1) Be Mindful + Follow...
what health experts are asking you to do.
It's not a question of health vs. economics.
The way to regain our economy is to control the pandemic.
- Dr. Tom Frieden
former Director of the CDC
(U.S. Center for Disease Control)
So how do we do that? Without having a vaccine in use across any country, the most basic ways are these:
Wash hands regularly,
especially after touching surfaces in public areas.
Apply hand sanitizers
Wipe frequently-touched surfaces with disinfectant.
Use "social distancing"
(i.e. staying 6 feet or 2 metres away from others).
Where social distancing isn't possible:
Use face masks
mandatory in some places, optional in others
(more about face masks here)
And
Stay at Home
(in some locations)
Each of these is important in stopping the spread of the coronavirus. Why? Because the virus is believed to spread in two ways:
1) person-to-person, when people are in close contact with others.
2) from touching surfaces on which the virus lies, and then touching our own eyes, nose and mouth.
Yet the idea of standing away from other people can feel quite strange! We could be seen by others as odd, or that we don't care about them. Or it might seem unimportant to those of us who aren't sick.
So why is social distancing – also called physical distancing – so important? Because the virus isn't just spread by people who are visibly ill. Anyone can carry the virus. And that means they, or WE, can pass it on to others without knowing.
Staying farther away from each other reduces the likelihood of that.
Social distancing isn't meant to create social isolation, however. In fact, in a time when fear is spreading even more than the virus itself, connection is more important than ever.
So why not think of our real goals this way:
Create physical distance + Social/emotional connection.
Prevent the spread of the virus,
while
growing the spread of caring and compassion.
"Being mindful" simply means being aware of what's happening around you, and the choices you are making -- so you can help stop this virus from spreading.
And for Businesses...
on Re-opening
In the U.S.A.:
Guidelines for Businesses and Workplaces for re-opening
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/businesses-employers.html
In Canada:
Guidelines for Businesses and Workplaces
The Federal government has also partnered with the private sector to create the POST Promise campaign -- calling on business owners to implement five key public health actions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. See more here: www.postpromise.com
Here are some Tips for each of us to Remember:
Whenever you are with others you don't live with...
Begin to notice how close you are to people:
when walking with someone,
in line-ups or aisles at the store,
in elevators,
being with friends,
with people at work,
even with family you haven't seen in awhile...
Can you choose to be a little farther away from them?
Four feet, five feet, six feet...
How far can you stretch it?
Please aim for six feet (2 metres)!
We know it feels uncomfortable. But do it for others' sake...
for your own... and for your elderly relatives and friends.
You'll actually be doing it for your whole community, your country, and our entire planet.
Kinda makes you realize how important your choices are, eh?
Thanks!
P.S. A note about "staying at home":
In some locations, where the virus is still spreading, people are asked (or required) to stay at home. Others need to "self-isolate", if they have recently returned from a trip out of the region/country, or been in contact with someone who may have the coronavirus.
In most cities with stay-at-home orders, people can still go out for essential things, like food shopping and exercise.
What "Stay at Home" orders mean:
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/what-a-stay-at-home-order-means
Please check your local city, state or province website for details. But wherever you live, when you do go outside to walk, shop, work, or do the things you need to do....
Please remember to still
keep your physical distance from others,
and take precautions
(as described above).
Note: Information on this website may not apply to your local conditions.
For specific, up-to-date information that applies to your area, please consult the websites for your local city, state or provincial, and federal governments.
For State-by-State information in the U.S.,
and Province-by-Province information in Canada,
Coronavirus hospitalizations are dropping because social distancing is working, from CNN.com (April 9th)
https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/09/health/us-coronavirus-thursday/index.html
"We're seeing a rather dramatic decrease in the need for hospitalizations," said Dr. Anthony Fauci. "That means that what we are doing is working and therefore we need to continue to do it."
Stopping the Spread of Coronavirus (August update)
Dr. Anthony Fauci says there are five or six things to keep the spread of the coronavirus in check. And he says he will continue to repeat those public health principles “until I’m exhausted” because “those things work.”
“Universal wearing of a mask, physical distancing, avoid crowds, outdoor better than indoor, washing your hands and hand hygiene — and if you’re in a situation where it applies to you, stay away from bars.” Dr. Fauci says wearing a mask and opening up the country go hand in hand.
The power of staying at home, from World Economic Forum and thespinoff.co.nz
https://www.facebook.com/worldeconomicforum/videos/678579212882578/
It can feel scary at times. But...
rest assured, we will get through this.
Stay Safe, Stay Healthy, and Be Well !
