What are the symptoms of the Coronavirus?

According to the CDC, the symptoms of Coronavirus in people are similar to the symptoms of regular seasonal flu and include fever, dry cough, difficulty breathing, and mild to severe respiratory illness.

How severe is the illness associated with Coronavirus virus?

Illness with the Coronavirus has ranged from mild to severe. Most people who have been sick have recovered fully without needing medical treatment. However, hospitalizations and deaths from infection with this virus have occurred.

Who is at higher risk of serious complications?

According to the CDC, certain people are at "high risk" of serious complications. This includes people 65 years and older with certain chronic medical conditions. Many of the people who have been hospitalized with the Coronavirus have had one or more medical conditions previously recognized as placing people at "high risk" of serious complications.

How is the Coronavirus transmitted?

According to the CDC, the Coronavirus is spread from person to person in respiratory droplets of coughs and sneezes. These droplets can move through the air about 6 feet before they fall to the surface (of a desk, table, sink, keyboard, etc.) The Coronavirus spreads when a person comes into contact with the respiratory droplets of an infected person:

• directly, including by sharing eating or drinking utensils, kissing, etc. (This is why keeping a distance of about6 feet from a sick person is important.)
• indirectly, by touching a surface or object that has Coronavirus on it and then touching one's own mouth,nose, or eyes. (This is why frequent hand washing and cleaning of shared surfaces is important.)

Are Coronavirus evaluations available on campus for faculty and staff?

No. If you are experiencing Coronavirus symptoms, please contact your primary care provider for evaluation. The Student Health Center is the primary care provider for RSCCD's students and does not provide primary care services for staff and faculty.

What preventative measures should I encourage employees to take?

Awareness, thoughtfulness, and communication are the key ingredients to reducing the risk of catching and spreading the Coronavirus (and other illnesses). Encourage group conversations now about ways to reduce the risk in their particular workspace, posters to display to make others aware of your concerns, expectations of each other regarding staying home when sick. Make sure everyone knows the common public health advice to avoid the Coronavirus:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after youuse it.
• If tissues are not available, cough or sneeze into your elbow.
• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water, especially after you cough, sneeze, or touch sharedsurfaces. If soap and water are not available, hand sanitizers are also effective.
• Regularly clean all areas and items that are more likely to have frequent hand contact and immediately whenvisibly soiled. This may help, but should not substitute for hand washing.
• Do not share cups, eating utensils, smoking paraphernalia, lip balm, etc.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people. Keep a distance of about 6 feet if possible.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Strengthen your immune system: eat a balanced diet; exercise on a regular basis; get plenty of rest.

What can I do to stay healthy?

As always, it is recommended that you follow standard hygiene practices, such as:

• Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds.
• Using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not on hand.
• Covering the nose and mouth with elbow or a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
• Avoiding touching eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Limiting close contact with people who are sick.

​The stress about Coronavirus seems to be getting to people. How can I help?

Humans by nature tend to be more afraid of what we do not know than what we do know, and when the threat is something people cannot recognize or count or otherwise control, it can create a high level of anxiety for some. Others meet the circumstance through denial, humor, and resignation.

Your help can make a difference:

• Meet fear with facts. Information is available from the leading public health resource in the country: www.cdc.gov. These facts can help us put even tragedy in a realistic perspective.
• Stop rumors. If you hear something that does not sound right, or that you have not heard from a reputablesource, please check it out. Misinformation can only be remedied by good information, and there is plentyavailable. Much is known about available self-care recommendations and medical interventions, as well asRSCCD’s policies and plans.
• Help people regain control. Remind them that the most successful responses to any kind of community crisisis a neighbor-by-neighbor response. More than ever, being a caring community in this moment means takinggood care of ourselves and each other: supporting each other in our efforts to stay healthy; planning togetherhow we will manage if a member of our work group is sick or caring for a sick family member; reaching out toothers with messages about essential Coronavirus prevention strategies.
• Making a plan with family, friends, or neighbors ways to support each other’s recovery and period of isolationin the event of illness; putting in place plans for alternative care for children and elders; preparing a health kit;getting vaccinated; writing down phone numbers of health care providers; knowing what to watch for - all ofthese actions can help people feel more empowered to deal with this new version of a well-known illness.