How to Protect Yourself and Your Family from COVID-19

How to
Protect
Yourself and
Your Family
under COVID-

19

Objective

El Centro de La Raza and Fred Hutch’s Office of
Community Outreach & Engagement (OCOE) are
partnering together to facilitate COVID-19
information among Hispanic/Latinx people who
acquire social service assistance from El Centro
de la Raza( i.e. Rental assistance, food
assistance, etc.)

Latinx and Hispanics face disparities in the
current medical system, regardless of insurance
status. Getting medical care during COVID-19
may further increase disparities by switching to
telehealth technology that not everyone has
access to, not having enough COVID testing for
everyone, or inequal distribution of protective
information.

Fred Hutch OCOE and El Centro offer this
education series to any agency looking to
simplify protective guidelines relative to each
community’s health disparity.

Hospitalized cases per
100,000 residents

Seattle-King County Public Health Department’s Public Health
Insider released recent data that shows how COVID-19 is
disproportionately impacting communities of color. Among
confirmed positive COVID-19 cases, Hispanic and Latinx
hospitalized cases are among the highest hospitalized cases.
According to health department staff, reasons include:
• Language: Lack of culturally tailored Spanish information
• Health & Technology: Not everyone has access to the same

technology
• Multi-Generation Homes: More people in one house is

difficult for physical distance
• Underlying Health Conditions: Latinos suffer from

underlying health conditions that complication COVID-19
recovery
• Essential Worker: Our community largely works in service
industries
• Immigration Status: Affecting ability to access programs

Fuente: https://publichealthinsider.com/2020/05/01/making-meaning-of-the-covid-19-race-and-ethnicity-data-a-conversation-with-our-health-officer-and-our-equity-officer/

Prevention

Protection Against Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Stay At Distance: Use Disinfect: Wash Your
Home: Hands:
Remain 6 feet Facemasks: Clean and disinfect
In Washington State away from the surfaces you Wash your hands for at
we are under everyone. This Always wear a mask touch most often. least 20 seconds.
orders to stay home reduces your risk when leaving the For example:
which means you of being house or if you have - Cell phones Especially:
can only leave your contaminated with allergy symptoms - Electronic - Before eating
home if completely any viruses that - Interior of your - After cleaning your
necessary are in the air. Types of masks you vehicle nose, coughing, or
Avoid gatherings or can use: - The doors of your sneezing
invitations to - Surgical masks house - After touching the
groups of more than - Homemade masks trash
5-6 people.

For general questions about COVID-19 in Washington State, please call 1-800-525-0127

Source: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus

Stay at home, protect Source: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus
your family

• In Washington State, we have an order to stay
home until a former state notice.

• Distancing from your family is difficult,
especially during special occasions like
birthdays or holidays.

• The risk of COVID-19 is just as high if you were
reunited with family as with friends. The family
bond is not a protective factor.

• If you have to visit elderly (older) family
members, do so by avoiding physical contact as
they are at higher risk of becoming more
severely ill.

• Stay connected by phone or video chat.
• The more we all do our part, the sooner we can

be together again.

For general questions about COVID-19 in Washington State, please call 1-800-525-0127

COVID-19 & Nicotine

• COVID-19 stay-at-home orders can heighten
nicotine triggers.

• Tobacco smoke and vape causes lung damage
that makes them susceptible contracting
COVID-19. Second hand smoke can cause lung
damage to those around you.

• Vaping, like smoking cigarettes or using
marijuana, has never been completely safe. The
healthiest option for everyone is to not smoke
or vape.

• Talk with a Quit Coach and work together to
combat nicotine triggers or to help quit during
your stay at home.

Washington State Tobacco Quitline 1-800-QUITNOW
(1.800.784.8669)

Source: https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/VapingAssociatedLungInjury

Medical Attention

How can I get tested for COVID-19?

