COVId-19

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW NOW

Stay Home, Stay Safe – Stay home except for essential needs like travel to work, to get food or going out for exercise. It is more important than ever to continue physical distancing when you leave home. Keep six feet between yourself and others when you are out. Your efforts are making a difference in slowing the spread of the virus.

How can community helpers and volunteers keep from getting sick with COVID-19?

Making sure neighbors have what they need is crucial, but make sure helpers and volunteers are still taking precautions to protect our most vulnerable Vermonters.

The Vermont Department of Health recommends any volunteers bringing items to those who need to stay home:

Keep a distance of six feet away.
Avoid entering the person’s home.
Wear a cloth face covering
Wash your hands regularly, avoid touching your face and cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
If you feel sick or learn that you have had contact with someone who is sick, stop doing community support work immediately.
Keep a list of anyone you come into close contact with in case contact tracing is required.
Wear clean gloves when handling items that may be given to people with a weaker immune system, and when you are close to someone who may be sick.
Common sense practices can go a long way while Vermonters take care of each other.

Wear a Cloth Mask – Make wearing cloth face coverings a habit whenever you need to leave home. The covering should go over your mouth and nose. Since COVID-19 may be transmitted by someone who does not have symptoms, this covering helps you protect others. Learn more about how to use and make cloth face coverings and where you can buy one(link is external).

Should I wear a face mask when I go out in public?

As the state begins taking measured steps toward re-opening, it is more important than ever to make wearing cloth face coverings a habit whenever we leave home – and to be sure to wear them the right way.

The advice to wear cloth masks is based on new data about how COVID-19 can spread before a person has any symptoms. Because people may have COVID-19 but no symptoms, wearing a face mask may help keep people from spreading the virus.

We all still need to stay at least 6 feet away from people, even when wearing a mask, practice good hand hygiene and follow the state’s Stay Home, Stay Safe guidance.

The face covering must be worn properly to be effective and avoid the spread of germs:
1. Wash your hands before putting it on.
2. Be sure your mouth and nose are covered.
3. Hook loops around your ears or tie it snugly.
4. Do not touch the mask or pull it down while in public.
5. Keep it on until you get home.
6. Remove the mask without touching your eyes, nose or mouth, then wash your hands immediately.
7. Wash the mask and make sure it’s completely dry before using again. Have a few on hand so you can rotate for washing.
Some people should never wear a mask, including:
- Children under the age of 2
- Anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious
- Anyone who is unable to remove the mask without assistance
Medical-grade mask supplies are needed for our health care workers and first responders. Please use cloth or other recommended face coverings for your yourself and loved ones.

If You Are Sick – If you have symptoms of COVID-19(link is external) (cough, fever, shortness of breath), call your provider. If you are having a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 or go to the hospital. The CDC Self Checker Tool(link is external can help you review your symptoms. Read what to do if you are sick(link is external).

What should I do if I feel sick and think I may have COVID-19?

Isolate at home:
1. Don’t leave home, except to get medical care. Call ahead before visiting a health care provider or emergency department.
2. Most people with mild illness can recover at home. While there is no specific treatment for COVID-19, you should get plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids, and take fever-reducing medication if needed.
3. As much as possible, stay in a specific room in your home and use a separate bathroom. Stay at least six feet away from others in your home at all times. Don’t share household items.
4. Have someone else care for your pets. Although no pets have been reported to get sick with COVID-19, people with the virus should limit contact with animals until more information is known. If you do care for your pet, wash your hands before and after.
Daily cleaning and washing:
1. Clean and disinfect surfaces in your separate room and bathroom. Have someone else clean the other areas of your home.
2. Thoroughly wash household items, like utensils, after using.
3. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water aren’t available.
Find out what to do if you are diagnosed with COVID-19.

If You Smoke or Vape – The new coronavirus attacks the lungs, making it harder for people who smoke or vape to fight off the virus. There has never been a better time to quit. Find resources at 802Quits(link is external).

Higher Risk Population: According to the CDC, some people might be at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19, including older adults (65 years and older) and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, lung disease or moderate to severe asthma, severe obesity, chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis, liver disease, or people who are immunocompromised including cancer treatment. People who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility are also at high risk of getting very sick from COVID-19.

Older adults and people with underlying medical conditions should take extra precautions including:

Continue your medications and do not change your treatment plan without talking to your health care provider.
Have at least a 2-week supply of prescription and non-prescription medications.
Talk to your healthcare provider about whether your vaccinations are up to date.
Do not delay getting emergency care for your underlying medical condition because of COVID-19.
Call your health care provider if you have any concerns about your underlying medical conditions or if you get sick and think that you may have COVID-19.

https://youtu.be/LBHPUegGIpA

What types of disinfectants should I be using to clean?

Read the CDC’s cleaning and disinfecting your home guidance.

Make sure you are using cleaning products and disinfectants safely. Follow these guidelines:

Follow the directions on the label
Don’t mix chemicals
Wear protective gear (such as gloves)
Use them in a well-ventilated area
Store them out of reach of children

If you feel sick after using disinfectants, you can chat with the New England Poison Control Center on their website, call 1-800-222-1222 or text POISON to 85511.

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COVID-Poisoning-Fact-Sheet