covid-19: know, do, remember
KNOW
What You Should Know
COVID-19 infections spread from person-to-person through viral droplets of mucus or saliva that contain the virus that enters a person’s eyes, nose or mouth. Coronavirus can spread when an infected person coughs or or objects. Some infected people show no symptoms.
The CDC advises individuals to take the same precautions that are always recommended to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses like the flu and the common cold. Visit the CDC’s Prevention and Treatment site for more information.
DO
What You Can Do
-Avoid close contact with sick people. The CDC recommends maintaining a distance greater than 6 feet. When sick, limit contact with others as much as possible; if possible, stay home if you are sick.
-Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze.
-Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
-Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs.
-Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub with at least 60% alcohol.
-Seek medical care if you feel sick with a fever or cough, or have difficulty breathing. Before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room, call ahead.
- Do not travel to hotspots identified by the CDC and or the WHO. The travel list is constantly being updated so stay informed by going to their websites.
REMEMBER
Balance Caution and Compassion
Lastly, in keeping with our Social Justice core values, we encourage everyone to show compassion and support for those most closely impacted and to avoid sharing public messaging that lends itself to encouraging shame and stigma associated with COVID-19. We urge everyone in our community to share only trusted, evidence-based information.
Do not show prejudice to Black or Asian people because of fear. Coronavirus doesn’t recognize race, nationality, or ethnicity. Although Coronavirus (COVID-19) disproportionately affects the Black population and originated in China, it does not make those individuals primary carriers or make them responsible for the spread.
Wearing a mask does not mean a person is ill. People wear masks for a variety of reasons including to avoid pollen and air-born pollution and for cultural, social and other medical reasons. We should not judge someone for wearing a mask or assume they are sick.
Show compassion and support for those most closely impacted. Listen to, acknowledge and, with permission, share the stories of people experiencing stigma, along with a message that bigotry is not acceptable in our community.
We will get through this challenging time together. It is important to remember that we are always stronger as a community than we are alone.
