[PPRAANet] COVID19 info from last night's meeting

[John Bloodgood]

Folks,

Last night at the meeting while discussing the Coronavirus, COVID19, I mentioned 5 letters to know:  CDPHE.  That is the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.  Their website is https://www.colorado.gov/cdphe .

For official, accurate information regarding the Coronavirus in Colorado, please rely on the CDPHE. Reliable local news outlets are also good, such as KKTV, KOAA, KRDO, Fox21, and the Gazette.

Be very careful about what you hear from friends, via email, or on social media like Facebook -- there is a ton of bad info out there and some sites which are even using this to hack your computer. Only trust known, reliable sites.

- Masks:  Please don't rush out and buy a bunch of masks. They don't really help and typically are put on the infected person, not uninfected people. This virus is not airborne.
- Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water.  If you don't have soap or water, you can use a hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol. The old rule of thumb is 60% alcohol for 60 seconds.
- Don't touch your face. Easier said than done.
- Cough or sneeze into a tissue and then throw it away. Use the inside of your elbow if you have no tissue or kerchief.  Don't use your hands.
- Disinfect commonly touched objects and surfaces.
- Don't share glasses/cups, etc.
- If you feel sick, stay home, self-isolate and if you want to go to the doctor, call ahead.

Basically, the precautions are the same as with the flu.

The flu shot or other vaccine will not protect you against this virus. Pneumonia shots can reduce complications from the COVID19 virus, but does not prevent getting sick with COVID19 itself.

Echinacea , Vitamin C, Elderberry, etc. will not prevent getting the virus. While it doesn't hurt to make sure you are getting your vitamins, none of these popular "homeopathic" items stop the virus.  There is no evidence that zinc lozenges do any good either even though zinc does deactivate some viruses. If you want to use these things, that is up to you, but do not expect them to shield you from this.

This is a respiratory virus, making it hard to breathe.  It is not a gastro-intestinal virus, so no need to stock up on toilet paper.  Gloves are of limited help as you can't get COVID19 by touch, it needs to get in your mouth or nose.

V/r






John Bloodgood, KD0SFY
Emergency Coordinator & Public Information Officer
Pikes Peak ARES (Region 2 District 2, Colorado ARES)
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