With 66,497 positive cases of COVID-19 recorded as of March 30, New York State retains its status as the U.S. epicenter of the pandemic as it battles against the killer virus. We each have a personal responsibility to do everything we can to slow down the rate of infection, curb the spread of the virus, and ease the burden on our hospitals and healthcare system. The message is clear – don’t be the weakest link!

The pictured graph shows how if we all work together, we can flatten the curve and level the trajectory of positive cases to a manageable number. The Center for Disease Control provides the following guidelines on how this can be achieved, and we can see from other countries that adhering to these rules does pay off. Our collective fate is within our control if we follow the recommended guidelines. 

• • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
  • Throw used tissues in the trash.
  • Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands with the sanitizer and rub them together until they feel dry.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Stay home, as much as possible and avoid group activity outside of your household.
  • Isolate from vulnerable family members, like the elderly to protect them. Call them regularly to keep in contact and check in on them.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick
  • Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
  • Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care. Learn what to do if you are sick.
  • Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
  • If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
  • If you are sick: You should wear a facemask when you are around other people e.g. sharing a room or vehicle, 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 you should do your best to cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow. People who are caring for you should wear a facemask if they enter your room.
  • If you are NOT sick: You do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a facemask). Facemasks may be in short supply and should be saved for caregivers.

 

The more stringent we are in the immediate term, the greater the impact, and the sooner things can return to normal, so don’t panic and let’s do this, all for one and one for all.