We're focused on supporting the local community by providing accurate information and resources from public health officials during this challenging time.

Given the new situation that we are all experiencing globally due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus), we want to highlight the World Health Organization (WHO) advices.‍

HEALTH AND SAFETY IS A TOP PRIORITY

• Wash hands frequently or use alcohol-based hand rub. Always wash with soap and water when hands are visibly soiled.
• Refrain from touching your nose or mouth, which are common routes of contagion.
• Avoid crowds and limit your visits to closed spaces with people.
• Avoid handshaking and other forms of physical contact.
• Maintain a distance of at least 3 feet from any individual who is showing respiratory symptoms (e.g., coughing or sneezing).
• If you do have symptoms such as coughing, sneezing or having difficulty breathing, the recommendations are:
• Wear a face mask, in case you are infected, to prevent further disease spread.
• If not wearing a mask but coughing and sneezing, cover your nose and mouth with your flexed elbow or a paper tissue, then dispose of the tissue and wash your hands.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

• Fever
• Tiredness
• Dry cough
• Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea.

These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don't feel unwell. Around 1 out of every 6 people who gets COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and develops difficulty breathing. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness. People with fever, cough and difficulty breathing should seek medical attention.MYTH BUSTERS

• COVID-19 virus can be transmitted in areas with hot and humid climates.
• Taking a hot bath does not prevent the new coronavirus disease.
• The new coronavirus CANNOT be transmitted through mosquito bites.
• Thermal scanners are effective in detecting people who have developed a fever (i.e. have a higher than normal body temperature) because of infection with the new coronavirus. However, they cannot detect people who are infected but are not yet sick with fever.
• Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body will not kill viruses that have already entered your body. Spraying such substances can be harmful to clothes or mucous membranes (i.e. eyes, mouth). Be aware that both alcohol and chlorine can be useful to disinfect surfaces, but they need to be used under appropriate recommendations.
• Vaccines against pneumonia, such as pneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) vaccine, do not provide protection against the new coronavirus.
• The new coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is a virus and, therefore, antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention or treatment.
• To date, there is no specific medicine recommended to prevent or treat the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV).
• The likelihood of an infected person contaminating commercial goods is low and the risk of catching the virus that causes COVID-19 from a package that has been moved, travelled, and exposed to different conditions and temperature is low.

RESPONSIBILITY OF THE TRAVELER

‍It is prudent for travelers who are sick to delay or avoid travel to affected areas, in particular for elderly travelers and people with chronic diseases or underlying health conditions. General recommendations for personal hygiene, cough etiquette and keeping a distance of at least 3 feet from persons showing symptoms remain particularly important for all travelers. These include:

• Perform hand hygiene frequently, particularly after contact with respiratory secretions. Hand hygiene includes either cleaning hands with soap and water or with an alcohol-based hand rub. Alcohol-based hand rubs are preferred if hands are not visibly soiled; wash hands with soap and water when they are visibly soiled.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a flexed elbow or paper tissue when coughing or sneezing and disposing immediately of the tissue and performing hand hygiene.
• Refrain from touching mouth and nose.
• A medical mask is not required if exhibiting no symptoms, as there is no evidence that wearing a mask – of any type – protects non-sick persons. However, in some cultures, masks may be commonly worn. If masks are to be worn, it is critical to follow best practices on how to wear, remove and dispose of them and on hand hygiene after removal.

STAY HOME, STAY HEALTHY

‍We encourage our members and the local community to stay home to take the proper precautions to prevent the virus from spreading and causing devastating effects. We support the Executive Order and are counting on you to support it as well. Please stay home and stay healthy.