April 14, 2020

Prevent Getting Sick COVID-19

Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness.

There are things you can do to reduce your risk of getting sick.

  • Stay home if possible.
  • Wash your hands often.
  • Take everyday precautions to keep space between yourself and others
  • Keep away from people who are sick.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched services.
  • Avoid all cruise travel and non-essential air travel.
  • Call your healthcare professional if you have concerns

“Be a live torch amidst the darkest night.
If not you, who else will light up the society!”
― Abhijit Naskar

Be Ready for COVID-19

Social distancing and isolation can cause increased stress.

Here are some coping skills to support yourself during this pandemic;

✓ Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news
✓ Take care of your body
✓ Make time to unwind.
✓ Connect with others.
✓ Call your healthcare provider if stress gets in the way of daily living

Be Prepared

  • Know how to stay in touch with others by phone or email. You may need to ask for help from friends, family, neighbours and community health workers if you become sick.
  • Determine who can care for you if your caregiver gets sick.
  • Contact your healthcare provider to ask about obtaining extra necessary medications to have on hand in case there is an outbreak of COVID-19 in your community and you need to stay home for a prolonged period of time.
  • If you cannot get extra medications, consider using mail-order for medications.
  • Be sure you have over-the-counter medicines and medical supplies (tissues, etc.) to treat fever and other symptoms. Most people will be able to recover from COVID-19 at home.
  • Have enough household items and groceries on hand so that you will be prepared to stay at home.
  • Consider ways of getting medications and food brought to your house through family, social, or commercial networks.

“The world is going through a period of crisis, but whether we
look at it as a crisis or as an opportunity to reshape our thinking, depends on us”
― Abhijit Naskar

Citations

  1. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/older-adults.html
  2. https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/pandemic
  3. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/what-you-can-do.html or https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html

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