Multicultural Health Institute COVID-19 Survey

With the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic, everyone is trying their best to stay at home to lower their risk of infection. However, even with these attempts, going out, whether to shop for necessities or talk with friends, cannot be completely avoided. As a result, some people in the community may have come in contact with someone who has/had been infected with COVID-19 or may have traveled to an area with an ongoing spread of COVID-19. The Multicultural Health Institute (MHI) is actively working to identify those in greatest need of being tested for COVID-19 due to active symptoms. In addition to this, we are trying to reach members of the community who have a high risk of being infected with COVID-19 because of pre-existing conditions like high blood pressure, heart failure, uncontrolled diabetes or asthma/COPD. If you believe you may be a high-risk community member and wish to assist MHI in identifying high-risk community members, please complete this survey: https://forms.gle/VY4L7AEk9rdc55dS8. One can also find additional resources at the top of the survey.

Stay safe, everyone, wear your masks when you go out, wash your hands when you come home and always keep them out of your face!

The Multicultural Health Institute

https://www.the-mhi.org/

COVID-19 Updates

COVID-19 Resources

Sarasota County Community Dashboard

Coloring Book/Story Explaining COVID-19 for Kids!

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Letter from President of the National Medical Association, Oliver T. Brooks, M.D.

On March 13, 2020, President Trump declared a national state of emergency due
to the rapid spread in the United States of SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus
that causes clinical COVID-19, a clinical respiratory infection with clinical
findings anywhere from asymptomatic carrier to respiratory failure and death.

The NMA is closely monitoring the developments of COVID-19 and its effects on
our health care providers and our broader community. This is a very serious
situation affecting all areas of function of society, beyond medicine, including
but not limited to financial markets/commerce, diversity, legal issues, politics
and telehealth. There is also the added psychological stress that comes with
worry for the health and welfare of ourselves, our families, our colleagues and
our community.

As of March 18, 2020, 1:00 p.m. EST, in the U.S., there are 7,324 cases reported
with 115 deaths, with cases reported in all 50 states and 3 of 8 territories. The
number of cases and deaths is increasing daily. The statistics are very
regional and it is clear that we, as health care providers, need to stay
up to date with the activities relevant to our individual locale. I urge
you to monitor, daily, your local or state public health department’s
information.

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Related to the NMA, our practice of medicine, and our community I recommend
the following links. All are reputable sources of information. They address a
variety of situations related to COVID-19. STAY INFORMED.

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1. For information regarding Screening for SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/lab/guidelines-clinical-specimens.html
2. For information of the Economic Effects of COVID-19 on Minorities:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/korihale/2020/03/17/the-economic-impact-of-covid-19-will-hit-minorities-the-hardest/#2191aaa710c0
3. For information regarding Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with Suspected or Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Healthcare Settings:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/infection-control/control-recommendations.html
4. For information on Managing Stress associated with COVID-19:
https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/mental-health-considerations.pdf?sfvrsn=6d3578af_2
5. For information of the level of Global Disease Burden:
https://gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6
6. For information on the Outpatient Management for Pregnant Women With Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19:
https://www.acog.org/-/media/project/acog/acogorg/files/pdfs/clinical-guidance/practice-advisory/covid-19-algorithm.pdf?la=en&hash=2D9E7F62C97F8231561616FFDCA3B1A6
7. For information on COVID-19 in the Pediatric Population:
https://www.aappublications.org/news/2020/02/28/coronavirus022820
8. For information on Hospital Care of COVID-19 patients, including ICU:
https://assets.acponline.org/coronavirus/scormcontent/?_ga=2.28377468.1363258434.1584580903-1639222083.1584580903&_gac=1.45346448.1584580903.EAIaIQobChMI8-ev66-l6AIV6R-tBh3B2QWREAAYASAAEgIVH_D_BwE#/lessons/hCIsMQbg5c9uxp2Q4iVdKz8I0VQuQ-km
9. For information on Updated Telehealth and HIPAA guidelines:
https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2020/03/17/ocr-announces-notification-of-enforcement-discretion-for-telehealth-remote-communications-during-the-covid-19.html
10. For information regarding Legal Issues and COVID-19:
https://www.natlawreview.com/article/advisory-regarding-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-legal-issues-us

  

U.S. Containment Measures

The U.S. containment measures have so far been mild compared to the nationwide lockdowns imposed in Italy, France and Spain. The virus has infected more than 156,000 people in 142 countries, resulting in over, 5,800 deaths.

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