Follow these tips to protect yourself and everyone around you especially with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic this fall:

Quick tips on staying healthy during flu season, CBC News

1. Get vaccinated

   It is doubly important to get the flu shot during the pandemic. You can get the flu and COVID-19 at the same time. All Manitobans should get their free flu vaccine in early fall and every fall. Visit your doctor or go to the local public health office, nursing station, pharmacy (your local pharmacist can provide immunization services to people seven years old and older), ACCESS Centre, or the nearest immunization clinic. Go to the MHSAL page on Seasonal Flu for more information about the flu vaccine.

2. Wash your hands thoroughly

   Our hands touch surfaces where viruses and germs can thrive. Then we touch our face, nose or mouth and get these viruses inside our bodies. Wash your hands frequently and don’t touch your face to avoid this. Use soap and water and rub your fingers, palms, under your nails, the back of your hands and above your wrists for at least 20 seconds. This is as long as singing ‘Happy Birthday’ twice. Rinse and dry your hands well. Do this as often as possible. Use alcohol-based disposable wet wipes or gel sanitizers when you don’t have soap and water.

3. Strengthen your immunity

   Eat right, exercise and get enough sleep to prevent any kind of sickness. Do this all year long, not only during the flu season. Eat foods with vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc and selenium. Watch the video below to learn more about foods that boost your immunity:

   
   5 foods to keep your immune system strong, CBC

4. Cough and sneeze into your elbow

   Cough and sneeze into your elbow or cover your nose and mouth with a tissue. Throw away used tissues immediately into the trash bin.

5. Use masks

   Wear a surgical or face mask when you can’t observe physical distancing. This will also stop you from spreading infection around if you have a cold, cough or flu.

6. Stay at home

   Consult your doctor if you’re not feeling well. Stay home, rest and take your medicines. Don’t go out to stop the virus from spreading.

   If you feel COVID-19 symptoms, take the online self-assessment and call the Health Links-Info Santé line at 204-788-8200. They will tell you what to do and where to go if you need to get tested. Call 911 if you cannot breathe or if you have other severe symptoms.
    
   Article updated August 27, 2020.
    
   Sources: Colliers- protecting yourself and others against respiratory illness (pdf); Seasonal flu, Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living; and The benefits of hand washing, Canada.ca.