COVID-19 spreads when a person with the virus coughs, sneezes, talks, or breathes. Small droplets drift in the air and are breathed in, or larger droplets land on the body or objects, allowing SARS-CoV-2 to enter the body when one touches them and then touches their face around their eyes, nose, or mouth.
Spread can be prevented by the combination of keeping your distance (six feet or more) from people, wearing cloth face coverings, avoiding crowded indoor spaces, ventilating homes and buildings, and practicing good hygiene, such as washing your hands.
Everyone should wear face coverings because around 40 percent of those infected with SARS-CoV-2 may not show symptoms, so it’s not clear who is or is not infected and capable of spreading COVID-19 at any one time.