Senior Voice -

Here are do's and don'ts if you fall ill during this coronavirus crisis, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

Do not leave home.

Stay home. You may leave to see the doctor, but do not go to the pharmacy, grocery store, or other public place before or after.

Stay in touch with your doctor. Before going to the doctor, call his or her office and tell them your symptoms. IF you feel short of breath, call 9-1-1 or go to an emergency room.

Avoid public transportation.

Monitor your symptoms. Watch for trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, confusion, or a difficulty in "waking up," or bluish lips or face. Go to an emergency room immediately, or call 9-1-1 if you are alone. *This is not an all-inclusive list. Contact your doctor regarding your specific medical condition and/or symptoms.*

Separate yourself from other people in your home.

Practice self-isolation, or home-isolation, and it is imperative to prevent others in your household from getting sick. Stay in a specific room and do not leave it except to use the bathroom. Use a separate bathroom if at all possible.

Use one set of dishes, including utensils. Have your caregiver wash them in hot, soapy water after each use. Dry separately, and keep separate from other household members' dishes.

Wear a face mask.

If you are sick, wear a face mask when you are around any other people, and particularly if entering a medical facility.

If you are so sick you cannot wear a mask (due to breathing difficulties), your caregiver should wear a mask. Visitors are not recommended.

Wash your hands, and all surfaces, multiple times per day. Handwashing requires ample soap and water, for 25 seconds. Hand sanitizer of 60% alcohol or greater can be used in a pinch, but is not a sufficient replacement for good handwashing practices. Wash before eating, after using the bathroom, before and after using a phone or computer, and after coughing or sneezing (although you should do both into your elbow or a tissue, then discard the tissue).

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html