Coronavirus (COVID-19)

COVID-19 (also referred to as Coronavirus) is an illness that affects your lungs and airways. The virus spreads mainly from person-to-person who are in close contact (within about 6 feet). Researchers think COVID-19 spreads when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. 

For example, if an infected person coughs or sneezes, small droplets land on nearby surfaces (or hands). These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. This is why all patients will be asked to wear a mask before entering any of our clinics to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

Information on COVID-19 in Arabic.  

Video on COVID-19 in Mam

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms – ranging from mild to severe illness.

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fever
• Chills
• Muscle pain
• Sore throat
• New loss of taste or smell

Other less common symptoms have been reported, including nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Children have similar symptoms to adults and generally have mild illness.

Most people (80%) with the coronavirus (including children) experience mild symptoms or no symptoms at all.  People who experience no symptoms may still be able to pass the coronavirus to others.

For more information from the CDC on symptoms: English عربى Español 中文 Tiếng Việt

See this list of videos in 23 Mayan dialects.

People MOST at-risk are: 

• Adults 65 years and older
• People who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility.
• People with underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes, severe heart or lung disease, cancer, chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma, or HIV.

Learn more about what to do if you are at high risk.  English Español 中文 Tiếng Việt

Currently, there is no vaccine or treatment for Coronavirus and it may take a year or more before one is available. We all need to work together to limit exposure and maintain a healthy environment.

Most cases of COVID-19 resolve on their own, with rest and self isolation at home.

If you are experiencing shortness of breath call 911 or go to the closest emergency room.

If you are experiencing a cough or fever, please call La Clínica before coming in so we can determine the best care for you and your family.

• Wear a cloth covering or mask when outside of your home
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (Sing the Happy Birthday song or the ABC’s)
• Only when soap and water are not available use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol
• Do not touch your face, especially eyes, nose, and mouth
• Stay at least 6 feet away from people when in public settings (e.g. grocery store, walking, etc.)
• Avoid large gatherings (e.g. church, neighbor gatherings, etc.)
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care
• Avoid unnecessary travel
• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing with your elbow or tissue. Throw the tissue away after and wash your hands.
• Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces you touch often with disinfectant or wipes containing at least 60% alcohol.

Learn more about how you can help protect yourself and others English Español  中國話的 Tiếng Việt عربى

What every parent should know: How to protect you and your family  English عربى

This means that all Californians need to stay home to help slow the spread of COVID-19. California schools and many workplaces are closed.

People can only leave their home for essential needs such as going to the grocery store, caring for a relative, receiving healthcare services, or if you work in an essential service.  You can also leave the house to exercise, as long as you maintain social distance from others.

Social distancing means that whenever you are outside your home try to remain at least 6 feet away from other people, including when you are going to the grocery store or coming to La Clínica for care. Social distancing also includes exercise. When walking and running outside keep at least six feet distance from other people.

To reduce the spread of COVID-19, wear a mask (cloth is ok), practice social distancing, wash your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds and disinfect high touch surfaces in your home (e.g. door knobs, counter tops, etc.).

Video in Mam about social distancing.

While supplies last, La Clínica will provide you with a surgical mask if you come to an appointment in the clinic, to help protect yourself and others.

How to Wear a Cloth Face Covering

Cloth face masks should:

• fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
• be secured with ties that go around the ears
• include more than one layer of fabric
• allow for breathing without restriction
• be able to be washed and dried in a machine without damage or change to shape

You can make your own simple face mask using towels, scarves, or T-shirts.  Here is more information on face coverings  and how to make your own: English, Español, 中國話的, Tiếng Việt.

