Tips for responding to COVID-19 Outbreak

Simple Affirmations…

• You are having a normal reaction to an unusual situation

• It is common to feel uncertainty during a new and changing situation

• Trust that there are experts who have been preparing for, and are currently working on this

• We can learn from other states experience, especially as they start to heal from this illness

• Events are cancelled to “slow the curve” or reduce the number of new infections

• As much as you can, stay home – take this as an invitation to slow down

• Talk to your work to see what possibilities there are for telecommuting or schedule changes

• Focus on what is within your control (e.g., not touching your face, washing your hands, limiting your consumption of news)

• You get to decide what is right for you

• Get some fresh air—even if you are practicing social distancing

• Challenge yourself to stay in the present

• Stay connected and reach out when you need more support

Tips for helping people process without giving unsolicited advice…

• What are you thinking and feeling?

• How does COVID 19 affect you, your family, or your work?

• What are you most worried about?

• What are the best case scenarios?

• Where do you need more information?

“BRAIN” for informed decision-making…

Whether or not to host an event, whether or not to travel:

• What are the Benefits?

• What are the Risks?

• What are my Alternatives?

• What is my Intuition telling me?

• What if I say, No, Not Now?

Tips for Individual/ Family Preparedness…

If you were going to stay home for a few weeks, what would you need to take care of the people or pets in the home?

Stock up on necessary supplies:

• Prescriptions/medicine

• Household items

• Nonperishable food

• Pet care

• Activities and self-care

• Who would take care of who? 

• What would be reasonable steps you can take?

• What resources are available to you that you might call upon?

Tips for Systems’ Preparedness…

Steps your organization could take to limit widespread community spread -

• Consider telecommute or staggered hour work arrangements for employees

• Limit the number of staff who are not directly involved in patient care

• Reiterate sick policy, and encourage staff who are sick to stay home

• Maximize the use of personal protective equipment, refer to CDC guidelines

• Assign a designated part of the facility for anyone who is known to have COVID 19

• Consider when text or phone follow-up is possible, instead of an in-person visit

• Consider what visits can be postponed and/or canceled

• Explore what virtual offerings could be added (e.g., group classes, telehealth)

• Add Plexiglas or Glass barriers at check-in and/or triage

• Practice social distancing (a few yards between patients)

• Consider evaluating patient remotely and/or have patients wait in car or outside before they are called into their visit

• Consider increasing your environmental cleaning and disinfection (initial viral persistence studies of COVID 19 show multiple hour viral persistence)