We at CCB are concerned about your well-being as we address the COVID-19 pandemic, and so we’ve compiled some important facts about COVID-19 and prevention tips to help keep you informed and in good health. We’ll be reaching out to as many of you as possible through our Get Together with Technology (GTT) phone calls and via announcements such as this one. While you may have heard much of this before, we hope this will be a useful summary of all of the necessary information and resources.
COVID-19 causes respiratory illness in humans, usually 2–14 days after exposure. Illnesses have ranged from mild to severe, with symptoms including fever, cough, and shortness of breath. The virus is thought to spread mainly from close contact with an affected person. It spreads in the air through droplets from sneezes and coughs. The droplets can stay suspended in the air and can land on surfaces that are nearby. The virus can last for several days on plastics and metal.
We encourage you to use some practical care in hygiene. Try to follow what has been expressed in the news regarding practicing proper hygiene:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol (Purell has 70% alcohol) if soap and water aren’t available
- When coughing or sneezing, do so into a tissue or the bend of your arm/sleeve, not your hand, then dispose of the tissues in a lined waste basket and wash your hands afterwards
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
- Clean and disinfect frequently-touched objects and surfaces regularly, including toys, toilets, phones, electronics, keyboards, door handles, bedside tables, and TV remote controls
Designate one person in the household to do the grocery and essentials
shopping. If this isn’t possible, phone in your orders and
ask a neighbour or friend to pick them up and leave them on your doorstep, or
place your orders online and have them delivered. Be very careful, who you
allow in your home including frequent visitors, helpers and caregivers. Know
their present circumstance. When in doubt, speak through the door.
We all know the importance of preventing the spread of the virus, so here are explanations of how we can work toward that end by reducing contact with others:
- Self-monitor if you have no symptoms AND may have been exposed to COVID-19 in the last 14 days OR are in close contact with older adults or people who are medically vulnerable OR have been asked to do so by your Public Health Authority. Self-monitoring means to monitor yourself for 14 days for symptoms of respiratory illness, such as cough, fever and difficulty breathing, and to avoid crowded places and increase your personal space from others whenever possible.
- Self-isolate if you have no symptoms AND may have been exposed to COVID-19 as a result of travelling outside of Canada within the last 14 days OR coming in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 OR have been asked to do so by your Public Health Authority. Self-isolating means to stay at home, monitor yourself for symptoms, even if mild, for 14 days, and avoid contact with others.
- Isolate if you have symptoms, even if mild, associated with COVID-19 OR have been diagnosed with COVID-19 OR are waiting for laboratory test results OR have been advised to do so by your Public Health Authority. Isolating yourself means to stay home until the local public health authority says you are no longer at risk of spreading the virus and avoid contact with others.
- Work from home unless you work for an essential service
- Practice social distancing
- Avoid crowded places and non-essential gatherings
- Avoid common greetings, such as handshakes
- Limit contact with people at higher risk like older adults and those in poor health
- Keep a distance of at least 2 arms-length (approximately 2 metres) from others
Avoid all non-essential travel. For more information, visit https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories.
Important Resources
If you think you might have COVID-19, use the Government of Canada’s
COVID-19 Symptom Self-Assessment Tool to find out what to do: https://ca.thrive.health/covid19/en
If you develop symptoms, isolate yourself from others immediately and
contact your public health authority as soon as possible
Stay up to date with
accessible information resources
from the Government of Canada (https://www.canada.ca/covid19) and the World Health Organization (WHO) (https://www.afro.who.int/news/who-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-resources-and-information).
If you have questions or concerns, reach out to the CCB via email at ccbnational@ccb.monthlyconversion.com or by phone at 1-877-304-0968.