COVID-19 has thousands out of work, hundreds in hospitals, and millions at home. During this new normal of social distancing, you must do everything you can to protect yourself and others from the coronavirus. 

By now, you’ve probably memorized a 20-second song to wash your hands to. Washing your hands isn’t a new revolution, but it is one of the most important things to do to stay healthy. However, protecting yourself doesn’t end there. So, here are three tips to keep you safe from COVID-19. 

Wash Your Clothes

The coronavirus may remain viable on a variety of materials for hours to days. After going out in the public, wash the clothes you wore out. When taking off shirts, pull them away from your face, so the material never touches it. Viruses can be active on plastic and stainless steel after two or three days, so be extra precautious with clothing that has zippers, buttons, or other hardware. Laundromats are an essential business; therefore, they will stay open in the case of a lockdown. If you do go to a laundromat, be sure to wear gloves, avoid touching your face, and disinfect machine surfaces before use. Washing your clothes usually seems like a boring chore, but, now, it’s life-saving! 

Grocery Shopping Safety 

Grocery shopping is still a must and should be done with preventative measures. Before touching a shopping cart, clean the handles with a disinfectant wipe. Most grocery stores have wipes out for use. After the card or cash transaction, wash your hands immediately with hand sanitizer. 

Once arriving home, tape off a section of your counter for ‘dirty’ items. This is where you will put the groceries. Throw away all excess packaging, such as cereal boxes. Disinfect all other items that don’t have disposable packaging. Soak your fruit and veggies in water mixed with a little bit of lemon juice or vinegar. By taking these extra steps, you can feel safe on your next trip to the grocery store. 

Mental Health Happy 

Being cooped up in your house all day staring at the news is detrimental to your mental health. Just as it’s essential to protect your physical health from COVID-19, it’s also important to nurture your mental health during this time. Try spending as much time outdoors as you can. Feeling the sun on your skin and the fresh air is an instant mood booster. Likewise, exercising is a great activity to pass the time while burning calories. Making a schedule for your day will also help in creating a healthy routine. Prioritize your mental health! 

Eventually, this will all be over and we can go back to our normal lives. Until then, stay safe and healthy by using these three tips to protect yourself from the coronavirus!