Remember to limit your exposure

By now you know that hand washing, wearing masks and keeping at least 6 feet from others can make it less likely you’ll be infected with the coronavirus. But there’s another thing to think about too. There’s evidence to suggest that Covid-19 infection, like with other illnesses, is related to prolonged time exposed to the virus. The longer you stay in an environment that may contain the virus, the higher your risk of getting sick. The importance of time exposed to a virus is relevant for all infectious diseases, from measles to tuberculosis to Covid-19, according Dr. Kent Sepkowitz, an infectious disease specialist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. That’s why when you hear about contact tracing, or you know someone who may be infected, people talk about anyone who has spent prolonged time near an infected person. If you’re venturing out, it’s another factor to consider as you try to stay safe and reduce risk to yourself and others.