Public Health Madison & Dane County

COVID-19 is still very contagious, and it is still spreading in Dane County. As we learn more about this brand-new virus, we adjust our behaviors to be safe. We recently issued an Order that everyone 5 and older wear a mask when indoors in public settings because science and data tell us that masks help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

How masks help

Wearing a mask in public helps prevent the spread of the virus by blocking respiratory droplets from our mouths and noses when we talk, shout, sing, cough, and sneeze. Masks work best when we all wear them. The mask you wear protects others that you interact with, and the masks they wear protect you.

Other prevention measures to take

Wearing a mask doesn’t mean you should stop other measures to prevent COVID-19 from spreading.

• Stay home if you feel sick, or “off.”
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water aren’t available.
• Don’t touch your face with unwashed hands.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue, then throw away the tissue and wash your hands.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Wear a mask when in public.
• Consider how many people you are seeing day to day. The more people you interact and socialize with, the greater the chance you have of being exposed to someone with COVID-19.

These things are just as important as ever.

What to do if you’re sick or exposed

Testing and isolation are other crucial steps in preventing the spread of COVID-19. If you feel sick, call your healthcare provider to be tested or go to the community testing site at Alliant Energy Center for a free test. Stay home and isolate yourself from others until you get your test results.

If you were exposed to someone with COVID-19, watch for symptoms for 14 days after your last contact with them, stay home and avoid contact with others during the 14 days, and consider being tested.

If you test positive for COVID-19, isolate yourself from all others and closely follow Public Health guidance.

Be “Midwest Nice”

Wisconsinites are known for being nice. Wearing a mask, practicing prevention measures, and taking action if you’re sick or exposed show that you consider the health and safety of others to be important. You could be preventing someone from being hospitalized or even preventing a death.  

When you make the choice to follow these measures, you’re part of the solution to this pandemic. So let’s mask up and make progress!

#MaskUpMadison #MaskUpDane #MaskUpUW