Day after day our patients, friends, and families ask the best methods to prevent COVID-19. We understand that new, highly contagious viral infections can be unpredictable, but there are ways you can prevent the spread and reduce the likelihood of infection. Please remember that no method is one hundred percent guaranteed, but a combination of these general good hygiene practices and recommendations from the CDC should help not only during COVID-19 but throughout cold and flu seasons as well.
Wash your hand thoroughly and often. Always use soap and water. We recommend humming your favorite song! Wash your hands before every meal, before touching your face, after using the restroom, when leaving a public area, when caring for a sick person, handling an animal, or touching your face.
If you cannot wash your hands, use hand sanitizer or wipes. It must contain more than 60% alcohol to be effective according to the CDC.
Do NOT touch your eyes, nose, mouth, face, or mask without cleaning your hands!
Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough. Wash your hands, cough into your elbow, and throw the tissues away.
Clean and disinfect high traffic surfaces frequently. We recommend reading the instructions for use on each disinfectant for proper use. Some cleaners must sit for certain amounts of time to kill germs.
Maintain distance from crowds. The CDC recommends a minimum of 6 feet of distance between people not of the same household. When in doubt, that is typically two arms’ lengths between you and another individual. Per state guidelines, gatherings may be limited. Check with your own state for guidance and follow accordingly.
Monitor yourself and your family for symptoms of COVID-19. An updated list of potential symptoms can be found on the CDC website.
If you believe you have symptoms of the flu, a sinus infection, a cold, or COVID-19, do not delay testing or treatment! Make an appointment with us today. Please call our office at (423) 472-6548 for testing, treatment, and immediate assistance. It is also imperative that you do NOT enter the office building with any symptoms of illness. Please call us and we will assist you.
We have been through a tough year together, but we will get through this. As always we are in this together and we are grateful for the opportunity to serve you and your entire family. We thank each of you for trusting us to help with all of your healthcare needs even through a pandemic.
Stay Healthy,
Dr. Paul Grayson Smith