Hi family and friends,
First, wherever you are, I hope you, your family, and loved ones are safe.
I’m hunkered down in Boulder with my two beautiful kiddos and my high-risk parents. The kids and I are doing our best to keep nana and pop home, safe and virus free! We’re also doing our best to flatten that damn curve!
If you’re wondering what you can do, these are some expert tips from the Red Cross:
LIMIT THE SPREAD OF GERMS AND PREVENT INFECTION
The Red Cross recommends following common sense steps to help prevent the spread of any respiratory virus.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after being in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community.
- Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing; throw used tissues in the trash. If a tissue isn’t available, cough or sneeze into your elbow or sleeve, not your hands.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, computers, phones, keyboards, sinks, toilets and countertops.
- If surfaces are dirty, clean them – use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection. Full information on how to disinfect found here.
- Wear a facemask if you are sick. You should wear a facemask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office.
GET YOUR HOUSEHOLD READY
There are things you can do right now to be ready for any emergency, and many of these same tips will help you prepare as the coronavirus situation continues to evolve in the U.S.
- Have a supply of food staples and household supplies like laundry detergent and bathroom items, and diapers if you have small children.
- Check to make sure you have at least a 30-day supply of your prescription medications, and have other health supplies on hand, including pain relievers, stomach remedies, cough and cold medicines, fluids with electrolytes and vitamins.
- Know how your local public health agency will share information in your community and stay informed. Find more information here.
- Learn how your children’s school or daycare, and your workplace will handle a possible outbreak. Create a plan in the event of any closings, event cancellations or postponements.
- If you care for older adults or children, plan and prepare for caring for them, should they or you become sick.
- Help family members and neighbors get prepared and share the safety messaging with those who may not have access to it.
According to the CDC, patients with COVID-19 have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure and include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Call your doctor if you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop symptoms.
WHO IS AT A HIGHER RISK?
COVID-19 is a new disease, which means scientists and public health experts are still learning how it spreads, the severity of illness it causes and to what extent it may spread in the U.S.
Early information shows that some people are at higher risk of getting very sick from this virus. This includes older adults and people who have serious chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes and lung disease.
If you are at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19 because of your age or a serious medical condition, it is extra important for you to take actions to avoid getting sick.
- Take everyday precautions to keep space between yourself and others.
- When you go out in public, keep away from others who are sick, limit close contact and wash your hands often.
- Avoid crowds as much as possible.
- 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 a mail-order option.
- 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 for a period of time.
For the past few weeks, I’ve been feeling very anxious watching all of this unfold. I’ve traveled all over the world and I have never been a scared traveler or human being in general, but this coronavirus stuff scares the begebbers out of me. So today … I’m going to redouble my efforts to put things into perspective. My goal is to turn my panic into preparedness, problem solving, and action.
I’m 100% certain that if we pull together as a global family, we’ll make it through. In fact, I believe that within this crisis lies an opportunity for us to grow stronger, wiser, and more resilient. But right now, if we are truly going to flatten the curve, the most important thing we can do is stay home and stay well.
I got an email from Marie Forleo (famous for her B-School) and she reminded me that …
‘We’ve got folks in our community from everywhere. Beautiful, big-hearted humans from different faiths, backgrounds, ethnicities, life situations, health, and socioeconomic realities.
For many people, life was hard before this pandemic. My heart breaks imagining the stress, fear, and anxiety that some are feeling right now. People are losing jobs, folks are battling illness (physical, mental, emotional) while navigating devastating life challenges, and many people are feeling understandably alone and afraid.’
And like Marie said in her email … I see you. I’m here for you. I love you! We can get through this!
While none of us knows how the next few weeks will unfold, I want you to know that I’m here. If you simply need to talk, I’m here! While we’re hunkering down, I will keep my cell phone with me and will be available if anyone has questions about the most recent travel restrictions, which countries are being hit hardest, or just a cheerful voice on the other line that is committed to staying connected.
Until next time, pull out the puzzles and board games. Turn off the news for a while and bake some cookies! Today we’re going to play Risk – and I’m so excited!
I’m sending much love to each of you and your families. Stay safe and feel free to reach out if you need me.
All my best to each of you,
Bambi Wineland is the mother of two internationally adopted children, a traveler, a Certified Professional Coach, and the Founder and CEO of Motherland Travel. Motherland Travel began by designing Heritage Journeys for families with internationally adopted children. The emphasis of those Heritage Journeys has always been on deepening family connections, building self-esteem and cultivating pride in a family’s multi-cultural heritage. Motherland Travel also uses the philosophies of transformative Travel for designing family trips with purpose – building rich connections, with each other and the world! Read more about her here >> http://motherlandtravel.com/