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AMATE HOUSE ON COVID-19: FELLOW OUTBREAKAmate House will do everything within our ability to mitigate a Coronavirus outbreak at Amate House. First and foremost, we want to stress that the probability of you becoming ill is very low; most of you are not in a high risk group. That said, we encourage you to educate yourself on COVID-19 and heed the prevention and contagion protocols we have outlined. They are only effective if we all agree to follow them.Should you have any questions about our protocols, please see your house coordinator or Jeannie.SYMPTOMS OF CORONAVIRUSThe following symptoms may appear 2-14 days on average (5 days median) after exposure:FeverCoughPossible sore throatShortness of breathReported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and even death in high risk patients (elderly, patients with diabetes, respiratory, and heart conditions):40% will feel unwell40% will develop pneumonia but will not need respiratory support20% will require hospitalization for respiratory supportIF YOU BECOME ILL Call your doctor first (before going to a healthcare facility) if you develop symptoms and suspect you may have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or have recently traveled from an area with widespread or ongoing community spread of COVID-19:China (Level 3)Iran (Level 3)Italy (Level 3)Japan (Level 2)South Korea (Level 3)If you do not have a local doctor, we encourage you to find one or have a plan for what healthcare provider you would call if you are feeling ill. If you are sick with COVID-19 or suspect you are infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, follow the steps below to help prevent the disease from spreading to people in your home and community.Notify your program coordinatorAmate House wants to know immediately if you are not feeling well and showing signs of COVID-19 infection so that we can prepare the communities to implement the protocols outlined here.Stay home except to get medical careIf you are mildly ill, isolate yourself at home during your illness. You should restrict activities outside the home, except for getting medical care.Avoid public areas: Do not go to work, school, or public areas.Avoid public transportation: Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis.Separate yourself from other people in your homeStay away from others: As much as possible, you should stay in a specific room and away from other people in your home. Also, you should use a separate bathroomMcKinley Park: The Mother Superior Suite will be used for fellows who are ill.Little Village: The third floor will be used for fellows who become ill.Call ahead before visiting your doctorIf you need medical attention, call the healthcare provider and tell them that you have or may have COVID-19. This will help the healthcare provider’s office take steps to keep other people from getting infected or exposed.Wear a facemask if you are sickIf you are sick: You should wear a facemask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) or pets and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office.If you are unable to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), your housemates should wear a facemask if they enter the same room where you are located.Note: Amate House has ordered facemasks which we expect to arrive in the coming week.Cover your coughs and sneezesCover: Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Your germs can spread to up to 10 feet. If no tissue is available cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow. Dispose: Throw used tissues in a lined trash can.Wash hands: Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or, if soap and water are not available, clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.Clean your hands oftenWash hands: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.Hand sanitizer: If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry.Soap and water: Soap and water are the best option if hands are visibly dirty.Avoid touching: Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.Avoid sharing personal household itemsDo not share: You should not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with housemates.Wash thoroughly after use: After using these items, they should be washed thoroughly with soap and water.Clean all “high-touch” surfaces everydayEvery day clean and disinfect: Practice routine cleaning of high touch surfaces.High touch surfaces include counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables.Disinfect areas with bodily fluids: Also, clean any surfaces that may have blood, stool, or body fluids on them.Household cleaners: Use a household cleaning spray or wipe, according to the label instructions. Labels contain instructions for safe and effective use of the cleaning product including precautions you should take when applying the product, such as wearing gloves and making sure you have good ventilation during use of the product.Monitor your symptomsSeek medical attention: Seek prompt medical attention if your illness is worsening (e.g., difficulty breathing).Call your doctor: Before seeking care, call your healthcare provider and tell them that you have, or are being evaluated for, COVID-19.Wear a facemask when sick: Put on a facemask before you enter the facility. These steps will help the healthcare provider’s office to keep other people in the office or waiting room from getting infected or exposed.Alert health department: Ask your healthcare provider to call the local or state health department. Persons who are placed under active monitoring or facilitated self-monitoring should follow instructions provided by their local health department or occupational health professionals, as appropriate.Call 911 if you have a medical emergency: If you have a medical emergency and need to call 911, notify the dispatch personnel that you have, or are being evaluated for COVID-19. If possible, put on a facemask before emergency medical services arrive.Discontinuing home isolationStay at home until instructed to leave: Patients with confirmed COVID-19 should remain under home isolation precautions until the risk of secondary transmission to others is thought to be low.Talk to your healthcare provider: The decision to discontinue home isolation precautions should be made on a case-by-case basis, in consultation with healthcare providers and state and local health departments. Generally, you will be allowed to resume your normal routine when you have two successive negative tests within 24 hours of each other and have thoroughly shed the virus.SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR COMMUNITY LIVINGThe CDC is not advising that you travel to your permanent residence. You can spread the virus while traveling and you risk infection to your family. If your family is local, and you prefer to be convalescing at home, please request that a family member pick you up. Wear a face mask during transport and follow the protocols outlined here in your family home.If one of your housemates becomes ill with COVID-19, the whole house will most likely be quarantined for a minimum 14 days from the time the infection is confirmed and until everyone can be tested. CDC recommendations are being updated frequently. We will keep you abreast of the updates as we learn of them.Quarantine is defined as not