Common cold and flu are spread through droplets that come from a sick person's nose and mouth when they cough, sneeze, or talk. Wearing a mask can help reduce the spread of your cough and sneeze droplets to other people. No single action can provide complete protection against infectious disease, but the likelihood of transmission and infection can be dramatically reduced through a combination of recommended actions below:

Wash your hands frequently with soap or alcohol-based hand sanitizers, and rinse thoroughly with clean water. Always wash your hands before removing your mask from your face. People with an influenza-like illness (ILI) - fever plus at least one respiratory symptom (cough, sore throat) and one constitutional symptom (headache, malaise, myalgia, chills, fatigue, diarrhea), should stay home, avoid travels, and minimize contact with others for 14 days after their symptoms begin or until they have been asymptomatic for over 24 hours. Remain social distancing of at least 6 feet with persons with ILI.