WHAT IS CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019?

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus thatcauses COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was �rst identi�ed during an investigation into an outbreak inWuhan, China.

WHAT ARE SEVERE COMPLICATIONS FROM THIS VIRUS?

Some patients have pneumonia in both lungs, multi-organ failure and in some cases death.If you are sick, to keep from spreading respiratory illness to others, you should

• Stay home when you are sick.• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

IS THERE A VACCINE?

There is currently no vaccine to protect against COVID-19. The best way to prevent infection is to take everydaypreventive actions, like avoiding close contact with people who are sick and washing your hands often.

The health and safety of our members and their families is the #1 priority for the Local 1014 Executive Board. This guide ismeant to help protect and inform our First Responders and our Fire Family about steps they can take now to prevent thespread of the COVID-19 virus. Even if you do not feel sick, you could potentially infect a person who is vulnerable. The bestway to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.

LOCAL 1014 COVID-19 FAMILY RESOURCE GUIDE W H AT YO U A N D YO U R FA M I LY N E E D TO K N OW

WHO DOES THIS VIRUS AFFECT?

Older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions may be at higher risk formore serious complications from COVID-19. Based upon available information to date, those most at risk include:

• People 65 years and older• People who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility• People of any age with the following underlying medical conditions,

particularly those that are not well controlled• Chronic lung disease or asthma• Congestive heart failure or coronary artery disease• Diabetes• Neurologic conditions that weaken ability to cough• Weakened immune system• Chemotherapy or radiation for cancer (currently or in recent past)• Sickle cell anemia• Chronic kidney disease requiring dialysis• Cirrhosis of the liver• Lack of spleen or a spleen that doesn’t function correctly• Extreme obesity (body mass index [BMI] >40)• People who are pregnant

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19?

Patients with COVID-19 have had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:• fever• cough• shortness of breath

CAN I GET COVID-19?

Yes. COVID-19 is spreading from person to person in parts of the world. Risk of infection from the virus that causesCOVID-19 is higher for people who are close contacts of someone known to have COVID-19, for example �rstresponders, healthcare workers, or household members. Other people at higher risk for infection are those wholive in or have recently been in an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19.

YESHOW DOES COVID-19 SPREAD?

The virus that causes COVID-19 probably emerged from an animal source, but is now spreading from person toperson. The virus is thought to spread mainly between people who are in close contact with one another(within about 6 feet) through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It alsomay be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and thentouching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar in children and adults. However, children with con�rmed COVID-19 havegenerally presented with mild symptoms.

IS THERE A TREATMENT?

There is no speci�c antiviral treatment for COVID-19. People with COVID-19 can seek medical care to helprelieve symptoms.

TAKE STEPS TO PROTECT YOURSELF

• Clean your hands often• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public

place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.• If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.• Practice social distancing (5-10 ft apart from your co-workers)• Stay home if you are sick• Cover coughs and sneezes• Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily.• Avoid Ibuprofen. Preliminary results indicate that there may be a correlation to the use of Ibuprofen and the

morbidity rate. Steer clear just in case.

EXTRA PRECAUTIONS FOR OUR FIRST RESPONDERS

Our members are on the front line of this crisis, because of that we need to take extra precautions both at work and at home to ensure our families are not a�ected. The Department together with the Union is working on places to quarantine members in the event of exposure but in the meantime, members should begin making contingency plans in the event that they are put on home quarantine. For example, family members stay with other friends or family if the member becomes ill.

P L A N N O W . This is especially important if the member has special circumstances at home (i.e, living with elderly, existing medical conditions, and infants under 3 months of age). Hotels are not recommended as the sta� and other visitors could unknowingly be exposed.

PROPERLY DISINFECTING SURFACES

Most common EPA-registered household disinfectants will work. Use disinfectants appropriate for the surface. Options include:

• Diluting your household bleach. To make a bleach solution, mix: 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach pergallon of water OR 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water

o Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation. Check to ensure theproduct is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any othercleanser. Unexpired household bleach will be e�ective against coronaviruses when properly diluted.

• Alcohol solutions. Ensure solution has at least 70% alcohol.• Other common EPA-registered household disinfectants. Products with EPA-approved emerging viral

pathogens external icon claims are expected to be e�ective against COVID-19 based on data for harder tokill viruses. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products(e.g., concentration, application method and contact time, etc.).Visit https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against- sars-cov-2 to �nd thecurrent list of products that meet EPA’s criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19.

REDUCING STRESS DURING THE QUARANTINE

• Controlling your stress level- Limit watching and reading of the news. Informed but not obsessive. Over informationcan be harmful. Especially if you have children. Remember they hear even when they pretend they are not listening,and they watch you for cues on how they should be feeling.

• Add in stress reducing activities such as exercise, deep breathing and muscle relaxation practices, meditation, hotshowers, keep a gratitude journal, etc.

• Focus on the things you can control. Get the best sleep you can and fuel your body well. Maintain as much of aroutine and schedule to the day as you can. We thrive on consistency and boundaries just as much as the kids.

• Make the most of the present time. For many of us being told we can’t do something is a challenge to do exactlythat. Take this ‘forced’ time to slow down, play cards, reconnect with family and friends and have a (phone/video)conversation. Do things that make this a blessing and not a punishment. Be creative and think outside the box!

• Don’t make any significant or impulsive decisions. Everyone is under stress right now. Save the big decisions forwhen this subsides (and it will).

• This time is a gift to be with your family and spend quality time with your children. Make the most of this time byplaying games, taking a walk, reading a book or just being together.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Get your information only from approved sources. Do not get your information from social media.• For the most up to date and reliable national scale information visit W W W. C D C . G O V• Information: W W W. LO C A L 1 0 1 4 . O R G