A Message from Village President Sterling Burke:
Like so many of you, we have spent the last several days and weeks learning about the coronavirus (COVID-19) and how it is impacting the world. As we all follow the impact, we want you to know that your safety is our top priority.
We at The Village of Olympia Fields take all developments concerning the coronavirus (COVID-19) very seriously and will continue to closely monitor the situation. For Olympia Fields, that means understanding how it affects our employees, our residents and our community. We have one simple objective that guides us, keeping you and our employees safe. With that in mind, we are closely following the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) guidelines and recommendations on the steps we can take to help prevent the spread of the virus. Here’s what you need to know about what it is and how you can protect yourself and the people you care about.
What is coronavirus and COVID-19?
- Coronavirus is a type of virus that causes respiratory illness — an infection of the airways and lungs. COVID-19 is a new strain of coronavirus. It’s part of the same family of coronaviruses that includes the common cold.
How does the virus spread?
- Right now, medical experts think that COVID-19 spreads from person-to-person through a cough, sneeze or kiss. However, since COVID-19 is a new disease, scientists around the globe are racing to learn more about it.
What are the symptoms?
- The most common early symptoms appear between 2 and 14 days after being infected. Symptoms can be mild to severe. They include fever, cough, and shortness of breath.
How can I help protect myself?
- The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19. Check the CDC website for up-to-date information. If you’re traveling, you’ll want to visit the CDC travel page for their most current travel guidelines.
- Good health habits can also help prevent and fight COVID-19.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when sick. This includes staying home from work, school, and errands for at least 24 hours after a fever is gone.
- Cover a cough or sneeze with a tissue, throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.· Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces like phones, keyboards, and doorknobs.
- Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, drink lots of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Do I need to wear a facemask? It’s best to follow the CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.
- If you’re not sick, the CDC does not recommend wearing a facemask to protect yourself from respiratory diseases.
- If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you should wear a facemask to help prevent spreading it to others.
What if I have symptoms?
- Call your doctor if you develop a fever, have a cough, or have difficulty breathing. And let them know if you’ve been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19, or if you live in or have recently traveled to an area where the virus has spread.
