Things YOU can do to help keep yourself and loved ones safe:
Avoid exposure to individuals that may be infected. And if you read above, anybody can be infected. This means practicing “social distancing” This is to “flatten the curve” of the rate of infection in the population as China has been able to do. Work from home if you can. We have made changes at our clinic to do our part to slow the spread.
Absolutely stay HOME if you are feeling ill! It may be best to seek in-person care only for severe illness.
Take your temperature daily, if you develop a fever, self-isolate and call the clinic (do not come to the clinic)!
Do Not Touch your hands to your Mouth, Nose or Eyes! Make a game with your co-workers or family that every time somebody catches you touching your face you put a quarter in a jar – the person that touches the least gets the jar at the end of the day!!
NO HANDSHAKING! Use a slight bow, elbow bump, or even hugs where you are not breathing on the other individual, etc.
Either do not touch or use ONLY your knuckle to touch light switches, elevator buttons, etc. Lift the gasoline dispenser with a paper towel or use a disposable glove. Open doors with your closed fist or hip – do not grasp the handle with your hand, unless there is no other way to open the door. This is especially important on bathroom and post office/commercial doors.
Use disinfectant wipes at the stores when they are available, including wiping the handle and child seat in grocery carts.
Wash your hands with soap for 10-20 seconds and/or use a greater than 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer whenever you return home from ANY activity that involves locations where other people have been. In the wake of coronavirus, I have changed my position on hand-sanitizers and think the benefit of viral inactivation is worth the risk to the microbiome and tissue permeability at the present time.
If possible, cough or sneeze into a disposable tissue and discard. Use your elbow only if you have to. The clothing on your elbow will contain infectious virus that can be passed on for up to a week or more!
Begin some preparations in anticipation of social distancing or supply chain shortages, such as ensuring you have sufficient supplies of prescription medicines and ensuring you have about a 2 week supply of food and other necessary household goods.
With these preparations in mind, it is important to not panic buy. Panic buying unnecessarily increases strain on supply chains and can make it difficult to ensure that everyone is able to get supplies that they need.
Help your neighbors that may be less-prepared or less-able to prepare. This time can pull us apart or bring us together. It is our choice.
