Updated Resources & Information
City of Los Angeles Coronavirus Website
LA County Department of Public Health COVID-19 Website
California Public Health Dept. COVID19 Website
World Health Organization COVID-19 Website
Doctor Fact-Checks Media On Coronavirus
“The media is doing a poor job informing the public with accurate information on COVID-19. They bring on self-proclaimed experts that make claims that have no ground in science and sometimes are full-on lying. Also, I think they are leaning into the fear angle too hard in order to draw clicks and viewership. I believe they should uphold proper journalistic standards and stick to the facts!”
LAUSD Contacts
For LAUSD families: 213 443-1300
For LAUSD employees: 213 241-2700
Corona Virus Facts versus Ficton
Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s podcasts at: https://www.radio.com/media/podcast/coronavirus-fact-vs-fiction
Make these everyday preventive actions your NEW NORMAL
- Wash your hands frequently. WHY? Because your hands are touching many things all of the time and can be easily contaminated and will spread virus and, in particular to your eyes, nose and/or mouth if/when you touch them. The virus enters your body through these portals (not through your hands!).
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. (This may take practice and concentration and this is why you should be repeatedly washing your hands.) Using hand sanitizers when you cannot wash your hands is an alternative. (Note that the CDC recommends washing your hands over using hand sanitizer unless you don’t have access to soap and water.)
- Limit exposure to others. Maintain 6 foot distance when near others.
- Stay home when you are sick—unless you are short of breath (then seek medical care). Your mild symptoms could be the virus which you do not want to spread.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. (Leave the alcohol or disinfectant on to dry for four minutes or longer. Do not wipe it away or dry the surface .)
- Be prepared if /when your child’s school or childcare facility is temporarily dismissed or for potential changes at your workplace.
Each of us must act responsibly. We all have an obligation to one another to isolate ourselves if symptoms are experienced. While the disease may not affect a young person with more than the symptoms of a cold or flu, the virus that a mildly affected person can spread could be deadly for someone who is vulnerable. It is important to remember that all elderly (over 60 or 65) are more vulnerable to complications and that those with pre-existing conditions are at even higher elevated risk. Risks increases with age. Those over 70 are at a higher risk than those 65; those over 80 have higher risk than those between 70 and 80. It is recognized that the older an individual is, the less responsive one’s immune system is.
Do all that you can to protect yourself, your family and others. Remember that the current public health strategy is to mitigate and slow or delay the progression of the virus so that health care providers and facilities are not over-run with cases all at once. There is also hope that the virus spread can be delayed until warmer weather when the virus may not be as prevalent. We are past the point of attempting containment as the virus is already in circulation throughout communities. (The extent of spread is unknown since testing has not been readily been available to date.) We must delay the pace of spread for if we do not, our health care providers and facilities will be unable to meet the needs—not only of those with Corona Virus, but this will affect the ability of the health care system to respond to many of the health care needs of our general population.
History has some lessons from which we can learn. When the Spanish flu hit the U.S. just over 100 years ago, the leaders of Philadelphia told their residents not to worry — whereas the leaders in St. Louis told their residents that the threat of disease was serious and mandated reduced social contacts. The result? The death toll in Philadelphia was markedly higher than in St. Louis. So, if you are thinking that you have no control in today’s scenario, that is not entirely true. You have the ability to halt transmission of the virus and to be a carrier of the virus. We all have that ability.
Centers of Disease Control recommends washing your hands over using hand sanitizer, unless you don’t have access to soap and water. Those experiencing mild symptoms should not rush to be tested (at least not until testing capacity is greatly increased)—instead SELF QUARENTINE and monitor temperature and symptoms. Those who experience difficulty breathing should contact their physician and seek medical care.