Coronavirus: Maintain the Health of You and Your Community by Taking These Precautions
Here at Hornet, the health of our users is important to us. COVID-19, more commonly referred to as the Coronavirus, is now a global pandemic and will continue to impact various parts of all our lives. We believe it’s important to stay calm and be prepared, as knowledge is our greatest weapon in staying healthy. And it’s important that we all remain informed about precautions to ward off Coronavirus and that we prepare for any disruption in services or health care.
This is a fast-moving crisis, and the details change daily. Particularly on social media, many of us have been bombarded by what purports to be expert advice about the spread of the virus but has proven to be inaccurate. Please rely on health experts and institutions such as the World Health Organization (WHO) for the latest scientific information.
LGBTQ people and people living with HIV may have particular health concerns. The impact of the virus should be the same for people who are HIV-positive and virally suppressed. Keeping HIV treatment medications, PrEP, and other needed medicines well stocked when possible is highly recommended.
Most importantly, the response to this Coronavirus crisis requires an organized response; together we can all work to maintain the health of our community. Here are some precautions that apply to us all:
Regularly and thoroughly wash your hands. Always use soap, and be sure to include the backs of your hands and under your fingernails. Each time you should wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. When you don’t think you’ll be able to wash your hands with soap, hand sanitizer works as well.
Always cover your coughs and sneezes. Preferably with a tissue (not with your hands), and it’s important to throw that tissue in the trash after use. When you don’t have a tissue handy, sneezing or coughing into your elbow is a better option.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. The best way to improve your chances of staying healthy is to stop touching your face! All those mucous membranes on the face are perfect portal into the body for a virus like COVID-19. This takes real effort, as it’s human nature that we touch our eyes, mouths and noses all day long.
Clean and disinfect. It’s smart to disinfect any frequently touched objects and surfaces. Water alone is not enough; use disinfectant wipes or solutions.
Put distance between yourself and others. Keep 1 meter / 3 feet of distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
If you’re healthy, you don’t need a mask. The CDC isn’t currently recommending the use of masks for most people, and only those who are sick and the people caring for them should wear face masks.
Stay home if you feel unwell. If you are feeling sick, you should ideally only leave home to get medical care.
Ensure ample medication supply. If you’re able to stock up on any needed medicines, you should.
Maintain a social network, but remotely. Social contact helps us all stay mentally healthy and fights boredom. Don’t isolate yourself.
Hornet will continue to report on and relay important information to our community, so stay tuned. Please remember: Do not panic, stay informed, and stay healthy.
