Masks help reduce the transmission of COVID-19 by reducing the number of respiratory droplets containing the virus that may emanate from an infected individual who is asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic. Studies of COVID-19 incidence in school districts during the 2020-2021 school year show that proper masking is the most effective mitigation strategy to prevent secondary transmission in schools. One study out of North Carolina indicated masking helped reduce COVID-19 transmission between 40 and 70 percent.

Masking is part of a multi-layered approach to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. Other preventative measures include immunization, social distancing, good hand hygiene, staying home when sick, and avoiding high-risk activity.

Please review a listing of scientific journal articles on the effectiveness of face masks to prevent SARS-COV-2 transmission.

After wearing a reusable mask, it’s important to properly launder them because of germs. Anytime you interact with others or surfaces there is the possibility of transferring germs onto your mask. Reusable masks, specifically masks with multiple layers, keep your germs in the mask and other people’s germs out. Properly cleaned reusable masks should remove any bacteria, viruses and respiratory secretions. Reusable masks need to be washed whenever it gets dirty or at least once daily.

Your Guide to Masks (CDC)

Wearing a cloth mask does not raise the carbon dioxide level in the air you breathe. Carbon dioxide escapes into the air through the mask when you breathe out from talking. It passes through the mask material.

Your Guide to Masks (CDC)

COVID-19 is spread through respiratory droplets in the air. Face masks, especially types with layers, help keep your respiratory droplets in and others’ out.

Learn more about masks.

• ABC Science Collaborative: Year in Review, Path Forward
• ABC Science Collaborative: Masking in Schools - The ABC Science Collaborative Provides Clarity on Questions
• ABC Science Collaborative: Final Report (June 2021)
• CDC Scientific Brief on Cloth Masks to Control the Spread of SARS-CoV-2
• American Academy of Pediatrics
• American Academy of Family Physicians
• MDHHS Recommendations for Safer School Operations during COVID-19
• 08/12/21 Joint Report from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children's Hospital Association
• CDC National Pediatric Hospitalization Data Sources
• U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, COVID-19 Community Profile Report
• CDC COVID Data Tracker
• MI COVID response Data and Modeling Updates

• Lo que tiene que saber de COVID-19 (Español)
• 关于COVID-19，您需要了解什么 (中文)

Coronavirus Disease 2019, or COVID-19, is the disease caused by the respiratory virus SARS-CoV-2.

The virus spreads mainly from person to person, when an infected person breathes out droplets and very small particles that contain the virus. These droplets and particles can be breathed in by other people or land on their eyes, noses, or mouth. People who are closer than 6 feet from the infected person are most likely to get infected.

It may also be possible for a person to be infected with COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes.

People diagnosed with COVID-19 have reported mild to severe respiratory illness 2 to 14 days after exposure. Symptoms include:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

There are steps you can take to protect yourself and others from being infected with COVID-19, including receiving a safe and effective vaccine. Vaccines for COVID-19 are available to everyone 5 years of age and over.

Yes. Although antibodies might provide some immunity to reinfection of the COVID-19 virus, there's currently not enough evidence to know how long these antibodies last. Studies on COVID-19 antibodies are ongoing to learn more about immunity.

Anyone can get COVID-19. However, there are groups of people who are at greater risk for severe illness and complications from COVID-19:

• Those over the age of 65
• Women who are pregnant
• Current and former smokers
• People living with underlying health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease (including hypertension), chronic lung disease (asthma, COPD, emphysema, etc.) kidney disease, liver disease, Down Syndrome, cerebrovascular disease (stroke, etc.), and hemoglobin blood disorders (sickle cell disease, thalassemia)
• People living with conditions that lead to being immunocompromised (cancer, HIV, solid organ or blood stem cell transplant, etc.)
• People who are obese
• People living with a substance use disorder

If you are in a high-risk group, you should get vaccinated and take extra precautions to avoid being infected with COVID-19.

Getting vaccinated is the most effective way to reduce your risk of getting sick with COVID-19.

