Kossuth County Preparedness

Public Health Words You Need To Understand:

Social Distancing:

The goal of social distancing is to increase the distance between people so that influenza and other illness cannot easily spread. Steps you can take that will increase social distancing include:

• Avoiding crowded places
• Working from home
• Changing work schedules and patterns to minimize contact
• Maintain a “3 foot” space barrier from other people as much as possible

Restriction of Movement:

Restriction of movement is travel limited into or out of an area or the county to keep illness contained in a geographic spot.

Cancellation of mass gatherings:

Cancellation of mass gatherings reduces contact between people by limiting public gatherings and temporarily closing locations where many people might gather.

Isolation: For People Who Are ill:

Isolation refers to the separation of persons who are ill from those who are healthy and the restriction of their movement to stop the spread of that illness. This means staying home, having no contact with people during your illness.

Quarantine: For People Who Have Been Exposed But Are Not ill:

Quarantine refers to the separation and restriction of movement of persons who, while not yet ill, have been exposed to an infectious agent and may become ill. This means staying home until you know that you did not get ill &/or will no longer spread the disease.

Initially, isolation and quarantine will be voluntary. Public Health authorities (KRHC Community Health) or your doctor may ask you to do this. If people do not cooperate, Public Health authorities (Iowa Dept. of Public Health &/or Kossuth Co. Board of Health) may make it mandatory and follow legal steps that will make violation punishable by law.