Coronavirus (COVID19) - Understanding the Threat
Due to the importance of this issue and conversations that the federal government may provide financial support to those impacted by COVID-19, OSAE drafted and sent a letter to Congressional leaders and all representatives of Ohio's leadership in Washington, D.C. on March 10, 2020. You can read the letter we sent here
What is COVID-19?
Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV), also known as COVID-19, is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans.
Coronaviruses are transmitted between animals and people. Detailed investigations found that SARS-CoV was transmitted from civet cats to humans and MERS-CoV from dromedary camels to humans. Several known coronaviruses are circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans.
Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.
Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.
Looking for updates on the issue?
Visit the OSAP News page and search for stories related to the virus by typing "coronavirus" into the search bar on the bottom right-hand of the web page.
Due to the importance of this issue and conversations that the federal government may provide financial support to those impacted by COVID-19, OSAE drafted and sent a letter to Congressional leaders and all representatives of Ohio's leadership in Washington, D.C. on March 10, 2020. You can read the letter we sent here.
Safety Measures
Basic protective measures against COVID-19
Stay aware of the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak, available on the World Health Organization's (WHO) website and through your local, state and national public health authorities. COVID-19 is still affecting mostly people in China with some outbreaks in other countries, including the United States, Canada, France, Italy, Greece and Mexico.
Here is a global map, being updated by the WHO, with current locations of COVID-19.
Most people who become infected experience mild illness and recover, but it can be more severe for others. Take care of your health and protect others by doing the following:
Wash your hands frequently
Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.
Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.
Maintain at least 3 feet (1 m) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
Why? When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.
Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth
Why? Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.
Practice respiratory hygiene
Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.
Why? Droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.
If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early
Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local health authority.
Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on the situation in your area. Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also protect you and help prevent spread of viruses and other infections.
Stay informed and follow advice given by your healthcare provider
Stay informed on the latest developments about COVID-19. Follow advice given by your healthcare provider, your national and local public health authority or your employer on how to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.
Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on whether COVID-19 is spreading in your area. They are best placed to advise on what people in your area should be doing to protect themselves.
Additional Resources
Ohio Department of Health COVID-19 resources
- Ohio Department of Health's COVID-19 Resource Page
- Ohio Department of Health COVID-19 call center: (833) 427-5634
Other Leading Resource Providers:
- CDC Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers
- The Paycheck Protection Program FAQ from the SBA
- Updates from John Hopkins University & Medical Center
- Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation COVID-19 FAQ
- TechSoup Resources for Nonprofits Impacted by COVID-19
- Seven Science-based Strategies to Cope with Coronavirus & Anxiety
- Google's COVID-19 Website
- Health Insurance Providers Respond to COVID-19
- Coronavirus Anxiety (COVID-19): How to Stop Worrying About Your Health (10-minute YouTube video)
- Legal Strategies for Association Meetings (ASAE's Center for Research)
- How to Keep Coronavirus Fears from Affecting Your Mental Health
- Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope with the Coronavirus Disease 2019
- Tips For Social Distancing, Quarantine and Isolation During An Infectious Disease Outbreak flyer
- Red Cross Media Statement on 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Dashboard Map
- Lead Your Business Through the Coronavirus Crisis (Harvard Business Review)
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For those seeking press briefings and current updates from the WHO, please select this link.
- Here are some common myths dispelled by the WHO.
- Download the "What You Need To Know About Coronavirus (COVID-19) and You" Fact Sheet.
COVID-19 Webinars
Since March, OSAP has been working with our partners, our sister societies, fellow membership organizations and state and national leaders to provide our members with access to leading information designed to help them protect and remain resilient in light of the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Here are the webinars that we have held in concert with other organizations and members of our OSAP Emergency Response Team (ERT) taskforce. We hope you find the information they contain beneficial.
All of these webinars are unlocked and open to all members and non-members alike. Now is a time for OSAP to serve all segments of our membership. Please let us know if you have a recommendation for a topic that you would like to see us focus upon or host. We will weather this better together!
