Red Cross issues coronavirus safety and readiness tips
CAPITAL REGION, N.Y. » The Northeastern American Red Cross joins with the efforts of all the American Red Cross chapters in all fifty states to closely monitor the rapidly evolving outbreak of coronavirus.
The Northeastern New York Chapter of the American Red Cross serves the communities of Albany, Fulton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren and Washington counties.
The American Red Cross is also supporting government agencies to assist evacuees who have been quarantined after returning to the United States from overseas.
In particular, they partner with Advancing Transfusion and Cellular Therapies Worldwide (AABB), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ensure the safety and availability of the United States blood supply for patients in need.
It is important to note that there have been no reported blood transfusion transmissions of respiratory viruses including coronaviruses and influenzalike viruses worldwide at this time. While the risk of contracting any coronavirus through a blood transfusion is extremely low, the American Red Cross has implemented new blood donation deferrals out of an abundance of caution following the outbreak.
Officials are now asking that individuals postpone their donation for 28 days following:
• Travel to China and its special administrative regions, Hong Kong and Macau, a diagnosis of COVID-19, contact with a person who has the virus, or who is suspected to have it.
Overseas, Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers are supporting communities in preparing for the virus and protecting families from getting sick. Red Cross and Red Crescent teams are educating communities about how to mitigate the spread of this virus, offering community-based health and hygiene promotion, providing access to basic services, and fighting rumors and stigma.
For everyday health safety and preparedness steps people in the U.S. can take now in response to coronavirus concerns, people review these helpful tips.
LIMIT THE SPREAD OF GERMS AND PREVENT INFECTION
There are common sense steps we can all take to prevent the spread of any respiratory virus: • Get your flu vaccine. • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Practice other good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food.
• Disinfect doorknobs, switches, handles, computers, telephones, bedside tables, bathroom sinks, toilets, counters, toys and other surfaces that are commonly touched around the home or workplace.
• Follow the CDC’s recommendations for using a face mask.
GET YOUR HOUSEHOLD READY
There are things you can do right now to be ready for any emergency, and many of these same tips will help you prepare as the coronavirus situation continues to evolve in the U.S.
• Have a supply of food staples and household supplies like laundry detergent and bathroom items, and diapers if you have small children.
• Check to make sure you have at least a 30-day supply of your prescription medications, and have other health supplies on hand, including pain relievers, stomach remedies, cough and cold medicines, fluids with electrolytes, and vitamins.
• Know how your local public health agency will share information. Find more information here.
• Learn how your children’s schools and your place of work plan to handle any outbreak.
• People with elderly parents or relatives should have a plan in place for caring for them if they fall ill.
• Help family members and neighbors get prepared and share the safety messaging with those who may not have access to it.