COVID-19

Common questions and Community Care for the Vulnerable

by Tori Hobbs (RN, Co-Founder and Head of Projects at The Vermilion Project)

Updated:  20/03/20 7:00pm

The authors live on the lands of the Wurundjeri and Boonwurrung, Ngunnawal and Ngambri Peoples. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and acknowledge that Sovereignty was never ceded. 

All of the following questions have been commonly asked online on the Northside Melbourne / Naarm CoronaVirus Outreach Facebook group and through The Vermilion Project’s Instagram story. Some prompts also provide general, helpful information around COVID-19.

All answers have been sourced. At the end of this document, you will find a Helpful Links section for further reading. This page is being updated as often as possible.

Feel free to share around!

All content and media by The Vermilion Project are created and published online for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice.

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a recently discovered Coronavirus, the outbreak began in Wuhan, China in December of 2019. Coronaviruses are a big group of viruses which can impact animals or humans. Several coronaviruses are known to cause respiratory issues – ranging from the common cold to more serious diseases such as; Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

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How is it transmitted?

COVID-19 is transmitted from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth. This can be spread through coughing or exhaling, these droplets can then land on objects, surfaces and other people. Direct contact with particles, inhaling these droplets, touching objects or surfaces with these particles on them, then touching the eyes, nose or mouth is the way in which COVID-19 enters the body. 

It is important to stay more than 1 metre (3 feet) away from a person who is showing symptoms, as droplets through coughing are known to spread up to this distance. 

In regards to catching COVID-19 from faeces — the risk of this low. Some initial research suggests the virus can be present in faeces in some cases, but it is not consistently shown in all cases — therefore it’s not a main feature.

There is still research being done into exactly how COVID-19 spreads and its rate of transmission.

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Can COVID-19 be caught from someone who has no symptoms?

It is known that COVID-19 is spread through respiratory droplets expelled by coughing or exhaling. The risk of catching COVID-19 from someone you know or a stranger exhibiting no symptoms at all is very low. Most people with COVID-19 display only mild symptoms, this is particularly true at early stages of the disease. That means it is possible to catch COVID-19 from a person who, for example, has a mild cough and doesn’t feel any other symptoms. 

There is still research being done into exactly how COVID-19 spreads and its rate of transmission.

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What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Symptoms are usually mild and gradually appear. Most people (at time of publishing, around 80%) diagnosed with COVID-19 have made a full recovery without needing special treatment. 1 in 6 people with COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and can develop breathing difficulty.

Common symptoms:

  • Fever 
  • Tiredness
  • Dry cough

Less common, but symptoms that can still be present:

  • Aches and pains
  • Nasal congestion
  • Runny nose
  • Sore throat
  • Diarrhoea 

Dangerous symptoms, call ambulance or present to emergency immediately:

  • Difficulty breathing

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What are some measures I can take to avoid contracting or transmitting COVID-19?

Hand hygiene:

Washing your hands regularly will help contain the spread of COVID-19. Hand hygiene includes applying alcohol-based hand sanitizer to the surface of the hands (liquid, gel or foam) or washing hands with warm water and soap — either non-antimicrobial or antimicrobial. 

When performed correctly hand hygiene can reduce the presence of microorganisms on the hands — therefore containing and eliminating the spread of disease. 

Regular hand washing is one of the main ways to avoid infection. Even when your hands look visibly clean, they can still carry harmful germs. A survey done in 2013 by Michigan State University found only 5% of those surveyed knew how to effectively wash their hands.

For every five times you use hand sanitizer, wash your hands with warm water and soap as to avoid hand sanitizer residue buildup. Cleansing hands before and after going to the bathroom, before and after touching objects in public, before and after eating, after sneezing, coughing and blowing your nose and before and after you enter and leave the house are good ways to ensure the transmission of infection through touch is stopped. 


