coughs and sneezes

with a tissue or the inside of your elbow, then wash your hands. • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. • Clean your hands often. Wash your hands with soap and water

for 20 seconds. • If you don't have soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. • Clean — and then disinfect — surfaces and things you touch

often. These include tables, chairs, doorknobs, light switches, elevator buttons, handrails, countertops, remote controls, shared electronic equipment, shared exercise equipment, handles,

desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets and sinks. • Here are instructions to clean and disinfect your home if someone is sick. SEEK HELP • Call 911 immediately if you are sick and your

symptoms worsen. • Worsening symptoms include, but are not limited to, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath; persistent pain or pressure in the chest; bluish lips or face. • If you

are a caregiver, also pay attention if your charge shows new confusion.