After months of living under the threat of coronavirus, it’s safe to say many of us are sick of, if not sick with, COVID-19. We’re worn out from the restrictions, the inconveniences, the distance between loved ones and the uncertainty of what lies ahead. But that is exactly why now, more than ever, we must keep in mind that the disease remains no less present and dangerous in our communities, and we must continue to protect ourselves and others.

 

Aultman and Mercy have teamed up with local health departments and businesses to help remind our community how to best protect against COVID-19. We can all do this together by following three simple practices: Wash Up, Mask Up and Back Up.

 

Wash Up: One of the simplest and best ways to keep yourself safe during the pandemic is to wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds – especially after you have been in a public place or 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. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry. In addition, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

 

Mask Up: Wearing a mask in public has become an unnecessarily politicized issue in recent months. The fact is wearing a mask helps protect others and significantly reduces the risk of COVID-19 exposure. Remember, someone can have and spread coronavirus without having symptoms, and wearing a mask helps contain infectious respiratory droplets that might otherwise cause someone else to get sick. Everyone who can safely wear a mask should do so.

 

According to Dr. Lori Mertes, Aultman’s chief quality officer, “We are all anxious to get back to normal. As our communities reopen, wearing a mask helps to reduce the spread of coronavirus, especially from asymptomatic carriers. It is a form of protection. A mask blocks exhaled droplets of fluid that carry viruses and bacteria. Masks also act as a physical reminder to not touch our mouth, nose or eyes. When combined with hand washing and social distancing, mask wearing will help to contain COVID-19 and move us closer to normal.”

 

The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, like grocery stores and pharmacies. This is especially true in areas of significant community-based transmission. When using a face covering, keep in mind that it should fit snugly – but comfortably – and allow for breathing without restriction. Wear your mask horizontally, covering your nose, mouth and chin at all times, and secure it behind your head with ties or ear loops. You should wash your hands before putting the face covering on and immediately after removing it. In addition, don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth when taking it off. Routinely launder and dry the facial covering, and do not wear it when wet.

 

“Wearing a mask, along with hand washing and social distancing, is our best defense against this virus while scientists work on a vaccine,” said Barbara Yingling, senior vice president and chief nursing officer at Mercy Medical Center. “As scientists have learned more about COVID-19, overwhelming evidence shows we need widespread mask usage to reduce the spread. States are seeing an upswing in newly reported cases in recent days, and hospitals across the country are united in sharing the message to wash your hands, wear masks and social distance to reduce the spread of infection and keep our economy open.”

 

Back Up: The CDC recommends putting distance between yourself and other people outside of your home by staying at least six feet apart from other people, which is roughly the length of two shopping carts or a pair of golden retrievers standing nose-to-tail. It’s worth repeating that people without symptoms may still be able to spread the virus. Maintaining social distancing is especially important around people who are at higher risk for severe illness, such as older adults or people with underlying medical conditions.

 

Aultman and Mercy will continue to collaborate to help protect our community from COVID-19, as we have from the early days of the pandemic, with senior leadership having frequent calls and the two health systems sharing equipment and data. Using one voice, we want to continue to provide reassurance to the community with consistent and clear information about the pandemic and how it impacts our region.

 

And of course, please don’t let fear of this virus stop you from seeking out medical care when you need it. Aultman and Mercy have undertaken a broad swath of additional safety measures to protect our community and fortify our facilities to halt the spread of COVID-19.