Overview On The Coronavirus And What You Can Do To Protect Yourself

Over the past few weeks, the Coronavirus has controlled the hospital beds of our city as well as the minds of our leaders. Mayor Bill de Blasio reports that the strain the city has seen due to the mass amounts of coronavirus patients is “getting worse”, as per the New York Times. The New York Post reports that De Blasio is currently working with Governor Andrew Cuomo to plan a “shelter-in-place” order on New York City.

Elmhurst Hospital Center E.R. Doctor Ben McVane, comments that the previous “small trickle” of coronavirus patients has now turned into a “deluge of patients in [their] departments”, as per the New York Times. With upper and lower level officials alike declaring this a city-wide emergency, what can we, the Bukharian community, do to protect ourselves and our loved ones?

NYC Health recommends the following tips. Stay home; only leave your house for essential tasks and keep at least six feet of distance between yourself and others. Wash your hands with soap and water often, for at least 20 seconds every time, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if washing your hands is not an option. Do not touch your face unless you recently washed your hands. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or sleeve when sneezing or coughing. Do not shake hands with others. If you are sick, stay home at all times. If you do not feel better in three to four days, consult your health care provider. Do not go to the emergency department or other places to seek health care if you are not severely ill. Stay home and keep health care access available for others with more severe illness. If you need help getting medical care, dial 311. You can get care in NYC regardless of immigration status or ability to pay. If you were recently sick, you can leave your home when all of the following are true: it has been seven days after your symptoms started, you have not had a fever for three days without the use of fever-reducing drugs, and your cough or sore throat symptoms have improved.

For more tips on how to stay safe, follow the ABA Health Committee on Instagram at aba_healthofny.

By Samuel Sabzanov,
ABA Health Committee Chairman