Coronavirus Resources for Low Income Households
Last updated on February 21st, 2022
Affordable Housing Online is monitoring the state's and federal government's response to the COVID-19 outbreak, and maintaining a list of resources to help low income households navigate critical services during this unprecedented time.
HUD Waiting Lists
Affordable Housing Online will continue to cover the latest information on open, postponed, or cancelled Section 8 and Public Housing waiting lists.
Most Public Housing Agencies across the nation are closing their doors to the public, but are still running and will communicate by phone, email, or mail. Some offices have drop boxes installed outside, so documents can still be hand-delivered. We encourage those with specific questions for housing authorities to visit the agency's website for the latest on its current operations, if one is available. If there is no information online, contact the housing authority directly. However, due to a high volume of calls and modified office hours in many areas, expect a long wait time (days or weeks) for a response.
We have published a Public Housing Agency directory for each state to help low-income renters find agency websites, contact information, and the latest waiting list updates.
Eviction Policies
Can I be evicted if I can't pay rent because of coronavirus?
The eviction ban enacted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was struck down by the Supreme Court on August 26, 2021. This means that any renter who is behind on rent now faces eviction, if their landlord files the paperwork.
The CDC initially put a moratorium of evictions in place in September, 2020. This meant that renters could not be evicted if they met the following conditions:
- Must earn less than $99,000, or have received a coronavirus stimulus check.
- Must certify that they have lost a “substantial” amount of income due to the coronavirus pandemic.
- Must make their “best efforts” to pay as much of their rent as they can, and pay it as close to when it is due as they can.
- Must certify that eviction will likely lead them to homelessness or doubling up with others.
The White House has called on all levels of government to step up and keep Americans in their homes during this crisis.
State and Local Eviction Policies
The table provided by The Eviction Lab lists state and local eviction policies that have been made to help renters, in addition to federal action.
Emergency Rental Assistance Programs
To help renters who are struggling to pay rent during the coronavirus pandemic, several cities, counties, and states have created emergency rental assistance programs for their residents with CARES Act funds. The application period for some local programs has already closed, but many are currently open as of May, 2021.
Find information about local rental assistance programs in your area here. (Source: National Low Income Housing Coalition)
Stimulus Payments For Taxpayers
As a result of the country’s economic downturn during the coronavirus outbreak, the U.S. government has issued stimulus checks to qualified taxpayers. Officially called Economic Impact Payments, three different payments have been made to qualified Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic.
More information about these payments can be found here:
- What is the government stimulus payment?
- Who qualifies for the government stimulus payment?
- How much will I get from the government stimulus payment?
- How do I get the government stimulus payment?
- How do I give my direct deposit information to get my government stimulus check?
- When will I get the government stimulus payment?
- Will I have to pay back the government stimulus payment that I get?
- How can I track when my government stimulus payment is coming?
- I get direct deposit Social Security payments, when will I get my government stimulus payment?
Unemployment Benefits
In 2020, the CARES Act included an emergency expansion of Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits for those who lose work during the coronavirus outbreak. These benefits have been extended until September 6, 2021, after President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 into law.
Key services include a $300 increase in weekly payments, less strict unemployment eligibility requirements, and a 13-week extension of unemployment benefits beyond the period determined by the states.
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) is a temporary federal program that extends qualification of unemployment benefits for those who become fully or partially unemployed, or unable or unavailable to work due to COVID-19 on or after January 27, 2020; and are not eligible to receive or have already exhausted traditional unemployment compensation programs.
For more information:
- What is Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)?
- Who qualifies for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance?
- How much money will I get from Pandemic Unemployment Assistance?
- How do I apply for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance?
Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC)
Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) is a temporary federal program that gives an additional $300 per week in unemployment benefits to workers who became unemployed between the start date of their state's PUA agreement, and September 6, 2021.
More information can be found here.
Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC)
Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) provides 13 additional weeks of unemployment payments to workers who have already exhausted their regular Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits.
Coronavirus Scams
Since coronavirus hit the country, scammers and hackers have ramped up their volume of tricks and cons. It’s important to be aware of scams going on right now, to make sure you don’t become a victim.
