The Coronavirus is a droplet-borne infection. It enters our bodies through our mouth, nose and eyes. When someone sneezes or coughs, it has been shown that the droplets can travel up to 9-12 feet at an extreme. When the droplets fall onto a surface, we can pick up the virus with our hands or clothing. When we touch our face, the virus can enter our body through any of the three pathways. Officially the safe distance is 6 feet but when someone coughs hard, the droplets can travel far beyond 6 feet. Air currents easily carry the droplets. Maintain the furthest distance possible when you are in a store.

When you shop, wear gloves and wear a mask.  The mask does not prevent you from getting the virus but stops infected people from  transmitting their droplets over a great distance. A homemade cloth mask will do a sufficient job in limiting the spread of droplets.

When you remove your gloves, wash your hands with soapy water for 20 seconds. This will disable any virus on your hands. Use a disinfectant to clean any part of the car you may have touched, your door handles on the house and anything you touched when you entered your home. If you still work outside the home, remove your clothes when you enter the house and separate them into a laundry bag or put them directly into the washing machine. Shower before redressing.

If you are a senior citizen and/or have an underlying illness like diabetes, lung problems or heart related problems, you are at high risk should you contract this virus. Please make every effort to protect yourself during this pandemic.

    Jamie Boss, Sr.

Hampton Deputy Emergency Management

Director and Information Officer