Reopening requires vigilance—keep your distance, wear a mask and wash your hands!
Today we start the first phase of reopening Los Angeles County as some businesses open with curbside service. It is still important to remain attentive to physical distancing and infection control. We must still stay six feet apart, continue wearing cloth face coverings whenever we go out and wash our hands frequently. As Dr. Barbara Ferrer of the Los Angeles County Health Department said, this “does not mean that we are now living in a post-COVID-19 world. The virus has not changed and it is still relatively easy to become infected.” She reminds us that we’re still “Safer at Home” and asks that we leave our homes for only essential services.
Over the next few weeks, as more people go out and about, public health officials will be monitoring new cases and hospitalization rates, and will be making adjustments accordingly. It’s important to remember that physical distancing is always required and group gatherings are prohibited.
Although the news focuses its reporting on cases in the vulnerable populations, it’s important to note there have been over 840 confirmed cases in the 0-17 age group in Los Angeles County. No one is immune to the virus. It’s important that we all do our part.
As we learn more about this virus, guidelines for care change. Public health officials now direct that if you are ill, even with mild symptoms, you should self-isolate at home for ten (10) days and until you are fever and symptom free for 72 hours—in most cases that will be a minimum of 13 days.
As a reminder, the coronavirus is transmitted through respiratory droplets from the mouth and nose when we cough, sneeze and talk. These droplets can land on a solid surface and be transmitted to someone else when a person touches that surface and then touches their face, specifically their mouth, nose or eyes. This makes hand washing and not touching our faces vitally important. Cloth face coverings help prevent the spread of respiratory droplets. Physical distancing, wearing cloth face coverings and frequent hand washing will be very important throughout the foreseeable future.
This weekend promises to be hot. Remember to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, use sunscreen, go out during the cooler hours of the day, wear light-colored and lightweight clothing, wear a hat, use an umbrella, stay in shady areas, call 911 if you notice high body temperature, vomiting, and pale and clammy skin and avoid working out wearing face coverings or masks not intended for athletic purposes—this means avoiding contact with others while you work out.
Cathy Cota RN, BSN, PHN
Established in 1931, Mayfield Senior School in Pasadena, CA is a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school for young women grades 9-12. Noted for its rigorous academic program, which includes 28 Advanced Placement and Honors courses, Mayfield’s curriculum is underscored by a philosophy of educating the “whole child,” which also encourages commitment to and excellence in the arts, athletics, community service and spiritual growth. The nurturing environment at Mayfield Senior School allows each student to flourish in an atmosphere of personal attention.
