COVID19

In order to ensure the safety and health of the employees, volunteers, consumers and visitors at Disability Network/Lakeshore (DNL), this Pandemic Response Plan has been created in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Although this Plan has been designed specifically to respond to the threat of the spread of SARS-CoV-2, or the coronavirus, the Plan is applicable to any pandemic/epidemic situation which may develop, and requiring only slight modification. All employees and volunteers are responsible for implementing the plan with a goal of mitigating potential for transmission of COVID-19 in the workplace. The success of this plan depends upon the cooperation of all DNL employees working together.

Daily Employee Screening
To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and reduce the potential risk of exposure to workers and visitors, on-site screening with be completed daily for all employees. Employees will take their temperature immediately upon entering the building. The workers temperatures must be below 100.4° F. If temperature is higher, or if the worker exhibits visible symptoms of illness consistent with COVID-19, said worker will be directed to proceed to a clinic or work from home until cleared for work.

Disinfection Guidelines
Employees will adhere to regular disinfection guidelines for the DNL office:

• Wear disposable gloves to clean and disinfect.
• Clean surfaces with soap and water, then use disinfectant.
• Practice routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces, including tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, sinks, etc.
• Follow instructions on labels to ensure safe and effective use of the product.
• Use good ventilation during process.
• Never mix household bleach with ammonia or other cleanser.
• Bleach solutions of 5 tablespoons (1/3 cup) bleach per gallon of water. Alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol may also be used.

If an employee becomes sick while at the DNL office, staff will contact a supervisor who will:

• Provide a mask for the individual and ask him/her to go directly to the isolation room by the most direct route. Once the individual is in the Isolation Room, s/he shall be provided with gloves to prevent the spread of the virus.
• Complete a Suspected COVID-19 Case Form and call the local health department or medical office for advice regarding transportation and location.
• Instruct everyone attending the suspected infected person should also wear a protective mask and gloves while working with the suspected infected person.
• Direct the ill employee to leave work and go home or to the nearest health center as advised by the local health authority.
• Following removal from the office of the ill person, the supervisor shall identify others who may have been in contact with the infected person. Unless required by the local health authority, the name of the infected worker should not be provided. All employees who may have come into contact with the infected worker should be advised that they may have been in contact with a suspected infected person. Further, they should be advised to carry out a self-screening check every morning, and based on the results, contact their supervisor.
• Ensure that both the isolation area and suspected worker’s work station or office is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, in addition to all other common surfaces recently touched by the infected employee. All persons carrying out this cleaning must wear disposable surgical type gloves, and all support person’s PPE should be appropriately discarded prior to resuming normal work functions.
• Ensure continued cleaning the affected areas if more than 7 days have not passed since the employee who is sick used the facility

In-person Meetings at DNL Office

1. Whenever possible, business shall be conducted via phone, internet, or video conference
2. Front door will be locked, and offices not open to public. Visitors mush schedule an appointment and interaction will be limited to one person
3. Visitors will be asked to complete the Daily Employee & Visitor Health Self-Screening Questionnaire
4. Visitors who have knowingly been exposed to COVID-19 within the past 14 days or who are exhibiting symptoms of illness are forbidden from entry
5. Meetings shall take place in one of the two conference rooms. After visitor leaves, host shall wipe all surfaces, doorknobs, ink pens, and other items that visitors may have come in contact with using disinfectant wipes prior to returning to work area. Host shall promptly wash his/her hands before returning to work
6. Gloves and masks will be made available at stations within office area
7. Employees will be encouraged to restrict work-related travel when possible. If an employee has traveled to a known risk area, DNL encourages telecommunicating when possible for 14 days before returning to the workplace
8. Signs have been posted for visitors regarding prevention measures

Community-Based Services
DNL Staff:

• Are encouraged to do as much of the intake procedure as possible by phone or video chat rather than face-to-face
• Will be provided with masks and encouraged to use them when visiting customers
• Will be provided with small containers of alcohol-based sanitizer and be encouraged to use it before and immediately after meeting with a customer
• Will be provided with disinfectant spray so feet can be sprayed prior to returning to the car for the return trip to the office
• Will be provided with PPE in the form of clothing protection (aprons) and encouraged to use if there is fear of bringing the virus back on clothing
• Will be required to disinfect notebooks, pens, and other equipment brought into the community as the virus is capable of living for extended periods of time on hard surfaces
• Will bring a second pen for consumer’s to use for signing forms; sterilize between uses
• Will be provided with plastic or latex gloves, if the individual desires
• Will be required to participate in training on the proper use of PPE and the importance of taking precautions to reduce exposure

DNL shall not encourage meetings greater than 10 persons to occur until further notice, even if the meeting area is large enough to accommodate appropriate social distancing.
The safety of the employees and visitors to DNL remain our primary concern. As the coronavirus outbreak continues to evolve and spread, DNL will monitor the situation and will periodically update these guidelines based upon recommendations by the CDC and other authorities.

