Hey teachers. Not sure what to wear at school? Getting conflicting messages? Many have been asking me at work too. Here’s my advice — no expert, but a rural FM who’s been seeing patients since day 1. Others please chime in! 1/

As far as we know, covid is spread when the virus gets into a mucous membrane: mouth, nose, eyes. It gets there when it directly lands there (dramatically wet cough or droplets from sneeze), or when your hands touch a surface where it’s present and then you touch your face. 2/

That’s why keeping your hands clean is so important. You touch stuff, fine, just make sure you sanitize your hands before you touch your face. And keep “high touch” areas sanitized as well — pens, phones, you’ll find your own things you touch constantly. 3/

Masks are a pain at first but breathe slowly and stay calm and you’ll get used to it quickly. Wear glasses? Use a nose wired mask, and/or tape the top of the mask to your nose bridge. Plastic medical tape is best but scotch tape works too. 4/

It’s best if your eyes are covered too, either with glasses, safety glasses, or clear goggles. Then add a clear plastic face shield and you’re good to go. To remove: use the face shield band, arms of the glasses and the mask ear loops. Bend a bit forward & place straight down. 5/

To put the same ones back on, again use the ear loops, the arms and the strap. We reuse all three of these through the day and change only if contaminated. Put long hair up so you don’t fiddle with it. We cover hair at times but probably not needed with Covid. 6/

Many of us wear scrubs at work. There’s nothing magic about scrubs — but they can be washed daily without falling apart. Pick clothes like scrubs to wear at school. Then, either before you leave school or when you get home, put those clothes into the laundry & change. 7/

Many of us shower on coming home and you may feel better if you do that too — it’s also a nice transition to the day. Definitely at least wash your hands and wrists, your glasses, phones and whatever other high touch objects you want to use both at school and home. 8/

Many of us leave work bags in an entranceway at home, taking out only what we need — or just leave things at school. I leave a work pair of shoes at the door or just outside. And I haven’t worn jewelry to work in ages, only a watch that I wipe down regularly. 9/

It will feel stressful for the first bit, but you’ll get used to it all quickly. Be aware of where your hands are, and always sanitize before you touch your face. You will be mentally *exhausted* for the first week or two — we all were — that will also improve. You got this! /end