To wear, or not to wear a mask, that is the question…and a burning one because without clear, unequivocal instructions we feel lost. Don’t you feel utterly confused when our commander in chief tells us to wear masks but refuses to follow his own lead?

As a surgeon, I spent half of my professional life wearing surgical masks. You get used to it pretty quickly. Surgical crews wear these masks to protect patients from all kind of bugs coming from our mouths with each uttered word, breath, cough, or sneeze. This situation is simple and straightforward. 

The current development, on the other hand, presents many more challenges and unknowns. Challenges that most of us, myself included, never experienced before. To whom should we listen? Medical professionals like Dr. Fauci or self-serving politicians? For me, the answer is obvious:medical  professionals. 

The medical professionals are finally in complete agreement. Everyone should wear a mask in public spaces and practice social distancing – there are no ifs, ands, or buts about it! 

Here’s the thing, when you have a full blown disease, the course of action is clear. Isolate yourself at home and go to a hospital if your condition deteriorates. However, the majority of people infected with COVID-19 have very mild, indistinct symptoms. What should they do?

Take the future king of Great Britain for example. Prince Charles strictly obeys the doctors orders. “Having recently gone through the process of contracting this coronavirus, luckily with relatively mild symptoms, I now find myself on the other side of the illness but still in no less a state of social distance and general isolation,” he said. 

Some people don’t experience any symptoms at all, and Typhoid Mary, the obstinate cook, immediately comes to mind. It is believed she had infected 51 people with typhoid fever (3 of whom died) because she refused to acknowledge she had the disease and didn’t cooperate with medical authorities. 

Mary became the first individual in the United States identified as an asymptomatic (silent) carrier of the disease in the early 20th century, and she was compulsorily quarantined for 16 years.

Since there is a dire shortage of COVID-19 tests in the United States, everyone should act as if they are silent carriers and take necessary precautions: social distancing, wearing a mask, and religiously washing hands. 

“CDC recommends washing hands with soap and water whenever possible because handwashing reduces the amounts of all types of germs and chemicals on hands. But if soap and water are not available, using a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol can help you avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others.”

The virus can linger on surfaces for up to:

72 hours – plastics 

48 hours – steel 

24 hours – cardboard  

Also, the virus can be detected in the air for up to 3 hours.

Granted, it is tough to follow all the above mentioned precautions, but we have no other choice if we want to stop the spread of the disease faster and avoid many unnecessary infections and deaths. Please, for the sake of your health, the health of your loved ones, and everyone in our community, always wear a mask when out in public.

Best,

Alex

Aimee Yogi, Eugene Springfield CERT Trainer

Our community is in the midst of worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.

The nature of this crisis mandates very little contact in public.  Social distancing, masks and gloves have become part of our social interactions.  Activities outside the home are limited to essential errands and appointments.  What distinguishes this disaster from other massive natural disasters is this mandated isolation.  The change in routine, lack of social supports, financial problems, confinement, lack of activities outside the home, online classes – all contribute to the anxiety and stress of an already fearful pandemic.

How do we manage the isolation and stress?  How can we take care of ourselves, for our own safety, in order to help our neighbors and community?   Here are some tools and strategies that can be used to alleviate anxiety and help us to provide aid to our neighbors.  The goal is to build personal and community resilience.

FEMA’s CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) Student Manual provides the Psychological First Aid tools described here.  These simple steps can be used and shared to maintain mental health in a disaster.

Here are possible physical symptoms you may experience or observe in others:

• Loss of appetite

• Headaches or chest pain

• Diarrhea, stomach pain, or nausea

• Hyperactivity

• Increase in alcohol or drug consumption

• Nightmares, inability to sleep

• Fatigue or low energy

Here are psychological symptoms:

Emotional: nervousness; helplessness; shock; numbness; inability to feel love or joy; feelings of abandonment; agitation; depression; grief; feelings of detachment; exhilaration as a result of surviving; unreal feelings; feelings of being out of control; denial; feelings of being overwhelmed; and feelings of fragility.

