Did you know this over-the-counter Covid test expires quite a bit after its expiration date?

Incubation period (timeframe that you can get Covid-19 from a contagious person)

According to the "How to protect from Coronavirus and other viral epidemics" - Covid-19 essential guide By the Editors of Consumer Guide, as a broad guideline, the incubation period is estimated at 2-14 days and could be longer in some cases. 

According to this same source, the way you can protect yourself is to be smart, cautious, don't panic, and practice everyday prevention. Covid-19 is primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets, so maintaining a distance of at least 6 feet from people who are coughing or sneezing (Carly commented: not just people who are coughing or sneezing, but people in general as much as possible). According to this same source ("How to protect from Coronavirus and other viral epidemics" - Covid-19 essential guide By the Editors of Consumer Guide) in addition to staying away from sick people:

• Wash your hands often (with an alcohol-based rub - Carly commented: 70% or higher of alcohol for the hand sanitizer spray/gel OR antibacterial handwipes such as Purell brand or Wet Ones brand) OR with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially before and after eating, using the restroom, coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose. Carly commented: Also, when coming in from being outdoors/coming home from being out (in general). And before others touch you when possible (for example, before getting a massage).

• Avoid touching your mouth, nose, and eyes (these are areas that the virus can enter your body). Carly commented: If you need to touch these areas of your body, ensure you've washed your hands previously or hand sanitized it.

• If you need to cough  or sneeze, make sure you cover your mouth and nose (with a tissue or a sleeve).

• Try to cough or sneeze into your bent elbow or a tissue - NOT your hands. Dispose of the used tissue immediately.

• Stay home when sick. Carly commented: I know I ALWAYS did this even BEFORE Covid. Is it that hard to stay at home and want to relax and rest; and return to your regular life when you're no longer sick? Unless you're going for an essential quick store run or some other quick essential outdoor errand (ATM transaction as an example)/errand in general where you won't be near lots of people you should be at home.

• Clean and sanitize frequently touched surfaces. Carly commented: Also, clean and sanitize your hands after touching frequently touched surfaces.

Denise Austin couldn't have said it better when she said: "prevention the best medicine" in the 3-second video I shot of her in a thigh trimmer workout when she was discussing protecting your knees. The "prevention the best medicine" comment she says can apply to preventing Covid-19, too.

Note: References to "I" in this post is Carly Calabrese, the founder & implementer of this Covid awareness & support blog that you're at.

Some tips to have success with playing the above video:

1. PRIOR to clicking on the sideways triangle on the image (above) on the video, ensure the speakers on the device you're using works, is on, & the volume is loud enough to hear. (This also includes any external speakers if applicable).

2. Click on the sideways triangle in the middle of the (above) image/video. You may have to click it again for the video to play.

3. Also, ensure that the volume icon (bottom left corner) of the video which is after you click the sideways triangle on the image/video (above) is NOT muted (if it's muted a line will cross the volume icon similar to a "No Smoking" sign you may have seen with a picture of a cigarette and a red circle & line through it). As if it's muted, you won't be able to hear the video.