COVID-19 Vaccine Webpages
CT: Connecticut Vaccine Appts.
DC: District of Columbia Vaccine Appts.
MA: Massachusetts Vaccine Sites
MS: Mississippi Vaccine Drive Through Appts.
NH: New Hampshire Vaccine Appts.
NJ: New Jersey Vaccine Registration for Appts.
NM: New Mexico Vaccine Registration for Appts.
NC: North Carolina Vaccine Information
ND: North Dakota Vaccine Sites
OR: Oregon Vaccine Registration for Appts.
PA: Pennsylvania Vaccine Sites
RI: Rhode Island Vaccine Sites
SC: South Carolina Vaccine Sites
SD: South Dakota Vaccine Sites
VA: Virginia Vaccine Registration for Appts.
WA: Washington State Vaccine Sites
WV: West Virginia Vaccine Sites
WY: Wyoming Vaccine Registration for Appts.
American Samoa: No online COVID vaccine locations or appointment opportunities found
Guam: No online COVID vaccine locations or appointment opportunities found
Northern Mariana Islands: Northern Mariana Vaccine Appts.
Puerto Rico: Puerto Rico Vaccine Information
Virgin Islands: U.S. Virgin islands Vaccine Information
Latest News
November, 2021
Programs now helping renters with second round of Emergency Rental Assistance - November 9, 2021
While most state and local programs are focused on using up the first pot of ERA funds, some programs have begun tapping into the second pot of funding.
Bill would make housing vouchers an entitlement for all that need assistance - November 2, 2021
Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA) has introduced legislation that would make Housing Choice Vouchers an entitlement. Her proposal would mean that every low-income renter needing assistance will be able to get a voucher.
October, 2021
HUD launches House America Initiative to reduce homelessness - October 26, 2021
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has launched a new effort to reduce homelessness around the country.
New research shows where evictions are most likely to happen - October 20, 2021
Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley have developed a tool to identify areas where evictions are most likely to happen when pandemic eviction protections end.
Eviction hotspots found in most cities before and during the pandemic - October 14, 2021
Research at Princeton University shows that a large portion of eviction filings are made by just a few landlords in a handful of buildings.
HUD publishes new rule for affordable housing tenants facing eviction - October 8, 2021
Yesterday, HUD announced a new rule to help spread awareness of ERA funds for many of its tenants who are facing eviction.
New bill proposal will speed up ERA payments - October 8, 2021
New legislation in the House of Representatives will speed up ERA payments, if voted into law.
How a government default could impact low-income renters - October 5, 2021
Low-income renters will be badly hurt if Congress fails to suspend the debt ceiling before the middle of October.
September, 2021
Landlords: Consider This Before You Choose to Evict - September 30, 2021
Minimum wage workers in U.S. cannot afford rent - September 25, 2021
House proposes historic housing funds for infrastructure bill - September 16, 2021
What’s next for renters, now that the eviction moratorium is gone? - September 10, 2021
August, 2021
Millions of renters at risk as Supreme Court overturns CDC eviction moratorium - August 27, 2021
House passes FY 22 HUD spending bill with thousands of new vouchers - August 23, 2021
Hot homebuyer market is hurting low-income renters - August 6, 2021
What the new CDC eviction moratorium means, and how it works - August 5, 2021
CDC eviction moratorium has expired - August 2, 2021
July, 2021
Eviction diversion programs keep tenants out of court and in their homes - July 22, 2021
Rising building costs could slow down new affordable housing development - July 21, 2021
Reminder: The CDC eviction moratorium ends in two weeks - July 16, 2021
Q: If I’m homeless, can I still get a government stimulus check? - July 2, 2021
June, 2021
Supreme Court lets eviction moratorium stand - June 30, 2021
Biden administration to extend CDC eviction moratorium through end of July - June 23, 2021
Arkansas renter group helps people keep their homes during the pandemic - June 17, 2021
Some HUD residents still face eviction challenges during pandemic - June 10, 2021
Biden’s FY22 budget increases housing opportunities for low-income renters - June 4, 2021
May, 2021
Biden proposes big boost for low-income workers and families - May 19, 2021
New guidance makes it easier for renters to get Emergency Rental Assistance - May 18, 2021
Still waiting on your stimulus check? File your taxes - May 11, 2021
Millions of renters at risk as federal judge strikes down CDC eviction moratorium - May 6, 2021
HUD reverses Trump admin effort to exclude transgender people from shelters - May 3, 2021
April, 2021
Landlord screening practices can keep good tenants out - April 23, 2021
