Latino Diabetes

COVID-19: Protect Yourself

How can I protect myself from catching COVID-19?

The same steps help protect everyone from catching COVID-19, irrespective if you have diabetes or not. If you live with diabetes, you may have learned to be extra aware of how you feel; this can be very helpful as you follow these steps to protect yourself.

Check this website every day. New information will be posted as the situation changes and we learn more. Encourage others to take these same steps. If there are children in your house, do your best to teach them to do the same.

• IMPORTANT: The COVID-19 virus hates soap and water. Wash your hands with soap and water or with an alcohol-based hand rub (with at least 60% alcohol – vodka or tequila do not work!) many times every day and especially after coming home, touching an area that other people touch often (such as a door or shopping cart handle), blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing, or going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food. To be sure you wash long enough, sing “Happy Birthday” twice or “Los Pollitos.”

• When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or a tissue. Then immediately throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.
• Stay as far away as possible (at least 6 feet) from anyone outside of your household- this is called “social distancing.”
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. This is harder than it might seem.
• Avoid touching surfaces in public places – door handles, handrails, elevator buttons, etc. Use a tissue or your sleeve to cover your hand or finger if you must touch something. Wash your hands after touching surfaces in public places.
• Clean and disinfect your home daily to remove germs on frequently touched surfaces such as cell phones, doorknobs, light switches, handles, tables, desks, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
• Make sure you have good airflow in your home (for example, open a window or turn on the air conditioner).
• Stay home as much as possible. Reschedule non-urgent medical appointments. Alternatively, use telehealth or in-home care.
• Self-isolate by staying at home if you begin to feel unwell, even with mild symptoms such as headache and low fever (100° F or above).
• Watch for symptoms and emergency warning signs. If you develop fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, persistent pain or pressure in your chest, bluish lips or face, seek medical advice as quickly as possible. Call the clinic or hospital before going there. If you have an emergency and need immediate medical care, call 9-1-1.
• Identify family, friends, neighbors, and caregivers who can provide support and care if you or your caregiver get sick. Tell those around you what medications, food, medical supplies, and assistance you may need for your normal diabetes care and/or for illness due to COVID-19. Be sure that people who come to your home have no fever, cough, or other respiratory symptoms. Maintain social distance at all times with them.
• Create a plan of action in case of illness in the household due to COVID-19:
• Consider a 2-week supply of prescription and over-the-counter medications, food and other essentials. Know how to get food delivered if possible.
• Establish ways to communicate with others (e.g., family, friends, co-workers) using your phone or computer.
• Make back-up plans for work, childcare, and eldercare.