Tips for staying safe

There are things you can do to help stay safe at home, school and work.

Helpful tips and resources

Think you may have been exposed to COVID-19? Find out what to do next.

Wear a mask

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends wearing a mask in public settings, especially when social distancing is difficult.

Visit the CDC

Wash your hands

Washing your hands is one of the best ways to avoid getting sick. Check out the CDC’s Clean Hands Save Lives website to make sure you’re doing it right!

Visit the site

Stay hydrated

Feeling fatigued, dizzy or nauseous? It might be a virus, but it could also be dehydration. When you lose too much fluid, your body can’t function properly.

Why hydration is important

Get enough sleep

Adults who average fewer than six hours of sleep a night are more likely to come down with a cold than those getting the recommended seven hours.

Tips for sleeping better

All households

Clean hands at the door and at regular intervals
Create habits and reminders to avoid touching your face and cover coughs and sneezes
Disinfect surfaces like doorknobs, tables and handrails regularly
Increase ventilation by opening windows or adjusting air conditioning

Households with vulnerable seniors or those with significant underlying conditions

Significant underlying conditions include heart, lung, kidney disease; diabetes; and conditions that suppress the immune system

Wash hands frequently before feeding, caring or interacting with household members with an underlying condition
If possible, provide a protected space for vulnerable household members
Ensure all utensils and surfaces are cleaned regularly

Households with sick family members

Give sick members their own room if possible, and keep the door closed
Have only one family member care for them
Consider providing additional protections or more intensive care for household members over 65 years old or with underlying conditions

Source - Centers for Disease Control. What every American and community can do now to decrease the spread of the coronavirus. Accessed March 24, 2020.

Practice good hygiene

Stop handshaking – use other noncontact methods of greeting
Clean hands at the door and and schedule regular handwashing reminders by email
Create habits and reminders to help students and staff avoid touching their faces and cover coughs and sneezes
Disinfect surfaces like doorknobs, tables, desks and handrails regularly
Increase ventilation by opening windows or adjusting air conditioning

Consider rearranging large activities and gatherings

Consider adjusting or postponing gatherings that mix between classes and grades
Adjust after-school arrangements to avoid mixing between classes and grades
When possible, hold classes outdoors or in open, well-ventilated spaces

Handle food carefully

Encourage students and staff to limit food sharing
Strengthen health screening for cafeteria staff and their close contacts
Ensure cafeteria staff and their close contacts practice strict hygiene

Ask staff to stay home if…

They are feeling sick
They have a sick family member in their home

Source - Centers for Disease Control. What every American and community can do now to decrease the spread of the coronavirus. Accessed March 24, 2020.

Practice good hygiene

Stop handshaking – use other noncontact methods of greeting
Clean hands at the door and schedule regular handwashing reminders by email
Create habits and reminders to help staff avoid touching their faces and cover coughs and sneezes
Disinfect surfaces like doorknobs, tables, desks and handrails regularly
Increase ventilation by opening windows or adjusting air conditioning

Be careful with meetings and travel

Use videoconferencing for meetings when possible
If videoconferencing isn't possible, hold meetings in open, well-ventilated spaces
Consider adjusting or postponing large meetings or gatherings
Assess the risks of business travel

Handle food carefully

Encourage staff to limit food sharing
Strengthen health screening for cafeteria staff and their close contacts
Ensure cafeteria staff and their close contacts practice strict hygiene

Ask staff to stay home if…

They are feeling sick
They have a sick family member in their home

Source - Centers for Disease Control. What every American and community can do now to decrease the spread of the coronavirus. Accessed March 24, 2020.

Practice good hygiene

Stop handshaking – use other noncontact methods of greeting
Clean hands at the door and schedule regular handwashing reminders by email for staff
Promote tap and pay to limit handling of cash
Create habits and reminders for staff to avoid touching their faces and cover coughs and sneezes
Disinfect surfaces like doorknobs, tables, desks and handrails regularly
Increase ventilation by opening windows or adjusting air conditioning

Avoiding crowding

Use booking and scheduling to stagger customer flow
Use online transactions where possible
Consider limiting attendance at larger gatherings

For transportation businesses, taxis, and ride shares

Keep windows open when possible
Increase ventilation
Regularly disinfect surfaces

Source - Centers for Disease Control. What every American and community can do now to decrease the spread of the coronavirus. Accessed March 24, 2020.

Get a flu shot

The seasonal flu causes thousands of deaths each year. Getting a flu shot now can help protect you and those around you, while keep high-demand hospital beds available for COVID-19 patients. And we’ve enhanced our vaccination processes and our cleaning protocols this year to help you feel safe.

Free flu shots near you

Little boy getting vaccinated from Covid-19

It’s crucial to continue medical care – even during a pandemic

Garth Graham, MD, MPH, Vice President, Community Health & Impact, CVS Health

It’s crucial to continue medical care – even during a pandemic

By Garth Graham, MD, MPH, Vice President, Community Health & Impact, CVS Health; and Oliver T. Brooks, MD, President, National Medical Association.

“COVID-19 has kept people away from the doctor’s office, but at-risk patients must continue regular visits and seek treatment in the event of a medical emergency.”

We’re here to support you Find out how

CDC info

Visit the CDC Travelers’ Health website for the latest news.

Visit the CDC

State health info

Find testing info, updated case counts and more from your state’s health department.

Find state resources

CVS info

Learn how CVS Health® is responding to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Visit CVS Health

Legal notices

Aetna is the brand name used for products and services provided by one or more of the Aetna group of companies, including Aetna Life Insurance Company and its affiliates (Aetna).

Health benefits and health insurance plans contain exclusions and limitations.

See all legal notices

Tips for staying safe

Wear a mask

Wash your hands

Stay hydrated

Get enough sleep

Get a flu shot

Get a flu shot

It’s crucial to continue medical care – even during a pandemic

It’s crucial to continue medical care – even during a pandemic

We’re here to support you Find out how

CDC info

State health info

CVS info

Legal notices

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