Here are some ‘How To’s’ on how to effectively wash your hands from the World Health Organization and Hand Hygiene Australia:

Using hand sanitizer: 

Poster : How to handrub

Using hand wash: 

Poster : How to handwash

P2/N95 masks:

If you are healthy and free of symptoms, you only need to wear a mask if you are coming into close contact with someone who has COVID-19. If you feel you want to wear a mask to protect yourself, use a P2 mask, also known as N95 mask. P2 masks and N95 masks are the same, both filter air and block droplets or particles that transmit COVID-19. 

Masks are only effective if put on and taken off properly, and if frequent hand hygiene is also carried out. 

Here’s a ‘How To’ on mask use: 

Contains text and videos – https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/when-and-how-to-use-masks 

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Social distancing, self-monitoring, self-isolating and quarantine – what’s the difference and do I have to do them?

You’ve probably heard all these terms in the last couple of weeks, but what does it mean? And what should you be doing?

Social distancing:

Social distancing is a tool public health officials advise people do to slow the transmission of disease, the spread of disease from person to person. The Australian government has defined social distancing as being at least 4 square metres away from every person in the area if you’re in public. Non-essential indoor gatherings of over 100 people are not allowed. Outdoor gatherings of more than 500 people are banned. You should still be trying to keep 1.5 metres away from people at all times, and avoiding any handshakes or physical contact with people outside your family.

Business have done this by asking employees to work from home or stagger hours. Governments can do this by announcing state of emergencies and closing schools. Same goes with sporting events, restrictions on crowd size and public gatherings. So why isn’t everyone doing it on an individual level?

More social distancing keeps even more people healthy, the evidence for that is overwhelming (check out the amazing, interactive piece by The Washington Post in the sources). But why are people still going out unnecessarily? Public health should be at the forefront of everyone’s mind, regardless of their vulnerability to illness.Individual risk can be low, but public health risk remains high. The most important goal is to slow the spread of COVID-19,so those who are more vulnerable to poor health outcomes are able to avoid it as best as possible. 

Avoiding gatherings in public spaces(going to bars, concerts, art events, community events, sporting events, conferences) decreases contact with people who could possibly have symptoms of illness. There’s no indication to not go to bars and restaurants, but the government has advised against attending or hosting gatherings of more than 500 people. Banning of all non-essential gatherings will significantly decrease the risk of transmission for everyone, not just immuno-compromised people. 

Avoiding unnecessary use of public transport or travelling to cities and towns unnecessarily can also decrease the risk of disease transmission.For those required to use PT consider wearing a P2/N95 mask and cleansing hands regularly. Same goes for if you need to go shopping, pick up medications, important appointments etc. A mask, social distancing and regular hand hygiene is the best way of protecting yourself if you are required to leave the house. If possible, go grocery shopping during off peak times, early morning or late at night. If that’s not possible, just wear a mask, social distance and regularly cleanse your hands.

In terms of staying home from work altogether, that is a personal decision.It might be a good idea to contact relevant doctors (your GP, specialist) and ask for their advice. If your doctor advises you don’t go to work then take their advice on board, but it’s still a personal decision. If you decide it’s best for you to stay home then communicate that to your workplace. 

All in all, it’s about being mindful of how close you are to people in day-to-day life.

It’s about knowing that close contact and prolonged periods of public contact can lead to higher risk of transmission of illnesses. For some people it can mean more than that. For everyone it means keeping in mind the health and wellbeing of the most vulnerable among us.

Self-monitoring:

Self-monitoring aims to keep people who have possibly been exposed away from others as much as possible.At the moment WHO advises to self-monitor for 14 days, although symptoms can appear within a few days of exposure.

Self-monitoring can include regularly checking temperature and watching for fever, cough and shortness of breath – all signs of COVID-19. It also involves limiting interaction with others through social distancing. 

Quarantine:

Quarantine aims to keep people who have been exposed away from others as much as possible (eg: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is quarantining as his wife tested positive for COVID-19). At the moment WHO advises to quarantine for 14 days, although symptoms and illness can persist for longer.

Quarantining requires the person self-monitor for signs of illness also. It also involves staying home and away from others as much as possible. People who live with others can do this by retreating to their room and finding a separate area of the house, and not going out into the public. 

