Blog Innovate

I never expected to receive the diagnosis of Coronavirus positive. I knew that with my recent heart event, I was at higher risk for serious illness from coronavirus.

I honestly never expected to have a positive diagnosis. Sharing what I have learned as a result of that diagnosis to help others to be preventative with a plan of action, should the unexpected happen to you as well.

Prevention:

The Center for Disease control created some very good measures to Protect Yourself and Your Family and Home against Coronavirus, as well as others in your workplace and community, this site is full of useful positive actions you can take to prevent Coronavirus impact to you and your loved ones, and to slow the spread of COVID-19

Know what Coronavirus is currently and how it spreads.

• If you live in high density housing like apartments.
• If you decide that if store are open , it must be safe.
• If you must run to the supermarket or pharmacy.
• If you do errands no matter how quick in public.
• If you work in an office.
• If you find there is a cause, you must support.

Still it is important to wear cloth masks and practice safe social distancing of 6 feet. As more businesses open, people start to think they wouldn’t open if it weren’t safe, so we must be well now. Much of the country had started to open at this time last month.

My positive Coronavirus Diagnosis came last week- Friday June 5. Since completing my job at the end of April, I had only been out of the house 2 times, each time, only to the pharmacy, and with a mask the full time and full visit. The incubation period is 2 to 14 days, so my exposure would have been around the week of May 22. My pharmacy sends a survey, so I filled it out and let them know of my experience.

Safe Social Distancing:

• Avoid close contact with people you do not know, or people you do know, who are sick, even inside your home. Remember in particular with loved ones to exercise safe social distancing when there is a risk of sickness.
• Put distance between yourself and other people outside of your home. If possible, maintain at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people between the unknown person or person who is sick
  • Steer clear of mass gatherings and crowded places and group events. It is too easy to forget the social distance with socializing.
  • Protecting others and yourself is especially important for people at higher risk of getting very sick because people without symptoms can still spread the virus.

Here is a visual example of How Easily Coronavirus is Spread (CNN)

Public Management Tips:

1. Even if stores and public start to open up, continue to cover. You could be a carrier and infect/spread Covid-19 even if you feel fine.
2. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing. Maintain 6 feet between yourself and others for yours and their protection.
3. Everyone should wear a cloth face cover for any pubic activities such as going to the store, post office, pharmacy, or as an essential worker.
   • Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
   • The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.
4. Do NOT use a facemask meant for a healthcare worker.

Personal Management Tips:

1. Avoid touching your face- eyes, nose, and mouth part icularly with unwashed hands, but because this is often a habit, be aware and try not to do this until you have washed your hands.
2. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after sneezing, blowing your nose, or coughing, or being in contact with others in public or at your door.
3. When soap and water are not readily available, or while in public, for periodic protection use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry

Cover coughs and sneezes (come on Batman, use your Bat wings!! )

• At home, or in a private setting without a cloth face covering, remember to always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze into the inside of your elbow.
• Throw used tissues in the trash.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. When in public or soap and water is not readily available, use a 60%+ alcohol based hand sanitizer

Home Management Tips:

Tips for cleaning and disinfecting your home to reduce or manage the risk of Covid.

• Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
• When surfaces are dirty, clean them.  using a detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
• Clean first, then use a household disinfectant. Most common EPA-registered household disinfectants