In hopes of answering questions you may have and calming some anxieties about the coronavirus, we have put together a list of resources below from reputable organizations that can provide you with up-to-date information.
What is the COVID-19?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19, causes respiratory illness in people. It can spread from person to person through “respiratory droplets” that occur when an infected person sneezes or coughs. Symptoms range from mild to severe. Common symptoms that present 2-14 days after exposure include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. The virus was first reported from Wuhan, China on December 31, 2019, but is now confirmed in many locations internationally, including in the United States. The World Health Organization declared a global pandemic on March 11, 2020.
It’s important to remember that COVID-19 isn’t connected to race, ethnicity or nationality. Stigma will not help fight the illness. Sharing accurate information from trusted sources is critical to reduce misinformation. Find reliable and current information about the outbreak from local, state, and national agencies below.
Websites:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The CDC is a federal public health institute of the United States. It offers current information about:
- symptoms,
- testing, and
- prevention and treatment.
The CDC has frequent updates on new cases in the United States, risk assessments by country, and information for travel and travelers. Helpful sections include posters on how to prevent the spread of the virus within your community and an Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) page answering all of your questions.
The World Health Organization (WHO)
The WHO provides:
- advice for health workers,
- instructional videos for basic protective measures,
- tips for getting your workplace ready, and much more.
It also features myth buster graphics such as the one below to stop the spread of misinformation, that put people and their communities at greater risk.
MedlinePlus
MedlinePlus is a service of the National Library of Medicine. The organization’s mission is aimed at providing health information to the public that is trusted, easy to understand, free of advertising, in both English and Spanish.
Its content on COVID-19 includes:
- a summary of information on prevention and diagnosis,
- an overview of the types of coronaviruses and how testing is used, and
- direct links to journal articles from MEDLINE/PubMed and Clinical.
Oregon Health Authority (OHA)
For the latest on monitoring cases in Oregon, the OHA has a section on cases and monitoring. This state government website also includes:
- information about COVID-19 preparation in Oregon.
- Guidelines for large events, public gatherings, employers, schools, employers and faith based organizations.
Hood River County Health Department
For the latest information for Hood River County.
Hood River School District
For the latest information for the Hood River County School District.
Children & Families
According to the CDC, there is no evidence or published research that shows that pregnant women or children are more at risk to COVID-19. Find FAQs about COVID-19 and pregnancy, breastfeeding, and COVID-19 and children by clicking on these links. The CDC also provides guides for how to get your household ready to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as well as posters on handwashing for children and teens.
Need help talking to your kids about COVID-19? Staff at the National Public Radio used interviews from various public health and social work experts to create a comic about what kids may want to know. You can see a snippet below:
Mental Health
The terms outbreak, epidemic, global health emergency, and quarantine often can be trigger words for many people creating anxiety, depression, fear, and distrust. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) created a Coping with Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks fact sheet that describes common signs of stress , how to recognize when to get help, and advice for coping.
Beware of scams!
The WHO has a dedicated page listing potential scams seeking to steal money or sensitive information from people. Improve your cyber security by reading the WHO’s information and tips.
If you have questions, look for answers at one of these resources, beware of scams, and wash your hands (for at least 20 seconds)!