ABOUT COVID-19

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended the use of cloth face coverings, especially in areas of significant community-based transmission:

• Everyone should wear a cloth face cover or mask when they have to go out in public, for example to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities.
• The cloth face cover or mask is meant to protect in the event you are not displaying signs and symptoms.
• Cloth face covers can be created at home from simple household items. The Surgeon General has created a quick instructional video on how to produce your own cloth mask from household items, https://youtu.be/tPx1yqvJgf4.

Please note: the cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders, as recommended by current CDC guidance.

The CDC recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

Do NOT flush disinfecting wipes, paper towls down toilet – throw them away instead: 

While the State Water Board and other public agencies encourage Californians to follow the Centers for Disease Control recommendations to clean surfaces with disinfecting wipes to reduce the spread of COVID-19, it is important to discard those items in the trash, not the toilet.

Many people are able to recover from COVID-19 at home.

Seek treatment if:

• you have difficulty breathing (shortness of breath)
• you feel like symptoms (such as fever and cough) are getting worse rapidly
• you are unable to care for symptoms at home

If you feel any of the above symptoms, call your doctor for a phone evaluation. They will give you guidance on whether or not you should get tested for COVID-19.

San Joaquin County COVID-19 Testing Sites / Sitios de Prueba para COVID-19 

If you need support from a healthcare professional but do not have health insurance or a regular doctor, please visit stocktonstrong.org/physical-health/. 

*If you think you may be experiencing an emergency related to COVID-19, call 9-1-1 and let the operator know you’re experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. That way, the ambulance provider can prepare to treat you safely*

We are still in flu season, so please be aware

The flu is different from a cold, which is gradual. The flu usually comes on suddenly. People who have the flu will often feel some or all of these symptoms:

• Fever* or feeling feverish/chills
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Headaches
• Feeling tired
• Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

*It’s important to note that not everyone with the flu will have a fever.

If you have flu-like symptoms, please:

• Stay at home to recover
• Wash your hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds before touching anyone or anything
• Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Don’t touch your face
• Germs tend to linger. Disinfect door handles, your phone and other surfaces daily.

To help the public distinguish between rumors and facts regarding COVID-19, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) created this resource page. 

Here are more trustworthy resources to rely on for information:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• California Department of Public Heatlh
• San Joaquin Public Health Services
• Stockton Record
• ABC 10
• CBS 13

Resources from the National Domestic Violence Hotline:

Avoiding public spaces and working remotely can help to reduce the spread of COVID-19, but for many survivors, staying home may not be the safest option. We know that any external factors that add stress and financial strain can negatively impact survivors and create circumstances where their safety is further compromised.

If any of the above sound like they may be happening to you or someone you love, here are a few suggestions for survivors that may make this uncertain time feel a little bit safer:

• Create a safety plan.
• Practice self-care.
• Reach out for help.
• For any victims and survivors who need support, the Hotline is here for you, 24/7. Call 1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-799-7233 for TTY, or if you’re unable to speak safely, you can log onto thehotline.org or text LOVEIS to 22522.