Who am I?
I am the founder of this Volunteer Organisation and a Registered Nurse of 40 years currently working in a GP Clinic. Daily I am receiving information from “Northern NSW Primary Health Care”, (Information to Health Workers in General Practice Clinics). I am also researching and keeping up to date with the Medical Experts and Scientists in regard to COVID-19. This following information is based on that information.
PANDEMIC PLAN: Don’t Panic, Don’t be Complacent. Prepare, prepare, prepare…..
WHEN MIGHT YOU NEED TO ISOLATE AT HOME?
1. If you or your family become infected and have mild symptoms. Why? To prevent spreading it.
2. If you are one of the vulnerable and at risk of getting very sick: elderly, have Chronic Disease, are Immunocompromised, are of Aboriginal/Torres Strait background or a combination of these. Why? To avoid getting the Virus and needing Hospitalising. This group is not only the most vulnerable but may have to avoid public places for months.
WE NEED TO HELP THESE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
INDIVIDUALS and FAMILIES: Stay Informed and get the facts.
The COVID-19 is here, our best hope is to slow its spread so that the Health Sector can cope with those that need hospitalisation and Intensive Care. We DO NOT want to become like ITALY. Most of us are likely to get the Virus over the next months and have minor illnesses. We need to protect the vulnerable against the Virus and have resources available for the usual urgent treatment required by the general public that occurs every day. It could be you or the family that need this assistance, so we need the beds available.
WE NEED TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE NEEDING HOSPITALISING AT THE SAME TIME.
UNTIL THERE IS A VACCINE, THE ONLY WAY TO SLOW THE VIRUS and REDUCE THE NUMBER OF VERY SICK NEEDING HOSPITALISING AT THE SAME TIME, is to reduce person to person contact.
Google: NSW Health, Tweed Council Dashboard, Smart Traveller.
Podcast: Corona Cast.
Hygiene: Coughing/sneezing , etiquette frequent thorough hand washing, hand sanitisers when out and about. eg. before you handle and eat that food in the food court after you have just touched the toilet door handle. THINK.
Distancing: Avoid touching others and being in crowds. Keep at least 1.5 metres between others where possible. Avoid group travel and public transport. Air Conditioning and close contact spread bugs.
WE NEED TO SLOW THE SPREAD.
Increase your Immunity: Vitamin D & C. ( Scientific evidence supports this).
Avoid preventable secondary infections:
1. Fluvax NB: this will not prevent you getting every Influenza virus but may stop you getting a bad one, (Available mid to late April).
Pneumovax NB: free to over 65 and under 65’s who have Chronic Diseases or are Immunocompromised or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, (Booster for these groups after 5 years, available now through your GP). The Pneumovax does not protect against Viral Pneumonias or every Bacterial Pneumonia, however it is another level of protection for the vulnerable.
You want to avoid a Double Whammy and Secondary Infection. Remember after any Immunisation, your body takes two weeks to create Antibodies and fully protect against ONLY the organisms in the vaccine. So the sooner the better. COVID-19: Know the symptoms. (Fever over 37.8, Dry Cough, Sore Throat). Level of sickness varies from person to person. If you have symptoms a) Isolate at home, b) Ring your GP and follow advice. REMEMBER, some people are spreading the virus and have NO or VERY MILD symptoms. If you are positive for COVID-19. c) Follow medical advice. d) If asked to isolate at home, do so. Why? To protect the vulnerable in the community. e) If you have others living with you, they will likely also be infected or will become so. Therefore the whole family needs to isolate at home. Current recommendations are 14 days. Once you have had the virus, you are most likely Immune from getting it again (Because your body has created Antibodies).
Preparing for Self Isolation:
- Two-three weeks of non perishable food.
- Basic toiletries and cleaning products to last.
- First-Aid kit and other Emergency equipment.
- Extra medications that may be needed.
Remember: Some Supermarkets do home deliveries, as do Chemists.
COMMUNITY:
KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOUR: Many in the community have no Internet or lack the skills to fully utilise it. An “At Risk” neighbour may be self isolating to protect themselves.
Phone, drop some groceries at their door, organise a delivery of food from the Supermarket.
Theres a lot we can do for each other with reduced physical contact as we live in the age of digital communication.
WORKPLACE:
Talk to your manager about the Workplace Pandemic Plan. Create one and have regular staff meetings.
What is the policy about: Hygiene, sick leave, remote work if possible, surviving loss of income, protecting each other.
SUMMARY:
We all wish this wasn’t happening and it’s not yet tangible like the smoke haze we recently experienced. But it’s very real and having knowledge and a plan reduces anxiety.
Most of us will be OK. We all know someone who may not. Talk to them, help them understand and prepare to stay safe (by avoiding people).
We are a Community, lets behave like one.