Dr. Ori Tzvieli shares winter health tips on the Government Speak podcast

As we welcome the new year, we also face the flu, cold and COVID-19 season. With respiratory viruses circulating, focusing on staying healthy this winter is more important than ever.

Dr. Ori Tzvieli, Health Officer for Contra Costa Health, shared valuable tips on the Government Speak podcast on Dec. 8. One key recommendation is staying up to date on your vaccines.

“Even if they don’t give you one hundred percent foolproof protection, they will make it so that when you do get the disease, you will not get as sick and more importantly, be less likely to die,” he said.

Respiratory viruses thrive during winter because people spend more time indoors. To minimize risks, Dr. Tzvieli also advises wearing a mask in crowded indoor spaces. High-quality masks, such as an N95 or KN95, are especially effective in preventing the spread of illnesses.

Equally important is protecting others.

“If you’re sick, don’t go out in public,” Dr. Tzvieli said. “That’s a big deal and I think COVID has taught us to be more considerate of those who may be more immunocompromised or may be more medically vulnerable. It’s a good idea if you have symptoms to stay home and rest.”

Listen to the full podcast here.

For more information about COVID-19 and the flu, visit our website.