*A few verses to emphasize and educate on the need for hygiene, disease prevention, planning, and wellbeing during the coronavirus pandemic of 2020.
“COVID-19: A Pandemic Like You’ve Never Seen”
Author: Brenda Marty Jimenez, UF/IFAS Extension, Broward County
WHAT HAPPENED?
It is currently flu and respiratory disease season.
We must always take precautions and follow recommendations for good reason.
Consumers and families are dealing with a lot during this unparalleled year.
The CDC has circulated best practices for all to hear.
What is this COVID-19?
It is a pandemic; unlike anything we’ve ever seen.
In Wuhan, China, it was first detected.
A global pandemic was not what we expected.
These are unique times that we hope are under control soon.
No person or place is immune.
How is it contagious and how does it spread?
It spreads from person-to-person contact which we all have read.
It spreads between people who are in close contact, we know.
The new habit of social distancing is beginning to grow.
Symptoms can include fever, cough or shortness of breath.
So, we must practice handwashing and respiratory etiquette in great depth!
Some may have classic symptoms which include a fever.
For a vaccine to come, we are anxious and eager.
Water, hand sanitizer, toilet paper and more,
have all flown off retail shelves at our local grocery store.
Hoarding, price gouging, and fraud have been reported on TV.
Protect your resources with care, as well as, you and me.
WHAT CAN I DO?
Do your part, to help fight the coronavirus spread and “flatten-the-curve”,
making happy the epidemiologists and the public they serve.
The flatter the curve, the slower the spread.
This gives doctors more time and resources, to treat the people that lay sick in bed.
So, whether you are in counties such as Broward, Dade, or Palm Beach,
plan to clean and disinfect all high touch surfaces, especially those within reach.
Follow guidance from your local health authority.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, just like the majority.
Use soap and water to carefully wash each finger and hand.
Unfortunately, this is the place many germs land.
Practice good respiratory etiquette by covering your cough and sneeze.
Cover your mouth with a tissue or sleeve!
Then throw the tissue into the trash before leaving.
A path to good health you are achieving.
Avoid contact with sick people now.
Why? To stop the spread of infection, we must vow.
Stay home when you are sick.
Don’t infect others, to this rule we must stick.
Keep everyone safe and experiencing wellness.
Call before visiting your doctor- this disease is infectious.
Let the elderly go first in grocery store lines, keeping their hardships in mind.
Do onto others as you would like them to do onto you and be kind.
Support and reach out to family & friends far and near.
Take the time to spread kindness, compassion and cheer.
CARRY ON
A year, young and old, will remember 2020,
as a time of handwashing, sanitizing and cleaning a plenty!
Get enough sleep and eat three well-balanced meals.
Stay calm and informed, as our whole world heals.
Check out more facts at the University of Florida, IFAS Extension,
which has a website with resources which are too many to mention!
Follow research-based advice that is scientifically bound,
To keep you and your family healthy and sound.
Note the guidelines, set by the department of health and Centers for Disease Prevention-
Wash your hands, cover your cough and get tested, which will help ease much of our tension.
Please don’t panic and stay calm, above all.
So when you see COVID-19, will you remember?
The coronavirus outbreak and the community in which you were a member.
For Further Information
UF/IFAS Extension Broward County website- http://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/broward/family-and-consumer-sciences/
UF/IFAS Extension Broward County blogs- https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/browardco/
UF/IFAS Extension, Solutions for Your Life- https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/
USDA Choose MyPlate-https://www.choosemyplate.gov/
Centers for Disease Control/Coronavirus-
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Florida Department of Health in Broward County- http://broward.floridahealth.gov/
Federal Trade Commission Consumer Information on coronavirus Scams
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/coronavirus-scams-what-ftc-doing
Handwashing- https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/hygiene/hand/handwashing.html
0
