Should You Clean, Disinfect, or Sanitize them during this Pandemic?
You should clean and sanitize these areas frequently. Deep cleaning and sanitizing should be done monthly to the pipe area.
One for Hands, One for Dishes, and One for Cleaning.
MARCH 5, 2020 - A MONTH OF PRECAUTIONS
If you are aware of anything in this day and time you have heard that the world is being threatened by a pandemic called the Coronavirus and /or Influenza (The Flu). Both are respiratory diseases, both are very
contagious and both could be fatal to the elderly, very young and anyone with a compromised immune system.
The coronavirus is new and new things are being learned on a daily. The Influenza has been around and continues to evolve into a new strain each year. The most important thing that you can do is not to panic and to stay informed. Everyone is urged to avoid dubious sources of information and stick with trusted sources like your Health Departments or the US CDC. One thing that the local health departments are doing is trying to make sure that the best information is being given out to quell fear; but at the same time leaning forward and preparing our communities as things progress.
There is currently no vaccine available for coronavirus; however since this is flu season and the CDC recommends getting a flu vaccine---- it’s not too late.
Remember to also practice other good health habits too, such as managing stress and drinking plenty of fluids. exercise, eat a good diet, and get lots of sleep. WASH YOUR HANDS, and do everything you can to stay healthy.
Being aware and being cautious by taking simple steps to guard yourself and others are both very
important.
Let’s see how we can play a role in addressing these two very contagious diseases. We have learned that
they both are spread in similar methods by air and contact (both direct and indirect) and can live on hard surfaces for greater than 48 hours; so:
First avoid crowded and congested places
Cough and sneeze into tissue and discard immediately is the proper place
Avoid coughing and sneezing into your hands or clothing if at all possible. If you do cough into your arm remember to remove your clothing and launder ASAP to prevent the transfer of germs
Casual kissing and hugging is not recommended, a fist bump, elbow bump, or a simple nod is good at times like these
Avoid sharing your cellphone. If you do share your phone sanitize it before you use it.·
No sharing of your food and drink from your plate, fork, spoon or cup
Avoid publicly shared rails, door knobs, and buttons as much as possible. Use your knuckles or elbows or your back if possible to open doors or press elevator buttons
If you work in a shared work space clean all surfaces before starting to work and when you complete your work
Wipe all surfaces frequently throughout your work day with an antibacterial agent
WASH YOU HANDS AFTER USING THE BATHROOM AND BEFORE AND AFTER EATTING
Practice proper hand washing, not a rinse and a wipe; but 20 full seconds of lathering with soap and scrubbing the fingers, the back of your hands, the palm of your hands and between your fingers.. Water alone will not kill or remove bacteria
Use hand sanitizer after touching any item that is shared. Sanitizer must be at least 60% alcohol
Avoid touching your face (eyes, nose and mouth)
If you are sick stay at home, monitor your temperature, treat your symptoms and consult your MD for instructions and isolate yourself. You should not return to work until your temperature stays below 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees Celsius) for 24 hours without the help of medication.
If your child/children are sick keep them at home, monitor their temperature, treat their symptoms and consult their pediatrician. Your child should have a normal temperature of 98.6* to 100 degrees for 24 full hours without the aid of medications before allowing them to return to school or to day care
Always consult with your physician. In most cases of the flu additional medications can be given to lessen the severity; but you must seek medical attention within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.
Have a GAME PLAN.
If you are able to work from home; then do that.
If you child is sick and out of school have their assignments sent via the internet.
Stay informed. New things are developing daily.
Have a reliable person on standby especially if you live alone.
Stock your first aid kit with:
NNonprescription drugs and other health supplies. It’s always a good idea to already have on hand pain
relievers, stomach remedies, cough and cold medicines, fluids with electrolytes, and vitamins.
Stock your pantry with:
Soups, Juices, Gatorade, etc.……
If you take prescription drugs have an ample supply so that you don’t run out of your medication. Call the pharmacy and have some delivered.
In the event you are required to go to your doctor tell them in advance of your arrival that you are
ill; so that you don’t contaminate the entire waiting area.
God bless us all!
Sources- Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and
Respiratory Diseases. Health Department, CDC, Dr. Nirav Shah , director of the Maine Center for Disease
Control and Prevention.
February is Heart month!
Health Spotlight
February is Heart month!
