COVID-19 measures more important than ever

  • Published
  • By Christopher Warner
  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio - Wright-Patterson Air Force Base public health officials recommend continuing to be vigilant in following all approved Centers for Dis-ease Control and Prevention and Ohio Department of Health prevention measures for COVID-19.

“WPAFB personnel should be a beacon in the community and set an example for best behavior,” said Capt. Stephanie Croyle, Public Health officer. “We are asking that you ask yourself, ‘Is there anything I could have done better today to slow the spread?’”

The following prevention measures are still in effect:

  • Wear face masks in public or indoors and in close proximity with co-workers or with all other people who don’t live under your roof.
  • Maximize teleworking in work centers on base.
  • Maintain a physical distance of 6 feet or more from other people when in public or in work centers.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place and before eating; or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Do not gather in groups more than 10 people, and only do this when it is essential. Avoid socializing in-person with others not in your household. For group gathers, check current base guidelines. Avoid socializing in-person with others not in your household.
  • Be alert for symptoms. Watch for fever, much more common is loss of taste/smell and muscle aches, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19. Do not go into your work center or public spaces if you are not feeling well.
  • Even if you feel your symptoms are mild, contact a health-care provider for further instruction. Many healthy individuals have very mild symptoms.
  • Avoid close contact
    Inside your home: Avoid close contact with people who are sick. A negative test does not guarantee the person doesn’t have COVID-19
    Outside your home: Put 6 feet of distance between yourself and people who don’t live in your household. Best to only interact with others if essential outdoors. Remember that some people with-out symptoms may be able to spread virus. Keeping distance from others is especially important for people who are at higher risk of get-ting very sick.
  • Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
  • Follow healthcare and public health professional advice. For example, if you are identified as a close con-tact, you must quarantine and not go out into the community. You cannot test out of quarantine, meaning that a negative test does not shorten your quarantine time. For close contacts, quarantine is 14 days following the last con-tact with the COVID+ person.

For more information on prevention tips and how to get COVID-19 testing on Wright-Patterson AFB, please visit www.wpafb.af.mil/coronavirus