As our nation continues
to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, I encourage all Pennsylvanians to follow
CDC recommendations: stay home as much as possible, wash your hands
often, and practice social distancing. If you must venture out of your
home, please wear a cloth mask during any essential travel. My mask
protects you and your mask protects me.
This week, my office
launched a website
that provides access to resources and information regarding the federal
response to COVID-19. You can view the resource page here.
I had the opportunity
to talk with Rob Vaughn of WFMZ-TV in Allentown about the COVID-19
crisis. Click here
to watch the full interview.
Possible
Symptoms:
Symptoms may appear
2-14 days after exposure. If you have been in direct contact with someone
who has tested positive or traveled to a country outside of the U.S.
within the past two weeks and develop symptoms, call your doctor.
Steps
to Slow the Spread:
By taking the same
precautionary measures you might to mitigate contracting the flu, you can
decrease the risk of contracting COVID-19.
It is important that
individuals practice social distancing as much as possible. Guidance from
federal and state officials encourages Americans to avoid all
discretionary travel, including shopping trips, social visits, and
gatherings of more than ten people.
In addition to social
distancing, individuals are encouraged to practice good hygiene, avoid
sick people, and stay home when sick.
Hand sanitizers are no
more effective than traditional soap and water, when they are used
properly. There is no need to go out of your way to procure hand
sanitizer.
How to
Help:
FEMA has now created a website
to collect the incredible outreach for help in a formal, systematic way.
You can reach out directly to nbeoc@fema.dhs.gov.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has also established a procurement
portal to source the most needed medical supplies. Manufacturers,
distributors, and other suppliers can use the portal to let the state
Department of Health know if they have supplies for hospitals and medical
facilities.
Further
Information:
The Centers
for Disease Control provides updates on the virus and safety
information for the public and healthcare professionals.
The Pennsylvania
Department of Health provides information on the virus and safety
precautions.
I encourage all
Pennsylvanians to take this situation very seriously and observe the
recommendations developed by the CDC.
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