Cognitive:  difficulty making decisions; reoccurrence of disturbing dreams; memories and flashbacks; hypervigilance or being on constant alert; feelings of dissociation; distortion of time and space; rumination or racing thoughts; or repeatedly replaying the traumatic event.

Spiritual:  loss of hope; limited expectations about life, intense use of prayer; loss of self-efficacy; feelings of despair and disillusionment; questioning (“Why me?”); loss of meaning and importance of life.

Use this Self-Care Toolkit for your Psychological First Aid (PFA):

Stress Reduction tools: if you are anxious, etc., use these tools to alleviate    it so you may move forward.

Grounding:  concentrate on your body in your current surroundings.   You are present.  You are safe.

1.  Find a comfortable position.

2.  Name 5 things you can see.

3.  Name 5 things you hear.

4. Name 5 things you can touch.

5.  Name 5 things you can taste.

6.  Name 5 things you can smell.

Controlled Breathing:  concentrate on the count; breathe through your  nose.  This will stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system  which will slow your heart rate.  You are present.  You are safe.   You are not alone.

1.  Inhale, 4 count.

2.  Hold, 4 count.

3.  Exhale, 4 count,

4.  Hold, 4 count.

5.  Repeat for 5-10 minutes.

Pandemic Self-Care Kit:  Include whatever brings you comfort

Books, music, comfort objects

Watch TV/You Tube videos of art museums, exercise, etc.;       *limit news on TV/social media to 1 hour/day*

Exercise outdoors: walking, hiking, forest bathing;

Meditate, walking, sitting, tai chi, yoga

Draw, photograph, paint, write

Journal

Use phone/social media to keep in touch with family and friends

When you are ready, go out and help your neighbors.  Here’s how you can help: 

Psychological First Aid for your neighbors:  Listen, Protect, Connect

Listen.  Ask if they need help.  Pay attention to what they say, how they act and to what they need right now.  Let them know you are willing to listen. They may not be ready; let them know you will check in later.

Protect.  It helps everyone feel better when you take actions to provide support, encouragement and reassurance.  You can make informed decisions to:

Offer to seek information and resources.

Answer questions simply and honestly, clearing up any confusion they may have.

Empathize and let them know they are not alone in their reactions to the event.

Provide opportunities for them to communicate, but do not force them.

Talk to them about what is being done to keep everyone safe from harm.

Connect.  Connecting neighbors to their friends, loved ones and other resources has a positive impact on their wellbeing.

Ensure that you are connecting with them regularly.

Help them find access to resources that can offer support.

What NOT to say:

“I understand.”  In most situations, we have not had the same experience.

“Don’t feel bad.”  They have the right to feel bad and needs time to feel differently.

“You’re strong,” or “You’ll get through this.”  No one knows for  sure.

“Don’t cry.”  It’s okay to cry.

“It’s God’s Will.”  Giving religious meaning to an event may offend  them.

“It could be worse,” or “Everything will be okay.” They decide  this, not you.

These responses may elicit a negative response from the neighbor. It is okay to apologize if you said something wrong.

SAY this instead: 

“I’m sorry for your pain.”

“Is it all right if I help you with…?”

“I can’t imagine what this is like for you.”

“What do you need?”

Our reactions to stressful situations differ in degrees.  Psychological First Aid is not therapy or treatment.  If someone has suffered trauma or losses previously, their reactions tend to be more severe and may require therapy.  If you are experiencing symptoms for more than a month, seek treatment.  Eugene has several counseling agencies, which are low-cost and low barrier, including these:

