While the State Water Board and other public agencies encourage Californians to follow the Centers for Disease Control recommendations to clean surfaces with disinfecting wipes to reduce the spread of COVID-19, it is important to discard those items in the trash, not the toilet.
Please review this Water Board Media Advisory (PDF) for more information.
Prevention
General Guidance from the Center for Disease Control & Prevention
The CDC recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
The CDC does not recommend that people should wear facemasks to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
The CDC advises facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of the coronavirus to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone at home or in a health care facility.
We are still in flu season, so please be aware
The flu is different from a cold, which is gradual. The flu usually comes on suddenly.
People who have the flu will often feel some or all of these symptoms:
- Fever* or feeling feverish/chills
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle or body aches
- Headaches
- Feeling tired
- Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.
If you have flu-like symptoms, please:
- Stay at home to recover
- Wash your hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds before touching anyone or anything
- Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- Don’t touch your face
- Germs tend to linger. Disinfect door handles, your phone and other surfaces daily.