Coronavirus Awareness Guide

WITH OFFICIAL PARTNER

WI INTE TH RA LIV CTI E & VE UP ONL -TO INE -D GU AT ID EI E NF O

CORONAVIRUS

AWARENESS GUIDE THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Sometimes the things that pull us apart are the same things that bring us together.

We share this world with 8 billion people. Each and every one of us is affected by the Coronavirus pandemic, regardless of race, ethnicity or gender. Everyone is tied to this cause. While the facts change daily, the one fact that remains is that we must stand united.

We know you have questions. We do too.

So, we curated the Coronavirus Awareness Guide. While we’re not experts on this virus, we’ve looked to those who are. In this guide, you will find a collection of questions with the most up-to-date answers available.

We are all in this together, and we’ll get through this together. While we can’t come together physically, we must stand together virtually. In unity, we will overcome this pandemic.

Jack McGuire

Co-Founder, Awareness Ties

The following is a series of questions and answers provided to raise awareness on the coronavirus pandemic.

We know these are scary times for all of us. In these times of uncertainty and anxiety, may the content here bring comfort and confidence. Please read and share.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS IN GENERAL

What is the coronavirus?

What is a pandemic?

Who sings during a global pandemic?

How can I prevent COVID-19?

How can I manage COVID-19 at home?

DAILY LIFE

What is social distancing?

What rules should I follow for social distancing?

What do I need to do if I’m sick (not coronavirus)?

What should I do when I take public transit?

What should I do when I leave then come back home?

What should I do to get food?

KIDS

What is the most important thing we can do to protect our kids?

Is this a teaching moment for social justice?

How should we talk about the health crisis with kids?

What is the coronavirus?

Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a new strain that was discovered in 2019 and has not been previously identified in humans.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE SOURCE: WHO

VIDEO CREDIT: WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

What is a pandemic?

A pandemic is the global outbreak of a disease. There are many examples in history, the most recent being the COVID-19 pandemic, declared as such by the World Health Organization on March 12, 2020.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE SOURCE: LIVESCIENCE

[ CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LIVE MAP ] PHOTO CREDIT: JOHNS HOPKINS

Who sings during a global pandemic?

People across Italy have been singing from their balconies in an effort to keep up morale as the country faces the worst coronavirus outbreak outside China.

Italy’s 60 million citizens were placed under lockdown to halt the spread of a virus that has so far claimed over 1,000 lives in the country.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE SOURCE: GUARDIAN NEWS

VIDEO CREDIT: GUARDIAN NEWS

How can I prevent COVID-19?

Here are 6 recommendations for reducing your risks: 1. Wash your hands often.

2. Put distance between yourself and others.

3. Avoid close contact with sick people.

4. Stay home if you’re sick.

5. Cover coughs and sneezes.

6. Only wear a face mask if you’re sick or caring for someone who is sick.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE SOURCE: CDC

VIDEO CREDIT: CDC

How can I manage COVID-19 
 at home?

If you are sick with COVID-19 or suspect you are infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, follow the steps in the video to prevent the disease from spreading to people in your home and community.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE SOURCE: CDC

VIDEO CREDIT: CDC

What is social distancing?

At this point, containment through contact tracing and increased testing is only part of the necessary strategy.

We must move to pandemic mitigation through widespread, uncomfortable, and comprehensive social distancing.

This means not only shutting down schools, work (as much as possible), group gatherings, and public events, but also making daily choices to stay away from each other as much as possible to flatten the curve.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE SOURCE: ARIADNE LABS/ASAF BITTON

SOURCE: ARIADNE LABS/ASAF BITTON

What rules should I follow for social distancing?

1. No kid playdates, parties, sleepovers, or families/ friends visiting each other’s houses and apartments.

2. Take care of yourself and your family, but maintain social distance.

3. Reduce the frequency of going to stores, restaurants, and coffee shops for the time being.

4. If you are sick, isolate yourself, stay home, and contact a medical professional.

For further details, click HERE to read the full article.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE SOURCE: ARIADNE LABS/ASAF BITTON

PHOTO CREDIT: NORBERT KUNDRAK

What do I need to do if I’m sick?

STAY AT HOME With a weaker immune system, you will be more vulnerable, and exposing others will make them more susceptible too.

WEAR A MAKESHIFT MASK Even a scarf or other cloth is better than nothing for reducing the spray of droplets when you cough or sneeze.

CALL AN AMBULANCE If you suspect you have coronavirus and can’t drive, call for an ambulance instead of taking public transit.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE SOURCE: MIT TECHNOLOGY REVIEW

PHOTO CREDIT: PIXABAY

What should I do when I take public transit?

OFF-PEAK HOURS If you can’t drive or walk where you need to go, commute by public transit during off-peak hours.

