Social Distancing With the spread of the highly contagious COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), social distancing has become the most important way to effectively reduce community transmission of the disease. By increasing space between people and reducing or eliminating person-to-person contact, the virus will not spread as quickly or as far as it might otherwise. Social distancing is one way each of us can help reduce the impact of this disease, especially for those in high-risk populations. Social Distancing Guidelines

• Don’t shake hands or hug when greeting others. It’s best to maintain space between individuals • Maintain a distance of at least six feet between people whenever possible in social, work, or other settings • Avoid gatherings of 10 or more people • Avoid standing closely together in lines when shopping or doing other public activities and consider doing such activities during off-peak hours, online, or when fewer people are present • Consider working from home, if possible • Avoid non-essential travel and consider alternatives to travel by air, ship, and mass transit • Discourage children and teens from gathering in groups or crowded public settings if school is closed • If you are sick, stay home. If you seek treatment from your doctor, call in advance of a visit • If you are well, avoid others who are sick

COVID-19 and High-Risk Populations Reducing the spread of COVID-19 helps protect everyone and is especially important in protecting vulnerable populations and those who are at higher risk of contracting the disease. Those at higher risk include older adults and people with underlying medical conditions such as heart or lung disease; chronic kidney or liver disease; blood, endocrine, or metabolic disorders; immunosuppression; and more. People who are at higher risk of COVID-19 should take action now to be prepared for an outbreak in their community. Preparing means being ready to stay at home as much as possible during an outbreak and paying extra attention to everyday actions like staying away from sick people, washing your hands frequently, and avoiding crowds.

Community Efforts to Reduce the Spread of COVID-19 Community interventions such as closures of public agencies, buildings, schools, ski areas, libraries, and events are ways to create social distancing and reduce the spread of COVID-19. Through these closures, local public health officials, elected officials, school superintendents, and businesses owners are prioritizing the protection of the health of local residents and visitors.

Your Actions Can Help Reduce the Spread of COVID-19 Everyone’s daily preventive actions are important in reducing the spread of COVID-19 in the community and protecting people—especially those who are especially vulnerable and who may experience more severe illness. Reducing the prevalence of disease also helps protect our health care delivery system, including limited supplies, equipment, and health care workers who care for not only those who may contract COVID-19, but all those who may be injured or ill under normal conditions.

We need your help in these efforts! Together, we can make a difference by committing to social distancing and other responsible behaviors that will best maintain the resiliency of our community as we respond to COVID- 19.

For up to date information on COVID-19 see: https://sjbpublichealth.org/coronavirus/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Colorado Dept. of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE): https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/2019-novel- coronavirus