Biden’s first budget proposes more money for affordable housing - April 20, 2021
States are slow getting emergency rental assistance to desperate tenants - April 9, 2021
Affordable housing is a big focus of Biden’s infrastructure plan - April 8, 2021
“Right to counsel” movement helping renters avoid eviction - April 1, 2021
March, 2021
Indiana law opens the door to more evictions - March 30, 2021
Open letter from Affordable Housing Online: Considerations for new HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge - March 24, 2021
Biden’s American Rescue Plan is a lifeline for low-income renters - March 15, 2021
Recommendations to improve racial equity in emergency rental assistance programs - March 11, 2021
CDC national eviction protections still in place despite Texas judge’s ruling - March 5, 2021
February, 2021
“No-cause” evictions should be halted under CDC eviction moratorium, legal group says - February 26, 2021
Coronavirus Scams and How to Avoid Them - February 25, 2021
How have we improved homeless services during the pandemic? - February 23, 2021
How can state and local governments protect renters as the pandemic drags on? - February 16, 2021
Research shows eviction moratoria slow the spread of COVID-19 and save lives - February 10, 2021
Research shows millions protected from eviction in 2020, but back rent grows - February 2, 2021
January, 2021
What will President Biden do about affordable housing in his first 100 days? - January 22, 2021
Now that emergency rental assistance has passed, where will it go? - January 15, 2021
2020
Trump signs FY21 spending bill and pandemic relief package - December 29, 2020
Congress reaches stimulus deal with rental assistance and eviction protection - December 23, 2020
Biden announces notable nominations for HUD, USDA departments - December 17, 2020
Millions of renters will lose unemployment benefits as eviction crisis looms - December 14, 2020
Small landlords facing big challenges during the pandemic - December 4, 2020
Call your senators on Thursday to demand pandemic housing assistance - November 17, 2020
HUD Secretary Ben Carson has tested positive for coronavirus - November 10, 2020
KC Tenants and ACLU sue over court order allowing evictions during the pandemic - October 29, 2020
Trump administration favors landlords in guidance on eviction moratorium - October 22, 2020
Evictions surged when protections lifted, low-income renters lack legal counsel - October 8, 2020
House keeps housing assistance a priority for coronavirus relief - October 2, 2020
Millions still need to claim their coronavirus stimulus checks - September 28, 2020
The pandemic is making it harder for survivors of domestic violence - September 24, 2020
Congress deadlocked on more coronavirus relief - September 21, 2020
CDC orders national eviction moratorium until end of year - September 3, 2020
Carson approves flexibility for CDBG CARES Act Funds - August 19, 2020
Trump executive orders will not help workers or stop evictions - August 18, 2020
Low-income, minority, and immigrant renters hurt by Trump cutting census short - August 10, 2020
Trump fans race and class tensions as HUD guts key fair housing rule - August 5, 2020
Report shows that affordable housing is “Out of Reach” everywhere in the country - July 28, 2020
Trump Admin again proposes rule that will hurt homeless transgender persons - July 23, 2020
House passes pandemic housing bills; pressure on Senate Republicans to support more housing assistance - July 14, 2020
Experts fear for eviction crisis during coronavirus pandemic - July 2, 2020
American renters want housing assistance during the pandemic - June 16, 2020
Speaker Pelosi talks about housing assistance during the pandemic - June 5, 2020
HUD report shows housing programs serve those with the lowest incomes - June 2, 2020
Former inmates face housing discrimination during the pandemic - May 22, 2020
HEROES Act would give a lot of support to low-income renters - May 15, 2020
Housing experts say landlords cannot reject or evict tenants over coronavirus fears - May 8, 2020
House lawmakers push national eviction ban and rent suspension - May 1, 2020
Homeless persons face the worst of the coronavirus pandemic - April 23, 2020
Need for emergency rental assistance grows during the coronavirus pandemic - April 15, 2020
Infrastructure program at risk of Trump cuts gets big boost to help communities during pandemic - April 10, 2020
Calls grow for rent forgiveness as governments order businesses to close - April 3rd, 2020
Low-income renters helped by $2.2 trillion coronavirus economic stimulus - March 27, 2020
Cities, states and feds suspending evictions during coronavirus crisis - March 25, 2020
How housing authorities are communicating with low income households amid coronavirus - March 23, 2020
FTC warns about government check scams - March 19, 2020
