Empowering Disciples Church

Info from the CDC*

(Also see below for other info from the State of Michigan & More)

* CLICK HERE FOR INFO ON $50 INCENTIVE FOR 1st 2nd OR BOOSTER VACCINES *

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CDC=Center for Disease Control and Prevention

CDC UPDATES

You can stay updated with the latest info from the CDC by checking their website [CDC’s Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) website].

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19?

People diagnosed with COVID-19 have reported mild to severe respiratory illness 2 to 14 days after exposure. Symptoms include:

• fever

• cough

• shortness of breath

HOW IS COVID-19 SPREAD?

The virus is thought to spread mainly from person to person

• Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).

• Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

• It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose or possibly their eyes.

CDC GUIDANCE TO HELP REDUCE THE SPREAD OF COVID-19

To help protect yourself and others from contracting the flu and other illnesses, the CDC recommends the following:

• Staying home when sick.
• Washing your hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds, and help young children do the same. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or cough/sneeze in your upper sleeve. Immediately throw away used tissues in the trash, then wash hands.
• Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoiding close contact, sharing cups, or sharing eating utensils.
• Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, such as toys, [countertops] and doorknobs.
• Practice good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
• Be prepared with the following supplies:

o Maintain a two-week supply of water and food at home

o Routinely check your regular prescription drugs to ensure that you won’t run out

o Keep non-prescription drugs and other health supplies on hand

o Get copies and maintain electronic versions of health records

o Talk with family members about how they would be cared for if they got sick and what would be needed to care for them in your home

• CDC recommends that people who are well wear a high-quality facemask or respirator (e.g. N95) any time you around others inside your home or indoors in public, to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19.

• Do not go places where you are not able to wear a mask.

• Take extra precautions if you will be around people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19.

* The above info was provided courtesy of the Oakland Community Health Division [OakGov.com/Health].

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updates from the state of michigan*

Up to date info can be obtained about the spread of COVID-19 in the State of Michigan by going to their website [Michigan Coronavirus Info].

* Above info was provided courtesy of the Oakland Community Health Division [OakGov.com/Health]

PHONE #'S WHERE YOU MAY GET MORE INFO:

Available from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is a hotline that will take calls with questions on COVID-19, 24/7 from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. That Number is 1-888-536-6136.

City residents may contact the Detroit Health Department at 1-313-876-4000 for guidance if you have been exposed or showing symptoms of COVID-19.

Info immediately below is from WDET 101.9 fm

Reduce your stress by focusing

There are a lot of things surrounding this virus that are totally out of your control. If you focus on those things it is likely to increase your anxiety. Therefore instead, FOCUS on the things that are within your control and you will find that your stress is much more manageable.

Michigan Department of Health and Human Resources

Recommendations for COVID-19

Also see other MDHHS resources and assistance programs.

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What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a new virus that has spread to people since December 2019. Health experts are concerned because the virus is spreading rapidly and has the potential to cause severe sickness and pneumonia.

HOW CAN I PROTECT MYSELF FROM GETTING COVID-19?

Wash Your Hands

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to kill the COVID-19 virus.
o You can carry water and a piece of bar soap to wash your hands if you are in public, or your family members’ hands if they are out in public with you. You can also carry a rag, napkin, or paper towel to dry your hands.
• *If water and soap is not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Try your very best to find hand sanitizer in your local community stores or online. If you do not have access to a computer and internet, ask a family member or friend if they can help you. Some doctor offices offer hand sanitizer to its patients, ask your doctor if that resource is available to you.
• Wearing gloves will not help protect you from COVID-19. Your hands can get the virus on them when putting gloves on and taking gloves off. To protect yourself and your family from COVID-19, you and your family should wash your hands often.
Clean Surfaces and Objects

• A person can become infected with COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it, then touching their mouth nose or eyes. COVID-19 may live on surfaces for up to 3 days.
• To avoid spreading COVID-19 to your family, you should clean and disinfect commonly touched and visibly dirty surfaces and objects at home. 1
o It is important to clean surfaces like tables, countertops, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, toilets, faucets, sinks, etc.
o It is important to clean objects like phones, tablets, keyboards, remote controls, etc.
• Cleaning is done with soap and water or another detergent.
• Disinfecting is done with cleaners (like Lysol or Clorox cleaners) to kill the virus.
o Use the cleaner on the surface. Follow instructions on the label. 2
o It will take 10 minutes before the cleaner works and the surface is really disinfected.
o If you don’t have a disinfecting cleaner, cleaning with what you have is better than nothing. Use soap and water or a cleaner that contains 70% rubbing alcohol if available. Vinegar cleans, but does not disinfect.
• Regular bleach is one of the best household products proven to disinfect and kill COVID- 19, if used correctly. Make sure you prepare bleach by mixing 5 tablespoons (1/3 cup) of bleach per gallon of water or 4 teaspoons of bleach per 1 quart of water. Use on appropriate surface and leave for at least 1 minute.
o Do not use bleach in surroundings where there are individuals who have conditions that make it hard to breath – like asthma, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), and bronchitis. Bleach can make those conditions worse.
o Make sure the bleach you are using is not expired.

• It is best not to directly touch household cleaners. Wear gloves when you clean and disinfect to protect your hands and make sure the area you are cleaning has good air flow. If you cannot buy gloves, use a rag and try not to get the cleaner on your skin. Wash your hands when you are done.
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1 Cleaning and Disinfecting for Households, CDC. Retrieved on 4.16.20 from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cleaning-disinfection.html.