If someone in your house has COVID-19:

• Provide basic support: help them rest, drink fluids, take fever medication, do grocery shopping for them, pet care
• Seek emergency medical care if you notice: Trouble breathing, Pain or pressure in the chest, New confusion, Inability to wake or stay awake, Blue lips or face.
• Limit contact between the sick person and other members of the household
  • Use separate bathrooms, bedrooms when possible; open windows and turn on fans.
  • Eat in separate rooms or areas; use gloves to wash dishes, cups and silverware
  • The sick person should wear a mask if near other people.
  • The caregiver should wear gloves if handling the sick person’s blood, stool, or body fluids, such as saliva, mucus, vomit, and urine. Throw out gloves into a lined trash can and wash hands right away. The caregiver may also wear a mask.
• Clean your hands often
• Disinfect surfaces regularly
• Wash (in as hot a temperature as the clothing allows) and dry laundry
• Use lined trash cans (with plastic bags in them)

Learn more about caring for someone who is sick in your house: English  Español 预防生病 Tiếng Việt عربى

If someone is ill with COVID-19 in your home, it is very important to first clean, and then disinfect every surface that might be touched by other people.  Cleaning with soap and water reduces number of germs and dirt on the surface. Disinfecting kills germs on surfaces.  You should use a disinfectant that is approved by the EPA (it will say this on the label).  Disinfectants should be used on surfaces, not humans.

The CDC has very strict suggestions for how to clean and disinfect all household surfaces, including:

• soft surfaces, like carpets
• electronics (like keyboards and tablets)
• clothing and towels
• bathrooms and bedrooms

Learn more about how to clean and disinfect your home from the CDC: English  Español  预防生病 Tiếng Việt عربى

What is quarantine?

If you feel healthy but recently had close contact with a person with COVID-19, stay home and monitor your health. This is called quarantine.

• Stay home until 14 days after your last exposure.
• Check your temperature twice a day and watch for symptoms of COVID-19.
• If possible, stay away from people who are at higher-risk for getting very sick from COVID-19.

What is home isolation?

If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19, or are waiting for test results, or have cough, fever, or shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19, then isolate yourself from others.

• Stay home
• If you live with others, stay in a specific “sick room” or area and away from other people or animals, including pets. Use a separate bathroom, if available.
• Read important information about caring for yourself or someone else who is sick, including when it’s safe to end home isolation.

See this CDC guidance regarding when to quarantine and when to self isolate  English  Español 预防生病 Tiếng Việt.

Yes. If you do not have documents or don’t have insurance, you can still get COVID-19 testing and treatment through Medi-Cal. This care does not count under the public charge rule because it is treatment for an emergency medical condition.

California also is providing Disaster Relief financial support to undocumented workers. 

 See this link for more information:  English Español  预防生病  Tiếng Việt    عربى     

If you or a family member are experiencing a severe cough or fever, please call to speak to a provider to decide if you should come in.  If you are experiencing shortness of breath call 911 or go to the closest emergency room.

See this link for more information:  English Español  预防生病  Tiếng Việt    عربى

Public Charge: Does this apply to me?  English  Español  预防生病  عربى

According to the CDC, pregnant people have the same risk of getting infected with COVID-19 as adults who are not pregnant. However, when pregnant people get the flu or other viruses similar to COVID-19, they often experience a more severe illness.

So if you are pregnant, it is always important for you to try to protect yourself from illnesses whenever possible.  Here’s how:

• Practice social distancing: Avoid people who are sick or who have been exposed to the virus. Stay at home or stay at least 6 feet away from people who do not live in your home.
• Wash your hands often. Use soap and water for at least 20 seconds (and with an alcohol based hand sanitizer if you don’t have soap and water)
• Cover your coughs and sneezes.
• Clean, disinfect, and launder safely.

Breastfeeding if you have COVID-19

Breast milk protects babies against many illnesses and is the best source of nutrition for most infants. The CDC says it’s unlikely that mothers with COVID-19 can spread the virus to babies in their breast milk.

If you have COVID-19 and choose to breastfeed:

• Wear a cloth face covering while breastfeeding and wash your hands before each feeding.