AVOID SURFACES While in transit, avoid touching poles and handles. You can also wear gloves, but they should be removed as soon as you are back indoors.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE SOURCE: MIT TECHNOLOGY REVIEW

PHOTO CREDIT: JEFFREY CZUM

What should I do when I leave then come back home?

RUN ERRANDS ALL TOGETHER & AT OFF-PEAK HOURS Get as much done at once when it’s not busy.

DON’T MIX ‘OUTSIDE’ AND ‘INSIDE’ CLOTHES Every time you get home, change your clothes and shoes.

Wash them as soon as possible.

TAKE A SHOWER AFTER EVERY OUTING Jump in the shower right away if you can. Children touch their faces often; bathe them with soap & water.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE SOURCE: MIT TECHNOLOGY REVIEW

PHOTO CREDIT: KELLY LACY

What should I do to get food?

GET IT DELIVERED Always opt for grocery or restaurant delivery if you have access to those services.

USE SELF-SERVICE CHECKOUT If you have to go to the store, minimize contact with other people.

WASH & DISINFECT ITEMS BEFORE STORAGE Use warm water and soap to scrub any washable items.

For all other items, wipe down with alcohol.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE SOURCE: MIT TECHNOLOGY REVIEW

PHOTO CREDIT: ANNA SHVETS

With racist incidents toward Asians and Asian Americans, is this a teaching moment for social justice?

Absolutely. We must remind the children in our lives that viruses can make anyone sick, regardless of a person's race or ethnicity. No matter where scientists first documented COVID-19, this outbreak isn't anyone's fault.

Similarly, just because someone looks different or talks differently, doesn't mean they are at a higher risk of getting the coronavirus or spreading it.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE SOURCE: NPR

PHOTO CREDIT: MIN AN

What is the single most important thing we can do to protect our kids?

Make sure they understand that hand-washing isn't optional. Show them how to do it properly: using soap, warm water and time. Washing should take 20 seconds, which means you may need to help them find a song they can sing (in their heads, maybe twice) — like the ABCs. Be sure they wash whenever they come in from outside, before eating, after coughing or sneezing or blowing their nose and, of course, after using the bathroom.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE SOURCE: NPR

PHOTO CREDIT: JENNIFER MURRAY

This health crisis can be scary.

How should we talk about it with kids?

Keep it simple, age-appropriate and fact-based. For example, don't tell your child they won't get COVID-19; you don't know that. Instead, the CDC suggests telling children that, from what doctors have seen so far, most kids aren't getting very sick. In fact, most people who've gotten COVID-19 haven't gotten very sick. Only a small group have had serious problems. Assure your kids, if they do get sick, the world is full of grown-ups who will help.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE SOURCE: NPR

[ CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE WHOLE COMIC STRIP ] SOURCE: NPR/MALAKA GHARIB

LEARN MORE For the most up-to-date more information, click the links below to access the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Center For Disease Control (CDC). ➤ COVID-19 Status Dashboard from the WHO ➤ COVID-19 Information & Resouces from the CDC

For additional advice for dealing with the coronavirus pandemic on multiple levels check out the following: ➤ Social Distancing During the Coronavirus Pandemic ➤ Coronavirus & Parenting: What You Need to Know ➤ 5 Tips to Regain Your Calm in a Pandemic Panic

HELP AS YOU ARE ABLE We’re all affected by the coronavirus pandemic. We all need to do what we can to be part of the solution for this global problem. If you are able, please consider donating to one of the following organizations.

➤ Center for Disease Control Foundation ➤ World Health Organization ➤ Red Cross Media Statement on COVID-19

“There is always light; it’s just a matter of finding it.”

PHOTO CREDIT: HASSAN OUAJBIR

In all people, places and things, there is light.

While at times it’s hard to find, it’s there all the same. With the Coronavirus, let’s find seek out and find light in each other, in our words and in our deeds.

Let’s use this pandemic as an opportunity to rise above the dark and recognize the light in unity with greater awareness.

Allié McGuire

Co-Founder, Awareness Ties

As we unite to fight the Coronavirus, let’s not forget about the many battles fought everyday by those affected by a number of causes whom will be affected even more so in the weeks and months to come.

With your donation, Awareness Ties™ is building The Unity Fund to help both individuals and organizations in need. With this general fund, we will provide financial assistance to those in need of a helping hand.

Individuals and organizations are invited to submit their request for funds along with their story. From helping a family feed their kids to helping a small business or nonprofit keep their doors open, the more funds we raise the more help we can give.

In these uncertain times, we know for certain that help is needed. In unity, we stand with you and for you as we raise funds and awareness to support one another.

A W A R E N E S S T I E S . U S