Self-isolation:

Self-isolation is when you isolate after being diagnosed with COVID-19.Isolation happens when you are sick, either at home or in hospital. Medical staff will wear extra protective personal equipment. At home the person in isolation should wear a mask when leaving the room or traveling to medical facilities, you are not allowed to go out into the public for any other reason.

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Who’s most likely to contract COVID-19 and what is the outcome for most people?

The risk of contracting COVID-19 depends on where you are, and if there’s an outbreak there. For most people in most cities the risk of getting COVID-19 is low, however it is spreading. If there is an outbreak of COVID-19 in an area you live in or visit, the chance of catching it is higher.

Always comply with local restrictions regarding public gatherings, working, traveling and movement. Co-operating with these restrictions is imperative to controlling disease spread and significantly decreases the risk of contracting the disease.

COVID-19 outbreaks can be contained and transmission can decrease or be stopped, we have seen that in China and other countries. But new outbreaks are happening frequently. Remember to research local restrictions – check local government approved health websites.

Most people (at time of publishing, around 80%) diagnosed with COVID-19 have made a full recovery without needing special treatment. 1 in 6 people with COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and can develop breathing difficulty. 1 in 5 will require hospital care.

Older people, those who are immuno-compromised and those with chronic illnesses and disabilities are those who are vulnerable to serious illness. Underlying health issues like high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma and other respiratory conditions, arthritis and cardiac issues can make you more likely to develop serious issues if you get COVID-19. It is important to take extra care with protecting yourself, vulnerable or not, as herd protection can lead to less vulnerable people being exposed to the disease, therefore decreasing risk of contracting the illness. Healthy, able-bodied children and young adults have been recorded as only being mildly ill.

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I’ve heard that my state has issued a ‘state of emergency’, but what does that mean?

A state of emergency means that there is a situation posing a threat big enough to citizens that the government has suspended normal constitutional procedures in order to regain control. This might include money being diverted to things such as healthcare, disaster relief, etc. Depending on what the threat is, it can mean disruptions to normal, daily life for a lot of people. What those disruptions are in particular are still in the works – please keep up to date with those disruptions as best as you can! Through government websites or reputable news sources. All states of emergency are for the next four weeks, but could be extended.

There has been ‘talk’ of schools closing, limiting business hours, access to aged care etc, but no official announcements of those yet. Refer to government websites or reputable news sources for more information.

Currently, a state of emergency has been declared in ACT, VIC and WA. 

You can read about the current state of emergency warnings here:

ACT:

VIC:

WA:

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I’ve heard some states are receiving stimulus packages, what does that mean and does my state have one?

A stimulus package is an attempt by the government to boost economic growth and lead the economy out of a recession or economic slowdown. In terms of how this relates to COVID-19, the government may announce a stimulus package to help boost funding to the healthcare sector, ease the burden on the tourism industry and the states citizens.

WA’s premier announced a $607 million stimulus package which involves electricity, water and vehicle registration being frozen. It also means emergency services levy and public transport fares will not increase until at least July of 2021. An Energy Assistance Payment will be paid to concession card holders also. Small and medium sized businesses will also receive assistance. 

20 days paid leave will be provided to state public sector workers, including casual workers – this is for anyone who has contracted COVID-19 and needs to self-isolate, who needs to care for someone else with the virus, someone who needs to quarantine and people who cannot access school or other care arrangements. 

Mass drink driving tests have been suspended in WA, as droplets in the air may be transmitted to police. Universities in WA have announced all lectures will go online. 

The NSW government has also announced a stimulus package, with $2.3 billion going towards extra health funding and payroll tax exemptions for businesses. 

NSW Health will receive $700 million to boost services including increasing bed capacity in intensive care units across the state, increasing COVID-19 testing and buying extra ventilators and necessary medical equipment.

$1.6 billion will be dedicated to economic stimulus measures, with money being allocated to waive payroll tax for some businesses, fees and charges for small businesses, and $250 million for public schools and state-owned buildings to employ more cleaning staff. More than $750 million will be spent on capital works and maintenance of public assets.

