Preventable Actions

From the Chicago Department of Public Health:

If you are sick, you must stay home (except to get medical care) for 10 days since your symptoms first appeared, and at least 24 hours with no fever and improved symptoms (whichever is longer). Stay away from others and isolate in a separate room, if possible. Always wear a face covering when you need to be around others, even when you’re at home.

The CDC recommends layering your masks to increase you protection. Visit the link above to learn how to make masks fit more snugly, layer your masks, and what you should avoid.

If a household member is sick, all members should also stay home and self-quarantine for 14 days. Consider having everyone in your home wear a face covering as soon as someone becomes sick. Check your temperature twice a day and watch for symptoms of COVID-19. Get tested 5-9 days after being in contact with the sick person.

Separate a household member who is sick:

  • Keep people at higher risk separated from anyone who is sick.
  • Have only one person in the household take care of the person who is sick.
  • If possible, provide a separate bedroom and bathroom for the person who is sick.
  • If you need to share a bedroom, separate the ill person’s bed.
  • If you need to share a bathroom, clean and disinfect the frequently touched surfaces in the bathroom after each use.
  • Maintain 6 feet between the person who is sick and other family or household members.
  • If you are sick, do not help prepare food. Also, eat separately from the family.

How to protect children and high-risk family members:

  • Choose one or two family members who are not high risk to run essential errands.
  • Teach children proper ways to stay healthy—children and others can spread the virus even if they don’t show symptoms.
  • Vulnerable members should avoid caring for children and people who are sick. If they must care for children in their household, the children in their care should not have contact with anyone outside of the household.