HUD Secretary Ben Carson appointed to president’s coronavirus task force - March 11, 2020
Homeless and Emergency Housing Resources
For those who are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless, HUD has a page for each state (including Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) with information for local supportive services. These pages include website links to organizations that help with the following services:
- Shelter
- Help hotlines
- Contacting a housing counselor
- Emergency rental assistance
- Avoiding foreclosure
- Help with utility bills
- Food banks
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Homeless service groups
- Legal assistance
- Social Security offices
- Homeless Veterans
- United Way
- Jobs and job training
Here are the HUD Homeless Resource pages for each state:
Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas
California | Colorado | Connecticut | Delaware
District of Columbia | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii
Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa
Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine
Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota
Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | Nebraska
Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico
New York | North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio
Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Puerto Rico / Virgin Islands
Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennessee
Help and Guidance for Landlords
Landlords, property managers, and administrators of affordable housing properties have taken many precautions to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. This is a challenge for many housing providers, since many federally-assisted properties are comprised of several units within close proximity of each other.
Here are the steps that landlords, property managers, and housing administrators are taking to protect their single-family unit or apartments, following the guidelines of the CDC:
- Limit Office Availability
To limit or avoid public interaction, many offices run by affordable housing providers have limited the hours they are open to the public, or have outright closed their offices to public visitors. Offices with limited hours sometimes require public visitors to schedule an appointment ahead of time, and will not allow walk-ins. Office visitors are expected to wear a mask, and follow social distancing guidelines. Offices that are closed to the public have drop boxes installed in the outside of the building, so residents and applicants can still submit paperwork by hand. All offices have continued to be available for communication by phone, email, mail, etc. There are also some offices that have all or some staff working remotely. - Limit Use of Common Areas
Following social distancing guidelines, common areas may be closed to the public, or have limited hours/occupancy. If common areas are being used, follow CDC cleaning procedures (Step 4). - Stay in Communication
To help residents prevent the spread of coronavirus, affordable housing offices have maintained transparency about best practices to stay safe, and company policies that have been updated or created because of COVID-19. These notices may be in the form of an email, website update, text message, flyer, letter, etc. - Clean and Disinfect Public Areas
If coronavirus contamination is suspected or confirmed, the CDC has written cleaning tips for public areas. Tips include:
• How to clean and disinfect hard and soft surfaces, electronics, and linens
• Recommendations for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Hand Hygiene
• Additional Considerations for Employers - Clean and Disinfect Living Areas
Housing providers and residents can follow these CDC tips on how to clean and disinfect homes. Tips include:
• Cleaning
• Disinfecting
• Soft surfaces
• Electronics
• Laundry
• Clean hands often
• HVAC, ventilation, and filtration
• When someone is sick - Protect Yourself and Others
Help personally limit the spread of COVID-19 by following these standard CDC recommendations. Tips include:
• Wash your hands often
• Avoid close contact
• Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when around others
• Cover coughs and sneezes
• Clean and disinfect
• Monitor your health daily
HUD Resources
Links to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Resources:
FHA Lenders and Office of Housing Program Participants
USDA Rural Housing Resources
Links to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Coronavirus Resources:
- https://www.rd.usda.gov/coronavirus
- COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide
- Immediate Actions Factsheet
- This document can be found on the top right of the page, in a blue box. It is available as a Word Document, and PDF, and the file will be downloaded to your computer once the link is selected.
