Covid-19 and what you can do to stay healthy
With fear of the novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) growing throughout the country everyday, many organizations have recently decided rethink holding certain events.
Upon receiving several notifications of cancellations, this edition of the Shoshone News-Press does not contain a calendar of events, as it is difficult at this time to determine which events are still scheduled and which ones are not.
To address the growing concerns regarding the disease, Idaho Governor Brad Little hosted a press conference Friday morning in the Governor’s Ceremonial Office in Boise to update Idahoans on the proactive measures being taken to protect citizens during the novel coronavirus outbreak. As of Thursday afternoon, Idaho is one of the few states in the nation with zero confirmed cases.
With no vaccine available at the moment, the Panhandle Health District stresses that individuals maintain healthy hygiene habits that they would normally practice to avoid catching other diseases such as the flu or the cold:
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- 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.
- Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if unable to wash hands with soap and water.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects daily.
- Wearing a facemask when you are around other people or before entering a healthcare setting, but only if you are sick. Facemasks may be in short supply and they should be saved for those who need them.
- Avoid crowds, minimize outings and avoid non-essential travel.
PHD explains that the Coronavirus is mainly spread between people who are in close contact with one another (about 6 feet) and through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
It may be possible that a person can get coronavirus by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, although this may not be the main way the virus spreads.
Symptoms of coronavirus include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. People are most contagious when they are showing symptoms. Symptoms appear between 2 and 14 days after exposure to the coronavirus.
80% of cases experience mild illness, which does not require hospitalization. 15-20% of cases develop serious illness. Early information out of China, where COVID-19 first started, shows that some people are at higher risk of getting very sick from this illness. This includes older adults (60+) and people who have serious chronic medical conditions (heart disease, diabetes, lung disease).
If you are sick (with any illness) you can help reduce the spread of the virus by staying home and self-isolating until symptoms resolve.
If you feel like you have symptoms, call your provider versus visiting the office or the emergency department.
“We know that the information about the coronavirus can be concerning,” PHS explained. “Please do not hesitate to call our Coronavirus Hotline at 877-415-5225 with any questions or concerns. You may also visit our website www.panhandlehealthdistrict.org/covid-19/ or the CDC website www.cdc.gov/coronavirus”