Novel Coronavirus Resources
Health Resources
We want you to be safe above all, so we continue to advise you that if you are sick, if you develop symptoms, or if you think you have been exposed, contact your primary care physician for instructions and advice. If you want accurate, reliable, truthful information about coronavirus, symptoms, how to care for yourself or other family who are sick, or any other health-related topic, here are links to reliable resources:
If you have questions and would like to speak to a person, you can call the Los Angeles County Information line 2-1-1, which is available 24 hours a day.
Prevention & Care
To help dispel rumors and distinguish fact from fiction, the World Health Organization (WHO) has created a “Myth Buster” web page with facts about COVID-19. Because people are not informed well and sometimes allow fear to overcome sense, you may hear about “home remedies” that, frankly, make no sense. For example, on the WHO myth buster page, one question is “Can eating garlic help prevent infection with the new coronavirus?” While garlic may keep away vampires — and friends and family and your dog — it has no effect on viruses.
There are things you can do to protect yourself from exposure. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention web site has useful information about prevention, how to detect symptoms, treatment, and what to do in case you are or think you are exposed. Common sense should also play a part. If you are sick, stay home. Coming to work while sick is not healthy for you, and it also exposes others (especially with viruses like the cold).
Keep Your Home Safe from COVID-19
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends daily disinfection for frequently touched surfaces around the home. For example, countertops, tables, light switches, doorknobs, handles, bathroom surfaces, the toilet and flush handle, desks, phones, keyboards, faucets and sinks. All of these surfaces should be cleaned at least daily to reduce or kill off germs, bacteria, and viruses. The CDC also recommends washing these surfaces with detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection. If someone in the home is sick, the CDC recommends this routine at least once every 12 to 16 hours.
Most importantly, you need to give your disinfecting cleaning solution time to kill the bugs. After washing and then applying the clearner, do not wioe them off right away. Let the cleaning solution remain in contact with the surface long enough to kill viruses and other pathogens. Also don’t mix cleaning agents as doing that could cause dangerous gases. Never mix bleach with ammonia, for example. That is a potentially deadly combination.
Protect Yourself
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has created a web site with information about how the virus spreads, the symptoms, and how to protect yourself. There is even an instructional video about washing your hands. Yes, washing hands and surfaces around the home is extremely important. You can read all about this and more at the CDC web page by following this link here.