If you have COVID-19 and choose to pump breast milk:

• Use a breast pump that no one else is using.
• Wear a cloth face covering while you pump; wash your hands before touching any pump or bottle parts.
• Follow recommendations for proper pump cleaning [English Español] after each use; clean all parts that come into contact with breast milk.
• If possible, a healthy person who does not have COVID-19 and lives in the same home, should feed the pumped milk to the infant.

For information from the CDC about pregnancy, breastfeeding and COVID-19: English  Español 预防生病 Tiếng Việt.

Children can get COVID-19. They are much less likely than adults to have to go to the hospital or show symptoms, such as fever, cough or shortness of breath. They may have less typical symptoms, such as diarrhea, vomiting, headache, or rash.  However, children can give the virus to others. 

There are some rare complications in children related to COVID-19.  One rare complication that has received a lot of attention in the media is a Kawasaki-like syndrome/Post-COVID inflammatory syndrome.  Call your doctor if your child has a high fever over several days, new rashes, swelling of the hands or feet, red eyes, or significant stomach pains with repeated vomiting, after which the child does not feel better.

Help stop the spread of COVID-19 by doing the same things everyone should do to stay healthy. Teach your children to do the same.

• Clean hands often using soap and water rubbing for 20 seconds  or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid people who are sick (coughing and sneezing).
• Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces daily in household common areas (like tables, hard-backed chairs, doorknobs, light switches, remotes, handles, desks, toilets, and sinks).
• Launder items including washable plush toys as needed. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. If possible, launder items using the warmest appropriate water setting  and dry items completely. Dirty laundry from an ill person can be washed with other people’s items.

3 Tips when talking with your Kids:

1. Share facts in a way that kids will understand. For example, you can tell your kids that most people who get COVID-19 will get better. Depending on their age, you can ask them to stay 6 feet from their grandparents since they are older and show them what six feet actually looks like. Let them know that washing their hands can help protect them and others from getting sick.
2. Reassure them they are safe
3. Focus their attention on things they can control like washing hands and staying 6 feet away from others

Here are four ways we can help young kids be “germ-busters”.

1. Wash Your Hands
   Make it a routine before every meal and snack to wash hands.
   Teach them to make “bubble gloves” (to cover their entire hand with bubbles).
   Have them sing a song like the ABC’s or Happy Birthday while washing their hands so they can wash for at least 20 seconds.
   Germs Germs Go Away With Handwashing (VIDEO)
   Step by Step Handwashing with Elmo (Printable handwashing steps)
   Lavarse las Manos Canción Infantil | Bebé Juan en Español
2. Demonstrate how to sneeze or cough into their elbow (instead of their hands)
   A Germ-Fighting Superhero (VIDEO)
   Cúbrete la nariz y la boca al toser o estornudar (niños)
3. “Rest is Best” – if they get sick they will need to rest and stay home until they are all better but reassure them that they will get better.
   “Rest is Best” Strategy Song (VIDEO)
   El Tigre Daniel Sentirse Enfermo (VIDEO)
4. Practice Healthy Habits
   Remind kids that sleep, exercise and eating healthy foods are good, everyday ways to strengthen our bodies.

Read more on helping children cope with stress English
Download this  #COVIBOOK made to support and reassure children around the world:  English  Spanish  中文   عربى
Libro para Colorear y Explicar Coronavirus a los Niñxs
Rosa Contra el Virus

Not only can young people spread COVID-19, they are also at risk.  Read Pan American Health Organization’s 10 tips to Protect Yourself and Others. Do not risk your Life.

Outbreaks can be stressful

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can be stressful for many people.  It’s important to take care of yourself and do things that help you to stay calm and think clearly.

Ways to cope with stress

• Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.
• Take care of your body.
  • Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate
  • Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals
  • Exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep
  • Avoid alcohol and drugs
• Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy.
• Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.

Need help? Know someone who does?  If you, or someone you care about, are feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or others

• Call 911
• Visit the Disaster Distress Helpline, call 800-985-5990, or text TalkWithUs to 66746
• Visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline or call 800-799-7233 and TTY 800-787-3224

For more information from the CDC visit: English Español 预防生病 Tiếng Việt.