COVID-19 Update 7

As we come to the end of our second week of the "Shelter in Place" we want to extend a huge "Thank You! to every employee in our county.

To each one of you coming into work or working remotely, we thank you and want you to know that you are truly appreciated and acknowledged for your contributions and dedication.

We know that many of you have been working on the COVID-19 response for weeks, most of you working well over your normal days. We also recognize that many of you who are working on-site are at the front lines, helping our community in this very difficult time. Thank you for your patience, professionalism, hard work, sacrifice, and commitment to providing excellent services to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic. Your personal and professional sacrifices do not go unnoticed. Many of you have given up time with loved ones, self-care, and your own safety to provide care to those infected and recovering, to our vulnerable population, and our community at large.

Please take moments in the day to practice self-care.

We hope to provide you with some helpful tips from professionals, as well as resources that may be useful to you, your families and your loved ones.

1. Health care professionals share the following tips for staying healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic:

Personal quarantine: As disaster service workers where you may be in the community or in areas available to the public, it is recommended that you help protect your family by setting up a section of your home just for yourself that is off limits to those who may be vulnerable.

Manage anxiety and Stress: Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations. There are things you can do to reduce secondary traumatic stress.

• Give yourself time to recover from responding to the pandemic
• Take time away from COVID-19 news coverage
• More tips from the CDC


2. It is vitally important that we stay informed about transmittal, safety precautions, and symptoms of the virus. According to the CDC, the best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person: Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet), and/or through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

For detailed and vital information and FAQ's please visit the CDC link https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html

3. Beware of falling prey to scams and fraud: Unscrupulous individuals are preying on the public's fear during this crisis.

The Alameda County DA's Office is researching and keeping up with news on scams and fraudulent schemes that have emerged around the county, state and country over the past several weeks.

• Beware of any individual claiming to be an Alameda County employee going door to door to conduct COVID-19 tests. Alameda County Employees are NOT going door to door offering tests. Anyone who claims so is a fraudster.
• Do not engage with phone calls, robocalls, text messages or e-mail solicitations offering free home testing kits or promoting medicinal cures.
• Some states are aware of fake "Senior Care Packages" - These scams include obtaining personal information from elders to bill federal and state health programs for services not performed.
• Charitable giving is important, but carefully research any organization or charity asking for a donation to help fight COVID-19 or to assist sick individuals.

We wish each of you a very restful and safe weekend.