COVID-19 might be here for an extended period of time. Get informed, identify your resources, make a plan, and create a Ready Kit. Download our Emergency Preparedness Plan Worksheet.

Get Informed
There is a lot of information available about preventing and responding to the virus. Follow instructions given by authorities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are the experts; listen to them!

Make a plan: how might this virus affect you?
A pandemic is a different kind of disaster situation. It’s not something that strikes, lasts for a few minutes, and then is over. It may takes weeks to months before the virus peaks and begins to slow down. Do you have supplies to remain at home for the next several weeks? What if you need to stay home even longer? Think of the items you use on a daily basis. Do you have enough to get by?

Create a support network of people you can plan on for help. Make a list of their names and contact information.

Arrange for transportation should you need to go to Urgent Care, E.R. or the hospital. Who can you call on for help? Remember, the people you normally call on may be sick too, so have several options available.

If you are dependent on dialysis or other life-sustaining treatment, know the location and availability of more than one facility. Plan for how you’ll be transported if the local bus service is down, or your usual transporter is sick and unavailable.

If you have special medical needs, wear a medical alert tag or an I.D. bracelet. Otherwise, consider making out a card with the appropriate information to carry on you at all times.

If you have a communication disability, how will people communicate with you?
What will you do if your equipment is not working? Consider using laminated cards with phrases, or pictograms.

If you believe you are sick with coronavirus, stay home! Restrict activities outside the home, except for getting medical care. Before seeking medical care, call your healthcare provider and tell them you have, or are being evaluated for, Covid-19. Put on a face mask before you enter a facility.

Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis. Try to stay in a specific room, away from other people in your home, and when possible, use a separate bathroom. Restrict contact with pets and other animals. Do not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people or pets in your home. After using these items, they should be washed thoroughly with soap and water.

High touch surfaces should be wiped down every day. Also clean any surfaces that may have blood or other body fluids on them. Use a household cleaning spray or wipe, according to label instructions.

If you have a medical emergency and need to call 911, notify the dispatch person that you have or are being evaluated for Covid-19. If possible, put on a face mask before emergency medical services arrive.

If your loved one is a resident in a nursing facility, call and ask what their emergency plan is.

Coronavirus is an infection of the lower respiratory tract; it usually results in pain in the lungs rather than the head. As the number of people contracting the Coronavirus in the U.S. climbs, having a plan for how we’ll respond can help bring peace of mind.

First, know the signs. The most common symptoms are:

• Cough- it may be a dry cough or coughing up sputum or thick phlegm
• Fever
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

In addition, you may experience the following symptoms:

• Bone or joint pain
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Chills
• Nausea or vomiting
• Stuffy nose

Symptoms may appear 2 to 14 days after being exposed, with the average onset at 5 days from exposure. Most people who contract the Coronavirus have mild to moderate symptoms.

You will need to self-monitor for these signs, and if you find you are experiencing them, put your plan into effect.

Who could you call on for help if you do get the virus? Make a list of the family members, caregivers, and friends you can call on to help you if you get sick. Have their contact information listed too so you can connect with them easily. Let them know if you are exhibiting signs so they can follow up and check in with your periodically to make sure you’re okay. They should have a key to your house and know where your Advanced Directives for Medical Care are kept.

Think about the point when would you want to see your doctor if you have more than a mild case. If you have a history of lung problems, you’ll especially want to list the point at which you’ll want medical intervention. For example, if you find yourself become short of breath, it’s time to call the professionals.

If you require special procedures on a regular basis such as dialysis, or blood pressure checks, etc., do you have a plan for where you’ll go, how you’ll get there, and what additional things you might need if you are unable to go to your usually site? Check on alternative sites you can go to if necessary, and know the routes ahead of time.

If you use a service animal, do you have extra food to get by? Keeping at least a week of extra food on hand is recommended; in this situation at least 2 weeks might be a better idea.

Keep a card with emergency contact information on you at all times. Have your support network listed, as well as medical conditions, medications you take along with dosage and frequency for administering them, and insurance information listed.

We have also made an Emergency Preparedness Plan Worksheet that you may download.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) has been found in the United States and is being carefully monitored. There are predictions that the number of people who will contract the disease could be as high as 80%. While we don’t need to panic, we do need to check on our emergency preparedness plans to ensure we are ready to respond to this threat.

