STOP THE SPREAD OF COVID-19!
LEARN HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND OTHERS AT HOME.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19?
• The most common symptoms are fever, cough,
sore throat and shortness of breath. Other symptoms
include feeling achy, loss of taste or smell, headache,
and diarrhea.
• Most people with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
will have mild or moderate symptoms and can get
better on their own.
WHO IS MOST AT RISK FOR
SERIOUS ILLNESS?
• People age 50 or older (people age 65 or older are
at the highest risk)
• People who have other health conditions, such as:
Lung disease
Asthma
Heart disease
Obesity
Diabetes
Kidney disease
Liver disease
Cancer
A weakened immune
system
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I GET SICK
WITH COVID-19 SYMPTOMS?
If you are sick with COVID-19 symptoms,
assume you have it. When you are sick:
• If you have trouble breathing, pain or pressure in your
chest, are confused or cannot stay awake, or have
bluish lips or face, call 911 immediately.
• Call your doctor if you are age 50 or older or have
a health condition that puts you at increased risk,
or if you do not feel better after three days.
• Always contact a doctor or go to the hospital if you
have severe symptoms of COVID-19 or another
serious health issue.
• Do not leave your home except to get necessary
medical care or essential food or supplies (if someone
cannot get them for you).
• If you must leave your home:
Avoid crowded places.
Stay at least 6 feet from others.
Cover your nose and mouth with a bandana, scarf
or other face covering.
Wash your hands before you go out, and use
alcohol-based hand sanitizer while outside.
• Household members can go out for essential work
and needs but should monitor their health closely.
If you or someone in your home is sick:
• Create physical distance:
Do not have visitors.
Stay at least 6 feet from others.
Sleep head-to-toe if you share a bed with someone
who is sick, or sleep on the couch.
Keep people who are sick separate from those
at risk for serious illness.
• Cover up:
Cover your nose and mouth with a bandana, scarf
or other face covering when you are within 6 feet
of others.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your
inner elbow.
• Keep it clean:
Throw tissues into the garbage immediately
after use.
Wash your hands often with soap for 20 seconds,
especially after you cough or sneeze.
Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if you are unable
to wash your hands.
Frequently clean surfaces you touch, such as
doorknobs, light switches, faucets, phones, keys
and remote controls.
Wash towels, sheets and clothes at the warmest
possible setting with your usual detergent, and
dry completely.
Do not share eating utensils with others, and wash
them after every use.
WHEN CAN I LEAVE MY HOME
AFTER BEING SICK?
• If you have been sick, stay home until:
You are fever-free for three days without Tylenol
or other medication and
It has been at least seven days since your symptoms
started and
Your symptoms have improved
• Reminder: New York is on PAUSE. This means that
even if you have been sick, you should only leave
your home for essential work or errands, or to
exercise, while staying at least 6 feet from others.
NEED HELP?
• If you are having a medical emergency, call 911.
• If you do not have a doctor but need one, call
844-NYC-4NYC (844-692-4692). New York City
provides care, regardless of immigration status,
insurance status or ability to pay.
• For more information, call 311 or visit
nyc.gov/coronavirus.
The NYC Health Department may change
recommendations as the situation evolves.
4.20
GayCityNews.com | May 7 - May 20, 2020 21
/coronavirus
/GayCityNews.com