Coronavirus Information

What We Know About Coronavirus:

• Disease Name: COVID-19; It’s caused by a zoonotic virus named Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 or SARS-CoV-2.
• Source of the Disease:  Zoonotic (animal - perhaps bats) spread to humans in a marketplace in Wuhan, China, late 2019.
• How the Virus is Spread:  Probably started from the animal source, but now it’s spreading person to person.  It’s spread mainly in the air between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 ft) through respiratory droplets from the cough or sneeze of the infected person.  The virus may also stay alive for some hours on surfaces where the droplets fall.  If someone touches those surfaces, then touches their eyes, nose, and mouth, it may be possible to get the virus that way, as well. 
• Signs and Symptoms: Possible fever, cough, and difficulty breathing/shortness of breath.  This may happen 2-14 days after being exposed to the virus.
• Treatment: Presently, no antivirals or vaccine, but most likely coming down the road (not overnight).
• Risk of Disease: Most cases are in the older age groups and have underlying chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, or cardiovascular disease.

Some Things to Do to Protect Yourself and Prevent the Spread of Coronavirus:

• Avoid close contact with people who may be sick.
• Try to avoid touching your mouth, nose, and eyes.
• Stay home when you are sick.  This does apply to you going to work and your kids going to school. 
• Cover your sneezes and coughs with a tissue, then throw the tissue away if you don’t have tissue, sneeze or cough into the crease of your sleeve by your elbow.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water.  Wash for at least 20 seconds.  Work up a good lather with the soap, don’t rush.  Wash your hands after going to the bathroom, before/after eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.  If soap and water aren’t readily available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. 
• It’s currently cold/flu season.  The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) does recommend getting a flu vaccine.  This may help in ruling out the flu if you become ill with symptoms.
• Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces that you often touch at home.  Use a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Education is one of the best tools.  Make sure to have a talk with your children about the virus, too.  Be careful with what you read on social media about the virus.  Only rely on trusted sources, such as the CDC, local/state public health, and your healthcare provider.  

Some Things We’re Doing to Prevent the Spread of Illness at Church:

• We encourage you to stay home if you’re sick.  Remember, this is also the cold/flu season.  Now, we don’t want you to miss out on your worship experience. Starting Next Sunday A live stream will be available on Sundays for the 11:15 am service, as well on Wednesdays for the 7:00 pm service.  
• We will add hand sanitizer dispensers throughout the church.  Don’t replace hand washing with using hand sanitizer.  But, it will be there if/when you need it.  We’ll have posters spread out through the church with friendly reminders.
• To prevent the possible spread of illness, for now, we are replacing hugs and handshakes with nods and hand over the heart.  This will be from the parking lot to the sanctuary.  When going to the main entrance at each location, you will see a sign with more information and hand sanitizer, if needed.
• We will make sure there is a box of tissue in every section of the sanctuary.  If you use a tissue, don’t leave it on the seat.  Tuck it in your pocket for later disposal.  We will have wastebaskets at each exit.
• We will have disposable face masks for those who become sick at church.  The ill individual will be immediately isolated from others and keep on the mask until they leave.
• We will be intentional about wiping down door handles, railings, light switches, bathrooms, and countertops following each service.
• As of now, we will still have Body Building and Small Group classes.  We will increase ventilation by opening windows or adjusting the temperature in the building.  Again, if you’re sick, stay home.
• If you are scheduled to serve in ministry and are not feeling well (coughing, sneezing, fever, etc.), please stay home.  Your health and safety is our most important concern.  Make sure to notify your ministry leader as soon as possible, so someone else can be scheduled to fill in the gap.
• If your ministry has a meeting scheduled, consider a conference call or video chat, if possible.  For questions or concerns, Please email us @freshrinc@gmail.com
• We will limit/postpone (case-by-case basis) events and activities that include food preparation, meals, outside vendors, etc.
• More recommendations will be provided as things continue to unfold.
• Reminder – KEEP PRAYING PSALMS 91 & 41.  The virus is in our state, but if it has a name, it has to bow to the name of Jesus!
• God has not given us a spirit of fear, but He has given us wisdom.  
• We are not waiting on God but working with God.

