For now, experts say you must assume that everyone you encounter in your daily life could be infected with the new coronavirus (COVID-19).
So the best general advice about protecting yourself in social situations is remain on guard and make sure you are thinking about this issue at all times: Treat every possible encounter with another person with care in order to avoid even the possibility of coming in contact with someone who may be infected. Some who are infected may not show any symptoms.
That means following the rules of social distancing by staying at least six feet apart, and avoid touching your nose, eyes and mouth as much as possible, according to Waleed Javaid, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine (Infectious Diseases) at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.
However, if the unexpected happens and you think you may have had contact with someone who is infected, you should immediately wash your hands and face with soap and water. If washing is not an option, then use hand sanitizer. Unless the person coughed or sneezed directly on you, the risk of transmission is very low. But it still makes sense to take all possible precautions.
Clothing itself has not been shown to transmit the virus, but there is the possibility that the virus contaminated your clothing and you then touched something on your clothes. If possible, you should consider changing your clothes. There are no other scientifically proven remedies yet, according to Dr. Javaid.
It is important to note that wearing a face mask only may not prevent you from becoming infected. Someone who is infected and wearing a mask is doing their part to avoid infecting you and others. But you should still maintain proper social distancing anyway, even if you are wearing a mask. One added benefit of wearing a mask is that it can help remind you not to touch your face as often.