Protect Yourself & Others

Prevent Getting Sick

Here are some steps you can take to slow the spread of COVID-19:

Post-vaccination advisement

Even after you are vaccinated, it takes some time for your body to build an immune response to the vaccine. CDC advises that the vaccines offer strong protection starting two weeks after completing the vaccination series.

Once you get vaccinated, you will have a lower risk of getting sick from COVID-19. According to the CDC, fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask outdoors, except in certain crowded settings. It is important to remember no vaccine provides 100% immunity and many people around you are likely to be unvaccinated. To protect others, particularly in high-risk situations, it is important to continue practicing the 3 W’s: wearing a mask, washing your hands and watching your distance until enough people are vaccinated to stop the spread of the virus.

According to the CDC, Franklin County is now designated as an area with substantial transmission of COVID-19. Because we are in an area of substantial transmission, the CDC recommends that everyone (including fully vaccinated individuals) wear a mask in public indoor settings to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect others. To see COVID spread in our community, visit the CDC’s COVID Data Tracker.

Cloth Face Coverings/Masks

To align with the recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, Columbus Public Health and Franklin County Public Health issued a mask advisory urging everyone to wear a mask indoors and in crowded areas regardless of vaccine status until further notice. The advisory follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) guidance for an area with substantial community spread of COVID-19.

We advise businesses, schools, and organizations to request all employees, visitors and customers continue to wear masks inside their facilities to the greatest extent possible.

The CDC still recommends everyone wear masks when they are in a healthcare setting, when they are traveling on public transportation, including airplanes, and when they are in a business or employer that chooses to require masks.

Face Covering Tips

The use of simple cloth face coverings slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others. DO NOT place cloth face coverings on children under age 2 or anyone who has trouble breathing.

Cloth face coverings should be routinely washed depending on the frequency of use. If you are in a private setting and do not have your cloth face covering on, remember to always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.

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