Coronavirus — Did You Know

• The Coronaviruses are a common, large family of viruses. 

• Our current crisis comes from an outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a new coronavirus named “SAES-CoV-2.”

• This virus causes the disease coronavirus 2019, that is abbreviated as COVID-19.

• There is more than one theory as to the origin of COVID-19.  What you need to know is that person-to-person spread occurred first in Wuhan China and is in now in most nations.  
• When a case is “community-acquired” the sources of the infections are often unknown. 

• As community-acquired cases increase in numbers, it will reach pandemic stages. 

• Resources in the US public health sector are more and more stretched in delivering testing and treatment on a community basis. 

• Source-investigations and other research will come later and reveal more information. 

• Risk of exposure and sickness is considered low in most US communities.  

• The current epicenters are a senior facility in Kirkland. WA and New Rochelle, NY.

• Most US infections are related to returning international travelers from areas where there is community-spread, and those who have come in contact with them.  

• As testing for COVID-19 ramps up in the US, expect a considerable rise in number of infections.

• You are at a higher risk to become ill if exposed If you are a senior -- especially if you have underlying health conditions.  Avoidance of crowds & close contact is a sound strategy:  

• School and work-place absenteeism will increase putting pressure upon both to close temporarily to help contain transmission

• Is your family prepared to self-quarantine (shelter-at-home) as a means of avoidance of COVID-19 transmission? Tips on how to do that:

1. Access your daily needs.  Are you prepared to meet those needs/want for 2-3 weeks?  If not, do some measured shopping to acquire those items.  This is not the time to buy a year’s supply of anything,. Many products are suffering from an interrupted supply chain creating scarcity.  Be thoughtful of your neighbors. 
2. Do you have enough foods or ingredients to make meals your family likes; favorite snacks & treats; medications – both prescriptions and OTC; sanitation wipes, sprays, paper products.
3. Are you prepared to be without your paychecks for 2-3 weeks?  What steps can you take Now, to add a financial buffer to your account so you can keep current on your obligations?

• Actions to take frequently each and every day:

1. Make correct hand-washing (full lather, for at least 20 seconds) a big deal in your home & work-place.  Upon returning home, wash, first thing, dry hands with paper towels and discard in a bag.  
2. Wipe down often-touched surfaces with a sanitizing product.  You can make your own sanitizer:  1-2 tablespoons of bleach per gallon of water.  Use plain bleach – no scents, additives.  

• We all have a part to play in mitigating community spread:  Clean hands often, especially, when returning home, clean surfaces; postpone non-essential travel; avoid close contact with returning international travelers; consider canceling your attendance at gatherings.  

• THERE IS NO TREATMENT FOR COVID-19.  IF YOU ARE MILDLY ILL: SELF-QUARANTINE AT HOME UNTIL WELL.  

• IF YOU HAVE MORE SEVERE SYMPTOMS OR HAVE BEEN IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH INFECTED PEOPLE OR, A RETURNING INTERNARIONAL TRAVELER, CALL YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.  THEY WILL INSTRUCT YOUR NEXT ACTIONS.  OR CALL:  800 456-7707, UTAH COVID-19 INFORMATION LINE.