Much of the country has reopened, and people are moving on with their lives, but it’s important to remember that the pandemic isn’t over. 

Yes, quarantines have been lifted in some places, enabling us to enjoy greater freedoms. Those freedoms, however, will come with a cost if we throw caution to the wind and ignore CDC guidelines for staying safe and healthy as we re-enter society. 

Here are a few tips on how to stay safe while returning to public life.

Assess Personal and Family Risks 

Assess the risks that the virus poses to you and your family, including elderly members or those with pre-existing health conditions. Anyone suffering from an autoimmune disease, a respiratory illness, diabetes, a heart condition, or kidney disease is more susceptible to coronavirus. Elderly family members are also at greater risk.

It can pay to assess the state of your home, as well. In many cases, faulty ventilation systems have trapped and spread virus particles indoors. Look into a home warranty as a resource to keep your HVAC system in working order.

If you’re working outside your home, you’ll need to take extra precautions to avoid infecting your family upon your return. Change your clothes and shower before socializing with your family. Disinfect your car’s interior before taking your spouse or kids on an outing. Make sure your home is kept clean and high-touch surfaces are disinfected regularly. 

Know the Effects of External Elements 

In addition to personal risks within your home, be aware of external elements that can threaten your health and safety. “Time, space, people, and place” can be your enemies or friends, depending on how you approach them.

The more time you spend at home, for example, the lower your risk of infection. In contrast, the more time you spend in crowded areas or socializing with friends, the greater your risk of contracting the virus.

You’re more likely to get sick in crowded and confined places. You can enhance your safety by heading for wide-open spaces like mountain trails, lakes, or large parks where you can easily social distance.

No one is immune to COVID-19. You may think your risk is low if you’re young and healthy, but that’s no guarantee you won’t get the disease, and the range of symptoms is still unpredictable. Taking precautions increases your chance of staying safe and healthy.

Maintain CDC Guidelines

Maintain the protocols laid out by the CDC for protection against the virus. These include:

• Wearing a mask whenever you’re outdoors near other people
• Washing hands often or using hand sanitizer
• Social distancing
• Disinfecting home or work surfaces frequently
• Staying home as much as possible
• Avoiding crowds or indoor places that restrict social distancing

Following these guidelines will reduce your risk of infection and help limit the virus’ spread in your city.

Special Note: When selecting hand sanitizer products, stay clear of those that appear on the FDA’s “do not use” list, as they have been proven toxic.

Consider the Risks of Your Lifestyle   

The virus and its aftereffects are changing the way we work, play, and live. If you lived a free and active lifestyle before the pandemic, you may need to modify your activities to align with new-normal guidelines. Here are a few examples of how to maintain some quality of life without risking your health and safety.

Outdoor Activities — Your love for the great outdoors need not be compromised by the pandemic. Being outside in nature is one of the safest options for the time being. Go camping by a lake, hike mountain trails, or plan a picnic in a national park where social distancing is a breeze. 

Many outdoor attractions like parks and lakes offer hygienic porta-potty facilities to accommodate public needs, making natural areas friendlier to families with children. Just the same, bring your own wipes and disinfectant for cleansing surfaces and sanitizing hands. 

Road Trips — Traveling by car right now is much safer than air travel. In your own vehicle, you’re not around other people and have greater control over how clean your environment is. Still, there’s always the risk that you might get sick on the road and need medical care, so know where the nearest medical facilities are. 

Rather than heading out on long-distance travels, consider day trips to local areas of interest where your kids can get their ya-ya’s out in fresh air and sunshine. You can enjoy the freedom of barefoot driving on the open road while staying close enough to home to return when the day is done.   

Routine Activities — Online shopping, curbside pickup, and home delivery make it easier to obtain the things you want and need without risking your health. But some transactions still require interaction, so make sure you take the safest route whenever possible.

Wear a mask when visiting the doctor, dentist, or hairstylist and remember to social distance. When dining out, choose places that are less busy and offer outdoor seating; this can be a great excuse to explore new restaurants and try new cuisines.

Group Gatherings — In-person gatherings of any kind can still carry a high risk, especially if they’re indoors. You may need to sacrifice this aspect of your life for now if you want to preserve your health. Think twice about attending sporting events, concerts, weddings, parties, and church services. Virtual gatherings, when possible, offer a viable alternative. 

The “new normal” can still feel normal with a few adjustments. Get creative, check in with the experts, and if your brainstormed idea can be both safe and fun, go for it. By using common sense, you can adapt to life in the pandemic without sacrificing your sense of joy — and then you’ll have no regrets about the past and fewer worries for the future.  

This article was created and written by Ann Lloyd, Student Savings Guide