Keep you and your loved ones safe as businesses reopen.

On April 23, Idaho Governor Brad Little announced plans to reopen the state following the COVID-19 coronavirus shutdown.

The four-stage approach aims to have most businesses back in action by the end of June, starting with some strategic reopenings on May 1.

Though the state remains under a statewide stay-at-home order until May 30, this is a promising announcement that could mark the beginning of a return to life as we knew it. Are you ready?

Today, we’re sharing a few ways you can stay safe and remain as healthy as possible as you reenter society and embrace normalcy. Read on to learn 10 steps you can put into practice, starting today.

1. Limit group sizes.

Under Governor Little’s plan, gatherings will still be limited to 10 people or fewer until May 30. If all criteria are met and there are no significant increases in cases, that number can expand to 50 people in Stage Three.

That means, even as we inch closer to reopening the economy and resuming “normal” life, it’s still necessary to keep your social group small. This helps contain the spread of Covid-19 and keeps everyone as safe as possible.

2. Minimize non-essential travel.

Staying at home has likely given you plenty of time to daydream and brainstorm your next great getaway. Where’s the first place you want to visit? Disney World? A tropical island?

The wanderlust is completely expected, but even as travel bans begin to lift, it’s best to stick to essential travel only. This means limiting your flights to required business trips and saving the epic family vacations until everyone can truly enjoy them. This would be a great summer to explore all of the local landmarks and sites right within your Boise backyard!

3. Continue teleworking.

Are you currently working from home? If so, talk to your employer about keeping the setup for the next few weeks. Chances are you’re becoming a pro at technologies like Zoom, Slack, and Google Hangouts, and this is a great way to continue honing those skills!

In a crowded office or cubicle, it can be difficult to maintain the necessary six feet of separation required for social distancing. Working from your living room is a safer option for the time being.

4. Keep using masks and hand sanitizer.

Many of the measures we’ve taken to keep ourselves safe while visiting the grocery store or heading to the bank will still be necessary once the reopening plan begins. You’ll still be responsible for protecting yourself and those around you to slow the spread of COVID-19 and flatten the curve.

That means it’s still smart to bring your face masks and hand sanitizer along when you go into town. These measures take seconds to enact, but they can make a major difference.

5. Disinfect your home.

Don’t throw that can of Lysol away just yet!

Disinfecting your home on a regular basis is always a good idea, pandemic or not. Create a weekly deep-cleaning schedule and try to stick to it. As you clean, pay close attention to commonly touched surfaces, such as doorknobs, kitchen counters, and appliance handles.

For the next few weeks, it’s also smart to keep wiping down your groceries, packages, and any other items you bring into your house. This article explains how to get germs off everything, from your mail to your devices.

6. Rest, rest, rest!

One of the benefits of staying at home? You can sneak in a nap with zero guilt!

While you sleep, your systems have time to rebuild and replenish themselves. This helps you fortify your defenses and ward off illness. While it’s tempting to use your time at home to be ultra-productive and tackle your to-do list, remember to listen to your body.

Try to get the recommended seven hours minimum of rest every night, and make it a point to keep this routine up! Short, 30-minute naps can help the next day when you’ve binge-watched Netflix the night before!

7. Fortify your immune system.

While you’ve been at home, your immune system has been resting on auto-pilot. However, once you reenter society, it will be exposed to new people and new germs, making it even more important to strengthen it now.

Start by eating fresh, whole fruits and vegetables and sticking to a diet that’s as clean as possible. While quarantine snacks are completely acceptable, try to limit the sweets to a few times a week. In addition to eating well, other steps you can take to strengthen your immune system include:

• Get enough sleep.
• Exercise moderately.
• Manage your stress levels.
• Eat fermented foods.
• Stay hydrated.

As you’re tending to your body, don’t forget to focus on your mind. Engaging in simple acts of self-care, such as meditation, yoga, or even a warm nightly bath, can work wonders for your mental health.

8. Call ahead to your doctor.

Even as the reopening plan rolls out, you still don’t want to spend an hour in the doctor’s waiting room. Go ahead and call before you visit your medical provider to keep your wait times as short as possible. In addition, keep in mind that many offices, including ours, are open right now to provide emergency services to patients in need.

Examples of common dental emergencies include:

• Severe dental pain
• Wisdom tooth pain
• Post-operative pain from dental surgery
• Abscess or localized pain
• Broken teeth
• Knocked-out teeth
• A lost or broken crown or bridge

If you’re experiencing any of these issues, our team is here and ready to help. In the meantime, these dental tips can help keep your smile healthy and bright!

9. Practice social distancing.

Raise your hand if you’re ready for a hug!

While we all can’t wait to embrace our loved ones, go back to school, and shop till we drop, remember to follow the six-foot rule of social distancing.

This rule was enacted because COVID-19 can spread from person-to-person, primarily between people who are in close contact with one another. Even as we’re allowed to visit loved ones again, try to keep that distance until we can be sure the threat is minimized. This is especially the case for vulnerable Idahoans who are at a higher risk of contracting the virus.

10. Learn the facts.

It’s easy to give in to fear-mongering and falsities when you’re watching the news from home. It seems that everywhere you turn, there’s a new theory, statistic, or tip on how to fight a virus that can amplify your anxieties and make you question the path forward.

To stay safe (and sane), stick to the facts. Get updated information from an authoritative, trusted source, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This way, you can trust the accuracy of what you’re learning and you’ll be better prepared to move ahead.

Embracing and Navigating Life After COVID-19

We are all working through this shared experience together, and if we stay diligent, life after COVID-19 can be as beautiful and enjoyable as ever. These 10 tips can help us readjust to the new normal and embrace the days ahead with confidence.

In the meantime, please call us for any dental-related questions or emergencies, and remember we can still schedule routine appointments in advance. We’re here for you, and we miss your beautiful smiles!