March 17, 2020
Many of us have been researching and practicing updated recommendations concerning COVID-19 as we are learning them. If you haven’t started to do so already, please follow the suggestions listed in this post. All information comes from most most current and available updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
I. BE AWARE OF HOW COVID-19 SPREADS
• Currently, there is no vaccine available to prevent Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
• The optimal way to prevent illness is to completely avoid exposure to the virus.
The virus is currently thought to be spread in two main ways:
1. From person-to-person (between individuals who have been in close contact with one another; within approximately 6 feet).
2. Through coughing + sneezing (when an infected person coughs or sneezes, respiratory droplets are produced, and can easily be passed from one individual to another) ; if someone is passing or nearby an infected person, these droplets can land in the mouth or nose, or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
II. TAKE EVERY NECESSARY PRECAUTION TO PROTECT YOURSELF, YOUR LOVED ONES & YOUR COMMUNITY
★ WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN ★
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. Wash ALL parts of your hands (this includes the top of your hand, the palm of your hand, finger tips, and wrists).
• Wash your hands for at LEAST 20 seconds; especially after being in a public/crowded place, and after you cough, sneeze, or blow your nose; Even if you end up washing your hands 30 times a day, do it anyway. It is NOT excessive. This is a matter of life & death, and every single effort to prevent the disease from spreading can make a difference.
• If you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue, or use the inside of your elbow.
• Immediately throw any used tissues into the trash.
• Should you be in an area where soap and water are not readily available for hand-washing, it is essential to carry a hand sanitizer containing at LEAST 60% alcohol; cover every surface of the hands, and rub santitizer into hands until it is completely absorbed and hands feel dry.
III. AVOID TOUCHING YOUR EYES, NOSE & MOUTH WITH UNWASHED HANDS.
★ THIS IS A DETRIMENTAL STEP IN AN EFFORT TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF THIS VIRUS ★
IV. AVOID CLOSE CONTACT WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE SICK, FEELING ILL, OR EXPERIENCING SYMPTOMS OF THE VIRUS.
• Maintain a safe distance between yourself and others, especially if COVID-19 is currently spreading across your community.
• Please be considerate and mindful of those who are at a higher risk of becoming gravely ill if exposed to this virus.
• Please understand that even if you are an adolescent or young adult and feel perfectly healthy and are not experiencing any symptoms, you might still be a carrier of the virus.
• Being in crowded public places, meeting with large groups of people, and being in the presence of the elderly and/or individuals with pre-existing lung, heart, and immune system health issues can exponentially raise their risk of becoming ill from this virus.
V. TAKE STEPS TO PROTECT OTHERS
★ STAY AT HOME IF YOU ARE SICK ★
If you are already sick, wear a face mask when:
• You are around other people (this includes being in the same room or vehicle)
• Entering a healthcare provider’s office
• If you are unable to wear a face mask due to breathing difficulties, please cover your coughs + sneezes, and inform others that you are sick so they can wear a face mask to protect themselves
VI. CLEAN & DISINFECT
• Please be sure to constantly clean and disinfect any surfaces that are frequently touched, on a daily basis (these surfaces include but are not limited to: doorknobs, tables, light switches, handles, counter tops, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets and sinks).
• If any surfaces are dirty, clean them using soap + water or detergent prior to disinfection.
• If any surfaces are dirty, clean them using soap + water or detergent prior to disinfection.
• A list of appropriate disinfectants + the proper methods to be used are available at the links below:
COVID-19: COMPLETE DISINFECTION GUIDANCE.
CDC: STOP THE SPREAD OF GERMS (PDF)
We will be updating this post as often as we can, as soon as new information becomes available.
We are confident that you’ve seen a similar message in the past days, but please, if you’re a younger person and feel perfectly healthy, consider the health and well-being of other people. Please practice social distancing, as this is the primary form of prevention that we can all easily practice right now. Now is the time to be selfless and compassionate. Spend time with your immediate family, and spend time increasing your personal self-care.
In the meantime, please take every precaution to keep yourselves and those around you healthy and safe.
