As we reopen, let’s keep each other safe and healthy

Summer is here and COVID-19 is still in our community. Let’s each continue to do our part to keep our friends, family, co-workers and community members safe and healthy.

As we adapt to our new reality, we must adopt new practices. Hand washing, maintaining appropriate distance from others and wearing a mask when you are in public are proven ways to reduce the spread. Even under ideal circumstances, this highly infectious disease will move from one person to another. That is why it is important that if you do experience any of the symptoms, you should call your health care provider and ask for a COVID-19 diagnostic test.

The vast majority of people who test positive for COVID-19 are able to recover at home and do not need to go to the hospital. But, if you test positive, stay home so you do not spread the infection. Even if the test is negative, and you do not feel well, stay home and limit your interactions with others until you feel better. Self-isolation, staying at home away from others, and quarantining people in your home is not always easy. The public health department and other community organizations are able to help with essential services where needed.

Protect yourself and others

We look forward to life resuming in ways we all enjoy. It is important to know that we all do better when we each do our part. Thank you for being considerate and practicing these simple ways to keep our community healthy and strong.

Please practice the following in order to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our communities:

• Wear a mask in public: I wear a mask to protect you. You wear a mask to protect me.
• Keep your physical distance: Six feet or about two arms’ lengths apart from other people.
• Limit in-person meetings.
• Wash your hands with soap. It's simple and effective.
• Stay home if you do not feel well.
• Get a test if you have COVID -19 symptoms. Call your local health care provider to schedule a test.
• Self-isolate if you have been around someone who is sick or tested positive.
• If you can’t go to work, talk to your employer.
• If you have been instructed to stay in isolation or quarantine due to COVID, and you need help with essential services to help you be able to stay at home, call your local public health department.

COVID-19 Resources

There are many resources for employers, workers, and communities, including resources in different languages, to provide you with additional education and information about COVID-19:

• Check with your local department of public health and organizations like United Way
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• State of Minnesota
• Minnesota Department of Health
• Wisconsin Department of Health Services
• Mayo Clinic Health System COVID-19 website
• Mayo Clinic News Network
• Mayo Clinic Health System Facebook

Paul Mueller, M.D. , is regional vice president of Mayo Clinic Health System, Southwest Wisconsin Region.