A Note from Ilana – March 2020

Fighting “Germ Warfare” for Everyone’s Welfare – Fact vs. Fiction

The outbreak of the Coronavirus has caused major concern worldwide. It’s easy to get caught up in the misinformation of this global health crisis but critical to understand facts vs. fiction. It’s important to stay proactive about our health, maintaining a robust immune system and taking hygienic precautions during flu season and the COVID-19 outbreak. It’s essential to recognize that a strong immune system is the first line of defense against illness and the best way to stay healthy. As a Wellness Ambassador we practice the 7 steps of wellness and now is the time to take action by following these wellness steps and encourage family, friends and colleagues to pay attention and boost up self-care actions through a nutritional diet, exercise, hydration, adequate sleep and resist unhealthy habits such as smoking, junk food, etc..…the very things that we have learned to embrace as Wellness Advocates, so that we can avoid normal business and social life disruptions.

We all need to recognize that the Coronavirus, or COVID-19 is real.  We’ve heard everything from the perspective that it’s milder than the flu to “the sky is falling”. While this information is evolving daily, it’s having a real effect on daily life.  Travel has decreased, supermarket items including disinfectants, hand sanitizers and anti-bacterial soaps are selling out and spending is down as we enter a wait and see approach to the effects of this illness.  Reactions and plans have greatly varied as many of us are being responsive to bits and pieces of information.  Yet many of us are uncertain due to the potential outcome of this situation.  Are we getting too consumed with anxiety? Often we need to step back and assess the situation before plunging into it as an emergency.  When being proactive, we must be practical on the facts rather than the fiction.

The more information we get about any topic, the easier it is to handle.  What really causes fear is the fear of the unknown or uncertainty so the most important first step is to get real facts. The best place to do this would be through the CDC which is assigned to handle this.  Their website lists what COVID-19 is, how and where it is spreading and ways to prevent it.  They provide spread sheets that can be posted in your business.  Check out their website to get the facts:   https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

The good news for us is that our careers are built around prevention therefore we should be able to get a clear understanding about what is required to safeguard our health.  This is where well-care comes into fruition.

Wellness and self-care is taking proper steps to prevent ourselves from illness.  In this case, we should take ordinary measures for precautionary results:

• Have soap and hand washing stations available at all times
• Clean and disinfect high touch surfaces regularly
• Create Clorox or alcohol wipes stations to clean surfaces available
• Wash your hands with disinfectant soap for at least 20 seconds
• Avoid touching your mouth, eyes, or nose with unwashed hands to prevent infections
• Use an alcohol-based sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available
• Keep sources of hydration available
• Keep an eye on the health of your staff. If someone is sick or appears sick, it’s best to avoid them.
• If you are sick, stay home
• Cover your mouth with a tissue if you sneeze or cough then throw the tissue away
• Ask your guests questions of recent travels and their state of health

These are recommended measures and a practical approach to avoid illness.  If we diligent about our hygienic practices we can keep ourselves, our loved ones and our staff safe.  These recommended steps are the expectations and requirements for our facilities through state guidelines.  It is about following through and ensuring that those procedures are respected and adhered to as we are channeled toward prevention and wellness practices in our industry.

In times of uncertainty and apprehension, we must err on the side of caution without disturbing the normal functions of our daily lives.  Nevertheless, we are dealing with a potentially contagious illness and we should not approach this lightly.  Practicing wellness and staying informed is our focus and the way we have been educated to avoid disease.  Utilizing this training and following the recommendations of the CDC, is how we can ensure our safety.

Living in Wellness,

Ilana