As news continues to emerge of more cases of coronavirus throughout the United States and here in Maryland, the Community Foundation of Howard County wants to ensure that all residents are taking proper precautions and heeding the advice of trusted medical experts. The Howard County Health Department is a great resource for our community.
The virus can cause either mild illness like a cold or can make people very sick with pneumonia. Symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. Click here for answers to frequently asked questions about the virus.
Below are some recommendations from the Howard County Health Department to help protect you and your loved ones from COVID-19.
Prevention
There are currently no vaccines available to protect against COVID-19 infection. To help prevent illness from this or other viruses you should:
- Wash hands often with soap and warm water or use alcohol-based sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cough or sneeze into your elbow or into a tissue.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- If you are sick, stay home.
- If you are an older adult, or are someone with pre-existing medical condition (lung or heart disease or diabetes), avoid public gatherings.
- Get a flu shot
Treatment
There is no specific treatment available for COVID-19. However, if you have traveled or been in close contact with someone who has traveled to affected areas and now have a fever and cough or shortness of breath, you should:
- Seek medical care. Call ahead before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room and tell them about your recent travel or contact and your symptoms.
- Stay home except for seeking medical care and avoid contact with others.
Preparation
Plan ahead in the case you should have to stay home.
- Have an adequate supply of nonprescription drugs and other health supplies on hand, which could include pain relievers, stomach remedies, cough and cold medicines, fluid with electrolytes and vitamins
- Check your regular prescription drugs to make sure you have an adequate supply; refill your prescriptions if needed
- Have a thermometer, tissues and hand sanitizer
- Have a two-week supply of food available at home
For 50 years, the Community Foundation of Howard County has worked to make Howard County a better place to live by providing grants and leadership to help solve community problems. We’ll be here to help through this pandemic just like we were in the past for the Ellicott City floods and other times of need for the community. Please note that we too will follow advised protocols and have instituted a work-from-home policy at CFHoCo. We may have limited in-office coverage during this public health emergency. Please be sure to confirm any in-person meetings with our staff prior to your scheduled time.
More than anything, remember to look after your family, friends and neighbors. Together, we will get through this. Stay cautious and stay safe. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.