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Weekly Update for 4.3.20

Beginning at 6 p.m. today, the entire state of Georgia will be under "shelter in place" orders through April 13th. Governor Brian Kemp signed an executive order mandating these restrictions as part of a statewide effort to reduce transmission of the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

I'm not sick. Why should I have to stay home?
Here's the deal: just because you're not sick doesn't mean you're not infected and possibly making other people sick.

Also, if you're not sick, don't you want to stay that way?

Research indicates that as many as 25% of individuals infected with COVID-19 have no symptoms, but these individuals can still spread the virus. Also, there's a new term being used in this outbreak: pre-symptomatic. Someone who is pre-symptomatic is infected and will eventually get sick, but is not sick yet. A pre-symptomatic individual may be contagious up to 48 hours before symptoms appear. This is one reason COVID-19 is spreading so rapidly - waiting until you're sick to stay home isn't enough.

There is no coronavirus vaccine, so your best protection against this virus is to avoid infection by limiting unnecessary contact with people outside your household. In other words: shelter in place.

You can dig into the executive order via the links below:

>> Read the Executive Order to Ensure a Safe and Healthy Georgia
>> Read Guidance and FAQs about the Executive Order

covid19.gachd.org

We've developed a streamlined mini website to deliver online information about COVID-19 in the Coastal Health District. Get daily case updates, a link to our FAQs, and other resources by clicking the button below.

Coastal Health District COVID-19 Website

Top FAQ: Are homemade face masks helpful?

Answer: Homemade face masks do not fully protect you from coronavirus infection because the virus may still be able to pass through the pores in the fabric. However, a face mask may keep you from unknowingly touching your nose and mouth when you’re out in public and have not washed your hands.

In a healthcare setting, the CDC says homemade masks should be a last-resort strategy when there are absolutely no approved face masks left, and should ideally be used in combination with a face shield that covers the entire front (that extends to the chin or below) and sides of the face.

Resources

This is stressful, and everyone reacts differently to stressful situations. Click here for advice from the CDC for managing your stress.

Need help? Know someone who does?

If you, or someone you care about, are feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or others:

Call 911
Visit the Disaster Distress Helpline or call 1-800-985-5990 and TTY 1-800-846-8517
Or text TalkWithUs to 66746
Visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline or call 1-800-799-7233 and TTY 1-800-787-3224

Albany, Georgia was one of the first "hot spots" for COVID-19 in our state, and Dougherty County leads the state in the number of deaths, despite its relatively small population.

The New York Times recently published an article about the COVID-19 crisis in Albany - click the link below to read the article.

New York Times: Days After a Funeral in a Georgia Town, Coronavirus ‘Hit Like a Bomb’