Learning about how Covid 19 spreads and the factors that can increase that risk can help you make informed choices.

You can ask yourself about past and future interactions with others to help you decide what prevention action you should take. If multiple factors indicate higher transmission risk, you should consider adding more prevention actions.

Here are factors that can lower or increase the risk of transmission:

(1) How long were you with the infected person?

Longer exposure time increases the risk of transmission, longer than 15 minutes is ore likely to result in transmission than a 2 minute contact.

(2) Was the infected person coughing or heavy breathing?

If the infected person was coughing, singing, shouting or breathing heavily, there is an increase risk of transmission.

(3) Were you or the infected person wearing a mask?

If one person was wearing a mask, the risk of transmission is decreased and if both people were wearing masks, the risk is substantially decreased. Risk is also lower if the mask is a type that offers greater protection.

(4) What was the distance?

Being closer to someone who is infect- ed increases the risk of transmission. Crowded settings can raise your likelihood of being close to someone with the virus.

(5) How well ventilated was the space?

Ventilation and filtration is very import- ant. More outdoor air can decrease the risk of transmission.

Being outside would be lower exposure risk than being indoors even with good ventilation.

But for those same men, lifestyle also had a big impact.

Those who stuck with at least four of the six healthy lifestyle factors cut their odds of dying from prostate cancer by 45%, versus men who adhered to few or none. So which lifestyle has the highest chance of lowering your risk?

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