Introduction
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we live our lives. As the virus continues to spread, it is important to follow the guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to protect yourself and others. Eating the right foods is an important part of staying healthy during this time. This article will provide an overview of the CDC’s guidelines for eating during the pandemic, as well as some tips on what to eat and what to avoid. Eating the right foods can help you stay healthy and reduce your risk of getting sick.
The COVID Rules Everyone Should Follow, Says CDC
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued guidelines for everyone to follow in order to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Here are the key points to remember:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay at least 6 feet away from other people.
- Wear a face covering in public settings.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
The CDC also recommends that people eat healthy foods and avoid processed and sugary foods. Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help boost your immune system and keep you healthy. Avoiding processed and sugary foods can help reduce your risk of developing chronic diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease, which can make you more vulnerable to COVID-19.
The COVID pandemic is in transition, and advice on prevention might be changing soon, said CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky in Wednesday’s White House coronavirus task force briefing. “Omicron cases are declining, and we are all cautiously optimistic about the trajectory we are on,” she said. “Things are moving in the right direction, but we want to remain vigilant to do all we can so that this trajectory continues.” She acknowledged that many people may have “questions regarding what prevention strategies are really necessary for this moment.” As of right now, here’s what Walensky and other experts advise to keep yourself safe from COVID. Read on to find out more—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
The CDC currently advises everyone to wear a face mask in public when you’re in areas of substantial or high community transmission of COVID. Walensky said the CDC may revise that guidance, acknowledging that many people are eager to move on. However, she said that some factors are important to keep in mind going forward when considering if you should wear a mask. One of them is hospital capacity in your area.
“We must consider hospital capacity as an additional important barometer,” said Walensky. “Our hospitals need to be able to take care of people with heart attacks and strokes. Our emergency departments can’t be so overwhelmed that patients with emergent issues have to wait in line.”
You can check hospital capacity in your county via this map by the University of Minnesota COVID-19 Hospitalization Tracking Project.
“Regardless of the level of disease burden in your community, there are still very important times to continue to wear your mask,” said Walensky. These include:
- If you have COVID symptoms or are feeling unwell
- If you’re in the 10 days after a COVID diagnosis
- If you’ve been exposed to someone with COVID-19 and are quarantining
“We all share the same goal: To get to a point where COVID 19 is no longer disrupting our daily lives, a time when it won’t be a constant crisis, rather something we can prevent, protect against and treat,” said Walensky. “Moving from this pandemic will be a process led by science and epidemiologic trends, and one that relies on the power tools we already have, including vaccines, boosters, testing, and treatment.”
The treatments Walensky referred to include monoclonal antibodies and antiviral medications, which have been found to reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID if taken soon after infection. One form of monoclonal antibodies—sotrovimab—has been found to be effective against the Omicron variant. Two effective antiviral medications—including Paxlovid and molnupiravir—are in limited but increasing supply. If you test positive for COVID, the best move is to call your doctor and ask if you can benefit from these treatments.
Follow the fundamentals and help end this pandemic, no matter where you live—get vaccinated ASAP; if you live in an area with low vaccination rates, wear an N95 face mask, don’t travel, social distance, avoid large crowds, don’t go indoors with people you’re not sheltering with (especially in bars), practice good hand hygiene, and to protect your life and the lives of others, don’t visit any of these 35 Places You’re Most Likely to Catch COVID.