1. Call your 2. If the provider If you have symptoms and
doctor and inform decides that a don’t have a healthcare
them of your COVID-19 test is provider, call:
symptoms. required, they will • King County COVID-19
direct the patient to
a clinic or make a Call Center
reservation at a  (206) 477-3977
drive thru site.  Open from 8am-
7pm daily
3. If your COVID-19 If your viral test was
viral test result is negative for COVID-19, • General questions
positive, your doctor you were probably not about COVID-19 in
will consult action infected when the sample Washington State
steps. was taken. However, that • 1-800-525-0127
does not mean that you
Source: https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/covid-19/care.aspx cannot get sick. The test
result only means that
you did not have COVID-
19 at the time of the test.

How do I treat
COVID-19?

Most people have mild illness and are able to recover at
home. Currently, treatment for coronavirus is directed at
relieving symptoms and may include:
• Pain relievers (ibuprofen or acetaminophen)
• Cough syrup and/or other over the counter medication

recommended by a medical provider
• Get plenty of rest
• Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated, especially water
There is no evidence that ibuprofen or other nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) need to be avoided.

For more information: Talk to your doctor or call the King County COVID-19 Call Center at
(206) 477-3977

Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/diagnosis-treatment

Prevent the spread of
COVID-19 if you are sick

• Stay home except to get medical attention. Separate
yourself from other people and pets in your home.

• Monitor your symptoms and cover your coughs and
sneezes.

• Wear a cloth covering over your nose and mouth it
you must be around people or pets (even at home)

• Clean your hands often and avoid sharing personal
household items.

• Clean all ‘high-touch” surfaces everyday.

For more information: Talk to your doctor or call the King County COVID-19 Call Center at (206) 477-3977
Source: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus

Keep Track of Your Symptoms

At Home Recovery: If you are experiencing If you are presenting one or
• Fever on or more of the more of the following
• Dry Cough following symptoms, call symptoms, seek emergency
• Headache you docotr: medical care immediately:
• Sore Throat • Fever of 100.0°F or • Trouble breathing
• Loss of Smell or Taste • Persistent pain or pressure
• Muscular or Joint more for 2-3 days
• Dry Cough in the chest
Pain • Chest Pain • New confusion
• Chills • Inability to wake or stay

awake
• Bluish lips or face

For more information: Talk to your doctor or call the King County COVID-19 Call Center at (206) 477-3977
Source: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus

People at high risk

What can I do if I have an
underlying condition?

• Do your best to stay home and stay away from crowds.
• Always have a mask on when you go out and hand sanitizer.
• Have at least a 2-week supply of prescription and non-

prescription medications. Talk to your healthcare provider,
insurer, and pharmacist about getting an extra supply (i.e.,
more than two weeks) of prescription medications, if
possible, to reduce trips to the pharmacy.
• When you are in public places, stay away from people who
are sick and limit close contact with others.
• Continue your medications

For more information: Talk to your doctor or call the King County COVID-19
Call Center at (206) 477-3977

Source: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus

COVID-19: If you get sick, Source: https://www.diabetes.org/blog/coronavirus-covid-19-know-what-to-do
know how to manage
your Diabetes

• If you feel like you are developing symptoms, call your doctor.
Have your blood sugar reading ready.

• Drink lots of fluids. If you’re having trouble keeping water
down, have small sips every 15 minutes or so throughout the
day to avoid dehydration.

• If you are experiencing a low (blood sugar below 70 mg/dl or
your target range), eat 15 grams of simple carbs that are easy
to digest like honey, jam, Jell-O, hard candy, popsicles, juice or
regular soda, and re-check your blood sugar in 15 minutes to
make sure your levels are rising.

• Check your blood sugar extra times throughout the day and
night (generally, every 2-3 hours; if using a CGM, monitor
frequently).

• Wash your hands and clean your injection/infusion and finger-
stick sites with soap and water or rubbing alcohol.

For more information, call your doctor or the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-342-2383

COVID-19: If you get sick, know
how to manage your heart
health

• If you are developing symptoms, call your doctor.
• Take at least two readings 1 minute apart at the same

time each morning before taking medications and in
the evenings before dinner. Record all your results.
• Take your medication exactly as prescribed. Continue
angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-I) or
angiotensin-II receptor blockers (ARB) as prescribed by
your healthcare provider for indications such as heart
failure or high blood pressure.
• Limit your sodium, alcohol, and caffeine intake. No
more than three cups of coffee or soft drinks with
caffeine.
• Keep your stress as low as possible.

