View short video clip that presents an informative account of COVID-19. Dr. James Hildreth, the President of Meharry Medical College, is the presenter in this video. After you watch the video, please read the following information. Please stay safe and know that God loves you and so do we!!!!
The 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a virus that first emerged (December 2019) in Wuhun, China,
triggering a respiratory disease outbreak. This virus has spread rapidly around the globe creating a
pandemic crisis of major proportions. Anyone can get COVID-19, but some individuals are more at risk
for severe disease than others. COVID-19 and its symptoms can range from mild to severe. Anyone can
get COVID-19, but some individuals are more at risk for severe disease than others. There is currently no
specific treatment other than supportive care available. The majority of people recover from COVID-19
within a few weeks, but it can be life-threatening. Presently, there is no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The
best way to prevent a COVID-19 illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus. There is currently a wealth
of information available on this novel virus. We encourage you to visit both the Centers for Diseases (CDC)
website (cdc.gov) and your local jurisdiction’s website for instruction and guidance.
Additionally, the Zion Baptist Church Health Ministry (ZBCHM) would also like to share with you some
basic information on the COVID-19 and steps you can take to minimize your risk for this disease. Please
note that because of its novel status, daily updates on this virus are constantly provided by reputable
sources.
Symptoms
For confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases, reported illnesses have ranged from mild
symptoms to severe illness and death. Symptoms can include:
• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
CDC believes at this time that symptoms of COVID-19 may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 days after exposure. This is based on what has been seen previously as the incubation period of MERS-CoV viruses. The latest situation summary updates and data are available on CDC’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) web page.
Here are some steps you can take:
1. Stay home except to get medical care
2. If you are sick with COVID-19 or suspect you are infected with the virus that causes COVID-19,
follow the steps below to help prevent the disease from spreading to people in your home and
community.
3. Wear a facemask—-You should wear a facemask when you are around other people (e.g.,
sharing a room or vehicle) or pets and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If you are
not able to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then people
who live with you should not stay in the same room with you, or they should wear a facemask if
they enter your room.
Stay home except to get medical care
You should restrict activities outside your home, except for getting medical care. Depending on the
guidance of your local government authorities you should maintain social distancing. If possible, do not
go to work, school, or public areas. Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis. Guidances
vary depending on where you live so check with your government officials regarding the rules they have
laid out for you.
Separate yourself from other people and animals in your home
People: As much as possible, you should stay in a specific room and away from other people in your
home. Also, you should use a separate bathroom, if available.
Animals: You should restrict contact with pets and other animals while you are sick with COVID-19, just
like you would around other people. Some reports have surfaced regarding animals becoming sick with
COVID-19, however they have not all been validated. Just be careful. It is still recommended that people
sick with COVID-19 limit contact with animals until more information is known about the virus. When
possible, have another member of your household care for your animals while you are sick. If you are
sick with COVID-19, avoid contact with your pet, including petting, snuggling, being kissed or licked, and
sharing food. If you must care for your pet or be around animals while you are sick, wash your hands
before and after you interact with pets and wear a facemask. See COVID-19 and Animals for more
information.
Call ahead before visiting your doctor
If you have a medical appointment, call the healthcare provider and tell them that you have or may have
COVID-19. This will help the healthcare provider’s office take steps to keep other people from getting
infected or exposed.
Cover your coughs and sneezes
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw used tissues in a lined trash
can; immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or clean your hands with
an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains 60 to 95% alcohol, covering all surfaces of your hands and
rubbing them together until they feel dry. Soap and water should be used preferentially if hands are
visibly dirty.
Clean your hands often
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or clean your hands with an alcoholbased hand sanitizer that contains 60 to 95% alcohol, covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry. Soap and water should be used preferentially if hands are visibly dirty. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid sharing personal household items
If you are showing any of the symptoms of COVID-19 you should try to minimize sharing dishes, drinking
glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people or pets in your home. After using
these items, they should be washed thoroughly with soap and water.
Clean all “high-touch” surfaces everyday
High touch surfaces include counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones,
keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables. Also, clean any surfaces that may have blood, stool, or body
fluids on them. Use a household cleaning spray or wipe, according to the label instructions. Labels
contain instructions for safe and effective use of the cleaning product including precautions you should
take when applying the product, such as wearing gloves and making sure you have good ventilation
during use of the product.
Monitor your symptoms
Seek prompt medical attention if your illness is worsening (e.g., difficulty breathing). Before seeking
care, call your healthcare provider and tell them that you have, or are being evaluated for, COVID-19.
Put on a facemask before you enter the facility. These steps will help the healthcare provider’s office to
keep other people in the office or waiting room from getting infected or exposed. Ask your healthcare
provider to call the local or state health department. Persons who are placed under active monitoring or
facilitated self-monitoring should follow instructions provided by their local health department or
occupational health professionals, as appropriate.
If you have a medical emergency and need to call 911, notify the dispatch personnel that you have, or
are being evaluated for COVID-19. If possible, put on a facemask before emergency medical services
arrive.
Discontinuing home isolation
Patients with confirmed COVID-19 should remain under home isolation precautions until the risk of
secondary transmission to others is thought to be low. The decision to discontinue home isolation
precautions should be made on a case-by-case basis, in consultation with healthcare providers and state
and local health departments.
Footnote
1Fever may be subjective or confirmed
2Close contact is defined as—
1. a) being within approximately 6 feet (2 meters) of a COVID-19 case for a prolonged period of
time; close contact can occur while caring for, living with, visiting, or sharing a health care
waiting area or room with a COVID-19 case
– or –
b) having direct contact with infectious secretions of a COVID-19 case (e.g., being coughed on)
If such contact occurs while not wearing recommended personal protective equipment or PPE (e.g.,
gowns, gloves, NIOSH-certified disposable N95 respirator, eye protection), criteria for PUI consideration
are met”
See CDC’s updated Interim Healthcare Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Persons
Under Investigation for 2019 Novel Coronavirus.
Data to inform the definition of close contact are limited. Considerations when assessing close contact
include the duration of exposure (e.g., longer exposure time likely increases exposure risk) and the
clinical symptoms of the person with COVID-19 (e.g., coughing likely increases exposure risk as does
exposure to a severely ill patient). Special consideration should be given to those exposed in health care
settings.
Handwashing our hands “often” is the best way to protect ourselves from spreading germs and the best
way to protect ourselves and others. Listed are the steps to washing hands the right way:
• Using clean, running water and soap in washing your hands, is the best way to prevent germs from
spreading whether you’re a preparing food, before and after eating, using the bathroom, blowing
your nose, coughing, sneezing, touching animals, etc.
• Lather your hands by rubbing together with soap for at least 20 seconds, the backs, between
fingers and under your fingernails. If you do not have a timer it is suggested to Hum the “Happy
Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
• Rinse your hands well under clean, running water and
• Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
Using Hand Sanitizer in the event Soap and Water are not available should be the last resort in situations
such as:
• Does not get rid of all types of germs
• Not as effective when hands are visibly dirty and/or greasy
• May not remove harmful chemicals such as pesticides and heavy metals
• Use hand sanitizer that contains at least between 60-95% alcohol which will be more effective at
killing germs than those with lower alcohol concentration.
• In the event, you must use the hand sanitizer ensure that you apply to the palm of one hand and
rub the product over the entire surface of both hands until your hands become dry. It is safe
when used as directed and can cause alcohol poisoning if it is swallowed.
Shared with you by the ZBC Health Ministry
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