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The CDC says that limiting face-to-face contact with others is the best way to reduce the spread of coronavirus or COVID-19.
And while most of us have been doing our part by staying at home as much as possible, and only venturing out to the grocery store while taking the necessary precautions such as covering our face and standing 6 feet apart, there are still some mistakes we can make that can lead to infection, experts say. What are they?
The answer? Walking too close behind people, Jared Heathman, MD, founder of White Coat HQ, tells us.
While most of us know not to get too close to stranger's faces while in public, did you know that you also need to avoid following too closely behind someone, or shopping in their wake, during the pandemic?
Why is this a concern? "Coughing, sneezing, and even just breathing may release virus particles into the air," Dr. Heathman explains.
"Shoppers often follow each other in a line pattern whether checking out or within aisles," Dr. Heathman explains. This natural tendency might be the worst thing you can do during the crisis.
"When you follow behind someone, the virus particles in the air may not have reached the ground already. This means you are potentially walking directly through air that contains the virus." Yikes!
And while some stores are using tape to delineate where shoppers should stand 6 feet apart in line, we as individuals must remember this rule in store that don't use the tape method.
"Shoppers are often lining up right behind each other," Dr. Heathman warns. When shopping, just remember the Police song lyrics--don't stand so close to me!