For more information, call your doctor or the American Heart Association 1-800-242-8721

Source: https://www.heart.org/en/coronavirus/coronavirus-questions/if-youre-a-patient

COVID-19: If you get sick, know Source: https://www.cancer.gov/contact/emergency-preparedness/coronavirus
what to do if you have cancer.

• If you are developing symptoms, call your doctor.
• If you are receiving treatment for your cancer, please call

your health care provider before going to your next
treatment appointment and follow their guidance.
• Some cancer treatments can be safely delayed, whereas
other cannot. The risk of missing a cancer treatment or
medical appointment must be weighed against the
possibility of exposing a patient to a COVID-19 infection.
• If you take oral cancer drugs, you may be able to have
prescribed treatments sent directly to you, so you don’t
have to go to a pharmacy.
• A hospital or other medical facility may ask you to go to a
specific clinic, away from those treating people sick with
coronavirus.

For more information, call your doctor or the National Cancer Institute Cancer Information Service at 1-800-
422-6237

COVID-19: If you get sick, know
what to do if you have asthma

• If you are developing symptoms, call your doctor.
• Keep your asthma problem under control by following your

asthma action plan.
• Continue to use your current medicine, including steroid

inhalers ("steroids" is another name for corticosteroids).
• Do not stop taking any medications or change your asthma

treatment plan without consulting your healthcare provider
first.
• Reduce the use of disinfectants that can cause asthma
attacks.

For more information: Talk to your doctor or call the King County COVID-19 Call Center at
(206) 477-3977

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/groups-at-higher-risk.html#asthma

COVID-19: If you get sick, know
what to do if you are pregnant

If you are developing symptoms, call your doctor.
Pregnant people appear to have the same level of risk as
non-pregnant adults. Pregnant people experience changes
in their bodies that may increase the risk of certain
infections.
Transmission of the coronavirus from parent to child during
pregnancy is unlikely, but after the baby is born it is
susceptible to spread from person to person.
Because of the danger of suffocation, do NOT put cloth face
coverings on babies or children younger than 2 years.
You, along with your family and healthcare providers, must
decide whether and how you will start or continue to
breastfeed.

For more information: Talk to your doctor or call the King County COVID-19 Call Center at (206)
477-3977

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/pregnancy-breastfeeding.html

Recovery

I’m feeling better, when can I end
home isolation?

If you tested positive for COVID-19 and experienced symptoms, you
can discontinue isolation after these 3 conditions:

1. You must wait 3 day (72 hours) since having no fever
(without using medications) and improvement on respiratory
symptoms.

2. At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared
3. You received two negative tests in a row, at least 24 hours

apart.
If you have not had a test to determine if you are still contagious, you
can leave home after these three things have happened:

1. You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (that is three full
days of no fever without the use of medicine that reduces
fevers)

2. Other symptoms have improved (for example, when your
cough or shortness of breath have improved)

3. At least 10 days have passed since your symptoms first
appeared

For more information: Talk to your doctor or call the King County COVID-19 Call Center at (206)
477-3977

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html

Resources

For more information for
resources:

Medical Services Social Services National call lines
King County COVID-19 Call El Centro de La Raza National Cancer Institure Cancer
Center (206) 957-4634 Information Service
206-296-4600 1-800-422-6237
King County Public Health Washington 2-1-1 American Diabetes Association
Centers 1-800-342-2383
206-296-4600
Washington Apple Health Washington State Quitline American Heart Association
1-855-923-4633 1-800-784-8669 1-800-242-8721

This education series has been brought to
you by:

Liszet Bigelow, MSW Samantha Solis, MPH

Community Health Educator Smoking Prevention & Policy
Specialist
Office of Community Outreach &
Engagement El Centro de La Raza

Fred Hutchinson Cancer [email protected]
Research Center

[email protected]