Ómicron has a worrying combination, according to doctor 3:03
(CNN) -
As the world waits to learn how the omicron variant could affect the global covid-19 pandemic, it's easy to get caught up in the unknown.
Instead, health officials remind us of the simple but effective tools we all have to fight the coronavirus.
Here's a refresher on how to protect yourself and your loved ones.
Get vaccinated
Getting vaccinated is one of the best ways to protect yourself and those around you.
The vaccines are available throughout the United States, and many Americans are now eligible for a booster shot.
"Get your vaccine, get your booster," Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, told CNN.
"It is the best opportunity we have to drive away this covid-19 pandemic."
Vaccines have been shown to be safe and effective in reducing severe cases of COVID-19.
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Wear a mask properly
It's simple, but wearing a mask properly is one of the most important ways to protect yourself and those around you, health experts say.
N95 masks offer the best protection.
Washable, breathable cloth masks will work, but they should have at least two layers (three is best), and you can add a filter for added protection.
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Masks should cover both your nose and mouth, and should fit snugly, with no gaps.
Glasses or face shields are not necessarily recommended for eye protection if you are not a healthcare worker or are in high-risk situations, health experts have said.
Not sure how to choose a mask?
Enter here.
Check for coronavirus symptoms and get tested
Fever, cough, and shortness of breath are among the most common symptoms of covid-19, the disease that causes the coronavirus.
But there is also diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, loss of smell and taste, body aches, mental confusion, and even delirium.
Do you have a runny or stuffy nose?
Unless you have a fever, it's probably just allergies, like those that can cause leaf mold this time of year.
If you've been exposed to the coronavirus, symptoms will likely appear within a week, health experts say.
That is, if you are going to have them, some people don't have them.
Any or all symptoms can appear between two and 14 days after exposure to the virus, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
If you suspect you've been infected, go to a nearby testing center.
Contact your state or local health department to find out where to get tested.
Serious symptoms include shortness of breath, persistent chest pain or pressure, new confusion, an inability to stay awake, and a bluish face or lips, according to the CDC.
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Wash your hands
Washing your hands frequently is still one of the most basic and easy things you can do.
Make a good lather and rub your hands, fingers, and under your nails for at least 20 seconds.
Use clean running water to rinse them well, then rub them dry.
Washing for at least 20 seconds has been shown to kill more germs than washing for shorter periods.
Singing "Happy Birthday" twice while washing can double as a "timer."
Washing your hands frequently will also protect you from all kinds of harmful bacteria and viruses in addition to the new coronavirus, including influenza and the common cold.
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Use hand sanitizer
It's not as good as washing your hands with a good old soap, but you can use hand sanitizer when soap isn't an option.
It is important that both hands are completely covered, including between the fingers and under the nails.
Rub your hands until they are dry.
Use it liberally if your hands are greasy or very dirty, as the sanitizer might not be as effective in that case, according to the CDC.
Unlike at the start of the pandemic, hand sanitizer is relatively easy to find in stores, so don't try to make your own.
Health experts say that getting the right concentration of alcohol is essential to inactivate the virus.
Check out this list of over 100 dangerous hand sanitizers to avoid.
Some contain methanol, which can be lethal.
Others don't have enough alcohol.
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Reduce your risk of coronavirus
The best thing you can do is stay home, if possible, and reduce your risk by reducing errands and trips to the store.
Not everyone can afford to do this, of course, but social distancing (keeping 2 meters between you and other people outside your home) and wearing a mask are essential.
The safest place outside your home is outside.
But even there, you need to keep a safe distance from people you don't live with.
You can also reduce your risk by getting takeout instead of dining at restaurants and avoiding public transportation, if possible.
CNN's Maggie Fox, Holly Yan, Sandee LaMotte, AJ Willingham, Kristen Rogers, Scottie Andrew, and CNN's Alicia Lee contributed to this report.
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