A message from Extended Family Care President\/CEO, Stephen Sternbach<\/strong><\/p>\n ****************************************************************************************<\/p>\n To our valued Clients and Employees,<\/p>\n Home Care Services Allentown<\/a> PA – An Update Regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19)\n In these times of uncertainty, we want you to know that the safety and health of clients and employees are always a top priority. Now more than ever, our business is you.<\/strong><\/p>\n As we continue to monitor developments and navigate through these challenging circumstances, we want you to know that you can rely on us always to put your health and safety first.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 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, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.<\/p>\n How easily a virus spreads from person-to-person can vary. Some viruses are highly contagious (spread easily), like measles, while other viruses do not spread as easily. Another factor is whether the spread is sustained, spreading continually without stopping.<\/p>\n The virus that causes COVID-19 seems to be spreading easily and sustainably in the community (\u201ccommunity spread\u201d) in some affected\u00a0geographic areas<\/span>.<\/p>\n Community spread<\/strong>\u00a0means people have been infected with the virus in an area, including some who are not sure how or where they became infected.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Before an Outbreak Occurs in Your Community PLAN AHEAD:<\/strong><\/p>\n Talk with the people who need to be included in your plan.<\/strong>\u00a0Meet with household members, other relatives, and friends to discuss\u00a0what to do if a COVID-19 outbreak occurs in your community<\/span>\u00a0and what the needs of each person will be.<\/p>\n Plan ways to care for those who might be at greater risk for serious complications.<\/strong>\u00a0There is limited information about\u00a0who may be at risk for severe complications from COVID-19 illness<\/span>. From the data that are available for COVID-19 patients, and from data for related coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, it is possible that older adults and persons who have underlying chronic medical conditions may be at risk for more serious complications.<\/p>\n Early data suggest older people are more likely to have serious COVID-19 illness. <\/strong><\/p>\n If you or your household members are at increased risk for COVID-19 complications, please consult with your health care provider for more information about\u00a0monitoring your health for symptoms suggestive of COVID-19.<\/span> CDC will recommend actions to help keep people at high risk for complications healthy if a COVID-19 outbreak occurs in your community.<\/p>\n Get to know your neighbors.<\/strong>\u00a0Talk with your neighbors about emergency planning. If your neighborhood has a website or social media page, consider joining it to maintain access to neighbors, information, and resources.<\/p>\n Identify aid organizations in your community.<\/strong>\u00a0Create a list of local organizations that you and your household can contact in the event you need access to information, health care services, support, and resources. Consider including organizations that provide mental health or counseling services, food, and other supplies.<\/p>\n Create an emergency contact list.<\/strong>\u00a0Ensure your household has a current list of emergency contacts for family, friends, neighbors, carpool drivers, health care providers, teachers, employers, the local public health department, and other community resources.<\/p>\n Practice everyday preventive actions now.<\/strong>\u00a0Remind everyone in your household of the importance of practicing everyday preventive actions that can help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Choose a room in your home that can be used to separate sick household members from those who are healthy.<\/strong>\u00a0Identify a separate bathroom for the sick person to use, if possible. Plan to clean these rooms, as needed, when someone is sick.\u00a0Learn how to care for someone with COVID-19 at home.<\/span><\/p>\n Learn about the emergency operations plan at your child\u2019s school or childcare facility.<\/strong>\u00a0During a COVID-19 outbreak in your community, local public health officials may recommend\u00a0temporary school dismissals<\/span>\u00a0to help slow the spread of illness. School authorities also may decide to dismiss a school if too many students or staff are absent. Understand the plan for continuing education and social services (such as student meal programs) during school dismissals. If your child attends a college or university, encourage them to learn about the school\u2019s plan for a COVID-19 outbreak.<\/p>\n Learn about your employer\u2019s emergency operations<\/strong>\u00a0plan.<\/strong>\u00a0Discuss sick-leave policies and telework options for workers who are sick or who need to stay home to care for sick household members.\u00a0Learn how businesses and employers can plan for and respond to COVID-19.<\/span><\/p>\n If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our offices during business hours: 610-432-6676.<\/p>\n Sincerely,<\/p>\n\n
From the CDC: https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/coronavirus\/2019-ncov\/<\/span><\/h2>\n
How COVID-19 \u00a0Spreads<\/h2>\n
Person-to-person spread<\/h3>\n
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Can someone spread the virus without being sick?<\/h4>\n
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Spread from contact with contaminated surfaces or objects<\/h3>\n
How easily the virus spreads<\/h2>\n
What You Can Do to Keep Yourself and Your Family Healthy<\/h3>\n
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Create a household plan of action.<\/em><\/h3>\n
Practice good personal health habits and plan for home-based actions<\/em><\/h3>\n
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Be prepared if your child\u2019s school or childcare facility is temporarily dismissed<\/em><\/h3>\n
Plan for potential changes at your workplace<\/em><\/h3>\n