Leadership Council for Healthy Communities
COVID-19 EducationCORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCES: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
COVID 19 Key Education Points
In the midst of these uncertain times, The Leadership Council for Healthy Communities is committed to reducing the risk and spread of COVID-19 by providing educational resources to underserved communities for health and safety.
WHAT IS COVID-19? COVID19 (Corona Virus Disease 2019) is a disease caused by the SARS COV-2 virus This virus is new to humans. There is no medicine approved to treat it and there is no vaccine. It spreads more easily from person to person than the flu and is more deadly than the flu.
How Is it Spread?
- Touching a surface with the virus on it and then touching your face
- Being within 6 feet of someone who is infected with the virus who is talking, coughing, sneezing, or singing. These activities cause spit or droplets that can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby and then be inhaled.
Who is At Risk of Getting Infected with the New Coronavirus that causes COVID 19?
EVERYONE
- Some people may not look or feel sick; others may just have very mild symptoms like cough, loss of smell or taste, nausea or diarrhea
- Even people who look and feel fine can pass the virus to others
Who is at risk for severe illness or death
2 in 10 people with infection will end up in the hospital. People from these groups are more likely to be very ill from COVID 19.
What are the symptoms of COVID 19
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, loss of smell/taste and tiredness. Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, nausea or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing special treatment.
When to go to the Emergency Room?
New chest pain/chest pressure, shortness of breath, passing out, symptoms of stroke (FAST = Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech problem, Time to call 911); in addition, for the very young or seniors – not eating, fever, suddenly acting confused.
How do you keep from getting or spreading the virus that causes COVID 19?
The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. To do that:
- Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer and do not touch your face.
- Avoid close contact with others, including people you know.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces often.
Clean your hands often
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been outside of your house, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
- Do not touch your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- If you return home, immediately wash your hands when you go in the house.
Avoid close contact
- Stay at home unless it is necessary to leave for work, groceries/supplies, or emergencies
- It is not safe to go to parties, churches, funerals or any gatherings outside your home
- Keep 6 feet of distance between yourself and other people who do not live with you, even neighbors and family members.
- Remember that people who look fine are able to spread virus.
- Keeping distance from others is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick. If someone who lives with you goes in/out the house for any reason on a daily basis, it is important to keep 6 feet of distance from them or wear a mask a home.
Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others
- You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.
- Everyone should wear a cloth face cover over nose and mouth when they have to go out in public, for example to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities.
- Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or who unable to remove the mask without assistance.
- Wash or sanitize your hands before you put on your mask and before you take it off.
- The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.
- Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.
- Wash your cloth mask frequently in hot water and soap
Cover coughs and sneezes
- If you are in a private setting and do not have on your cloth face covering, remember to always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
- Throw used tissues in the trash.
- Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Clean and disinfect
- The virus lives on surfaces. 24 hours on soft surfaces like paper mail, cardboard boxes, clothes and plastic; 72 or more hours on hard surfaces like metal and countertops
- You can get infected by touching those surfaces and touching your face.
- Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks. Wipe down objects that were outside of your house before bringing them in like groceries, fast food containers, purses, wallets, and cell phones.
- If someone in your house show symptoms, or even if well, goes in and out of the house daily, clean the surfaces several times a day with a product that kills viruses.
Get Vaccinated
Your health comes first. Find a location where you can get vaccinated from COVID-19.