You can also reduce your risk of getting COVID-19 by:

• Wearing a face covering in public settings and when around people who don't live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
• Practicing social distancing, keeping 6 feet of distance between yourself and people who don't live in your household. Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread the virus.
• Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place. When soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

For more information, please visit our COVID-19 Testing page.

Oakland County has set up a Help Hotline to assist residents with non-health related questions. We are happy to answer any questions or connect you with community resources such as food or housing assistance. The Help Hotline is open Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and can be reached by calling (248) 858-1000, emailing hotline@oakgov.com, or texting OAKGOV COVID to 468311.

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.

Talk to your healthcare provider about how best to treat your coronavirus symptoms.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you may have received a false negative result. You should isolate away from others and contact your healthcare provider about your symptoms, especially if they worsen, about follow-up testing.

If you do not have symptoms of COVID-19, but you are not fully vaccinated and were exposed to a person with COVID-19, you may still become sick. Self-quarantine at home for 14 days after your exposure and monitor for symptoms.

Everyone who tests positive for COVID-19 should isolate for 5 full days. They may end their isolation after 5 days if they are asymptomatic or if their symptoms are resolving, AND if they do not have a fever. They should continue to wear a mask around others for an additional 5 days after their isolation ends.

Please visit our Infection and Exposure page for more information about quarantine and isolation.

Please visit our COVID-19 Vaccine page for more information on vaccines.

If symptoms worsen and/or do not respond to allergy treatments, It may be coronavirus. For any medical issue, it is best to contact your health care provider to determine the best treatment.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you may have received a false negative result. You should isolate away from others and contact your healthcare provider about your symptoms, especially if they worsen, about follow-up testing.

If you do not have symptoms of COVID-19, but you are not fully vaccinated and were exposed to a person with COVID-19, you may still become sick. Self-quarantine at home for 14 days after your exposure and monitor for symptoms.

Testing is very important to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

A rapid test is a type of viral test that can tell you if you are infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Rapid tests (also called Antigen tests) use lab-made antibodies to search for antigens from the virus in samples that come from your nose or mouth and can be performed in minutes.

Rapid testing is available through many pharmacies and health care providers. Self-tests (also referred to as home tests or over the counter (OTC) tests) are rapid tests that can be taken at home, are easy to use, and produce rapid results. Self-tests may be used if you have COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed or potentially exposed to an individual with COVID-19. Even if you don't have symptoms and have not been exposed to an individual with COVID-19, using a self-test before gathering indoors with others can give you information about the risk of spreading the virus that causes COVID-19. Consider using a self-test before joining indoor gatherings with others who are not in your household, especially before gathering with unvaccinated children, older individuals, those who are immunocompromised, or individuals at risk of severe disease.

Read the manufacturer's instructions before using the test, follow the instructions exactly, and perform the steps in the order that they are listed. A positive self-test result means that the test detected the virus and you very likely have an infection, and should stay home and away from others for 5 days and until your symptoms are resolving and you are fever free, and wear a mask around others for an additional 5 days. A negative self-test result means that the test did not detect the virus and you may not have an infection. You may repeat the test within a few days, with at least 24 hours between tests, to rule out infection more confidently.

You can follow these five action steps to help someone who may be having thoughts of suicide:

1. Ask directly if they are thinking of suicide. “Are you thinking about suicide?” “Are you thinking about killing yourself?” Studies show that asking directly about suicide does not put the idea in someone’s head.
2. Be there for them whether it’s being physically present with them or listening over the phone.
3. Keep them safe. It’s important to establish immediate safety. Ensure they hadn’t taken steps to end their life before talking to you. Ask if they have a weapon they had planned to use in order to find a way to safely disable their plan.
4. Help them connect with resources that can help increase their safety. If you need crisis counseling, call or text Common Ground’s 24-hour helpline at 1-800-231-1127.
5. Follow up. Be sure to contact them after your initial conversation, and after you’ve connected them to resources. Continue to offer support on an ongoing basis, if possible. Give them local and national crisis line information.