Talk with the people who need to be included in your emergency preparedness plan. Consider each of your family members and what their special needs might be.

Plan ways to care for those who might be at greater risk for serious complications. Older adults and people with underlying chronic medical conditions may be at greater risk for more serious complications from the virus.

Get to know your neighbors. Talk with your neighbors about emergency planning. If your neighborhood has a website or social media page, consider joining it to maintain access to neighbors, information, and resources.

Know your resources. Create a list of local organizations that you can contact if you need information, health care services, support, and/or resources. Consider including organizations that provide mental health or counseling services, food, and other supplies.

Create an emergency contact list. Make a list of emergency contacts for family, friends, and neighbors, people who can help with transportation, health care providers, teachers, employers, the local public health department, and other community resources.

Practice everyday preventive actions now. Everyday preventive actions can help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue.
• Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects daily (e.g., tables, countertops, light switches, doorknobs, and cabinet handles) using a regular household detergent and water.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Always wash your hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.

People who are mildly ill with COVID-19 should isolate themselves at home during their illness. Restrict activities outside the home, except for getting medical care. Do not go to work, school, or public areas. Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis. Try to stay in a specific room, away from other people in your home, and when possible use a separate bathroom.

Restrict contact with pets and other animals too. Although there have not been reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19, it is still recommended that you limit contact with animals until more information is known about the virus. Ask another member of your household to care for your animals while you are sick. If you must care for your pet or be around animals while you are sick, wash your hands before and after you interact with pets and wear a face mask.

Do not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people or pets in your home. After using these items, they should be washed thoroughly with soap and water.

High touch surfaces include counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables should be wiped down every day. Also, clean any surfaces that may have blood, stool, or body fluids on them. Use a household cleaning spray or wipe, according to the label instructions.

Seek prompt medical attention if your illness is worsening. Before seeking care, call your healthcare provider and tell them that you have, or are being evaluated for, COVID-19. Put on a face mask before you enter the facility.

If you have a medical emergency and need to call 911, notify the dispatch personnel that you have, or are being evaluated for COVID-19. If possible, put on a face mask before emergency medical services arrive.

Most of us are feeling somewhat stressed by the current Coronavirus pandemic. All the information flying around can be overwhelming, and if you have any kind of anxiety disorder to start with, it can leave you reeling. If you are older, if you have an immune system that is somewhat compromised, or if you are experiencing a cough, fever, or shortness of breath, your stress levels may already be off the charts. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) there are some things you can do to help reduce the stress you are feeling.

If you have a preexisting mental health condition, please continue your treatment plan and be aware of new symptoms or those that seem to be getting worse.

Suggestions to help you cope include:

• Don’t immerse yourself in the news about Coronavirus. There is so much media response to the pandemic that it’s hard to get away from it if you turn on the television or computer.
• Take care of yourself. Use relaxation exercises; eat healthy, well-balanced meals; get enough exercise, and get plenty of sleep to stay healthy.
• Avoid using drugs and alcohol to cope.
• Take the time you need to relax and unwind. Play games or do other activities you enjoy.
• Talk to your healthcare provider if you find your stress getting in the way of your daily activities.
• Connect with others. It can be helpful to share your concerns and talk about how you are feeling with friends or family.
• Stay informed. It’s okay to listen to the news or visit a website that presents factual information or updates; just don’t have it on 24 hours a day.
• Seek help if you need it. If your stress levels seem unmanageable or go on for several days or weeks, talk to your counselor, a clergy member, or your healthcare provider.

Common signs of distress:

• Feelings of numbness, disbelief, anxiety or fear
• Changes in appetite, energy, and activity levels
• Difficulty concentrating
• Difficulty sleeping or nightmares and upsetting thoughts and images
• Physical reactions, such as headaches, body pains, stomach problems, and skin rashes
• Worsening of chronic health problems
• Anger or short-temper
• Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs

If you experience these feelings or behaviors for several days in a row and are unable to carry out normal responsibilities because of them, contact your counselor or healthcare provider.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in partnership with Georgia Tech have created a series of American Sign Language (ASL) videos to help explain various health aspects of COVID-19.

Watch the videos

These videos were produced by a grant from the CDC Foundation and using funding provided by its donors. The materials were created in partnership with the Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation at Georgia Tech. View the full CDC COVID-19 ASL YouTube playlist for additional videos. Please note that only the videos listed on this microsite were developed through this project; others on the CDC COVID-19 ASL YouTube playlist were developed by CDC.