The NT government has announced a $60 million stimulus package in order to preserve jobs through home renovations and business upgrades. Landlords will get $6,000 for renovations if they contribute $2,000 of their own money. Some businesses will get $10,000. 

Tasmania’s stimulus $420 million package involves emergency relief payments of $250 for individuals and $1000 for families required to self isolate. $1 million in accommodation for front line workers in circumstances where their family members are ill so they can continue to contribute to health responses. $1 million would be made available for individuals and families who had been placed on home quarantine or self-isolation but were unable to return to their regular place of residence due to precautionary measures.

$20 million in interest-free loans to businesses in the hospitality, tourism, seafood and exports sectors. $50 million in interest-free loans over three years for councils to upgrade and renovate tourism assets while increasing employment.

ACT government has announced a $137 million stimulus package. Among the initiatives are a $150 rebate on rates bills for every household and a $2,622 credit for businesses, a $250 cash payment to public housing tenants, a $20 million fund for contractors to undertake simple works on government assets, and $500,000 in arts grant funding.

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What’s going on with pharmacies/scripts?

Pharmacists are being told to dispense only one month’s worth of prescription medicines and limit the purchase of some over-the-counter products from today to deal with people panic buying/hoarding medications. 

Pharmacies are being advised by the deputy chief medical officer to limit over the counter medications like Ventolin and paracetamol. 

Pharmacists will be required to place some medicines, including children’s paracetamol, behind the counter to tackle panic-buying.

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What’s happening with school and should I pull my kids out of school?

The Prime Minister has announced on 18/03/20 that schools will remain open for now. He claims he is following the advice of Government health experts who have advised young people are a low-risk group.

He states closing schools will put pressure on health workers, a predominantly women dominated industry, to stay home and look after children – which puts a strain on the healthcare system and economy.

He also says “tens of thousands of jobs could be lost, if not more”. He sites Singapore as a country which had successfully controlled the virus while keeping schools open.

A report from the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention examined the impact of school closures overseas and found short-term school closures did not affect the spread of the virus.

“Available modelling data indicate that early, short to medium closures do not impact the epi curve of COVID-19 or available health care measures,” the report said. The report said longer closures of eight to 20 weeks may have some impact on community spread, but other measures such as handwashing and home isolation had a greater effect. The same report also mentioned the danger of closing schools, saying it could lead to young people having greater contact with at-risk groups.

The federal and state governments have been discussing starting the Easter holidays a week early. Governments believe it is a sensible compromise that will avoid a more drastic shutdown.

The Government has made clear that if schools closed now it would likely be for six months.

The decision to pull kids out of school is a personal one.

NAPLAN testing has been cancelled nation wide.

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What do I do if I’ve recently returned from overseas/have been travelling?

As part of containment measures for COVID-19 in Australia, there are currently restrictions on people entering Australia from mainland China, Iran, South Korea and Italy.

Anyone returning to Australia from overseas, must quarantine at home for 14 days from the date they left the country and contact their GP and COVID-19 Health Information Line on 1800 020 080 or HealthDirect Hotline on 1800 022 222 for guidance. At this stage the quarantine rule does not apply for flight crew. International flights will continue to operate and there are no new rules or changes to domestic flights – but there may be changes to come in the future. Failure to quarantine may result in fines – this varies by state.

International cruise ships are now banned from docking in Australia for the next 30 days, but arrangements will be made to get Australians home.

Tasmania is placing new restrictions on interstate travellers.

Qantas and Jetstar have stood down 20,000 workers.

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What to do if you think you have it, and what happens next:

You should get tested for COVID-19 if you’ve travelled overseas recently, and you develop symptoms of COVID-19 within 14 days of leaving an overseas country, if you’re concerned you may have come into contact with someone who has COVID-19 and you develop symptoms or if you are a healthcare worker with direct patient contact, and have a fever and acute respiratory symptoms even if you have not recently travelled or had contact with someone who has COVID-19.

