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St. Lawrence County health officials urge residents of COVID caution during Thanksgiving

Posted 11/25/20

St. Lawrence County health officials are urging residents to practice proper hand washing and use of hand sanitizer during Thanksgiving and the start to holiday shopping. Hand hygiene, along with …

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St. Lawrence County health officials urge residents of COVID caution during Thanksgiving

Posted

St. Lawrence County health officials are urging residents to practice proper hand washing and use of hand sanitizer during Thanksgiving and the start to holiday shopping.

Hand hygiene, along with mask wearing, social (physical) distancing, staying home when sick, and staying local, are what county health officials call the Five Pillars of Prevention.

This week, they are emphasizing proper hand hygiene to prevent the spread of COV-I0·19.

Hand hygiene is one important measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other pathogens. In a recent CDC report, researchers found that more U.S. adults during the current pandemic than in 2019 were more likely to remember to wash their hands after coughing, sneezing, or blowing their noses, before eating in a restaurant; and before eating at home. However, one out of every four people still don't wash their hands after these actions, St. Lawrence County Public Health said.

People can help themselves and their loved ones stay healthy by washing their hands often, especially during these key times when you are likely to get and spread germs:

• Before touching your eyes, nose, or mouth - that's how germs enter our bodies; Before and after to touching your mask

• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing

• Before, during, and after preparing food -- especially the Thanksgiving turkey, and also before eating

• Before and after caring for someone who is sick

• After using the bathroom or changing a diaper

• After going to a public place and touching a frequently touched surface

Use clean, soapy water and lather both sides of hands. Scrub hands, fingers, and fingernails for at least 20 seconds and rinse well. Dry hands using a clean towel, or simply air dry. When soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

County Administrator Ruth Doyle said, "St. Lawrence County supports the five pillars of prevention and efforts that everyone is making to reduce the spread of COVI0 -19. One important aspect of

prevention is hand washing, particularly this week with the food shopping and cooking that we enjoy as we prepare to share a meal with our immediate family."

Additionally, in-person shopping at crowded stores is a high-risk activity that may lead to the spread of COVID· 19. Consider virtual shopping or curbside pickup instead.

If you decide to go out shopping, CDC recommends taking these steps to protect yourself. Sanitize your shopping cart using disinfectant wipes. Touch only products you plan to purchase. Use touchless payment as often as possible. Use hand sanitizer before and after entering a store, and after handling payment. When you return home, wash your hands with soap and water for the recommended 20 seconds.

"St. Lawrence county encourages all residents to practice the Five illars of Prevention. We are thankful to the community for the continued efforts to reduce the risk and and spread of COVID·19. We wish you a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving!" St. Lawrence County Public Health said.

They plan to highlight more of the Five Pillars of Prevention in the coming weeks.