What You Can Do

The prospect of you or your loved ones getting sick can be quite a lot to handle. Throughout the duration of this pandemic, here are some things that you can do to keep both yourself and others healthy.

Practice Physical Distancing

Social distancing is a practice where you deliberately create more physical space between yourself and others in order to limit person-to-person contact.

Ways to practice physical distancing include:

• Staying at least 6 feet away from individuals who do not reside with you
• Do not hug or shake hands with individuals not in your household
• Refrain from hosting or attending social gatherings of any size
• Stay at home unless it is absolutely necessary (going to work, grocery shopping, or visiting your doctor)
  • If other people are available to run errands, have them do so and then make sure they wash their hands and change their clothes upon returning
  • Stock up on supplies when you can to avoid having to leave your house often
• Avoid crowds under any circumstances

Practice Good Hygiene

• Wash your hands with soap and water regularly and scrub for at least 20 seconds
  • If you are in a situation where you can’t use soap and water, clean your hands using a sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol
• Always cover coughs and sneezes using a tissue or the inside of your elbow if your face is not covered by a mask
• Clean and disinfect surfaces that are touched frequently every day

  • Surfaces can be cleaned using 70% alcohol solutions, diluted bleach solutions (4 tsp of bleach per quart of water), or with common EPA-approved disinfectants

  • EPA-approved disinfectants can be found here: https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Starting April 3rd, the CDC recommends that the general population wear non-medical masks when leaving their residence
  • Non-medical masks include: bandanas to cover the face, cloth masks, and general face coverings for the mouth and nose

Stay Informed

Check in with reports from CDC, WHO, and public health officials regularly. It is also important to be discerning regarding information you may receive regarding COVID-19 given that misinformation is rampant on the internet. Ask yourself important questions when reading new information on COVID-19, like whether or not it comes from a reputable source or if the information is logical given what we know about viruses.

It is also important to check in with and follow the advice of your healthcare providers.

Take Steps to Manage Your Stress and Cope with the Situation

With stay-at-home measures put in place across the country, this time can be extremely stressful, especially for those who are vulnerable to getting sick and those working on the front lines of this pandemic. As a result, it is extremely important that we all take steps to keep up with our mental health and well-being.

Here are some simple things that you can do to help manage your stress during this time:

• Regularly call friends and family members on the phone or use video chat services like FaceTime or Skype
• Take care of your body by eating healthy, well-balanced meals
• Take time to do activities or crafts that you enjoy
• Listen to relaxing, meditation music for 20-30 minutes per day

Have a Plan If You Get Sick

In the event that you get sick, it is important to have a plan in place in order to ensure your safety. Keep in touch with those who could help you, and ask yourself these questions:

• Do you have someone who can help take care of you if your primary caregiver gets sick?
• Do you have someone who can take you to the doctor if your symptoms worsen?

Also, reach out to healthcare providers and secure all necessary medications in the event that you get sick.

For the most up-to-date information, please visit uclahealth.org/coronavirus or you can call our patient hotline at 310-267-3300. Hours for the phone line are 8 am-5 pm Monday - Friday. Voicemails will be responded to in the next business day