Even though lockdowns are ending, the coronavirus still exists and is a very real threat to our health. Permanent lockdowns aren’t sustainable, so experts suggest that we put into practice rules to reduce our personal risk, as well as that of our loved ones.

“It’s hard to imagine how we will avoid another surge in infections, which is why these harm reduction approaches that keep people away from much higher risk situations are so important,” Julia Marcus, an infectious disease epidemiologist and assistant professor in the Department of Population Medicine at Harvard Medical School, told The New York Times.

Here are some rules we can follow:

1. Check the health pulse of your state and community. According to the Times, it’s important to know the percentage of positive COVID-19 tests in your state. When positive tests rates stay at 5% or lower for 14 days, it’s less likely you will come into contact with the virus. That information is available on your state health department’s website or on this chart from Johns Hopkins University.
2. Form a “coronavirus bubble.” While experts say you are safest within the confines and limits of your own household, they add that you can expand your social circle to include another household that becomes your “coronavirus bubble.” The New York Times, in a separate article, outlined criteria to help you decide who belongs in your bubble, and how to avoid potential “leaks” — situations where a member of your quarantine bubble has been exposed to potential infectious situations.
3. Manage your exposure. Always factor in the “risks versus benefits” of the activities you want to pursue. According to the Times, it's like managing a budget. Spend a few budget points on low-risk activities like going to a grocery store and save the big budget points on dining indoors in a restaurant. “Don’t take risks where it’s not needed,” Johannes Eichstaedt, a psychology professor at Stanford University, told the Times.
4. Keep high-risk activities as short as possible. Evidence shows that spending an extended period of time in a poorly ventilated room with an infected person increases your risk of infection. Dr. Erin Bromage, a comparative immunologist and professor of biology at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, told CNN: “The longer time you spend in that environment, the more virus you breathe in, the more it can build up, and then establish infection.” If you are in a face-to-face situation, keep the conversation short and always wear a mask. Bromage has an excellent blog post on this topic.
5. Continue to take pandemic precautions. According to the Times, although some people in communities have stopped wearing masks, it would be wise to always keep one handy. Practice social distancing by staying at least six feet apart and wash your hands frequently, especially if you’ve touched public surfaces.