Coronavirus (COVID-19): What You Need to Know

Everywhere we turn, news and updates on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) are instantly thrown into our faces as we stare and listen in shock and fear. As the number jumps up daily of those infected with the virus, hundreds flock to their local grocery stores to stock up on food and essentials leaving aisles bare and stores in absolutely disarray. With a vaccine more than a  year away from completion, we are all desperately relying on our healthcare system and Federal and State Government to come up with a plan to prevent this outbreak from getting to the devastating extent that it did in Italy and China only weeks prior.

With news that our public school systems have been mandated to close for a minimum of three weeks, some parents are scrambling to find daycare coverage while others are trying to figure out how they’re children will stay entertained and on-track at home becoming instant homeschoolers. Others are trying to figure out how they will pay for the extra expense of daycare. For myself, I work full-time, as does my husband, so we understand that once our oldest gets home from daycare, it’s time to buckle down and work on school work in hopes that we can keep our kindergartner on track.

Some companies are closing their doors practicing “social distancing” while others are mandating their employees work remotely from home. Some employees are working on-site within their place of employment, while others are risking their lives and combating this virus head-to-head in our hospitals. I think it’s important to point out that just because the school  system’s are closing down as are some businesses, we must also remember that it doesn’t mean that we should all go to the movies, or to a trampoline park or a public play area. We must be mindful to areas where there are large amounts of people where potentially large amounts of germs are being left behind for others to potentially be exposed too.

That all said, here are some ways to keep yourself, your family and your community safe during the next several weeks.

First, know the signs and symptoms of  COVID-19. The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after one is exposed to the Coronavirus:

• fever
• cough
• shortness of breath

Those are the most common symptoms, but there are emergency signs of COVID-19, which would require one to seek medical attention immediately.

• difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• new confusion or inability to arouse
• bluish lips or face

Second, understand those who are considered high-risk for contracting the virus. This includes:

• older adults
• people who have serious chronic medical conditions such as:
  • heart disease
  • diabetes
  • lung disease

If you are at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19, there are actions you can take to reduce your risk of getting sick with the disease such as:

1. stock up on supplies
2. practice social distancing
3. when in public, avoid those who are sick and wash your hands often
4. avoid crowds as much as possible
5. avoid non-essential travel, including cruises
6. if there is an outbreak in your community, stay home as much as possible to further reduce your risk of being exposed

Third, understand how the virus is spread and make sure everyone in your family understands this. 

• there is no vaccine, as of yet, to prevent COVID-19
• the best way to prevent illness it to avoid being exposed to the virus
• the virus is thought to spread predominately from person-to-person  who are in close contact with one another (within 6 feet) and through respiratory droplets produced when one who is infected with coronavirus coughs or sneezes

Take steps to protect yourself, your family and your community by:

1. Wash your hands! Wash them often, with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds especially after being in public places, after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
2. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover the entire surface of your hand and rub until your hand is dry.
3. Avoid touching your mouth, eyes or nose with unwashed hands.
4. Avoid close contact with those who are sick.
5. Practice social-distancing if an outbreak of COVID-19 is in your community.
6. Stay home if you’re sick.
7. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces DAILY.
   1. tables, doorknobs, light switches, remotes, counter-tops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, sinks and faucets.

Create a Household Plan

I encourage everyone to have an open conversation about coronavirus (COVID-19) with their family members. Be open with your children, and try to explain the situation in a way that your children could understand. A nurse friend of mine recommended explaining it as:

“a bug that makes people really sick. It’s a small bug, but it does its job. It’s not trying to be mean, but it’s like the King of the Flu. It’s very strong!  It sometimes doesn’t tell people that it’s making them sick until they are looking sick. Since we can’t see the bug, it’s hard to know who is sick. The bug gets people sick by touching skin, clothes, surfaces, etc. It is so strong. So strong, in fact, that it can live on surfaces for days. And it’s so small that we can’t see it. So some people can ride their bike away from the bug, but some people can’t ride a bike yet and they need help. But the people that can help, can’t help everyone at once. So, if people stop riding their bikes all together, and just take a break from riding bikes, then less people will get sick and not feel well”

For someone who was having a difficult time explaining the chaos of this entire situation, this made sense for me and will make sense to my six year old. Basically, use an analogy that makes sense to your child. It’s OK to sugar coat it a little, but I think sharing some details are important to help them understand the severity of the situation.

Additionally, consider having at least a two week supply of prescription medications and over the counter medications on hand, as well as good and other necessary essentials.  Establish ways to work from home if need be and figure out alternate childcare means. Learn to adapts to cancelled events, because as we have seen there have been hundreds of them already such as major sporting events and leagues cancelling or postponing their seasons. Concerts and big tickets events are also cancelling and postponing their events weeks at this point.

I also realize that this type of situation will add additional stress and anxiety to some individuals, so I encourage everyone to practice some extra self-care. It’s important that we all stay as healthy as possible and that includes mental just as much as it does physical.

I’m not a doctor, nor am I in the medical field at all, but I know that this will get worse before it gets better. I pray that we all do what we can to help minimize the spread of this virus, and that we take proper precautions as recommended by the CDC.

Prayers to everyone out there. Stay safe, wash your hands, and I encourage everyone to follow the recommendations that the CDC has in place.

For more information on COVID-19 and recommendations by the CDC, visit their website here.

Source:CDC website