The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Kansas Department of Health & Environment (KDHE) have recently released new guidance in regard to respiratory illnesses. The local Public Health Officer, Tom Langer has released guidance for the Cowley County community. This guidance document emphasizes the importance of tried-and-true methods for illness avoidance including vaccination, isolation, and masking when appropriate. Stay home if you are sick, especially if you have a fever. That is when you are most contagious. But not all infections present with a fever, so if you’re coughing, have a headache, muscle aches, and feel tired or run down stay home. Do not return to normal activity if you continue to have a fever or other symptoms. You must be fever-free for a full 24 hours without medication. You can return to normal activities when your symptoms pass, and you feel better (like how you felt before you became ill). But for five days, you should wear a mask, go to the Health Department to be tested, and stay away from people at high risk of complications from infection.