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We hope you are staying safe and healthy during this time. As you read on, we wanted to share some resources and information about coronavirus — from symptoms to ways to mitigate the spread of the disease, this is all good to know while we are all working on getting through this.
As you know, Governor Gavin Newsom has called for all Californians to remain indoors except for absolutely necessary reasons like a trip to the pharmacy, a visit to a doctor, or a run to the grocery store to stock up on food.
Folks are safer at home, and by practicing social distancing, we can mitigate the spread of coronavirus. Projections show that more than 50 percent of Californians could contract COVID-19 without taking safety measures as drastic as this — so please be careful and follow the governor’s orders.
There are a lot of great resources out there, including:
LA County’s Department of Public Health’s website
Ventura County Emergency Information website
California’s Coronavirus Response website
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website
If you think you might have coronavirus, contact your health care provider. Local health departments and health care providers determine who needs testing and hospitalization on a case-by-case basis.
Seek treatment by calling your doctor for a phone evaluation if:
- You have difficulty breathing (shortness of breath);
- You feel like symptoms (such as fever and cough) are getting worse rapidly;
- You are unable to care for symptoms at home.
If you need to go to the hospital, call ahead so they can prepare for your arrival. If you need to call 911, tell the 911 operator you’re experiencing coronavirus symptoms so the ambulance provider can prepare to treat you safely.
LA County’s Department of Public Health put together this guide on how to cope during this emotionally stressful time:
Manage Your Stress
- Maintain a routine.
- Make time to relax and rest.
Be informed and inform you family
- Become familiar with local medical and mental health resources in your community.
- Give honest, age-appropriate information to children and remember to stay calm; children often feel what you feel.
Connect with your community online or through the phone
- Keep contact with family and friends through social messaging or through phone calls.
- Reach out to neighbors and friends with special needs who may need your help.
Reach Out and Help while maintaining necessary social distancing guidelines
- If you know someone affected by the outbreak, call them to see how they are doing, and remember to keep their confidentiality.
- Consider an act of kindness for those who have been asked to practice social distancing, such as having a meal delivered.
Be sensitive.
- Avoid blaming anyone or assuming someone has the disease because of the way they look or where they or their families come from.
- An infectious disease is not connected to any racial or ethnic group; speak up in kindness when you hear false rumors or negative stereotypes that foster racism and xenophobia.
