FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 30, 2020
Contact: Rommel Rivera, M.D., President
(610) 888-6905
Health Tips for the Filipino American Community Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic
Philadelphia, PA. - Here is a summary of useful tips for you and your family during this pandemic. For more comprehensive guidance and clarification, please visit the websites listed below.
How to protect yourself:
***The best way to prevent illness is to avoid exposure
1. Clean your hands often. Wash your hands often with soap and water at least for 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing (or use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol)
2. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
3. Avoid close contact especially with people who are sick (maintain a minimum distance of at lease 6 feet to others
4. Stay at home; avoid crowds and gatherings of 10 or more people
5. Avoid all non-essential shopping and travel
6. Concentrate on the “here and now” to prevent spinning into negativity and panic for the “what if”
How to protect others:
1. Stay at home if you are sick (except to get medical care)
2. Cover your mouth and nose with tissue or use inside of your elbow (when coughing or sneezing); throw tissue in trash; immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer as above.
3. Wear a facemask if you are sick
4. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces (including doorknobs, phones, keyboards, tables, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, toilets, faucet, sink)
5. Check on people living alone, isolated or cannot get out of their homes; offer to get them groceries or other essential items keeping in mind your own self-protection and sanitizing items delivered.
Tips for healthcare providers:
1. Meet basic needs- eat, hydrate, sleep regularly
2. Take breaks; rest and relaxing activities can provide helpful distraction
3. Stay connected; give and receive support from family, friends, and colleagues to reduce feelings of isolation
4. Stay updated; rely on trusted sources of information; participate in work meetings where relevant information is provided
5. Self-check-ins; monitor yourself for signs of increased stress; talk to family and friends, peers or supervisor if needed; utilize telemedicine if available to connect with your own healthcare providers
6. Wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE) whenever required
7. Remind yourself (and others) of the important work that you are doing; recognize colleagues for their service whenever possible
For Detailed Guidance on the Coronavirus Crisis, visit the following:
coronavirus.gov
cdc.gov
whitehouse.gov
ama-assn.org
psychiatry.org