PMD Alliance is committed to keeping our community safe and informed at all times. As news develops, we are working with our team of medical experts to bring you the most up-to-date information regarding coronavirus and its effects on older adults with movement disorders.
Most recently, we spoke with our very own Clinical Educator, Monika Sawdy, RN, MSN-L. With more than 25 years in nursing and nursing leadership that includes operating, acute care, and emergency settings, Monika estimates she has trained thousands of clinical staff on how to properly wash their hands. Here are Nurse Monika’s tips to protect yourself around COVID-19 (and the flu too!):
- Wash your hands, for at least 20 seconds, using soap, warm water and friction
- Try to limit touching your face, including mouth, nose, and eyes, after contact with objects such as door handles, counters and faucet handles
- Drink fluids to keep you mucous membranes moist
- Use hand sanitizer for the times you do not have access to soap and water
- Check your Parkinson’s and other medications to ensure you have a good supply on hand
Below are a couple of links from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website regarding transmission concerns and how to best keep yourself safe.
Transmission, Prevention, & Treatment of the Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)
As always, if you are feeling sick or want more information on how to best protect you and your loved ones, reach out to your medical team for the most current information regarding COVID-19.
According to the World Health Organization
What is Coronavirus?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which may cause illness in animals or humans. In humans, several coronaviruses are known to cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The most recently discovered coronavirus causes coronavirus disease COVID-19.
What is Covid-19?
COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus. This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.
How does Covid-19 spread?
People can catch COVID-19 from others who have the virus. The disease can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales. These droplets land on objects and surfaces around the person. Other people then catch COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. People can also catch COVID-19 if they breathe in droplets from a person with COVID-19 who coughs out or exhales droplets. This is why it is important to stay more than 1 meter (3 feet) away from a person who is sick.
WHO is assessing ongoing research on the ways COVID-19 is spread and will continue to share updated findings.
