#covid
Interview with: Dr. Clara Krebs, Family Medicine Physician, Wilcox Medical Center and Kaua’i Medical Clinic
What precautions should people continue to take to minimize their risk for COVID-19?
We know everyone has been saying this, but it can’t be emphasized enough how important it is to wear a mask, watch your distance and wash your hands.
We know that wearing a mask and wearing it properly so it’s covering your nose and mouth can help protect you and protect others.
Staying at least 6 feet from people outside of your household can help minimize your risk, especially since we know that people without symptoms may still have the virus and may be able to spread it.
Washing your hands often with soap and water is always a good practice, and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, especially with unwashed hands.
Other precautions include cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces regularly, monitoring your health regularly and being alert for symptoms, and staying home when you’re sick.
This year in particular, it’s important for people to get their flu shot. Symptoms of the flu and COVID-19 are very similar and it’s hard to tell the two illnesses apart without getting a test. While the flu vaccine doesn’t protect against COVID-19, it will help reduce your risk for the flu.
What are some of the best tips right now for managing health and well-being during COVID?
It’s important to maintain a healthy diet and exercise, which we know can be challenging when there are government restrictions in place limiting exercise options or concerns about going out that may keep you from shopping for healthy foods.
Eating healthy is important for our immune systems, and the best way to obtain the necessary nutrients to maintain your immune system is through foods. Talk to your health care provider first if you’re considering taking any vitamins or dietary supplements.
Some tips to make sure you can shop safely for healthy foods include:
Consider shopping at hours when fewer people will be there.
There are options available for ordering groceries online for home delivery or curbside pickup.
Farmers markets or open-air markets are good options, and some farmers offer preordering for your fruits and vegetables so you can quickly pick them up.
Staying physically active is one of the best ways to keep your mind and body healthy. In many areas, people can visit parks, trails, and open spaces as a way to relieve stress, get some fresh air, and stay active.
Be mindful to practice physical distancing at these locations and wash your hands often.
If you want to stay close to home, you can still find fun and creative ways to stay active.
Engage in active family play time. Any game that gets everyone up and moving counts!
Catch up on household chores such as cleaning out the closet. Vacuuming is also a physical activity.
Get outside. Mow the grass, go for a walk, or take a bike ride. Remember to maintain a safe distance between yourself and other active neighbors.
Make television watching more active by doing jumping jacks or push-ups during the commercials.
Can you tell us more about this webinar coming up on October 8?
Hawai‘i Pacific Health is hosting a free webinar for our community featuring a panel of primary care physicians from across the state offering tips on how to manage your health and well-being during COVID.
We’ll be talking more about these points we just reviewed, as well as how to stay healthy with flu season coming up, how to manage stress and anxiety and basically making sure you’re taking care of your whole self.
We’ll also review more about telehealth and the tools available for people to get care without going into their doctor’s office.
At the end of the panel presentation, we’ll be available to take questions from the audience.
It’s free and open to anyone interested. You just need to register online to get the link to connect with us.
Website/information to include in a full screen at the end of interview:
Managing Your Health & Well-Being During COVID
Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020
Noon
Free via Zoom
HawaiiPacificHealth.org/HealthierWebinar..(read more)
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