Just as workplaces need to keep people healthy during the pandemic, our homes also must be prepared for keeping your family safe during a community outbreak. In this final article in our Trending Topics series on coronavirus, we feature a course on the actions advised by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to prepare your household.
A COVID-19 outbreak could last for a long time in your community. Creating a household plan can help protect your health and the health of those you care about in the event of an outbreak in your community. This interactive online course Coronavirus: Preparing Your Household will provide you with practical guidance to get your household ready for community transmission of the disease.
Most of the keys for workplace safety also apply at home. Good hygiene practices including frequent hand washing are essential for all family members. If anyone in the household is sick or showing symptoms of COVID-19, they should be isolated from others in the house, preferably using a separate bathroom, if available.
"Get your household ready for community transmission of the disease"
Special precautions are necessary for those who have underlying conditions making them more vulnerable to complications of coronavirus. Older individuals, those with chronic health problems or compromised immune systems should consult their physicians about specific precautions they should take.
Maintain a list of contacts that include family and friends, employers, health care providers, community resources, including the public health department. Contacts for mental health resources are also advised during this stressful time. Emotional health is just as important as physical health (Keenan has conducted a few recent webinars on this topic you can access here). If you must isolate or quarantine, stay in touch with family and friends by email, phone or video calls.
The situation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic is changing constantly, and the latest guidelines may vary state to state. Please refer to your local government resources, the Centers for Disease Control, and the World Health Organization (WHO) for the latest, up-to-date information.
For complimentary access to this and other Keenan SafeSchools COVID-19 topics please contact your Keenan representative.