WHERE CAN YOU FIND ACCURATE INFORMATION ABOUT COVID-19?
WHAT IS THE FEDERATION DOING?
WHAT CAN WE DO AS A COMMUNITY TO HELP PREVENT THE SPREAD OF ILLNESSES LIKE FLU AND CORONAVIRUS?
- The CDC has identified hand washing as one of the best defensive actions you can take against any virus or illness. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use alcohol-based sanitizers when soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth unless your hands are clean.
- Cover your nose and mouth when you cough. Cough or sneeze into your elbow, not your hands, or use tissue. Throw away any used tissues promptly, then wash your hands again.
- Sanitize and disinfect surfaces regularly, because the virus is spread through droplets.
- Limit personal contact – refrain from hand-shaking or hugging.
- Limit exposure to common-use items in a public space, refrain from touching hand rails, door knobs, or other objects with your bare skin. If you have touched public-space surfaces, be sure to wash up as soon as possible.
- If you are sick, please stay at home. Even if you do not think you have been exposed to COVID-19, you should stay home if you have any of the following symptoms: fever, cough, sore throat, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
- Do not go to the emergency room unless essential. Emergency rooms need to be able to serve those with the most critical needs.
- If you suspect you may have been exposed to the coronavirus and are not experiencing life-threatening conditions (shortness of breath, for example), please call your doctor’s office. Nurses and doctors will be able to advise whether you need to be seen. There are no specific treatments for illnesses caused by human coronavirus. Most people will recover on their own, but some people can develop pneumonia and require medical care, including hospitalization.
WHAT ELSE IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS?
Coronavirus does not recognize race, nationality, or ethnicity. Discrimination based on ethnicity or ancestry will worsen the situation. Having Chinese ancestry—or any other ancestry—does not make a person more vulnerable to COVID-19. Do not assume that people wearing masks are sick. Based on cultural differences, masks are worn for various reasons.
COVID-19 has prompted a campaign of xenophobia against the Chinese-American community across the U.S., and many Chinese-owned businesses have been affected by misinformed concerns. Along with 73 Jewish organizations across the country, our Federation signed a letter expressing support for our friends and neighbors in the Chinese-American and Chinese communities to ensure that they feel safe and to combat attacks and stereotyping. We are reaching out to local Chinese-American and Asian-American organizations to express our solidarity.
WHERE SHOULD ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS BE DIRECTED?
If you have questions about our community response or need assistance of any kind please contact the Federation at 804-545-8621 or Webmaster@JewishRichmond.org. We will be reviewing messages and getting back to people as quickly as we possibly can.
WHAT ARE OUR NEXT STEPS?
The Federation will continue to monitor the situation, update our community, give guidance, and distribute resources about COVID-19 as more information becomes available.