To our valued Clients, Team Members and Professional Associates,

Unquestionably, we are in unprecedented times.  While we clearly understand our responsibility to communicate with you during this time, we also are mindful of the information overload we are all experiencing right now.  We are trying to balance what you need to know from us with this understanding in mind.  Moving forward, we will make every attempt to keep our lines of communication open without contributing to the information overload.

What we want you to know is that the safety and health of clients and employees are always our first priority. Now more than ever, our business is you.

As we continue to monitor developments each day and navigate through these challenging circumstances, we want you to know that you can rely on us always to put your health and safety first.  Please know this –

  • One of the safest places our clients can be is at home.
  • Our caregivers are aware of proper handwashing techniques and cleanliness, so we keep you safe.

From the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/

How COVID-19 Spreads

Person-to-person spread

The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.

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.
These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

Can someone spread the virus without being sick?

People are thought to be most contagious when they are most symptomatic (the sickest).
Some spread might be possible before people show symptoms; there have been reports of this occurring with this new coronavirus, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
Spread from contact with contaminated surfaces or objects

It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.  This is why keeping all common surfaces clean and disinfected is so important.

How easily the virus spreads

How easily a virus spreads from person-to-person can vary. Some viruses are highly contagious (spread easily), like measles, while other viruses do not spread as easily. Another factor is whether the spread is sustained, spreading continually without stopping.

The virus that causes COVID-19 seems to be spreading easily and sustainably in the community (“community spread”) in some affected geographic areas.

Community spread means people have been infected with the virus in an area, including some who are not sure how or where they became infected.

What You Can Do to Keep Yourself and Your Family Healthy

  • Practice good self-care measures daily to stay healthy. Eat well, get enough sleep, get some form of exercise, take your medications correctly and find a way to interact with others daily even if it is only through social media and your caregiver visits.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Monitor yourself daily for symptoms: fever, cough, shortness of breath or any unusual respiratory distress.  Report symptoms to Superior immediately for guidance.  Stay home if you feel sick.  We recommend taking your temperature each morning to check for a fever.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures. We are asking our clients, who are the most vulnerable sector of our population, to stay home and out of public places as much as possible.
  • Stay informed. CDC’s COVID-19 Situation Summary will be updated regularly as information becomes available.

 

Before an Outbreak Occurs in Your Community PLAN AHEAD:

Create a household plan of action and a service interruption back up plan.

We will help you with this.  Talk with the people who need to be included in your plan: us, your family, your neighbors and anyone in your informal support network. Talk with household members, other relatives, and friends to discuss what to do if a COVID-19 outbreak occurs in your community and what the needs of each person will be.

Plan ways to care for those who might be at greater risk for serious complications. There is limited information about who may be at risk for severe complications from COVID-19 illness. From the data that are available for COVID-19 patients, and from data for related coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, it is possible that older adults and persons who have underlying chronic medical conditions may be at risk for more serious complications.

Early data suggest older people are more likely to have serious COVID-19 illness.

If you or your household members are at increased risk for COVID-19 complications, please consult with your health care provider for more information about monitoring your health for symptoms suggestive of COVID-19. Keep us informed so we can properly adjust your service plan.  CDC will recommend actions to help keep people at high risk for complications healthy if a COVID-19 outbreak occurs in your community.

Get to know your neighbors. Talk with your neighbors about emergency planning. If your neighborhood has a website or social media page, consider joining it to maintain access to neighbors, information, and resources.

Identify aid organizations in your community. Create a list of local organizations that you and your household can contact in the event you need access to information, health care services, support, and resources. Consider including organizations that provide mental health or counseling services, food, and other supplies.

Create an emergency contact list. Ensure your household has a current list of emergency contacts for family, friends, neighbors, carpool drivers, health care providers, teachers, employers, the local public health department, and other community resources.

Practice good personal health habits and plan for home-based actions
Practice everyday preventive actions now. Remind everyone in your household of the importance of practicing everyday preventive actions that can help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses:

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue.
  • Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects daily (e.g., tables, countertops, light switches, doorknobs, and cabinet handles) using regular household detergent and water.
  • If surfaces are dirty, they should be cleaned using a detergent and water prior to disinfection. For disinfection, a list of products with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-approved emerging viral pathogens claims, maintained by the American Chemistry Council Center for Biocide Chemistries (CBC), is available at Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Fighting Productspdf.
  • Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products.

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 a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Always wash your hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.

Choose a room in your home that can be used to separate sick household members from those who are healthy. Identify a separate bathroom for the sick person to use, if possible. Plan to clean these rooms, as needed, when someone is sick. Learn how to care for someone with COVID-19 at home.

Be prepared if your child’s school or childcare facility is temporarily dismissed

Learn about the emergency operations plan at your child’s school or childcare facility. During a COVID-19 outbreak in your community, local public health officials may recommend temporary school dismissals to help slow the spread of illness. School authorities also may decide to dismiss a school if too many students or staff are absent. Understand the plan for continuing education and social services (such as student meal programs) during school dismissals. If your child attends a college or university, encourage them to learn about the school’s plan for a COVID-19 outbreak.

Plan for potential changes at your workplace

Learn about your employer’s emergency operations plan. Discuss sick-leave policies and telework options for workers who are sick or who need to stay home to care for sick household members. Learn how businesses and employers can plan for and respond to COVID-19.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me via email at kim@superiorinhome.com or call me at our offices during business hours: 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday to Friday.