Your family's guide to being smart, safe, healthy, and prepared for any Rhode Island or national emergency including covid, flu, fire, hurricane, and more!
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT RESPIRATORY VIRUSES INCLUDING THE CORONAVIRUS:
We are now living in a new "Coronavirus World". That's a fact. Flu is a fact of life as well, although In order for us all to live healthy, productive, and happy lives, it's important to fully understand the Coronavirus, variants, the protective safety measures necessary to remain healthy and resources to help. I am hoping that the more informed we are, as the scientists learn more about new variants and State leaders respond with resources and vaccinations, the more comfortable, resilient, and prepared we can be. The safer we will be. And that has to be the ongoing priority.
About Respiratory Viruses
Respiratory viruses are spread by:
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Direct contact with a person who has a virus – particles in the air can spread through coughing or sneezing
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Indirect contact with a person who has a virus – particles can remain on items infected people have touched, like tissues and public transport railings as well as being spread through the air.
Some people are more likely to get respiratory viruses, including:
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Children and infants – children are often in contact with other infected children at school and daycare, they may forget to wash their hands regularly (regular hand washing reduces the spread of disease)
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Older adults
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People with heart or lung disease
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People with a weakened immune system
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Smokers.
Each year, respiratory viruses are responsible for millions of illnesses and thousands of hospitalizations and deaths in the United States. In addition
to the virus that causes COVID-19, there are many other types of respiratory viruses, including flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The good news is there are actions you can take to help protect yourself and others from health risks caused by respiratory viruses. Respiratory viruses commonly cause illness such as flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), especially in the fall and winter.
Learn about how to reduce your risk of getting sick from these viruses, and if they are spreading in your community.
How long does it take to develop symptoms after you have been exposed to a respiratory virus?
Symptoms could appear as soon as two days after exposure or as long as 14 days later, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is important to recognize that people can be carriers of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses and have no symptoms.
If you are sick, stay home!
CLICK HERE to sign up for updates on COVID-19 from the CDC.
CLICK HERE to sign up for updates on COVID-19 from the Governor and the State of Rhode Island.
STAY UP-TO-DATE ON COVID-19
CLICK ON A TOPIC TO LEARN MORE
SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19
VARIANTS (DELTA, OMICRON, ... )
SCHOOL/EDUCATION INFORMATION and HELP
ENTERTAINMENT (New and Exciting & Creative )
"Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less." - Marie Curie, Physicist
Actual photo of a Coronavirus
under microscope
The RIDOH should be your #1 resource for getting the most current local health information and guidance:
www.health.ri.gov/covid - all of the other information including updates on the status of COVID-19 daily.
Talking To Children About COVID-19
Definitions ...
Commonly used terms:
Antibodies: proteins produced by the immune system to stop intruders (such as bacteria and viruses like Covid-19 or flu from harming the body.
At-risk: how likely one is to experience a certain problem. Someone at low risk is less likely than someone at high risk to develop the problem.
Contact Tracing: the process of identifying people who may have come into contact with an infected person in an attempt to stop the spread
Immunity: the ability of our own (unique) immune system to fight off foreign invaders such as COVID-19 or flu. Herd Immunity: occurs when a high percentage of a community is immune to a disease either because of vaccination or exposure
Isolation: Isolation is a health care term that means keeping people who are infected with a contagious illness away from those who are not infected. Isolation can take place at home or at a hospital or care facility.
Novel: new and different from what has been known before. Because COVID-19 was "novel" we didn't have antibodies to fight it and therefore everyone was at risk of catching it. Additionally, it means that scientists worldwide are constantly studying and learning more in order to give the best guidance. It also means that the guidance has and may continue to change.
Pandemic: the global (worldwide) outbreak of a disease.
Self Quarantine:
People who have been exposed to a virus might practice self-quarantine.
Social Distancing: deliberately increasing the physical space between people to avoid spreading illness. Staying at least six feet away from other people lessens your chances of catching a respiratory illness.
HEALTH INSURANCE:
Blue Cross Blue Shield of RI
Call (401) 459-5000 or 1-800-639-2227 (TTY/TDD: 711)
Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to noon
HealthSource RI
Individuals & Families: 1-855-840-4774
Employers & Employees: 1-855-683-6757
Our hours are Monday – Friday, 8 am – 6 pm
Neighborhood Health of RI
For individual and family, and small employer plans
1-855-321-9244 (TTY 711)
United Health Care
You can ask questions and get support from our Social Care team 7 days a week.
Please send a direct message for help with specific claim or coverage questions to: Facebook or Twitter
Rhode Island Strong.
We are strongest when we work together, whether it's wearing a mask in public, checking in on an elderly neighbor, preparing a meal for an exhausted front line worker ... I've heard so many wonderful stories of kindness. If you have a story to share or strategies that could be helpful to others ... we're asking you to please send them our way. We'll include this information on the Rhode Island Strong page (CLICK HERE!). Thank you for caring and thank you for sharing! (Ask your kiddos to share what they've learned that might help other kids and they could win a cool prize!)
Rhode Island Stronger.