We hope you had a chance to relax over the holiday weekend. This week’s Dos & Don’ts kicks off with a COVID update for pet owners and another resource for celebrating the season safely with one of Exelon’s health partners, Sharecare.

Although Rare, Coronavirus can Infect Pets

Recent research has shown that the coronavirus can infect a variety of mammals, including household pets like cats, dogs, hamsters and ferrets, after close contact with a person with COVID-19. Cases are very rare and when pets have contracted the virus, most of them only had a mild case and fully recovered.

Still, how do you protect your pets? Do remain vigilant and encourage everyone in the house to try not to contract the virus by wearing a mask, frequently washing hands, sanitizing high-touch surfaces and practicing social distancing.

Some of these measures can be applied to your pets. Do keep your pets away from other people and pets (social distancing). But, don’t put a mask on your pet, as it could be harmful.

Do treat your pet like a member of your household. If someone in your house gets the virus, limit your pet’s contact with that person, just like you would any other member of the family. If your pet gets sick (is lethargic, refuses to eat, etc.), do take your furry friend to see a veterinarian. If your pet has the virus, limit your contact with your pet (specifically, limit contact between your face and your pet’s face). Learn more at the CDC website.

Celebrating Safely with Sharecare

While holidays and traditions may look a little different this year, don’t overlook celebrating safely and having a joyous season. If you are looking for tips and resources on how to host or gather safely or just need a little bit of inspiration, do follow Sharecare’s Healthy Holidays health topics at exelon.sharecare.com, then navigate to Discover > Health Topics > Healthy Holidays. Example topics include holiday safety, keeping healthy habits, avoiding overindulging, creative recipes, food swaps and more.

Beware Holiday Phishing Scams

Don’t let cyber attackers turn holiday cheer into phishing fear. Be vigilant against holiday phishing scams using holiday eCards, online shopping deals and package delivery notifications to lure victims.

• Do double-check a sender’s email address to verify the information.
• Don’t fall for potential failed delivery notification scams; do contact the delivery service or seller directly using a verified phone number or website.
• Don’t click on links or download attachments in an email that you were not expecting.
• Do use the Report Phishing Button to report suspicious emails.