Immediate Opportunities for RD Customers Impacted by COVID-19
- COVID-19 Fact Sheets
- Business & Industry CARES Act Program English | Español
- Rural Business Development Grant COVID-19 Fact Sheet English | Español
- Rural Energy for America Program COVID-19 Fact Sheet English | Español
- Single-Family Housing Direct Loan COVID-19 Fact Sheet English | Español
- Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant COVID-19 Fact Sheet English | Español
- Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Loan Deferral COVID-19 Fact Sheet English | Español
- Single-Family Housing Guaranteed Loan COVID-19 Fact Sheet English | Español
- Multi-Family Housing Direct Loan COVID-19 Fact Sheet English | Español
- Distance Learning and Telemedicine COVID-19 Fact Sheet English | Español
- Water and Environmental Programs COVID-19 Fact Sheet English | Español
- Interagency Housing Forbearance COVID-19 Fact Sheet - Borrowers PDF
- Interagency Housing Forbearance COVID-19 Fact Sheet - Lenders PDF
- Telehealth Service Changes COVID-19 Fact Sheet English
- We Care Letter
- Rural Development*
- Rural Housing Service*
- Rural Utilities Service*
- Rural Business-Cooperative Service*
- New and Extended Application Deadlines*
*The information on these subjects can be found here. Scroll down to the "Immediate Opportunities for RD Customers Impacted by COVID-19" section, and select the + icon for a each subject.
Frequently Asked Questions
Scroll down to the "Frequently Asked Questions" section here, and select the + icon for each subject.
Stakeholder Notifications
- USDA Extends Foreclosure and Eviction Relief on Single Family Housing Direct Loans (June 23, 2020)
- USDA Extends Foreclosure and Eviction Relief on Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loans (June 19, 2020)
- USDA to Provide $1 Billion in Loan Guarantees for Rural Businesses and Ag Producers (May 22, 2020)
- USDA Outlines Telehealth Service Changes as a Result of the COVID-19 Pandemic (May 4, 2020)
- USDA Leadership from Farm Production And Conservation and Rural Development Update Stakeholders On Accessing SBA Relief Programs (April 28, 2020)
- USDA Offers Temporary Payment Deferrals for the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program (April 17, 2020)
- USDA Opens Second Application Window for Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program Funding (April 14, 2020)
- Temporary Exceptions to Payment Deferrals for Agency Guaranteed Loan Programs (April 8, 2020)
- Payment Deferrals for Agency Guaranteed Loan Programs (March 31, 2020)
- Temporary exceptions pertaining to appraisals, repair inspections and income verification for the Single-Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program (SFHGLP) (March 30, 2020)
- USDA Rural Utilities Service (RUS) (March 20, 2020)
- USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service (March 20, 2020)
- Single-Family Housing Direct Loan & Grant Programs (March 20, 2020)
In Action...
Resources and Services By State
Coronavirus Household Concerns and FAQs
Can I be evicted if I can't pay rent because of coronavirus?
Are housing authorities still open during the coronavirus outbreak?
Do I have to do anything if I’m on a rental subsidy program and become unemployed or lose hours from coronavirus?
What is the government stimulus payment?
Who qualifies for the government stimulus payment?
How much will I get from the government stimulus payment?
How do I get the government stimulus payment?
When will I get the government stimulus payment?
Are housing authority voucher ports still happening during the coronavirus outbreak?
Are housing authority inspections still happening while the coronavirus crisis continues?
Are Section 8 vouchers being issued by housing authorities in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic?
Will I have to pay back the government stimulus payment that I get?
If I rent with a Section 8 voucher and someone in my home or building tests positive for coronavirus, can I live somewhere else?
If I owe money to the government, will my government stimulus payment be taken to pay that debt?
How do I give my direct deposit information to get my government stimulus check?