It’s not just about Valentines, sweethearts, flowers and chocolates, it’s about Heart Health.
Did you know that Heart disease and stroke kill more African Americans than cancer, accidents, pneumonia, AIDS, diabetes, liver failure , suicide and homicides combines? About 50% of African Americans will suffer a debilitating illness or death from diseases of the heart and blood vessels. Every African American family is affected by heart disease and stroke. If this picture does not improve, fewer children will know their grandparents.
To make matters worse we as a community and African American women in particular, are less likely to receive the test and appropriate treatment made available. While reasons are not entirely clear, we know that it is not always because of lower income or the lack of good insurance.
There are 4 major risks factors that we know cause heart disease, they are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking and stress.
We all know what will keep us healthy. The difficult part is getting individuals to do what we already know works. We know that smoking will increase our risk of heart disease, but one out of four of us continue to smoke. We know that there is nothing good about being obese, yet on average we eat too much. We know that too much animal fat in our diet will clog up our arteries, but we continue to eat too many hamburgers, steaks, pork and bacon. We know that too much alcohol will ruin our livers and increase our rate accidents, but we continue to drink inappropriately. We know that high blood pressure (the silent killer) and cholesterol increases our risk of heart attacks, strokes and heart failure; but one out of four of those affected do not follow the prescribed treatment by their doctors or just fail to seek medical advice. We know that stress kills and steals our joy. If we are to live longer, healthier lives, we must prevent heart disease rather than just affecting a cure after we get sick.
We must know and understand that the heart is not an organ of love and emotion. The heart is a pump. It is the muscular organ the size of your fist that collects and distributes blood to the billions of cells of your body 100,000 times per day. Every cell must continuously receive fresh supplies of oxygenated blood or it starves to death. Every cell in the body needs continuous nourishment and cleansing to stay healthy. Our heart and brains are our most vital survival organs. They must keep functioning if we are to stay alive. In other words we can’t live without them.
It works like this Blood leaves the heart (THE PUMP), carrying oxygen and nourishment through the large arteries to the small arteries until it gets to every cell by way of arteries. Arteries take the good nourishing blood away from the heart, and veins then take the used impure blood back to the heart, where it is pumped out to the lungs, it becomes enriched with oxygen and releases carbon dioxide that then passes out of our bodies through the mouth and or our nose as we breath. This must happen in order to sustain life. This is called supply and demand. The heart supplies what the body requires.
If the heart stops and no longer pushes the blood through its called A Heart Attack.
The most common type of heart disease is coronary artery disease or hardening of the arteries that feed the heart muscle. It is caused by the gradual buildup of fat and cholesterol inside the blood vessels in the heart that reduces and restricts the flow of blood to the heart itself.
You may be having a heart attack if you experience:
An uncomfortable pressure, squeezing or pain in the center of your chest and sometime in women up your back or left arm lasting more than 2 minutes
Dizziness
Palpitations (strong, fast heart beats)
Sweating, nausea, shortness of breath and weakness.
If you experience any of these symptoms SEEK EMERGENCY MEDICAL ATTENTION. DO NOT DRIVE. CALL 911 or have someone take you to the nearest ER. DO NOT TOUGH IT OUT.
High Blood Pressure (The Silent Killer) is the biggest contributor to heart disease; it is considered the most important health problem to the African American community. We can prevent hypertension and effectively lower it with exercise, diet and medication; however no one is sure what causes it, it is very rare in our African ancestors.
So What Can We Do?
Maintain a good blood pressure. Know your numbers.
Monitor your cholesterol levels. Consult with your physician. Know your numbers.
Don’t SMOKE anything. That includes vaping.
Manage your weight.
Exercise regularly (20 minutes a day) Join a group, it’s more fun.
Manage your stress.
Have a positive attitude.
Have a plan B if your current plan doesn’t work out.
Don’t over commit yourself.
Develop the courage to be imperfect and still feel good about yourself. Only GOD is perfect.
Accept the fact that people disappoint you.
Just learn to say “NO” and mean it.
Learn to forgive, appreciate, and love yourself. After all these are the greatest gifts.
Go to church regularly and spend time with those you love.
Reduce the time that you spent with negative people.
GOD gave us the gift of life. It’s up to us to take care of it.
Happy Valentines to everyone!!
GOD Bless!!
Sources: Association of Black Cardiologists, Inc. AHA, .FDA
