For reliable Information, consult or visit:
https://www.who.int/
https://www.cdc.gov/
https://www.nih.gov/
COVID-19 RESOURCES
When you've been fully vaccinated
Variants
What is a variant? Viruses constantly change through mutation, and new variants of a virus are expected to occur over time.
Keep taking precautions to protect yourself and others
The J & J Pause
The CDC & FDA has recommended a pause on the J&J Vaccine. Learn more about their join statement.
Not sure which vaccine to take? Learn about the different ones recommended and the information for each
Which Vaccine?
Learn more about the vaccines recommended
Travel Update (by the CDC)
Check out travel guideline and new update by the CDC
New Variants
US COVID-19 Cases Caused by Variants View a map showing the number of confirmed cases in each state.
Source: CDC.GOV
New Mask Requirements
Requirement for Face Masks on Public Transportation Conveyances and at Transportation Hubs
Source: CDC
Vaccine Update
5th Phase 3 Clinical Trial underway. Read NIH report below.
Vaccine Kick Off - Be Informed
All the Covid-19 Vaccines are injected intramuscularly in the Deltoid muscle (shoulder). The technique involves inserting the needle at a 90-degree angle, without pinching or folding the skin. If the skin is folded, the vaccine will likely be injected under the skin, and therefore, may not be as effective.
COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths across the United States are rising. As cold weather moves in, people spend more time indoors, and the holidays approach, take steps to slow the spread of COVID-19. Wear a mask, stay at least 6 feet apart, avoid crowds, and wash your hands often. The more steps you take, the more you are protected against COVID-19. View Cases in the U.S. and your state on the data tracker by clicking below.
! COVID-19 Alert: Cases are Rising
CDC, NIH Updates
Nanoparticle Technology Holds Promise for Protecting Against Many Coronavirus Strains at Once
Source: NIH
CLICK
COVID-19 Vaccines
Currently, two vaccines are authorized and recommended to prevent COVID-19:
Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine
Moderna COVID-19 vaccine
COVID-19 vaccination will help keep you from getting COVID-19 and is a safer way to help build protection. Wearing masks and social distancing help reduce your chance of being exposed to the virus or spreading it to others, but these measures are not enough. Vaccines will work with your immune system so it will be ready to fight the virus if you are exposed. It also may protect people around you, especially those more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.
The combination of getting vaccinated and following CDC’s recommendations to protect yourself and others will offer the best protection from COVID-19.
Help Children Learn At Home
Help children learn at home. To help you get the support you need to facilitate at-home learning, stay in touch with your child’s school; ask about available school services; and create a schedule and routine for learning at home.
Remember, there is no “right” way for your child to learn at home. Do what works for you and your family, and make sure to prioritize your own well-being so that you stay healthy and feel ready to address your child’s needs in education and beyond.
Using Gyms, Fitness Centers, or Studios
Exercise is important for physical and mental health and should be continued for healthy living, especially during the coronavirus crisis. However, you should take precautions to make you less likely to get or spread COVID-19. Keep at least 6 feet away from other people; select a facility that requires all staff and attendees to wear a mask that covers their mouth and nose at all times; limit high-intensity activities to the outdoors; and wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, before and after using machines.
COVID-19
How COVID-19 Spreads?
COVID-19 most commonly spreads during close contact People who are physically near (within 6 feet) a person with COVID-19 or have direct contact with that person are at greatest risk of infection. When people with COVID-19 cough, sneeze, sing, talk, or breathe they produce respiratory droplets. These droplets can range in size from larger droplets (some of which are visible) to smaller droplets. Small droplets can also form particles when they dry very quickly in the airstream. Infections occur mainly through exposure to respiratory droplets when a person is in close contact with someone who has COVID-19. Respiratory droplets cause infection when they are inhaled or deposited on mucous membranes, such as those that line the inside of the nose and mouth. As the respiratory droplets travel further from the person with COVID-19, the concentration of these droplets decreases. Larger droplets fall out of the air due to gravity. Smaller droplets and particles spread apart in the air. With passing time, the amount of infectious virus in respiratory droplets also decreases. COVID-19 can sometimes be spread by airborne transmission Some infections can be spread by exposure to virus in small droplets and particles that can linger in the air for minutes to hours. These viruses may be able to infect people who are further than 6 feet away from the person who is infected or after that person has left the space. This kind of spread is referred to as airborne transmission and is an important way that infections like tuberculosis, measles, and chicken pox are spread. There is evidence that under certain conditions, people with COVID-19 seem to have infected others who were more than 6 feet away. These transmissions occurred within enclosed spaces that had inadequate ventilation. Sometimes the infected person was breathing heavily, for example while singing or exercising. Under these circumstances, scientists believe that the amount of infectious smaller droplet and particles produced by the people with COVID-19 became concentrated enough to spread the virus to other people. The people who were infected were in the same space during the same time or shortly after the person with COVID-19 had left. Available data indicate that it is much more common for the virus that causes COVID-19 to spread through close contact with a person who has COVID-19 than through airborne transmission. [1]
Protect yourself and others
The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. You can take steps to slow the spread.
Stay at least 6 feet away from others, whenever possible. This is very important in preventing the spread of COVID-19.
Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when around others. This helps reduce the risk of spread both by close contact and by airborne transmission.
Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Avoid crowded indoor spaces and ensure indoor spaces are properly ventilated by bringing in outdoor air as much as possible. In general, being outdoors and in spaces with good ventilation reduces the risk of exposure to infectious respiratory droplets.
Stay home and isolate from others when sick.
Routinely clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
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For Q&A about all aspects of COVID-19, consult this WHO link.
Differences and Similarities Between COVID-19 and the Flu:
Generally speaking, both have have similar features especially when it comes to symptoms and complications. However COVID-19 tends to be more serious overall, and can have additional serious complications such as blood clots in the vessels of the heart, lungs, and brain, as well as the Multi-system Inflammatory Syndrome of Children. To read more about similarities and differences, go to: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/flu-vs-covid19.htm
In the meantime, people are still recommended, as per the CDC, to protect themselves and others, by following the recommendations, and especially for the Flu, get the flu vaccine.
Coping with Stress
Pandemics, just like other calamities, can be stressful to a lot of people. Some people handle stressful situations better than others. Besides protecting one's self and others during COVID-19 pandemic, it is just as important to prevent, reduce, and manage stress properly. Faith, spirituality, and community involvement are important ingredients in the stress-combatting strategy.
For further information from the CDC on how to deal with stress, CLICK HERE
8 Things to Know about Vaccine Planning
Read the latest CDC update on the anticipated COVID-19 vaccine.
CLICK HERE
Latest News: A promising Vaccine announced by Pfizer (with 90% efficacy) is hoped for by end of November / beginning of December 2020.
In the meantime, people should continue to use masks and other precautions to protect themselves and others.