If I don't pay my rent during a pandemic eviction moratorium, will I owe the rent when the coronavirus pandemic is over?
How can I track when my government stimulus payment is coming?
I get direct deposit Social Security payments, when will I get my government stimulus payment?
Are there protections if I can’t pay utilities during the coronavirus outbreak?
What is Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)?
Who qualifies for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance?
How much money will I get from Pandemic Unemployment Assistance?
How do I apply for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance?
What is Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC)?
What is Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC)?
Are Section 8 tenants required to report their income from the government stimulus check?
Do unemployment benefits affect Section 8 and Public Housing income requirements during coronavirus?
Are there coronavirus assistance programs for landlords?
Do I have to pay all of my back rent when the CDC moratorium ends?
Are there coronavirus emergency rental assistance programs?
Will the eviction moratorium be extended in 2021?
My landlord is selling my apartment and is having people tour. Are there any protections for myself due to coronavirus fears?
What is Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation (MEUC)?
Who qualifies for Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation (MEUC)?
How much money will I get from Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation (MEUC)?
How do I apply for Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation?
CDC Recommendations to Protect You, Your Family, and Your Community
We encourage everyone to stay informed and follow the recommendations published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to prepare and protect yourself and your family:
1. Stay informed on local trends of COVID-19 cases and be wary of misinformation and rumors
It is critical to stay informed and be aware of false information and bad actors during this crisis. Misinformation and fraudulent services can be accidentally shared on social media by people with good intentions. Affordable Housing Online suggests using the following resources to stay informed and help control harmful rumors about COVD-19:
- CDC has published a COVID-19 Case tracker reporting on confirmed cases nationally and by state. This page is updated daily at noon Mondays through Fridays.
- FEMA has published a rumor control tool and the Office of Inspector General has a page dedicated to detecting and reporting fraud related to the outbreak.
- Frequently visit the CDC resource directory for the most up to date information. For those with slow or limited internet connections, Google has provided a cached version of this page.
- FTC has a Coronavirus Scams page that gives updates and warnings on scams related to COVID-19 that are currently being operated.
2. Know The Symptoms of Infection
The most common symptoms of coronavirus are fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Based on best available information, the CDC estimates these symptoms may start to appear 2 to 14 days after infection.
The CDC recommends seeking immediate medical attention for persons experiencing trouble breathing, persistent chest pain or pressure, confusion, or bluish lips or face.
3. Understand Who is at Higher Risk for Severe Complications
The CDC identifies the following groups as high risk for severe illness from COVID-19:
- People aged 65 years and older
- People who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility
- Persons with high-risk conditions including:
- Chronic lung disease
- Moderate to severe asthma
- Serious heart conditions
- Compromised immune system, including patients undergoing cancer treatment or treatments using immune weakening medications
- Severe obesity or uncontrolled conditions such as diabetes, renal failure, or liver disease
- People who are pregnant
4. Protect Yourself, Your Family, and Those at Higher Risk
Stay informed on the best practices to prevent illness and protect yourself and those around you. Until otherwise reported by the CDC, be wary of reports of a vaccine for COVID-19. The CDC plainly states, "There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)."
To protect yourself:
- Clean Your Hands Often: The CDC recommends cleaning your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not immediately accessible, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid Close Contact: Avoid contact with people who are sick, especially when COVID-19 is spreading in your community.
To protect others and those at high-risk:
- Stay Home Except to Get Medical Care: If you are sick, you risk the health and safety of others by going out.
- Cover Coughs and Sneezes: COVID-19 spreads from person to person through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Help prevent additional spread by covering your nose and mouth. Always wash your hands after coughing or sneezing.
- Wear a Facemask If You are Sick: People who are sick should wear a facemask when they are close to others, like when sharing a vehicle or a room. People who are not sick should not wear facemasks unless you are caring for a sick person. Facemasks are in short supply and are desperately needed by healthcare professionals and caregivers.
- Clean and Disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces: follow the CDC's guidance on how to properly disinfect to help prevent the spread of illness.