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MONDAY, Oct. 19, 2020<\/p>\n
As the weather gets cooler and social activities move indoors, Americans need to take steps to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, an expert says.<\/p>\n
“We now know that if we are going to socialize with people who are not in our household — or in our pandemic pod — being outside or in a well-ventilated space is better than being inside without outside air circulation,” said Lisa Lee, a public health expert at Virginia Tech University.<\/p>\n
If you’re planning indoor gatherings, keep the number of guests as low as possible, leave enough space to maintain 6 feet<\/a> or more between people, and wear face coverings.<\/p>\n “These preventive measures are more important than ever because we know that recent COVID-19<\/a> cases are among younger people, who are less likely to have symptoms and might not even know that they are contagious<\/a>,” Lee said in a university news release.<\/p>\n “As families mix — young with old, healthy with frail — we will see more vulnerable people becoming infected and dying,” she added. “Protect your grandparents by making sure everyone wears a mask.”<\/p>\n As for fall traditions such as trick-or-treating on Halloween, visiting pumpkin patches and indoor haunted houses, Lee offered safety guidelines.<\/p>\n Avoid crowds, especially indoors; maintain social distancing; wash your hands often, and wear a face covering.<\/p>\n Consider replacing indoor activities with outdoor ones. For example, take a walk to look at the autumn colors; go for a hike; have a scavenger hunt, or visit a farm that offers fall hay rides. Plan ahead so you can avoid crowds, keep your distance and wear a mask, Lee said.<\/p>\n — Robert Preidt<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div>\n![\"MedicalNews\"](\"https:\/\/images.medicinenet.com\/images\/HealthDay\/healthday.png\")
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