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As temperatures fall, people are spending more time indoors. That heightens the risk of the coronavirus spreading, but you can take some simple steps to help protect yourself and everyone around you.

It鈥檚 easy to get tired of wearing masks and practicing social distancing. There has even been some  about 鈥攖he idea that if enough people get infected, the virus won鈥檛 be able to spread.

But the U.S.  to herd immunity for SARS-CoV-2, estimated to be reached when   has been infected鈥攍ikely more than 200 million people. Without a vaccine, hospitals would be overwhelmed by the illnesses, and   . We also don鈥檛 know .

Because we don鈥檛 have an approved vaccine in widespread use yet, protective measures are still essential. As a nursing school dean, I recommend taking these seven simple steps to protect yourself and your loved ones to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Avoid Crowds and Keep Some Distance

Avoid the 鈥攃losed, crowded, and close contact. This gets harder as the seasons change and more activities move indoors.

When people , shout or even just talk, they send tiny respiratory droplets into the air. If infected droplets get into your eyes, nose, or mouth, you can get infected. Staying 6 feet away is a good rule of thumb, but it doesn鈥檛 protect you from everything. The tiniest of these droplets, , can linger in the air for hours.

The risks of contracting COVID-19 increase in poorly ventilated spaces where people spend long periods together in close proximity. Outbreaks have been linked to restaurants, , fitness classes, nightclubs, and other spots where people congregate. You can still find ways to exercise outside, though. Try going for a walk with a friend. Virtual events can also bring people together safely.

Wear a Face Mask

Face masks can  by stopping droplets people breathe out and filtering some of what they breathe in. They are especially important in crowded and inadequately ventilated areas.

To wear the mask correctly, start by cleaning your hands before you put it on, and make sure the mask fits securely over your nose, mouth and chin. When the mask doesn鈥檛 cover your nose, you鈥檙e giving the virus an easy route for infection.

If you wear a fabric mask, make sure it has two or more layers.

Avoid Touching Your Eyes, Nose and Mouth

Your hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can then transfer the virus to your eyes, nose, or mouth. From there, the virus can infect you.

Wash Your Hands

Simply  can reduce the spread of viruses. Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands for at least 20 seconds with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. This eliminates germs, including viruses.

Fall and winter also bring more colds. When you feel the need to cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately into a closed bin and wash your hands. By following good 鈥渞espiratory hygiene,鈥� you protect the people around you from viruses, including those that cause the common cold, flu and COVID-19.

Keep Surfaces Clean

Clean and disinfect surfaces in your home frequently, especially those people touch regularly, such as door handles, faucets, and phone screens.

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Recognize the Symptoms

Until the U.S. has an approved vaccine with reliable immunity and it鈥檚 being used, this pandemic remains a serious health threat. Being able to recognize the  is important.

Common symptoms of COVID-19 include, fever, dry cough, and fatigue. Other symptoms that may affect some patients include loss of taste or smell, aches and pains, headache, sore throat, nasal congestion, red eyes, diarrhea, or skin rash.

Some of these symptoms overlap with the common cold, but it鈥檚 best to err on the side of safety. , call your doctor or hospital to seek help. If you experience less severe symptoms, self-isolate until you recover, even if the symptoms seem mild. Call your health care provider or see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  for additional support. If you need to leave your house, wear a face mask to avoid infecting others.

Keep up to date on COVID-19 information and risks by listening to local and .

Take Care of Your Mental Health

During the stress and upheaval of the pandemic, don鈥檛 forget to take care of your mental health and well-being.

Connecting with friends, loved ones, and your community via social media, phone, video or text can help reduce feelings of social isolation. Eating well, exercising daily, and  are important for health and coping.

Be deliberate in making time to care for yourself by engaging in activities that bring you joy. Don鈥檛 be afraid to ask for help or to seek out resources including counseling or therapy if you are feeling stressed. Practice positive self-talk by saying phrases out loud such as 鈥淭his is temporary鈥� and 鈥淲e can do this.鈥�

The reality is that you do not want this virus. We don鈥檛 yet know what the long-term effects will be or . Even young people who get it and recover can experience , and potentially . As you look ahead, remember these important safety tips and find socially distanced activities that will help you remain connected and safe.

This article was originally published by聽. It has been published here with permission.