Environmental Health and Safety

Public Health Information Center

Protecting Yourself and Others from Respiratory Illness 

EH&S encourages general good health and hygiene practices, not only to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus), but all infectious diseases including influenza and the common cold. Below are recommended steps to take to protect yourself and others: 

• Wash hands frequently 
• Cough into the bend of your elbow 
• Physical distancing (staying at least 6ft away from others)
• Staying home if you are sick 

EH&S recommends following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for the prevention of respiratory illnesses. Visit the COVID-19 (coronavirus) Prevention and Treatment page to learn about how to protect yourself from respiratory illnesses, like COVID-19 (coronavirus). 

Proper hand hygiene is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of disease. Review the following resources for additional information on proper hand hygiene: 

• VIDEO: Fight Germs. Wash Your Hands!
• VIDEO: Cleaning Hands With Hand Sanitizer

If you are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19, or are immunocompromised, it is recommended that you wear a mask or cloth face covering when around others, especially indoors.  

• Visit the CDC's Use and Care of Masks page for more information for the use of masks