If you suspect you may have COVID-19, seek medical attention. You should always call before booking a GP appointment or going to a walk-in clinic. Call reception and tell them your symptoms, travel history, if you’ve had recent contact with someone who’s diagnosed or if you live in an area with a current outbreak. You can also contact the COVID-19 Health Information Line on 1800 020 080 or HealthDirect Hotline on 1800 022 222 for guidance. 

From there you may be advised to present to emergency, a hospital ward, a walk-in or GP clinic to be tested for the disease. Wear a P2/N95 mask to protect yourself and others every time you leave the house, use hand sanitizer. The way they test for COVID-19 is through one Nasopharyngeal Swab (a long cotton swab inserted through the nostril, collecting a sample of secretions from the back of the nose) and one Oropharyngeal swab (a swab sample taken from the tonsillar beds, and back of the throat). Sputum samples may also be requested to test for other viral pathogens.

It takes four hours to get the results of the swabs, but turnaround time is dependent on transport time for samples to reach testing facilities. Some hospitals may be equipped for collection, but not equipped to test for COVID-19 in the pathology lab. Samples will then be sent off-site for testing, so turnaround time may vary, it can take up to a few days. If you have severe symptoms a doctor may advise you be admitted to hospital as an in-patient for observation and isolation. If symptoms are mild you may be able to self isolate at home whilst awaiting results. Failure to self isolate may result in fines – this varies by state.

If a test comes back as positive for COVID-19 and you have severe symptoms, you will most likely be admitted to hospital as an in-patient. Length of stay is dependant on severity of symptoms and other factors. If you’re positive for COVID-19 but have mild symptoms, your treating doctor will make arrangements with the relevant health units. It is dependent on factors such as symptoms, location, living situation and personal opinion of clinicians as to whether you are admitted as an in-patient or sent home to self-isolate. Failure to self isolate may result in fines – this varies by state.

In both cases, you are required to provide a list of everywhere you’ve travelled and people who’ve had contact with within a certain timeframe (dependent on length and severity of symptoms, location and other factors). Your family, people you live with or have had close contact within the last 14 days also need to isolate for a further 14 days.

If you receive a negative result you no longer need to remain in isolation. But if you live with or have been in close contact with someone who is confirmed COVID-19 (within past 14 days), have been to mainland China since the 1st February 2020 or have been to Hubei Province, China in the last 14 days,  you are required to self-isolate until symptoms subside. Failure to self-isolate may result in fines – this varies by state. You are required to contact a doctor once you are symptom-free and await further instructions. Repeat steps if symptoms worsen or re-present to hospital, and re-consider re-testing for COVID-19 if the illness becomes more severe. 

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How do you treat COVID-19?

Whilst many western, traditional and home remedies may provide comfort and alleviate symptoms of COVID-19, there is no evidence that suggests any current medicines can prevent or cure it. WHO does not recommend self-medicating with any medicines as research has not yet determined its efficacy and safety. 

Antibiotics do not work against viruses, only bacterial infections. COVID-19 is a virus, so antibiotics do not work. There is also no current vaccine for COVID-19, though researchers are trying their hardest to discover one. 

There is currently no treatment for COVID-19, but medical care can treat many symptoms. 

The current medical advice is to self isolate, either in a hospital isolation room or home (depending on symptom severity), and wait it out using symptom relievers prescribed by a doctor. Failure to self-isolate may result in fines – this varies by state.

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What precautions should I be taking as a vulnerable person? 

If you have a compromised immune system this can be a very scary time. It’s hard to know what to do, and what actions might look like an ‘overreaction’ in the eyes of able bodied, healthy people. When you’re living with the threat of severe illness, everyday, regardless of the threat of a pandemic it can feel overwhelming during times like this. 

Whilst most immuno-compromised people know how to look after their bodies well, here’s a reminder of some things you can do to help protect yourself.

Social distancing is a tool public health officials advise people do to slow the transmission of disease, the spread of disease from person to person. The Australian government has defined social distancing as being at least 4 square metres away from every person in the area if you’re in public. Non-essential indoor gatherings of over 100 people are not allowed. Outdoor gatherings of more than 500 people are banned. You should still be trying to keep 1.5 metres away from people at all times, and avoiding any handshakes or physical contact with people outside your family.

