COVID-19 deaths in the past year approach half a million, surpassing heart disease as the highest annual cause of death in the U. S. These killer diseases are markedly different.

Coronary heart disease evolves over years of bad lifestyle choices and underlying inherited disorders. You can get COVID-19 and possibly die by not wearing a mask and simply standing near a SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus-infected person. This highly contagious acute respiratory disease is airborne, and the virus spreads easily from person to person. Choices made throughout a lifetime help prevent coronary heart disease, but simple actions taken right now can prevent COVID-19 and save lives.

The viral disease may be mild, but perfectly healthy people, young and old, have died from it. Increased age and younger citizens with pre-existing diseases, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease asthma and any immune suppression have increased risk of serious COVID-19 illness and death. These factors increase the need for hospital care, oxygen support, and make the risk of death higher.

PREVENTION IS BEST

FOLLOW THESE CDC GUIDELINES TO DECREASE RISKS FOR COVID-19:

AVOID CROWDS.

WEAR A MASK IN PUBLIC.

STAY AT LEAST SIX FEET APART.

AVOID TOUCHING YOUR FACE AND NOSE.

WASH YOUR HANDS & USE SANITIZER FREQUENTLY.

GET YOUR VACCINATION AS SOON AS YOU ARE ELIGIBLE.

CONTINUE TO WEAR A MASK IN PUBLIC EVEN AFTER BEING VACCINATED.

MASK GUIDELINES

Wearing a mask does not mean pulling a bandana or neck gaiter up over your mouth or walking around with a mask only covering your mouth. To be effective, masks must cover both the nose and mouth, fit against your cheeks, and be secured beneath your chin. You must breathe through the fabric without gaps along your cheeks.

Recommended masks: disposable surgical, 2-ply cotton fabric masks, N95, NK95.

Most effective protection is to wear a fabric mask over one of the other selections.

(N95 masks are still in short supply and must be preserved for frontline workers.)

Avoid being near anyone who is not complying with these practices.

Watch for updates from CDC.

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Betty and Bev