Coronavirus - COVID-19 Troop Update #1
Post date: Mar 12, 2020 12:27:16 PM
TROOP 50 CORNAVIRUS - COVID-19 UPDATE #1
Families and guests of Troop 50, please read in full the below email from our Scoutmaster this morning. There is a linked document at the bottom of the page as well:
3-12-2020
Good morning Troop 50,
In light of all of the news that is presently circulating about the coronavirus, or COVID-19, I wanted to take a moment to assure everyone that the safety of the children in our program is the BSA’s and Troop 50’s top priority. We are reviewing available information as it is made public about this new virus, and we will be evaluating each of our upcoming activities and making decisions on whether there is a need to cancel or change how we do any of our scheduled activities.
At the present time, there is only 1 documented suspected case of coronavirus in the State of Delaware. Therefore, there is not an immediate need to cancel this evening’s troop and committee meetings. But, that doesn’t mean that the need is not there for each of us to begin practicing, and encouraging others to practice, safe habits. Prior to your arrival this evening, the keypad, door knobs, tables, and other surfaces most frequently touched will be wiped with disinfectant wipes to help prevent and reduce the spread of illness. Those entering the CLC this evening will also be asked to wipe their hands with a squirt of hand sanitizer.
To help all of us stay healthy, please review the information that follows, including the attached poster from the CDC about germs. You are also encouraged to do the following:
· Wash your hands often, using soap and water (for at least 20 seconds) or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at last 60% alcohol;
· Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands;
· Avoid close contact with people who are sick;
· Stay home when you are sick – if you or your son are not feeling well, PLEASE DO NOT ATTEND SCOUT ACTIVITIES until you are feeling better without medication. Please do not attend scouts, if you are experiencing a fever, cough, shortness of breath and/or are having difficulty breathing OR you have been in recent contact with someone else who is experiencing any of those symptoms. Indeed, if you experience multiple symptoms, it is advisable to self quarantine and get checked for the flu or coronavirus immediately.
· Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash – or use the bend of your elbow;
· Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces;
· Avoid handshakes for now.
· Please let me know immediately, if you or a family member have been diagnosed with the coronavirus.
Thank you for your cooperation in helping to keep the entire troop healthy and safe!
Yours in the service of scouting,
Jim Smith, Scoutmaster
What you need to know
What is the coronavirus?
An outbreak of the new coronavirus called COVID‐19 began in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China in December 2019. The virus causes respiratory illness and has infected thousands worldwide. Cases have been reported in the United States.
What are the symptoms?
Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing.
How does it spread?
The virus spreads through the air from coughing and sneezing and also from close personal contact like touching or shaking hands.
How can you protect yourself or others from COVID‐19?
Although there are currently no vaccines available to protect against human coronavirus infection, you may be able to reduce your risk of infection by washing your hands often; avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands; and avoiding close contact with people who are sick. If you have cold-like symptoms, as a courtesy to your co-workers and others, please remain at home while you are sick. If you share a workstation or equipment with others, consider wiping it down with disinfectant wipes after use. For information about hand washing, see the CDC's Clean Hands Save Lives website.
What should you do if you suspect you or someone else has contracted COVID‐19?
Most people with common human coronavirus illness will recover on their own. Although there are no specific treatments for illnesses caused by human coronaviruses, you can take the following actions to help relieve symptoms if you are mildly sick:
Take pain and fever medications. Ask your pharmacist how they may interact with any medications you currently take. Caution: The CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend not giving aspirin to children.
· Use a room humidifier or take a hot shower to help ease a sore throat and cough.
· Drink plenty of liquids.
· Stay home and rest.
If you are concerned about your symptoms, please call your local health care provider. Telemedicine is a good first line of defense in order to limit potential exposure in a waiting room. CVS Health® offers Video Visits* in 40 states and Washington, D.C.
Who should be tested for COVID‐19?
The CDC recommends that anyone with symptoms of COVID-19, returning from a Centers for Disease Control designated Level 2 or Level 3 advisory area, or who has been in contact with someone who is suspected or confirmed of having the coronavirus within the last 14 days should be tested.
If you suspect that you have contracted COVID‐19, where can you go to be tested?
The U.S Food and Drug Administration has issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) to enable emergency use of the CDC's 2019-nCoV Real‐Time RT‐PCR Diagnostic Panel. This authorization allows the use of the test at any CDC‐qualified lab in the U.S.
How can I access COVID-19 testing?
Patients who have concerns that they may have been exposed to COVID-19 or may have symptoms of COVID-19 should contact their health care provider or state Department of Health for testing. The tests will likely be nasal swabs that are then sent to a laboratory.
Where can you obtain more information?
You can find more information on COVID-19 at these links:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/steps-when-
WHEN AND HOW TO WASH YOUR HANDS, ACCORDING TO THE CDC
Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. Many diseases and conditions are spread by not washing hands with soap and clean, running water. CDC recommends cleaning hands in a specific way to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. The guidance for effective hand washing and use of hand sanitizer was developed based on data from a number of studies.
Wash Your Hands Often to Stay Healthy
You can help yourself and your loved ones stay healthy by washing your hands often, especially during these key times when you are likely to get and spread germs:
· Before, during, and after preparing food
· Before eating food
· Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea
· Before and after treating a cut or wound
· After using the toilet
· After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
· After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
· After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
· After handling pet food or pet treats
· After touching garbage
Follow Five Steps to Wash Your Hands the Right Way
Washing your hands is easy, and it’s one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs. Clean hands can stop germs from spreading from one person to another and throughout an entire community—from your home and workplace to childcare facilities and hospitals.
Follow these five steps every time.
1. Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
2. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
4. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
5. Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
Use Hand Sanitizer When You Can’t Use Soap and Water
You can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to get rid of germs in most situations. If soap and water are not readily available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. You can tell if the sanitizer contains at least 60% alcohol by looking at the product label.
Sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands in many situations. However,
· Sanitizers do not get rid of all types of germs.
· Hand sanitizers may not be as effective when hands are visibly dirty or greasy.
· Hand sanitizers might not remove harmful chemicals from hands like pesticides and heavy metals.
How to use hand sanitizer
· Apply the gel product to the palm of one hand (read the label to learn the correct amount).
· Rub your hands together.
· Rub the gel over all the surfaces of your hands and fingers until your hands are dry. This should take around 20 seconds.