HEALTH SENSE
Prevention, preparedness are critical tools to combat the novel coronavirus By Heidi Hedberg
T
he novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is dominating the media because it’s new, which can create uncertainty and make you feel vulnerable. The number of cases, the areas affected by outbreaks, even what we know scientifically about this virus — all of this information is changing rapidly as we learn more about this novel virus. What is timeless, though, is the importance of preparing, remaining calm, and taking care of yourself and others. It is easy to feel overwhelmed or powerless when confronted with the uncertainties that come with a new disease like COVID-19, first discovered in China in December 2019 and now spreading rapidly across the globe. The good news, however, is we do know quite a bit already about this disease and are learning more every day. COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. Patients with the disease have mild to severe illness with symptoms of fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Many patients recover on their own while others require hospitalization and some die. There is currently no vaccine for this disease, so the best way to prevent infection is to limit your exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19. Some actions that we know help — and are easy to do — are the same simple, everyday preventive measures that prevent other respiratory illnesses like the flu and the common cold. • Wash your hands. We think of handwashing as an infection prevention tool that’s been around forever, but it was actually first pioneered by doctors in the mid-1800s. Today, it remains one of our simplest and most powerful defenses 12
against germs. Wash frequently with soap and warm water for 20 seconds, or use alcoholbased hand sanitizer if you don’t have soap and warm water. • Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue and throw away the tissue after use. If you don’t have a tissue, cough and sneeze into the inside of your elbow. • Try to avoid touching your face, mouth, nose and eyes, especially with unwashed hands. • Routinely clean frequently touched objects and surfaces, including toys, doorknobs, keyboards and phones with normal household cleaners. • Get a flu shot every year. Flu vaccine doesn’t protect against COVID-19, but keeping current with an annual flu shot and other routine vaccinations helps keep you and your family well. Ensuring that most Alaskans are vaccinated against the flu also helps protect our health care facilities from becoming overwhelmed as they respond to other health issues and emerging diseases like COVID-19. • Eat nutritious food, drink water, get enough sleep and physical exercise. • If you begin to feel ill, stay home, and call your health care provider. Here are some other key strategies that can help you prevent the spread of disease and prepare for public health emergencies: • If you’re sick and you need to see
ALASKA PULSE MONTHLY — April 2020 — AlaskaPulse.com
Whether preparing for a pandemic, an earthquake, wildfire or other disaster, Alaskans should have an emergency kit. Remember to include supplies like soap, hand sanitizer, and tissues. a health care provider, call ahead and make an appointment. This is especially important if you have a cough and fever. This will help the health care provider’s office take steps to keep other people from getting infected or exposed. • Whether preparing for a pandemic, an earthquake, wildfire or other disaster, Alaskans should have an emergency kit. Remember to include supplies like soap, hand sanitizer, and tissues. If you or a family member regularly take a prescription medication, talk to your health care provider and pharmacist about what is an appropriate amount to have in your emergency kit. Remember to include an appropriate amount of nonprescription drugs and other health supplies on hand, including fluids with electrolytes, cough and cold medicines, stomach remedies, pain relievers and vitamins. • For more information about emergency kits, please see this information from CDC — www.cdc.gov/cpr/prepareyourhealth/PersonalNeeds.htm — and this information from the Department
