As we are all working through the Coronavirus pandemic together, the United States can look to some of the successes or failures of other countries to see what we may expect. Alliance Homecare has compiled a list of some of the best preventative safety measures to take care of throughout this time.
Take Preventative Measures
In many places throughout the world, the seriousness of COVID-19 was not fully understood, and the proper preventative measures were not taken. You don’t need a year’s supply of toilet paper, but stocking up on some extra non-perishable foods can be important, especially if you are in the high-risk category. This virus spreads easily, so preemptively acting to make sure that you and those you care about are safe is imperative. The shelter-in-place orders that are present throughout New York are meant to help public safety, but it is up to you to make sure your boroughs and neighborhoods are safe.
Learn From Successful Strategies
Every country, state, town, and workplace is handling this situation differently. By paying attention to strategies that have worked across the world, we can implement the best ways to combat the spread of this potentially deadly disease. If you suspect that you or a loved one has contracted COVID-19, Alliance Homecare can work with you to get you the care that you need to get through this time. Some important strategies to keep in mind include:
- Social distancing
- Wearing protective gear like gloves or masks when going out
- Having groceries or medications delivered
- Staying active while indoors
Staying Safe In New York
From Manhattan to Queens, Brooklyn to Long Island, New Yorkers are naturally at a higher risk of COVID-19 simply due to the amount and density of people that are constantly using the same spaces or filling apartment complexes and offices. For business establishments, utilizing a corporate wellness nurse to monitor the health of employees and provide temperature checks is recommended to safeguard against localized outbreaks. These guidelines for safety in New York can help to reduce the spread of disease as you work to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.
Safe Shopping
While traffic in the streets of New York City is very low right now due to shelter-in-place orders, essential businesses like grocery stores are still seeing plenty of foot traffic. In big cities like New York, it can be difficult to keep far enough away from others while you are doing your shopping. Some stores are limiting the amount of people in a shop at once, so when you must go out, remember to be courteous to your neighbors. They are in the same situation as you, and patiently waiting in line 6 feet from each other is necessary.
Distance in the Neighborhood
In your apartment building or as you are occasionally walking down the street for some fresh air and exercise, be kind to those around you. It may feel awkward to cross the street and wave at people you see every day, but keeping the minimum distance between you will help to keep everyone safe by taking the necessary precautions. Be mindful to think about others as there is a large population who are at higher risk, so keeping your distance could go a long way in making sure your neighborhood remains as healthy as possible.
Careful Travel
Unfortunately, you may still need to take some public transportation to go to the store, your job, the doctor, or to bring supplies to a homebound loved one. If you cannot travel in your own car or on a bike, continue to make sure that you are giving yourself the appropriate amount of space between you and your fellow travellers. Subways and busses are often full, and you may need to take extra time to allow for the safest passage. As you are going out, it is a good idea to wear plastic gloves and a facemask to avoid as much cross-contamination as possible. Once you return home, be sure to thoroughly wash your hands with soap. It may also be a good idea to change your clothes for clean ones. Unless it is critical, try and avoid travel altogether.
Be Ready For A Long Fight
Some predictions early on in this fight against Coronavirus estimated that life would go back to normal after a few weeks, but as research and study have been devoted to this subject, it is more and more apparent that this will not magically go away within a month. It certainly will not last forever, but residents will need to be wary and prepared to hunker down and limit social interactions for several months. During this time, be sure to keep in touch with your friends and family and check up on your loved ones — especially those that are at high risk. Some early predictions are now estimating a slight return to the norm during June, but only time will tell, and being prepared for longer waiting times will help as you are planning and utilizing your time.
With many shelter-in-home orders being extended until further in April, or even into May, it can be hard to keep in touch with everyone that we need to. If your elderly loved ones, neighbors, or friends are in need of care, get in touch with Alliance Homecare in New York today. We are continuing to provide care during these uncertain times by ensuring the safety of our clients’ and care team. We have made adjustments as many companies have, and we can communicate with calls, video chats, and administer home visits to make sure that those in the most critical need throughout all of New York are kept safe and fully cared for during these times.