Regular hand washing (refer to instructions from Hand Hygiene Australia above) is one of the main ways to avoid infection. For every five times you use hand sanitizer, wash your hands with warm water and soap as to avoid hand sanitizer residue buildup. Cleansing hands before and after going to the bathroom, before and after touching objects in public, before and after eating, after sneezing, coughing and blowing your nose and before and after you enter and leave the house are good ways to ensure the transmission of infection through touch is stopped. 

Avoid touching your face and objects in public unnecessarily. If you have to, ensure regular hand hygiene. If you’re unable to wash your hands independently ensure your carer is educated on the importance of washing your hands and their own regularly.

If possible, remove shoes before entering the house. If you’re unable to remove your own shoes outside or require an aide to do so, consider removing your shoes inside your house and putting them on a non-carpeted surface. It’s a good idea to wipe down your shoes and the surfaces they’ve touched with a disinfectant wipe.

If you have bags with you that have touched the floor or seats of a public space consider putting the bags on the floor rather than a bench. If possible reserve some bags specifically for going outside of the house with. If you’re unable to unload shopping on your own, consider going with a friend or contacting someone you know for assistance.

If you have a mobility aide, it’s a good idea for yourself, your carer or a friend to wipe down you aide with disinfectant wipes before and after use. Especially if you are mobilising outside of the house with it. Public accessibility rails and bars are incredibly important for people who have trouble mobilising or navigating bathrooms, but they can also carry pathogens on them. Whilst it’s hard to wipe down all rails in public with disinfectant wipes, it’s good practice to use hand sanitizer or wash your hands after touching them.

It’s important to continue practicing safe sex. Use condoms, dental dams and other barrier methods to reduce risk of exposure to bodily fluids. Ensure yourself and your partner(s) are washing hands before and after sexual contact. Wearing latex gloves during digital contact to genitals and face can reduce the risk of transfering most kinds of pathogens. As COVID-19 is spread through coughing and sneezing, saliva droplets can carry the virus also. It’s understandable that people would like to continue normal sexual activity during this period, but it’s up to an individual to decide whether they want to stop sexual activity all together. Remember to communicate with partner(s) and if needed, inform them if you’re immuno-compromised. 

Some important items to have on deck when inside and outside of the house is soap, hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes. If you are unable to source, afford or leave the house to buy them try contacting a friend, carer or family member to help you.

If you can think of more ways immuno-compromised people can protect themselves, let us know!

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If I’m immuno-compromised but asymptomatic, should I self isolate?

Quarantining in the absence of symptoms or prior exposure to a person with COVID-19 is entirely a personal decision. Everyone who is immuno-compromised is different, everyones body fights pathogens differently and we all carry out our day to day lives differently too. 

Ideally, if your immune system is compromised the safest place to be (if you live alone) is home. There is decreased risk to exposure to pathogens in your own home environment. But we don’t live in an ideal world – some people don’t have carers or a community of people that can aide in their quarantine, some people are immuno-compromised and required to work, some people don’t have stable housing. If you feel you would be safer quarantining at home, then that is your choice to make.

Another option is social distancing. Social distancing is a tool public health officials advise people do to slow the transmission of disease, the spread of disease from person to person. The Australian government has defined social distancing as being at least 4 square metres away from every person in the area if you’re in public. Non-essential indoor gatherings of over 100 people are not allowed. Outdoor gatherings of more than 500 people are banned. You should still be trying to keep 1.5 metres away from people at all times, and avoiding any handshakes or physical contact with people outside your family.

Avoiding gatherings in public spaces (going to bars, concerts, art events, community events, sporting events, conferences) decreases contact with people who could possibly have symptoms of illness. There’s no indication to not go to bars and restaurants, but the government has advised against attending or hosting gatherings of more than 500 people. Banning of all non-essential gatherings will significantly decrease the risk of transmission for everyone, not just immuno-compromised people. 