leaving the building premises or receiving any visitors. You should only leave the building if it’s absolutely necessary and then only with a mask.Know your service site’s Coronavirus protocol and follow its recommendations. Be prepared to work from home if required by your site.Food preparation: Create a plan with your community now about how food will be prepared in the case of an active infection and quarantine. Follow all safe food handling guidelines outlined in this handout.Consider purchasing dry goods and canned items now to get you through two weeks in case of an infection and quarantine. (See Addendum A)All Amate House outside programming (Community Nights, in-service trainings, retreats, etc.) is canceled until it is safe to resume activities. Presently, though, we are planning Stations of the Cross. Should something change, we will let you know.INFECTION AT YOUR SERVICE SITEIf a co-worker or client becomes ill with suspected COVID-19, please follow the protocols Amate House has outlined in this document. In particular, for at least five days, do the following:Practice social distancing from your housemates. Designate a bathroom in your home to be used exclusively by you.Do not MUNICATION WITH YOUR SERVICE SITEConsider asking your site supervisor to work remotely from home. Amate House is contacting site supervisors to encourage them to give you that option. We will update you on these MUNICATION WITH YOUR PROGRAM COORDINATORPlease keep your program coordinator informed of any changes with work, your health, or any other matter you deem important.Regarding your food stipend and personal allowance, you will continue to receive them; however, Byline Bank on 35th Street is closing. They recommend going to the following branches:4658 S Kedzie1110 W 35th StreetYou can also use the Little Village branch located at 3626 W 26TH Street.TRAVELPLEASE CONSIDER SUSPENDING ALL NONESSENTIAL TRAVEL THROUGH MAY.TAKING CARE OF YOUR MENTAL HEALTHWe must also consider our mental health while preparing and responding to the Coronavirus. This is an uncertain time with constantly changing information. It is easy to feel overwhelmed, anxious, and stressed by everything going on around us. Maintain your current mental health routine- If you have existing practices for your mental health, stay diligent with them! Whether that is seeing a counselor, running, talking to a friend every week, or making time for music or art, prioritize those routines. Take care of your body- Staying hydrated, eating well, sleeping, and taking vitamins are all things in your control that can help keep you healthy. Exercising is also a very effective way to cope with the stress and anxiety our bodies carry. Pay attention to your news intake- It is easy for the media to sensationalize stories, and smart phones allow us to take in news 24/7 if we let them. Consider how much news you are taking in and if it is relieving anxiety or adding to it. Make sure you are going to the CDC and other trusted sources for accurate information.Do things that help you unwind- This is a great time to revisit your self-care plan from orientation. Coping tools can change with different situations. Take the time to explore what activities are helpful for you and make time to do them. Consider checking in with your community about self-care at dinner.Connect with people- Social distancing and the fear of getting sick can easily lead to isolation. Find ways to maintain your relationships, connect with your support network, and reach out to people you care about.If intense emotions, stress, anxiety, or depression are getting in the way of your day to day life, it might be time to speak with a counselor. Amate House can help connect you with a mental health professional.STAFFING DURING AN OUTBREAKThe Archdiocese is ceasing regular operations: the Pastoral Center is closed, Catholic Schools are closed, and masses have been canceled for the next two weeks. As of Tuesday, March 17, Amate House staff will work remotely and will be accessible to fellows via FaceTime, telephone, email, and text. A regular check-in time will be scheduled with your program coordinator. Staff may come in now and then as needed to keep operations running.ADDENDUM A: WHAT TO BUY FOR CORONAVIRUS PREPARATIONScan the pantry. Don’t go crazy buying something you already have the recommended two-weeks’ worth. Then add frozen fruits and canned vegetables, as well as non-perishables, to your grocery list.If you have fresh produce in your home, use that up first. Then, look for canned, boxed, and shelf-stable items to have on hand. Below are items to use as a starting point for your shopping, but keep in mind you should be buying foods you would normally eat. FRUITApplesauce and other fruit pureesCanned fruit in waterFrozen fruitDried fruitVEGETABLESCanned vegetables (i.e., green beans, carrots, peas, diced tomatoes, pumpkin puree), low-sodium if possibleCanned vegetable-based soups and chilis, low-sodium if possibleFrozen vegetables (i.e., broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus)Jarred tomato saucePROTEINTuna or salmon, canned or in a pouchChicken or turkey, canned or in a pouchFrozen fish, such as shrimp or individually portioned pieces of salmonShelf-stable silken tofuLentils, canned or vacuum-sealedEggs and egg beatersNut/seed butterNuts and seedsTrail mixDry or canned beansGRAINSWhole wheat pasta or chickpea pastaBrown riceAncient grains (i.e., quinoa, farro)OatsInstant oatmeal packets/cupsWhole wheat or seed crackersWhole wheat or sprouted bread (can keep in freezer and toast when ready to eat)DAIRYShelf-stable boxes of milk (shelf-stable varieties are available for regular and non-dairy milks)Powdered milkHEALTHY FATSOlive oilAvocado oilFlax seedsChia seedsBEVERAGESWater (if you're unable to or prefer not to drink tap)Low-sugar electrolyte drinksPre-made protein-shakes or meal-replacement shakes (in case you get sick and lose your appetite)Canned or boxed low-sodium brothTOILETRIES AND CLEANING SUPPLIESBasic toiletries include toothpaste, floss, face wash, moisturizer, shampoo, conditioner, razors, shaving cream, and hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Extra laundry detergent and hand soap are also important to have at home. As for household disinfectants, the CDC recommends diluted household bleach solutions, alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol, and most common EPA-registered household disinfectants.Prepare a bleach solution by mixing:5 tablespoons (1/3 of a cup) bleach per gallon of water or 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of waterMEDICATIONSFor those on prescription medications, consider calling ahead for an extra month or two of medicine just in case. Most likely your doctor will have to talk to your insurance provider to get approval.The American Red Cross recommends having at least a 30-day supply of any prescription medications for those in your home. (CVS is now delivering prescribed medications to customers for free.)They also advise at least a one month's supply of over-the-counter medicines such as pain relievers, stomach remedies, cough and cold medicines, and throat lozenges. A daily multivitamin is also a good idea to stock up on so you're able to get those essential vitamins and minerals if your food choices are limited. ................
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