WHY ARE OLDER ADULTS AND PEOPLE WITH CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS AT HIGHER RISK?
Older adults and people who have chronic medical conditions like heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, cancer, and/or hypertension are at higher risk for more serious COVID-19 illness and death.
This can be related to compromised or weakened immune systems. Chronic diseases are more common with age and can make people more vulnerable to serious complications.
Due to the rapid spread of COVID-19, the CDC recently issued further warning for people who are at the highest risk for serious illness from the virus.
It is imperative older adults and others who are at high risk heed the advice of the CDC.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19 AND HOW IS IT DIFFERENT FROM FLU?
It is possible for the main symptoms of COVID-19 to appear between 2 and 14 days after exposure
These symptoms can include the following: fever, cough, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and new loss of taste or smell.
It is important to remember not everyone with COVID-19 will experience symptoms, or they may be so mild that they are ignored. These symptoms can also seem very similar to the flu and seasonal allergies.
WILL I HAVE TO PAY FOR TESTING?
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) are taking important steps to waive costs for COVID-19 testing and treatment services. For more information visit https://www.medicare.gov/medicare-coronavirus.
There will be no out-of-pocket costs, they will provide any necessary hospital care, and telehealth services.
HOW CAN I BEST PROTECT MYSELF?
1.Know How it Spreads:
There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID 19
The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed.
The virus is suspected to spread the most from person-to-person
Between people who are less than 6 feet apart from each other
Through respiratory droplets from coughing, sneezing, and/or talking.
These droplets can land in the mouths and noses of surrounding people OR inhaled into their lungs if close enough
Recent studies suggest that COVID-19 may spread by people who are not showing any symptoms
2.Washing Your Hands Often:
This includes scrubbing with soap for 20 seconds
If you cannot get to a sink or handwashing station, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% ethanol (preferred) per CDC guidelines
It’s especially important to wash:
-Before touching food
-Before touching your face
-After using the bathroom
-After leaving a public place
-After handling your mask
-After caring for someone sick
-After touching animals
3.Practice Social Distancing
Inside your home- Avoid contact with sick people (if possible, remain 6 feet away from the person who is sick)
Outside your home- Maintain 6 feet away from people who do not live in your household.
Remember people can be asymptomatic.
Stay about 2 full arms lengths apart from other people.
Keeping social distance is crucial for those who are at higher risk.
4.Clean and Disinfect:
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily; this is including, but is not limited to:
Tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks
Use detergent or soap prior to disinfecting
5.Mask Up:
Wear a mask in public settings and when around people outside of your household.
Face coverings can protect people neat the wearer, but do not replace this for the need to social distance and hand wash.
Face Coverings must be worn over the nose and mouth.
Hands should be washed or sanitized before and after using or
adjusting face coverings.
Face coverings must not be shared.
6.Cover Up:
Always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your arm.
Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or use at least 60% alcohol hand sanitizer.
7.Monitor Your Health Daily:
Be alert for symptoms. Watch for:
Fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion, nausea/vomiting, and /or diarrhea
Take your temperature if any symptoms develop. (do not take your temperature within 30 minutes of exercise or after taking medications that can help lower the fever
HOW TO MAKE THE MOST EFFECTIVE HAND SANITIZER AT HOME
Before you start making your own hand sanitizer at home, there is a very important point to note. Isopropyl alcohol is highly flammable and will burn your skin should it come into direct contact with your hands. I recommend using nitrile gloves as a general precaution. Once you're ready to get started, here's what you need to do:
1. Pour the isopropyl alcohol and aloe vera gel into the bowl. As hand sanitizers need to contain at least 60% alcohol to be effective, you should ideally maintain a 2:1 ratio of isopropyl alcohol to aloe vera gel. For every 2oz of isopropyl alcohol you add, you should mix 2oz of aloe vera gel.
2. Add essential oils to the mix if desired.
3. Stir the ingredients together with a spoon and pour them into plastic bottles using a funnel. Your hand sanitizer is ready to go.