Stop the Spread of Infection

TIPS TO STAY HEALTHY!            

While the Nation and the World are fighting a novel virus that seems to be spreading, I'd like to take the opportunity to remind parents to get back to basics when it comes to staying healthy.  Information about health and epidemiology should come from a trusted source, such at the Maine CDC which can be accessed  HERE, and the national CDC webpage can be accessed HERE.  Both have up to date information on the novel coronavirus and excellent information on how to stay healthy.

Here is a very basic sheet with symptoms and transmission for COVID 19: Maine CDC COVID fact sheet

Practice Basic Steps to Avoid all Illness
Step one, Wash your hands.

Clean your hands often

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or 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. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands

Avoid close contact            

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Put distance between yourself and other people if you know illness is spreading in the community, especially if people are showing signs of illness.

Stay home if you’re sick

• Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care. Call your doctor, or your child's doctor for instructions on how to obtain medical care while reducing transmission of illness.  
• Stay home until fever free for 24 hours without using fever reducing medications like Tylenol (Acetaminophen) or Motrin (ibuprofen), or until you have clearance from your doctor to return to school.
• The Yarmouth School District guidelines for keeping students home when ill can be accessed on the School Health Webpage

Cover coughs and sneezes

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
• Throw used tissues in the trash.
• Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Clean and disinfect             

• Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
• If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use soap and water prior to disinfection.
• Access the CDC's cleaning recommendations HERE

Practice Other Healthy Habits 

• Eat a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables
• Get plenty of sleep
• Exercise
• Drink plenty of water
• Manage stress for a healthy immune system