You Have Power Against the Threat of COVID-19

Reliable information and instructions are everywhere and they are empowering. 

If you want a global view, https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html. At the bottom center, you can link to CDC.gov and WHO. Easily obtain information and updates from state, county and local sites. https://coronavirus.utah.gov/ serves me well. 

Answers about COVID-19 will evolve and be disseminated as more people are tested, treated, recover and unfortunately, a few will expire.  Don’t be surprised if information from government, public health, religious and community leaders change from time-to-time. 

What Can you do to lessen the impact of COVID-19 in your home and workplace?

Boosting Immunity

We rely upon our immune systems to give a hand in this pandemic.  Some simple steps could be helpful:

• Get sufficient, quality sleep.
• Eat nutritiously.
• Stay hydrated; include electrolyte replacement beverages.
• Minimize sugary treats intake.
• Continue treatment protocols for underlying medical conditions.
• Manage stress.  Instead of worry, write down your stressors and consider steps to reduce your worry.
• Be as active as is healthy for you. Avoid being more sedentary.
• Cultivate positive thinking and an optimistic viewpoint.  
• Avoid close contact with people who make you feel depressed or “less than;” instead, welcome kind, positive people. 
• Do things you enjoy that lift your spirits.

Controlling Transmission

Wash Your Hands:  By now you are probably sick of this reminder.  But IT CAN PREVENT TRANSMISSION & SAVE LIVES.  Make the correct method available to family and coworkers. See:  https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/videos.html.   Only in a pinch, use alcohol-based hand-sanitizer.   

Sanitize:  Religiously use disinfectant products to wipe down shared items at home and work such as computers, keyboards, mice, TV remotes, phones, etc.  Single use only; discard into garbage.

Pay special attention to bathrooms and kitchen: counter tops, door handles, faucets, toilet handles, refrigerator/freezer doors, stove knobs, tea kettle and coffee pot handles, etc.  Look around, what additional surfaces need wiping down?  

If you don’t have a dishwasher, soak dishes in hot, soapy water, then wash and dry with clean towel or air dry. 

Social Distancing:  Keep a suggested distance of 6’, the distance we are told coughing and sneezing droplets travel before falling to the ground. It makes sense to set aside hand-shaking, hugging and standing close for conversation. 

Further Avoidance:  Avoid returning international travelers and larger gatherings to reduce the risk of transmittal. Be selective where you go.

Home Sheltering.  As states and cities declare a State of Emergency, we could be asked, mandated or may choose to shelter-at-home/self-quarantine now or in the near term for a few weeks to prevent transmission of the COVID-19 virus to family or co-workers. 

Step One: Take the time to notice what your household needs/wants on a daily basis?  Food, snacks, treats; medications, both prescription and OTC, sanitizing products, paper items.  No need to sweep toilet paper, tissue, paper towels off the shelves.  Are you nearly out?  Replace what you will need the next few weeks.  

Your kids may be home for a couple of weeks due to school closures. What food, treats and other items will they need to be happy and well-cared for during this time?  

You will encounter people in a shopping frenzy. This is primarily, because they feel under or unprepared and fear they cannot get enough essentials.  This is not the time to over-buy.  Prices are higher, products are scarce because of panic or thoughtless buying, and there is a significant interruption in global supply chains.  

Carts full of water are puzzling.  Municipal water supplies have not been affected by COVID-19.  Water from your tap is perfectly safe.  

Step Two:  The possibility of home sheltering/self-quarantine is a time to review family finances.  Will your paychecks continue if you need to remain home beyond your sick leave allowance?  If your workplace were to close for a few weeks, will your paycheck continue?  Or will it be interrupted until everyone is back to work?  What is your financial plan?  Do you have savings to meet this crisis?  

If not, do you have a good relationship with your bank or credit union?  Could you borrow to see you through this emergency?  

Step Three:  If your home sheltering is a quarantine, stay in communication with your care provider and follow their instructions. 

What this means for Seniors:  

The protection of hearth & home seems appropriate for seniors and elderly, as our population is proving the most vulnerable to severe COVID-19 infections and life-threatening risk.  This is not unlike all types of major disasters – we are the vulnerable demographic.  What do we do?  We take exceptionally good care of ourselves and follow reliable guidelines of self-care.  

If you are willing to carry-out social distancing, being sensible about activities and willing to stay primarily at home for as long as it takes to see the infection threat climb, peak and then diminish, you will significantly reduce your risk.

Community care during a State-of-Emergency will be challenging.  Exactly, what does neighbors-helping-neighbors look like during a time that requires social distancing and the possibility of avoidance and home sheltering.  

Congregations and neighborhood groups are best positioned to take care of those who may need assurance and comfort, or a shopping errand for medications or groceries or help with a small repair.  

Primarily as with all disaster response, it is the younger, stronger individuals and families who will look after the seniors and elderly in our midst.  

In my experience, the upside of major emergencies is the abundant caring that surfaces.