Covid-19
is the corona virus infectious disease that first appeared in 2019.
It has become a global pandemic:
- Some people get COVID-19 symptoms similar to the flu.
- Some of these people are vulnerable to severe symptoms and complications.
- Of those with severe symptoms, many recover with the proper care (if available).
- Most people with the virus may not have any symptoms AND may not know they are infected with the virus.
- When the virus spreads too quickly, people with severe COVID-19 may not get the care needed to survive.
It is critical to help slow the spread of the virus – because it will:
- Help those with severe COVID-19 to get needed care → by not overwhelming health care resources.
- Allow the time needed for:
- More tests to become available and testing to be done
- More personal protective equipment (PPE) to reach first responders, nurses, doctors other health care professionals helping others
- Effective treatments (medicines, equipment…) to become available
- A vaccine to be developed, tested and become available
- Save more lives.
- Help with stress, adjustments, financial recoveries and other concerns.
Below are links for reliable information, guidelines, updates, resources and ways to help.
- Primary Links – COVID-19
U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) World Health Organization (WHO) Travel Advisories – U.S. State Department Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University (JHU) What is coronavirus? (1:23)
Get fast answers to all of your COVID-19 questions in this short 90-second video.
What is coronavirus? (2:35)
It's normal to have questions or to feel anxious about COVID-19. Watch this video to learn what it is, how it spreads, and what you can do to protect yourself and others.
COVID-19: If you have it (3:00)
Here’s what you can do to care for yourself at home and protect others if you are sick with COVID-19 or think you have the virus that causes COVID-19.
5 Steps Hand Washing (1:27)
Protecting yourself and others from COVID-19 is in your hands. Here are the 5 simple steps to washing your hands.
Social Distancing: What It Is and Why It's Important (1:19)
Find out why social distancing is important for slowing the spread of COVID-19 and how to put it into practice.
- Other links – considering your address, work and family
- The Department of Public Health in your state
- Local city government
- Applicable schools – pre-school, k-12, college/trade, university
- Employer – for COVID-19 related work news – e.g., operations, events, travel, changes, links, etc.
- If you are feeling ill -AND- are worried it could be COVID-19
- CDC – Symptoms & testing
- CDC – If you are sick & steps when sick
- COVID-19 Screening Tool - from Apple & the CDC
- Consider telemedicine options – check with your health benefit plans to see if any of these or others are covered & applicable co-pays
- MDLive, Teledoc & Doctor on Demand
- Others - My Telemedicine, Amwell, Plushcare, ZocDoc, iCliniq, MeMD
- Prevention and Protection tips – Yourself, Family, Home, Pregnancy, Travel, Community, Scams…
- CDC Guidelines – how to protect yourself, family, home, plus pregnancy, travel, community and other tips
- Other Guidelines – from Local Government, School, Employer & Health Plan – see B and C (above)
- Scams to Avoid – protecting your health, money and identity
- Stress, Anxiety, Fears, Shopping, Helping Self and Others
- CDC – Stress, Changes & Coping – self, parents, children, responders, people released from quarantine
- CDC – Taking Care of Your Emotional Health
- Other Resources
- The Employee and Family Assistance Program (EAP) that may be offered by your workplace
- Your faith and faith community
- Your resources (phone, skype, facetime, mail, transportation for visits) that you can use to check-in with family, neighbors and friends who you care about
- Shopping
- Shop the way you normally would.
- Get what’s needed this week.
- Avoid panic buying, stock-piling – remember others need food and supplies for the week too.
- Kindness goes a long way – with store staff, fellow customers, waiting lines.
- What does your local food pantry need that you can help with?
- Relationships – staying connected, good listening, questions and caring are important
- Stay in touch and reach out through calls, messaging, pictures, letters & other ways
- Some people may be really frightened
- Some people may have lost their job and now have no income
- Listening and caring can go a long way
- Ask about concerns and what they are planning to do
- Ask what kinds of things would be helpful
- What can you offer that would help?
- What can you laugh, share tears, celebrate or pray about together?
- Helping Others – generosity, food pantries, kindness, prayers
- People going through tough times need practical help and hope
- What are some ways to help others who are struggling?
- Food & supplies needed
- Local food pantries – where are they, hours, items needed, volunteers needed?
- Shop for neighbors who are unable to do so
- Share what you can of your own
- Donate food, supplies &/or money to food pantries
- Gift card options – for groceries, carry out food, etc.
- Lost income, struggling with bills
- Unemployment insurance – Is it available? Help needed applying for it?
- Visit websites of/emails from bank, utility, others owed for guidelines & relief being provided
- Any other support offered by community, state, federal government or other sources?
- Can you use curbside/carryout/delivery options to support local restaurants and other small businesses?
- Any other options for helping with bills?
- Shelter needs
- What options exist for the homeless?
- What options exist students and others who cannot go home?
- Find websites of local community groups, school, and city government for support options.
- Strive for wisdom, being calm, hopeful, thankful and optimistic
- Being these ways help with managing stress and keeping a strong immune system
- What are you thankful for?
- What gives you hope and encouragement?
- Being these ways and knowing these things can also help others.