Posted on Monday,
March 16, 2020 by DCPC
Since the novel coronavirus was first identified
and named in January, there has been a flurry of news articles and social media
posts about the respiratory illness, also known as COVID-19. The flood of
information can make it difficult to separate fact from fiction, and in a
rapidly evolving situation such as this, rumors and misinformation can be
dangerous. This is particularly true for people living with cancer, who may
already have weakened immune systems that place them at higher risk for
developing serious complications from the disease.
It’s natural for people to search for answers
and information in times of uncertainty. Just make sure that your information
sources are credible ones. The Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention has an excellent site that
it updated daily with the latest information on COVID-19.
Don’t fall for claims about remedies that will
immunize or cure you of the disease. While there isn’t currently a vaccine or
cure for coronavirus, there is a lot that you can still do to protect yourself
and your health. Many of these are common practices that you already do every
day.
Avoid close contact.
·
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 cancer survivors and people with other serious chronic conditions, who
people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
·
Avoid crowded locations
like malls, theaters, and sports venues.
Keep your hands clean.
·
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 touching
high-touch surfaces in public places—elevator buttons, door handles, handrails,
handshaking with people, etc. Use a tissue or your sleeve to cover your hand or
finger if you must touch something.
Make sure your health care team is also taking
steps to protect you from exposures.
·
Your health care
providers should also practice frequent hand washing and, in some cases, wear
masks, gowns, and/or gloves to avoid exposing you to bacteria, viruses, and
other infection-causing agents.
·
There is a wealth of
information for cancer patients currently receiving treatment,
cancer survivors, caregivers, and health care providers on how to prevent
infection and support wellness on CDC’s preventcancerinfections.org.
Clean and disinfect.
·
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.
Avoid Nonessential travel.
·
Visit CDC’s site for the latest
information and travel risks and restrictions.
Taking just a few precautions now is your best
defense in preventing and avoiding illness from this novel coronavirus.
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