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Posts Tagged ‘communicable disease’

Flattening the Curve

Posted in Healthy People, tagged , , , , on March 16, 2020| 3 Comments »

If you live in Ohio or are keeping up with national news, you likely know that Ohio Governor Mike DeWine issued a series of orders last week to prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) throughout the state. Last Monday, DeWine declared a state of emergency to protect Ohioans from COVID-19 and to allow state departments and agencies to better coordinate their response to the virus. In a press conference on Wednesday, March 11, DeWine was joined by Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton to provide an update on the impact of the coronavirus in Ohio.

In her update, Acton used a chart to illustrate and explain how the precautions Ohio is taking to slow the spread of COVID-19 are intended to flatten the pandemic’s bell curve. By flattening this curve, the COVID-19 outbreak in Ohio will remain below a certain threshold, a threshold that represents the capacity of the healthcare system within the state of Ohio and the country at large. Below this threshold, the outbreak will remain manageable. Above this threshold, the healthcare system becomes overwhelmed.

Although the governor’s directives are aggressive, and while they are certainly creating disruptions in the day to day lives of Ohioans, their purpose is to ultimately keep Ohioans safe and to not overwhelm the healthcare system. The governor’s orders may be difficult to follow, but keeping up with and abiding by state and national guidance to prevent the spread of disease is critical at this time. Specific measures the CDC recommends to prevent the spread of COVID-19 include:

  • avoiding large gatherings
  • practicing social distancing
  • working remotely to the extent possible
  • washing hands frequently
  • covering coughs and sneezes
  • staying home when sick

For additional resources, checklists and more information on Ohio’s response to COVID-19 visit coronavirus.ohio.gov or call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH.

Written by: Jenny Lobb, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension Franklin County

Reviewed by: Jami Dellifield, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension Hardin County

Sources: 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Office of the Governor in the State of Ohio https://governor.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/governor/media/news-and-media/news-releases

Ohio Department of Health https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/home/home/

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Stop Those Germs! Wash Those Hands!

Posted in Healthy People, Healthy Relationships, tagged , , , on November 5, 2014| Leave a Comment »

Handwashing is one of the best ways to avoid getting sick and spreading illness to others. Despite the importance of how people should wash hands many young and old forget. Germs are tiny microorganisms that exist all around us and are invisible to the human eye.

They are different types of germs and how long they can live on the surfaces. These germs are on handles, door, keyboards, cell phones, shopping carts and most things we touch daily. Touching one of these contaminated surfaces then touching your eyes, nose, mouth, a cut, or other opening in the body, can lead to an infectious disease.

Some germs live in body fluids like mucus, pus, and stool. Even the invisible drops released when people talk, cough, sneeze can carry germs. Some germs spread through the air when some one coughs or sneezes they can release germs. When harmful germs are inhaled, they can cause illness.

Communicable diseases are ones that we can spread from one person to another. Handwashing is like a “do-it-yourself” vaccine—it involves five simple and effective steps (think Wet, Lather, Scrub, Rinse, Dry) you can take to reduce the spread of diarrhea and respiratory illness so you can stay healthy. Regular handwashing, particularly before and after certain activities, is one of the best ways to remove germs, avoid getting sick, and prevent the spread of germs to others. There are many vaccines to help us prevent many of these infectious diseases but for other illnesses the number one way to for prevention is HANDWASHING!

Start with Healthy Preventative Habits:

  • Wash Hands often. Wet your hands with clean running water and apply soap. Use warm water if it is available. Rub hands together to make lather and scrub all surfaces. Continue rubbing hands for 15-20 seconds. Rinse hands well under running water. Dry your hands using a paper towel or air dryer. If possible, use your paper towel to turn off the faucet. hands
  • Wash hands after using bathroom, playing with pets, being outside
  • Clean and disinfect commonly used surfaces
  • Cough and sneeze into your sleeve- don’t cough into the air or on your hands
  • Handle and prepare food safely
  • Stay home when you are sick
  • Don’t share personal items … like drinking from the same cup.

 Get Immunized: A process by which a person becomes protected against a disease through vaccination. Protect yourself, your family, and friends.

Remember Handwashing is one of the best ways to avoid getting sick and spreading illness to others. Reducing illness increases productivity, less time at doctor appointments and more time at work or school. Protect yourself today get immunized and wash your hands!

Writer: Marie Economos, Ohio State University Extension, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Educator, Western Reserve EERA, economos.2@osu.edu.

Reviewer: Lisa Barlage, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Ross County.

Resources:

Center for Disease Control: http://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/

Ohio Department of Health: http://www.odh.ohio.gov/features/odhfeatures/handwashing.aspx

 

 

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