 I'm Anisa LaCount, a Kaiser Permanente physician. Summer is in full swing and many of you are making plans to gather with family and friends. Kaiser Permanente recognizes the importance of connecting with others, especially after such a challenging period of isolation. So here are four tips to stay safe and healthy this summer. Number one, know you're healthy before you go. Check for symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills or shaking chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, or a new loss of taste or smell. If you or anyone in your family has these symptoms, please stay home and call your doctor. Number two, always wear your mask. A cloth mask protects you and others. Nearly half of COVID-19 transmissions are traced to someone unaware they're infected. If you are carrying COVID-19 without symptoms, a cloth mask can significantly reduce the risk that you will transmit the infection to others. A mask also keeps you from touching your face if you do come in contact with the disease. Number three, social distance. The surest way to protect yourself and loved ones is to maintain at least six feet of physical distance from anyone outside of your immediate household. Remember that even with safe distance, you still need to wear your mask. Number four, practice good hand hygiene. Be prepared with adequate supplies of soap and water, hand sanitizer that's at least 60% alcohol, paper towels, tissue and disinfectant wipes. Use gloves to touch door handles, gas pump nozzles and other high traffic surfaces and wash or sanitize your hands frequently. As you have fun this summer, we urge you to be safe and stay healthy so we all can thrive. Thank you.