Set Up Your Buddy System

Plan ahead and reach out now—safely—to put your “buddy system” in place.

If you become ill or need to stay home, you may need someone's help—and they may ask you for help.

Having a buddy system will make it easier to get things like food and medicine if you are unable to leave your home. We recommend that every household has two “buddy system” households to call upon for help if needed.

Buddies can be:

  • Friends and neighbors
  • People you know through work and social networks
  • Members of faith groups
  • Members of neighborhood associations (many have Facebook or NextDoor groups or other ways to be in contact)

Long COVID

About This Guidance

These recommendations are based on CDC recommendations for preventing respiratory illnesses - like COVID-19, flu, and RSV - in most people. The updated CDC guidance (March 2024) provides a unified approach to addressing risks from these common respiratory viral illnesses.

You may need to work with people in your household and follow additional policies and guidance for other settings (like employer, school, nursing home, daycare, and/or government).

If you or people in your household are at high risk for serious illness from respiratory infections, ask your healthcare provider about more ways to stay protected.

 

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