Avoiding unnecessary use of public transport or travelling to cities and towns unnecessarily can also decrease the risk of disease transmission. For those required to use PT consider wearing a P2/N95 mask and cleansing hands regularly. Same goes for if you need to go shopping, pick up medications, important appointments etc. A mask, social distancing and regular hand hygiene is the best way of protecting yourself if you are required to leave the house. If possible, go grocery shopping during off peak times, early morning or late at night. If that’s not possible, just wear a mask, social distance and regularly cleanse your hands.

In terms of staying home from work altogether, that is a personal decision. It might be a good idea to contact relevant doctors (your GP, specialist) and ask for their advice. If your doctor advises you don’t go to work then take their advice on board, but it’s still a personal decision. If you decide it’s best for you to stay home then communicate that to your workplace. If you are able to work from home then have a chat to your workplace, possibly get HR involved, and try your best to self advocate for your right to work from home. 

You are absolutely within your right to withhold the exact details of your condition from your workplace. Your workplace is not entitled to that information. If your workplace is requesting sensitive medical information please talk to your HR team, your GP and specialists. If there is a union representing your industry give them a call and chat to them about your situation. Your workplace requesting the ins and outs of your condition is unlawful.

One route you can do down in order to work from home is to seek Reasonable Adjustments for the foreseeable future, as long as COVID-19 poses a threat to your health. Under the Equal Opportunity Act 2010, Reasonable Adjustments are changes to the work environment which allows someone with a disability to work safely and productively whilst maintaining an income. Every workplace under current law has to provide adjustments for people who are disabled and immuno-compromised. 

Refer to the SafeWork and Human Rights Commission websites for more information:

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What do I do if one of my loved ones is vulnerable?

If one of your loved ones is vulnerable and you live with them, care for them or see them often there are many ways you can protect yourself and them. 

Regular hand washing (refer to instructions from Hand Hygiene Australia above) is one of the main ways to avoid infection. For every five times you use hand sanitizer, wash your hands with warm water and soap as to avoid hand sanitizer residue buildup. Cleansing hands before and after going to the bathroom, before and after touching objects in public, before and after eating, after sneezing, coughing and blowing your nose and before and after you enter and leave the house are good ways to ensure the transmission of infection through touch is stopped. 

Avoid touching your face and objects in public unnecessarily. If you have to, ensure regular hand hygiene. Remove shoes before entering the house. 

If you have bags with you that have touched the floor or seats of a public space consider putting the bags on the floor rather than a bench. If possible reserve some bags specifically for going outside of the house with. 

It’s important to continue practicing safe sex, regardless of if your partner(s) immuno-compromised or not. Use condoms, dental dams and other barrier methods to reduce risk of exposure to bodily fluids. Ensure yourself and your partner(s) are washing hands before and after sexual contact. Wearing latex gloves during digital contact to genitals and face can reduce the risk of transfering most kinds of pathogens. As COVID-19 is spread through coughing and sneezing, saliva droplets can carry the virus also. It’s understandable that people would like to continue normal sexual activity during this period, but it’s up to an individual to decide whether they want to stop sexual activity all together. Remember to communicate with partner(s). 

It is a big ask to request everyone with an immuno-compromised or vulnerable loved one stay at home. That is a personal decision and one you should make in consultation with your loved ones. If you’re in close contact with a loved one who’s immuno-compromised it is a good idea to practice social distancing. Social distancing is a tool public health officials advise people do to slow the transmission of disease, the spread of disease from person to person. The Australian government has defined social distancing as being at least 4 square metres away from every person in the area if you’re in public. Non-essential indoor gatherings of over 100 people are not allowed. Outdoor gatherings of more than 500 people are banned. You should still be trying to keep 1.5 metres away from people at all times, and avoiding any handshakes or physical contact with people outside your family.

Avoiding gatherings in public spaces (going to bars, concerts, art events, community events, sporting events, conferences) decreases contact with people who could possibly have symptoms of illness. There’s no indication to not go to bars and restaurants, but the government has advised against attending or hosting gatherings of more than 500 people. Banning of all non-essential gatherings will significantly decrease the risk of transmission for everyone, not just immuno-compromised people. 