What You Can Do at Home to Prepare for Widespread Coronavirus: 

• Keep in touch with local/state and CDC guidance/websites. The New York Department of Health Novel Coronavirus
• Last updated: March 14, 2020 | 12:30PM
• 524 Positive Cases in New York State
• Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Hotline:1-888-364-3065 
• Call Center staff can answer questions and provide accurate information about the virus, risk to the public, and the state’s response.
• Older people (our seasoned saints) and people with severe chronic conditions should take special precautions because they are at a higher risk of developing a severe illness.  Special precautions include:  stock up on supplies (medication, groceries, etc.), keep away from people who are sick, avoid crowds as much as possible, as well as avoid cruises and non-essential air travel.  See link - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/high-risk-complications.html (People at Risk for Serious Illness From COVID-19).
• If you are a close contact of someone with Coronavirus and develop symptoms, call your healthcare provider and tell them about your symptoms and exposure.
• If you are a resident of a community where there is a spread of Coronavirus, and you develop symptoms, call your healthcare provider and tell them about your symptoms.
• Some reminders for family and caregiver support: Know what medications your loved ones take, and see if you can help them have extra on hand; monitor food and other medical supplies (oxygen, incontinence, dialysis, etc.) needed, and create a back-up plan; as well as, stock up on non-perishable food items to have on hand in your home to minimize trips to stores.  If you care for a loved one living in a care facility, monitor the situation, ask about the health of other residents, and know their protocol if an outbreak occurs. 
• Watch out for scams related to Coronavirus.  Cyber scams may include emails with malicious attachments or links to fraudulent websites to trick people into sharing personal information or donating to fraudulent charities or causes.  Practice caution in handling any email with Coronavirus related subject lines, attachments or hyperlinks, and be wary of social media pleas, texts, or calls related to Coronavirus.  See link - https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/current-activity/2020/03/06/defending-against-covid-19-cyber-scams (Defending Against Coronavirus Scams).

Remember to relax and put things into perspective. 

It is always a good idea to plan and prepare for any of life’s interruptions.

What to Do if You Think You have Coronavirus: 

• For the majority of people, the immediate risk of being exposed to the virus is thought to low.  If you have been in an area of widespread infection - China, Iran, Italy and South Korea (to date) and are sick, OR in direct contact with someone who was and is sick and you develop symptoms, seek healthcare. Before going, call ahead and let them know so that they can prepare to protect you and others, as well as give you the right care and plan of action you need. See link - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/after-travel-precautions.html (Travelers from Countries with Widespread Transmission).
• Important reminders - stay home except to get medical care (as advised by your healthcare provider), make sure to separate yourself from people and animals in your home, call ahead before visiting your doctor, wear a facemask if you’re sick, cover your coughs and sneezes, clean your hands often, avoid sharing personal items, clean all “high-touch” surfaces every day and monitor your symptoms.  See link - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/steps-when-sick.html (Prevent the Spread of Coronavirus if You're Sick). 
• Stay at home until instructed to leave by your healthcare provider or local/state public health.

Links For More Information:

• Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
• Location with Confirmed COVID-19 Cases: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/locations-confirmed-cases.html 
• Preventing COVID-19 Spread in Communities:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/index.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fpreparing-individuals-communities.html
• Communication Resources for Travelers: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/communication-resources.html
• Ohio Department of Health State COVID-19 Resources: https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/home
• Coughing and Sneezing Etiquette: https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/hygiene/etiquette/coughing_sneezing.html
• Handwashing - Clean Hands Saves Lives: https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/index.html
• Try Not to Touch Your Face.  Also, Try Not To Think About Touching Your Face: https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-media/try-not-touch-your-face-also-try-not-think-about-n1150161
• Dogs and Cats Can’t Pass on Coronavirus But Can Test Positive: https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/national/coronavirus/dogs-cats-cant-pass-on-covid-19-but-can-test-positive
• EPA's List of Disinfectants You Can Use Against Coronavirus: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2020-03/documents/sars-cov-2-list_03-03-2020.pdf