At PainPod our goal is to be the thought leader in personal care. However, this is not limited to simple pain relief, but also involves broader aspects of health and wellness, including issues of local, national and international importance.

Consequently, in this and future newsletters we will also be providing actionable information on the current Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).

WHAT TO DO ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19)

[Check Australian Dept of Health and Queensland Health websites for updates] 

First of all: WASH YOUR HANDS! Frequently and for at least 20 seconds

General information

• There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. SO - the best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus 
• COVID-19 spread can be spread in several different ways

• Person-to-person: through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes within about 6 feet of another person
• Person-to-person: through physical contact, especially shaking hands – even Hi Fives (sigh)
• Surface to person: Almost surface can hold the virus, and any that are touched the most often are the greatest risk. This includes

• Bathroom tap handles,
• Doorknobs 
• Elevator buttons 
• Handrails  
• Touchscreens on tablets and ATMs 
• MOBILE PHONES!!

Remember: WASH YOUR HANDS! Frequently and for at least 20 seconds

COVID-19 stays infectious for a LONG TIME

• It can live in air for up to 3 hours!
• It can live on cardboard for up to 24 hours!
• It can live on plastic and stainless steel for 2-3 days!

So, make sure you focus on and take precautions!

Check out this video for more info https://on.today.com/2QcCGQr 
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Top tips from the CDC (USA) to protect against coronavirus 

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• 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.

Top Tips from the CDC (USA) to protect others if you are sick

• Stay home except to get medical care. 
• 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.
• 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, and 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 they should be saved for caregivers.

Clean and Disinfect Regularly

• 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.
  

Guidelines for the Home

All households

• Clean hands at the door and at regular intervals
• Create habits and reminders to avoid touching their face and cover coughs and sneezes
• Disinfect surfaces like doorknobs, tables, and handrails regularly
• Increase ventilation by opening windows or adjusting air conditioning

Households with vulnerable seniors or those with significant underlying conditions

• Significant underlying conditions include heart, lung, kidney disease; diabetes; and conditions that suppress the immune system
• Have the healthy people in the household conduct themselves as if they were a significant risk to the person with underlying conditions. For example, wash hands frequently before interacting with the person, such as by feeding or caring for the person
• If possible, provide a protected space for vulnerable household members 
• Ensure all utensils and surfaces are cleaned regularly

Households with sick family members

• Give sick members their own room if possible, and keep the door closed 
• Have only one family member care for them
• Consider providing additional protections or more intensive care for household members over 65 years old or with underlying conditions