As stay-at-home orders start to lift in certain parts of the country, it’s clear we’re not out of the woods yet. With more than 1.2 million confirmed cases in the United States, public health officials are stressing the importance of continuing to practice safe measures to slow the spread of COVID-19. Even though plans to reopen vary from state to state, here are some best practices to help keep you and your loved ones healthy during this time.
What to do when grocery shopping
The golden rule: If you’re feeling sick, stay home. That means you should avoid shopping or going to any other public spaces if you have any COVID-19 symptoms, which include fever, cough or shortness of breath.
How to best protect yourself while shopping
- Stay at least 6 feet away from others.
- Opt for curbside pickup. Order food or your household items online so you can minimize contact with others. (For a contactless option, choose grocery delivery instead.)
- Wear a mask. Any kind of cloth covering will do — just make sure your mouth and nose are covered.
- Disinfect whenever possible. If you have it, bring your own disinfectant wipes or use hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol) to wipe down your shopping cart and clean your hands after you leave.
- Use touchless payment. When possible, use your phone to pay to avoid touching money, cards, or keypads.
- Shop during special hours. If you’re 65 and older or have serious underlying medical conditions, find out if the store you want to visit has special hours for you to shop.
- Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. When you get home, be sure to thoroughly scrub your hands with soap and water.
What to do if you need to visit the bank
If you can help it, bank online or with an app whenever possible. But if you need to be there in person, we suggest using a drive-through ATM. This lets you minimize contact with others, while letting you complete necessary transactions like withdrawing money.
How to safely get gas
- Use disinfectant wipes. If they’re available to you, wipe down the gas pump handles and buttons before you touch them.
- Touch as few surfaces as possible. Use touchless pay with your phone, when available, and avoid using items like windshield squeegees during this time.
What to do if you need to go to the doctor’s office
First, talk to your doctor or nurse online, by phone, by e-mail, or via video chat.
Carbon Health specializes in virtual care, so you can get treated for a range of symptoms and get personalized recommendations from medical health professionals, right from your smartphone. Here are a few things you can tap into digitally with Carbon Health:
- Get free COVID-19 assessments. Use the app to check your symptoms and they’ll provide you with next steps, if needed.
- Book virtual appointments. You can talk face-to-face virtually with a doctor to discuss your health issue.
- Receive answers for follow-up questions. Use the app to text Carbon Health’s medical team, and they’ll be able to answer any other questions you might have after your appointment.
How to make prescriptions pick-ups more efficient
While all prescriptions can’t be mailed or delivered, there are still ways to minimize contact while you’re picking them up in person.
- Call in and order ahead. If you have multiple prescriptions, plan to order and pick them up all at the same time to avoid multiple trips.
- Use drive-thru windows. Or, if that’s not available, opt for curbside pickup and wait in your car until your entire prescription is ready.
- Order larger quantities. Chat with your doctor and pharmacist to see whether you can get a larger supply of your (or your pet’s) medicine so you can make fewer trips.
Liked what you read? Learn more by downloading the Carbon Health app or visiting carbonhealth.com.
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