The U.S. Surgeon General Jerome M. Adams visited Oahu at the end of August to lend federal assistance to Hawaii’s COVID-19 surveillance testing. Amid a surge in daily positive test results, Dr. Adams encouraged everyone to help in stopping the spread of COVID-19 by remembering these 3 W’s:

Wear a mask. Wearing a mask prevents you from spreading virus particles to others. This is important because you could have the virus and not have any symptoms. Speaking, singing, coughing and sneezing can send virus particles into the air. Those particles can then infect others.

Watch your distance. Keep at least six feet of distance between yourself and others who do not live in your household. The distance is recommended because studies have shown that virus particles can still escape from a masked person and travel a few feet.

Wash your hands. Soap and warm water break down the outer layer of the virus, inactivating it so it can no longer enter the body and bind to cells, according to infectious disease experts. Soap and water are best at washing away germs and bacteria, but when not available, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol will do.