Center for Community Counseling

1465 Coburg Rd., Eugene

541 344-0620

info@ccceugene.org

Trauma Healing Project

1100 Charnelton St., Eugene

541 687-9477

info@healingattention.org

Para español oprima este enlace This document was published April 28, 2020. For the most up to date information the City’s work related to COVID-19, please visit our website. Great work, Eugene! Data suggests that our community’s continued commitment to stay home to save lives is slowing the spread of COVID-19. With current trends of new cases leveling off, the City is able to maintain its emergency health response while moving into long-term community recovery planning. This update provides information on the latest City activities and links to more information. For health and safety information about COVID-19 please visit Lane County Public Health’s website. Stay the Course We cannot emphasize enough that to successfully transition from emergency response into long-term community recovery we must continue following the latest public health guidelines. Stay home except to meet essential needs. When you must go out, practice good physical distancing. Consider wearing a mask when in public buildings or in shared spaces to reduce the chance of you sharing germs you may be carrying. COVID-19 Website Updates Eugene is proud to be a welcoming and diverse city. When it comes to connecting those impacted by COVID-19 with available resources, we know that a one-size fits all approach won’t work. Our whole community will feel the impacts of this pandemic for the foreseeable future, and we continually update our COVID-19 web pages with new resources. Some of the latest website updates include both new and updated Community Resources pages: Health and Wellbeing Food Support Housing Support Business Support Employee Support Support for the Unhoused Schools and Children Support in Spanish Utilities and Internet How You Can Help Our Health and Wellbeing page even includes ideas for physical distancing fun. We will continue to update all of this information as new resources become available.  COVID-19 Resources in Spanish Data shows that the COVID-19 pandemic is having a disproportionate impact on marginalized communities and communities of color. The City is working with regional partners, non-profits and businesses to share its COVID-19 information and resources with local immigrant communities.The Office of Human Rights and Neighborhood Involvement has created several public service announcements to be aired over local Spanish radio broadcasting. Mayor Vinis will be releasing a video directed specifically to Eugene community members who speak Spanish to let them know that the community is aware of their needs.The City has created a Spanish page with coronavirus information and resources specific to the Spanish speaking population. Spanish translations have also been created for the weekly updates from the City Manager, community emails and updates from the library.Resources for More InformationWondering what’s open at the City? Get the latest information at City Services – What’s Open? Our partners also have a significant amount of information available online.  Please visit these resources for the most up to date information: Lane County Public Health Lane County Call Center, open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. 541-682-1380 Oregon Health AuthorityCenters for Disease Control and Prevention

Southeast Neighbors (SEN) is here to support you during this unprecedented time. Here are some links to vital information. Stay safe!!

Promote the practice of everyday preventive actions. Share health messages and materials developed by credible public health sources, such as Lane County Public Health, the Oregon Health Authority or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Read more about everyday preventive actions.

Here are some websites and social media feeds we would recommend sharing – their information is updated frequently.

• Lane County Coronavirus website www.lanecountyor.gov/coronavirus
• City of Eugene Coronavirus website  www.eugene-or.gov/coronavirus
• City of Eugene Facebook posts, Twitter posts
• City of Eugene Library Facebook posts, Twitter posts
• City of Eugene Police Facebook posts, Twitter posts
• City of Eugene Parks and Open Space Facebook posts
• Lane Transit District (on reduced/modified schedules) updates here
• Lane Country Disaster Distress Hotline 800-985-5990

Southeast Neighbors (SEN) has activated our disaster response efforts during this COVID-19 pandemic. We’ve asked our Map Your Neighborhood participants to check in on their nearby neighbors to make sure they’re okay and have what they need to shelter in place for the next few weeks.

We’re also trying to identify vulnerable, high-risk individuals who live alone and are not well connected with their neighbors. We want to make sure they have the assistance they need to remain healthy at home for the duration of this pandemic.

As part of this effort, we’ve established the community page https://southeugene.recovers.org on the “Recovers” disaster website. This site provides us with an efficient way to connect neighbors who need help with those who can assist them.

The site is also a resource for you to find accurate information and updates from Lane County Public Health, City of Eugene, and other neighborhood organizations working with us.

The site provides an easy sign-up process to privately request help, offer donations, or volunteer. You can find opportunities to volunteer that work for you or allow organizers to contact you with suggestions that match your offers.

SEN volunteers monitor the site, make connections, and post up-to-date information. To request help, offer to volunteer, or donate money or items go to and follow the appropriate links.

If you have questions or need assistance with posting on the site, contact David Monk (Chair, SEN Preparedness Committee) at dmonk@efn.org