Skylar Maurice, Staff Writer

Fall has arrived and is a time where we do many activities both in and outdoors. As the season changes, it’s important to understand how to avoid becoming sick. The main causes of sickness are infectious bacteria and the ability to pass it to people, as well as bugs that do well in cold environments. According to Ezell, there are basic things that we can do to remain in good health.   

One of these things includes covering your mouth during a sneeze or cough. Getting enough sleep in your daily life is also another action you can do to stay healthy. Eating healthier foods if you end up getting the cold or flu and consistently drink fluids is recommended as well.

In addition, flu shots yield importance in terms of virus strains. Every shot per year helps protect people from viruses and people who are recurrent. Statistically speaking, the shot can decrease your flu risk from 40 to 60%. Doing these things can aid in having an enjoyable and illness free fall season. 

One of the most basic things you can do is washing your hands. Washing your hands does not have to be limited to where you are. After you return to your home, it is a beneficial time to wash them after being out. Doing simple things like preparing food and doing chores are also times in which you should wash your hands beforehand. The CDC recommends washing your hands for 20 seconds.

Furthermore, according to MSN, if soap and water are not available to you, hand sanitizer is acceptable and should contain 60% alcohol at the very least. MSN also stresses the importance of getting vaccinated. Being vaccinated helps people avoid being seriously sick. Specific vaccines that are recommended include the Covid and flu shot.  A person’s age and health conditions play a role in when you’re recommended to get vaccines. The RSV vaccine is recommended for people sixty years and up that have a condition that is chronic, such as lung disease.

Moreover,it is recommended to make choices in your life that are healthy. This includes specifically sleeping for a minimum of seven to eight hours. Sleep encourages your immune system to stay strong in order to fight off sickness in your body.

In the workplace, the CDC recommends that objects that are touched on a regular basis need to be cleaned. These objects include things like a keyboard, your phone and doorknobs. It is suggested to find out your employer’s plan if an outbreak occurs and making sure that the place you work has a good amount of products like wipes, soap and tissues. It is also ideal to find out if there are vaccinations on-site in your place of employment. The CDC encourages staying at home if one feels like they are ill. This is done to prevent someone else from becoming sick.