Avoiding unnecessary use of public transport or travelling to cities and towns unnecessarily can also decrease the risk of disease transmission. If you’re required to use PT consider wearing a P2/N95 mask, and make sure you are cleansing hands regularly. Same goes for if you need to go shopping, pick up medications, important appointments etc. A mask, social distancing and regular hand hygiene is the best way of protecting yourself and your loved one if you are required to leave the house. If possible, go grocery shopping during off peak times, early morning or late at night. If that’s not possible, just wear a mask, social distance and regularly cleanse your hands.

In terms of staying home from work altogether, that is a personal decision. People still need an income to survive, it can be hard to advocate for working from home if you’re not immuno-compromised yourself. Good practice when going to work and traveling to and from work is to keep an eye out for symptoms of COVID-19, be mindful of how close you are to people, if part of your job is to have physical contact with people think of the barriers you can use to limit disease transmission (gloves, masks, gowns, washing hands). Removing shoes and washing clothes you’ve worn outside of home on arrival home is a good practice also. 

If you share a vehicle with someone who’s immuno-compromised try to keep the inside of it clean. Wipe down surfaces with disinfectant wipes and keep hand sanitizer in the car. 

If you notice you have symptoms, try and distance yourself and use masks and wash your hands when around your immuno-compromised loved one if you’re unable to isolate yourself from them. Refer to previous questions for what to do next if you have symptoms.

Some important items to have on deck when inside and outside of the house is soap, hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes.

If you can think of more ways to help protect immuno-compromised loved ones, let us know!

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What do I do if I live with other people and I need to quarantine or self -isolate?

If you’re immuno-compromised and you’ve made the choice to either quarantine or social distance, it can be hard to maintain that if you live with other people. Same goes for if you’re symptomatic, or self-isolating after travelling back to Australia, and attempting to self isolate in a shared space. Living with family or in a share house means there are many shared living spaces, therefore the risk of transmission of diseases like COVID-19 is higher due to the amount of contact you have with other people.

Technically, if you are living with someone who’s been officially diagnosed or suspected to have COVID-19, you would also fall into the category of coming into contact with an affected person – meaning you will be advised to self isolate for 14 days.

Self-isolation means you should stay in a well-ventilated room, with a window that can be opened, separate from other people in your home with the door closed. Only use communal areas (kitchen, living areas, bathroom) when necessary. Use a mask if you’re symptomatic and practice hand hygiene when outside these areas.

Avoid prepping meals or using a shared kitchen when others are using it. Take all meals back to your room to eat. Use separate dishes and cookware if able. Wash dishes in a dishwasher if possible, if not hand wash your own dishes by hand with detergent and warm water. Dry thoroughly using a separate tea towel. 

If you can, use a separate bathroom. If you can’t do that, consider making a bathroom roster. If a person is immuno-compromised and asymptomatic, use the bathroom first in the roster. If you’re symptomatic and self-isolating, use the bathroom last. Thoroughly clean the bathroom after using it. Use separate towels.

If you sleep in the same room or bed as someone else and you’re attempting to self isolate, have a chat with them and figure out alternative sleeping arrangements for the time being. Maybe they can sleep on the couch, an inflatable mattress or bunk up with someone else.

Keep in mind, in some cases failure to self-isolate when symptomatic or officially diagnosed may result in fines – this varies by state.

If you can think of more self-isolation tips, let us know!

Sources:


In a widely shared graphic, a tan curve represents a scenario without social distancing measures (NPR)

Helpful links:

Why outbreaks like coronavirus spread exponentially, and how to “flatten the curve”

COVID-19: Guidance for people who use drugs and harm reduction programs

Pandemic, Chronic Illness, And Us

5 Things to know about Coronavirus and people with disabilities

The Dos and Don’ts of ‘Social Distancing’

Mental Health and Psychosocial Considerations During COVID-19 Outbreak

How to protect your mental health in a pandemic

Navigating COVID-19 and chest binding