2 How to Clean and Disinfect, CDC. Retrieved on 4.16.20 from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019- ncov/prevent-getting-sick/disinfecting-your-home.html.
Keep Distance from Sick Family in Households

• The virus can spread mainly from person-to-person: Between people who are in close contact (within about 6 feet) with an sick person, and through drops (respiratory droplets) that come from your mouth and nose when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. Usually you cannot see the drops, so do not assume you did not get drops on you when you are near other people. If you or a family member is infected with COVID-19, you must stay home and away from others, or in a hospital if you are very sick. 3
o Remember: 6 feet are about two and a half (2.5) times your arms’ length.
• *If your home does not have a separate room to keep someone that has the virus, do the
following:4
o Avoid having unnecessary visitors, that includes other family members who are not
caring for the sick individual. This will help your visitors not become sick too.
o Take steps to improve your household’s ventilation (get fresh air in the house) to help
shorten the time it takes for respiratory droplets (drops from the mouth when a sick person coughs, sneezes and talks) to be removed from the air. One way to ventilate your home is by opening windows or doors, if possible.
o Maintain at least 6 feet between you and your sick family member. Create a way to assist your family without ever getting physically close (6 feet or less). For instance, you may set the food down on a table and the sick individual can get up and collect the food after you have moved 6 feet away from that physical area.
o Wash your hands with soap and water as often as possible, especially before and after providing care (serving food or medicine, helping change clothes, etc.) to your sick family member. Do not touch your face.
o Use cloth cover for your nose and eyes, especially if you must get physically close to the sick person and if they cannot wear a facial cloth covering.
o Constantly clean and disinfect all surface areas and objects that your sick family member touched, including the clothes hamper/basket.
o Do not share dishes, plates, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with sick people in your home.
o Dirty laundry from a person who is sick can be washed with other family items. Always use the warmest appropriate water setting and dry items completely. Do not shake dirty laundry and wear disposable gloves when handling dirty laundry from a person who is sick. Remove gloves and wash hands right away. If laundry is soiled, keep away from your body while washing.
o Sick individuals must always cover coughs and sneezes with tissue (like napkin, paper towel, kleenex, etc.) and discard immediately. If you do not have tissues, they can cough into their elbow.
o Sick individuals should wear a cloth face covering if they can. Do not use a cloth face covering on children under 2 years old or on people with breathing problems or people who cannot take the face cover off.
o Sick individuals must take their own temperature twice a day and check for signs of fever. Clean or disinfect the thermometer after each use. Contact your doctor if the fever spikes and if you’re worried about other symptoms. Call 911 if the fever is life threatening, or the sick individual shows other emergency warning signs including: trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or inability to arouse, blue colored lips or face. 5
o When you call 911, tell them COVID-19 symptoms that you have.
• If you have two bathrooms, use one for the sick person and the other for the rest of your family.
*If your home does not have an extra bathroom:
o Protect your family by cleaning and disinfecting (with a cleaner or bleach mixed with water) your bathroom often, especially right after your sick family member has used it.
o Clean and disinfect all surface areas and objects that your sick family member touched when going back and forth from the bathroom.
• If you have a family member who is sick, you must also physically stay away from others (even if you aren’t sick) for 14 days. This means staying home from work and other places except to get food, prescriptions or to see a doctor.
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3 How COVID-19 Spreads, Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved on 4.16.20 from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-covid-spreads.html.
4 Caring for Someone at Home, CDC. Retrieved on 4.16.20 from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if- you-are-sick/care-for-someone.html.
5 Steps to Help Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 If You Are Sick. Retrieved on 4.17.20 from   https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html
Wear Face Cloth Coverings

• Face cloth coverings should:
o Be worn by people who are caring for someone who is sick
o Be worn in public to protect self from COVID-196
o Cover both your mouth and nose, but allow for breathing without restriction
o Include multiple layers of fabric/cloth
o Be secured with ties or ear loops
o Be washed every day, if possible. Be careful when drying the fabric. The shape of face coverings should never change or shrink!
• When removing a face cloth covering, you should never touch your eyes, nose and mouth. Wash your hands immediately after removing.

• You should not buy a face mask at the market, you can create a cloth face covering with things you have. Medical masks are for doctors and nurses.
• Here are 3 examples of how to make homemade facial cloth coverings:
o Sew your own facial cloth covering at home with: needle and thread, scissors, a piece of cotton fabric (10 inches by 6 inches), elastic (or rubber bands, string cloth strips, or hair ties).
o Make your own facial cloth covering with: a t-shirt and scissors.
o Make your own facial cloth covering with: a bandana or scarf, a coffee filter, rubber bands (or hair ties), and scissors.7
o You can also watch a step by step video on making homemade cloth face coverings from the U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams.
• *If you fear being perceived as "criminal" or being discriminated against by strangers for wearing a mask, remember that it is your health and that of your family and community you are protecting.
o You are not responsible for how you are perceived. Everyone should wear a face covering in public. You are doing the right thing.
o If you would like to speak to someone for emotional support, you can call the Michigan statewide hotline for mental health at 1-888-733-7753.
o If you feel you have been discriminated against and would like to make a report, you can file a complaint of discrimination using the online complaint form, call 1-800-482-3604, or email MDCR-INFO@michigan.gov

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6 Strong recommendation made by Michigan’s Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun in April 2020.
7 Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services USA. C316353B 4/4/2020. cdc.gov/coronavirus