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There's a lot of scary information in the news lately about Coronavirus. (View the CDC's FactSheet on Coronovirus)  However, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) state that there is currently no reported community spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the United States. Still, all in our state (and around the country as well) are reminded to practice basic healthy behaviors to help prevent the spread of any illness, including flu or Coronavirus. 

QVHD (Quinnipiac Valley Health District) has asked that we share the following information and recommendations:

The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this or other viruses. The CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases, including these steps:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.
  • CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
  • Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people taking care of someone in close settings.Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

As was distributed via a "robo call" to all HPS families, QVHD also recommends several home preparedness steps. QVHD and the CDC state that it's important for everyone to maintain a 3-day stockpile of essential items at home - regardless of emerging situations. These would come into play for any emergency - including hurricanes or snowstorms. You know the drill - buy milk and bread, extra batteries for flashlights, etc. In the unlikely event that Coronavirus reaches our area, your won't need extra batteries for the flashlight, but it is possible that people will be asked to stay home for a period of up to two weeks. For this reason, QVHD recommends that people be ready to store non-perishable foods and other essentials (like pet food, prescriptions, diapers) that could last for up to two weeks. Please note that this is not currently the recommendation - but could be recommended should the situation change.

So to summarize: Stay home if you are sick. Stay away from sick people. Clean frequently touched objects.  Wash your hands frequently and don't touch your eyes, nose and mouth. And finally - check for updated information on the CDC or QVHD Coronavirus Webpages.