COVID-19 Facts

COVID-19 is the respiratory illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. If infected, a person may experience some, all, or none of the following symptoms

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

In severe cases, COVID-19 can lead to serious illness, and even death.

If you test positive, recovery can likely be spent at home: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6775rnLdAk

Quarantine

If you were exposed

Quarantine and stay away from others when you have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19.

Isolate

If you are sick or test positive

Isolate when you are sick or when you have COVID-19, even if you don’t have symptoms.

COVID Prevention

COVID-19 is spread through droplets from talking, breathing, and coughing from an infected person. To reduce the spread of COVID-19, there are a few steps we can all take:

– Wear a mask in public spaces.

– Practice social distancing by staying at least 6 feet away from others.

– Avoid crowds.

– Stay home when you believe you may be sick.

– Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

– Get vaccinated and boosted!

COVID Vaccines

COVID-19 vaccination reduces the risk of hospitalization and death when people become infected with COVID-19.

Everyone five years and older is eligible for a COVID-19 vaccination.

There are three COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use in the United States: Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen. (Pfizer and Moderna preferred)

As of March 10th, over 216,000,000 American’s are fully vaccinated, that’s more than 65% of the population!

Everyone ages 18 years and older are recommended to receive a booster dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccines 5 months after their second shot of their original vaccination series.

Recent data suggest COVID-19 vaccines become less effective at preventing infection or severe illness over time, especially for people ages 65 years and older. This is why booster shots are recommended for people ages 12 years and older who have completed their primary vaccination series.

After vaccination, there may be pain, redness, and swelling near the site of injection and you may feel tired, have a headache, muscle pain, chills, fever, and nausea, but should resolve on their own in a few days.

To find vaccines and boosters near you, go to https://www.vaccines.gov

Additional Facts

– As of June 2022, the FDA has approved the Moderna and Pfizer vaccine for children as young as six months to get vaccinated. (https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-authorizes-moderna-and-pfizer-biontech-covid-19-vaccines-children)

– New research published in May 2020 indicates that booster vaccines provide more protection against the Omicron virus when compared to those who are only fully vaccinated. (https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#vaccine-effectiveness)

– Covid vaccines are safe, with almost 600 million doses registered in the United States alone. (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/safety-of-vaccines.html)

– Booster shots are interchangeable, meaning people over 18 can receive either a Pfizer or Moderna booster regardless of the type of their initial vaccine. Those under 18 can only receive a Pfizer booster. (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html)

– Covid vaccines are free of charge to those eligible to get vaccinated. (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/no-cost.html)

– Covid vaccines are safe and effective for pregnant people and can even spread passive immunity to newborn children, providing an extra layer of protection to the young. (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/pregnant-people.html)

– Even those who have had COVID-19 benefit from getting vaccinated or booster, lowering reinfection rates. (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html)

– Covid vaccinations offer a more stable and reliable immunity than COVID-19 infections, which can vary depending on factors like the length and severity of the disease. (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/facts.html)

– The methodology behind the Covid vaccines (mRNA) has been researched for decades. (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/mRNA.html)

– To find out where you can get vaccinated or boosted, use vaccines.gov for up-to-date information on your closest providers. (https://www.vaccines.gov/search/)