STAYING HOME. STAYING SAFE. SAVING LIVES.
STILL STAYING HOME. STILL STAYING SAFE. STILL SAVING LIVES.
Photo by Fusion Medical Animation on Unsplash
We all have a responsibility to our fellow sisters and brothers. Our stewardship of the message to stay home, stay safe and save lives is an act of loving kindness, respect and gratitude, and one we must continue to do.
Let’s together continue to carry this mandate well, not lose heart nor hope, and protect each other with care.
This page will be updated with relevant information and resources. Keep up to date by checking back to see the latest news and recommendations.
Please act in accordance with all current directions issued by our government health bodies and healthcare officials.
What we know about COVID-19
WHAT IS CORONAVIRUS?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which have the potential to cause illness in animals (including camels, cattle, cats, and bats) or humans. We know of several coronaviruses that can affect humans and these are known to cause respiratory infections, ranging from the common cold to severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Animal coronaviruses rarely infect humans, then spreading between humans, but it has occurred such as with MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, and now with this new virus, named SARS-CoV-2.
The most recently discovered coronavirus causes coronavirus disease COVID-19.
WHAT IS COVID-19?
COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus. The three viruses that have spread from animal to humans - MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, and now SARS-CoV-2 - are all betacoronaviruses, and have their origins in bats.
Before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, both the virus (SARS-CoV-2) and the disease (COVID-19) were unknown.
WHERE AND JUST HOW DID COVID-19 START?
The epicenter of the outbreak occurred in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Many of the initial patients reported some link to a large seafood and live animal market, therefore suggesting animal-to-person spread. An increasing number of patients later reported no exposure to animal markets and therefore indicating person-to-person spread. Person-to-person spread continued to escalate within the province and then outside Hubei and also in countries outside China. COVID-19 is now a pandemic affecting many countries globally with community spread still occurring. Community spread means some people have been infected with COVID-19 and it is not known how or where they became exposed.
WHO CAN COVID-19 AFFECT?
(Centre for Disease Control (CDC) Facts)
The virus can make anyone sick regardless of their race or ethnicity
Some people are at increased risk of getting COVID-19
COVID-19 is mainly spread through respiratory droplets expelled by someone who is coughing or has other symptoms such as fever or fatigue
Many people with COVID-19 experience only mild symptoms. This is particularly true in the early stages of the disease
People who live in, or have recently been in an area with ongoing spread are at increased risk of exposure
Some reports have indicated that people with no symptoms can transmit the virus. It is not yet known how often it happens
Persons who have been in close contact with a person with confirmed COVID-19 have been advised to self-isolate for 14 days (seek leave, hiatus and avoid places of business until the full period is completed without symptoms)
Based on what we know now, persons at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 are:
People 65 years and older
People who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility
People of all ages with serious underlying medical conditions
WHAT ARE THE COMMON SYMPTOMS?
If you have serious symptoms such as difficulty breathing, call 000 for urgent medical help.
fever
coughing
sore throat
fatigue
shortness of breath
Seek medical advice if you…
develop symptoms; AND
have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or live in or have recently traveled from an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19
NOTE: Call ahead before going to any doctor's office or emergency room. Tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms.
IMPORTANT ACTIONS KEEP yourself + others healthy
STAY @ HOME
Remain at home and only go out when absolutely essential.
COVER YOUR COUGH & SNEEZE
The flu virus can travel through the air when a person coughs or sneezes. When you cough or sneeze:
Turn away from other people
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue, your upper sleeve or your elbow
Use disposable tissues rather than a handkerchief (which could store the virus)
Put used tissues into the nearest bin, rather than a pocket or handbag
Wash your hands, or use an alcohol hand rub, as soon as possible afterwards.
PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING
When you do go out, practice social distancing, keeping at least 1.5m away from other people, avoiding common greeting gestures like shaking hands, kiss of greeting, hugs. Keep within social gathering limits.
STAY HOME WHEN UNWELL
When you feel unwell, the best thing to do is stay rested at home and appropriately isolated so that other household members don’t also get sick. Ensure you seek medical help when needed.
WASH YOUR HANDS THOROUGHLY & REGULARLY
Wash your hands often with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds. Ensure you wash your hands especially after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose, going to the bathroom, and before preparing food and eating.
AVOIDING TOUCHING YOUR FACE
Avoid touching your face (or anyone else’s), particularly your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. A really tough task for kids, so do your best to keep their little hands clean.
prioritise your health + wellbeing THROUGH SELF-CARE
Nutrient-rich diet + Hydration
Your days may feel like groundhog day, but your meals don’t have to. Bring diversity into your diet and make every meal brim with colourful nutrient-rich whole foods.
Resilience
There is not a life that does not know fear, stress, anxiety, failure. When times of trouble come, do your best to learn and look forward.
Don’t undervalue the power of the present, don’t over-exaggerate what happened yesterday, and don’t overestimate the value of tomorrow. John C. Maxwell
Sleep
The importance of healthy sleep cannot be underestimated. Sleep is like a daily car service for the body, inspecting, repairing and synchronising molecular structures and functions, energy balance, immunity, cardiovascular health, as well as intellectual function, alertness and mood.
Relaxation
Make relaxation a practice rather than the absent-minded slump onto the lounge to binge watch tv (as this may not have the desired relaxing benefits your body needs). Put into action what you know will help you relax - nasal breathing, mindfulness, meditation, yoga, walks in nature - the list is endless and so are the benefits.
Moving + Exercising
Keep active daily. Structured and incidental physical activity are both important for supporting your long-term health, posture, bone density and cardiovascular health and can positively impact your mental wellbeing, energy, sleep quality, and digestion.
Connection
Isolation and loneliness are real. They can almost feel synonymous with the term ‘social distancing’. It’s not and I thank you for being brave during this very unpredictable season. Reach out. It will take courage. You are worth it.
important resources
HOTLINES
Australian Government's National Coronavirus Helpline 1800 020 080
Emergency 000
Lifeline 13 11 14
Beyond Blue 1300 224 636
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
Headspace 1800 650 890
MensLine 1300 78 99 78
Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) 131 450
Thanks and recognition to the photographers behind the photos used in this article: