Ten Years Younger COVID-19 Education

What we need to know how to protect ourselves and our clients?

• Coronavirus is a family of viruses that causes things like the common cold, MERS and SARS.
• The virus looks like a tennis ball with spikes on it that attaches to certain mucosa.
• The virus that attaches to the nose, results in the common cold.
• The coronavirus needs to attach to the lungs to be active and grow.
• What happens is that the Coronavirus enters via your mouth, or nose and works its way to the lungs where it attaches itself to the lung tissue. There is causes an inflammation and photocopies itself replacing normal lung tissue. 
• The Coronavirus normally lives in wild animals and it is believed  that  virus was transmitted from an animal to a human at a fish market in Wuhan, the virus was then transmitted human to human
• The coronavirus needs to be able to reach its target in order to survive, it needs to reach your lungs.
• The topic of masks is talked about, you see people walking around the streets wearing them. If you have URT symptoms its beneficial to wear one to reduce the risk of you sneezing and coughing on other people. What a mask does however is stops you touching your face.
• Doctors and health Professionals wear the sealed masks N95 that need to be fitted and tested before using. These masks are very expensive and in limited supply.
• The virus causes flu like symptoms, runny nose, fever, etc and because it attaches to the lungs people often present with breathlessness
• There is no vaccine available yet for the virus. We can only treat the symptoms. Hydration, oxygen.
• Because it’s a new virus we do not have immunity to the virus, small children and the elderly at the most at risk due to their diminished immunity as are people with chronic diseases.
• The virus cannot penetrate your skin, it can only enter your body via your mucosa in your mouth and nose.
• If you do come into contact with someone who is positive or in quarantine contact your GP. You will have to self-isolate for 14 days.
• We have to look after ourselves and each other. Don’t help the virus to spread.
• How do we do that? Wash your hands. Don’t touch you face, wash your hands.

Ten Years Younger COVID-19 Procedures 

• If you or your family or close friends return home from overseas, we require a medical clearance from your GP before you will be rostered back to work
• If you feel unwell with flu like symptoms; runny nose, fever, sore throat, cough, breathlessness, please contact your GP. Always phone prior to attending and wear a mask to protect others. You will require a medical clearance before returning to work
• Advise the office if you come into contact with someone who has tested positive or is in isolation. You will need to see your GP to seek advice and geta clearance to return to work.
• When visiting clients wash your hands immediately with soap and water. Staff will be supplied a cake of soap and a roll of paper towel to dry their hands. Rolls are to be kept in a plastic bag in the PC car and only a few sheets taken into the client’s home. Dispose of towels in clients bin. DO not take roll into client’s house to reduce risk of cross contamination.
• Wash your hands again when leaving the client.
• Client has flu like symptoms; The client will be advised to consult with a Doctor to confirm virus.
• The client will be issued with a mask that will be worn when our carers are visiting. The PC will also be required to wear a mask, and wear gloves when attending any activities. Social excursions will be cancelled. If the client tests positive to the Coronavirus only essential tasks will be attended until the exclusion period is over. 
• All surfaces at the client’s home will be wiped down with high grade disinfectant. All cleaning products are to be disposed at the client home. 
• Make sure that you regularly wipe the interior surfaces  in your vehicle with disinfectant.
• use a microbial skin rub between hand washing. Washing hands for 2 minutes is the most effective defence in avoiding the virus.
• 24-hour National Coronavirus health Information line 1800020080
• Flu vaccination is recommended when the vaccine is released in April May, whist this does not cover the COVID-19 virus it will provide immunity against other types of the corona virus
• This document will be updated as things unfold.