What can you tell us about COVID-19 that we have not heard on the news?
COVID-19 does not discriminate based on race. The virus can affect anyone. Children can be infected with the virus as well, but typically their symptoms are milder than adults. Someone can be co-infected with COVID-19 and the influenza virus, although we have reason to believe these instances are rare. Lastly, you can be infected with COVID-19 and be completely asymptomatic.
What should families be doing while staying at home?
The most important thing is to practice social distancing. If you don’t have to go out for non-essential activities, it’s so important to stay home. I think in our communities, we’re thinking it’s not going to affect us. And I know firsthand that it’s actually affecting our communities.
If there’s a person in that house that is exhibiting symptoms, how do you quarantine them?
If you’re in a home with other family members, pick a room where it’s just your room, hopefully it’s one bathroom where you’re not sharing with anyone. And literally, they can bring your food to the door, and then they go back to the other part of the home. I know it’s difficult for some of our communities, especially in the urban areas, they’re densely populated, and it’s hard to separate.
What symptoms of having a COVID-19 infection should our community be aware of?
Suddenly having a cough, shortness of breath, a fever, and fatigue are some things that we’ve been noticing. People will say they are so tired, not realizing that could be a symptom of the virus as well. We are in high allergy season and people are confusing it for allergies because pollen is so rampant right now. If you have allergies, why are you so fatigued? You have to make sure you put the whole picture together. And then there’s another symptom that [is] lower on the list in terms of [the] most common symptoms we’ll see, [which] is gastrointestinal symptoms — some people may have diarrhea. And the loss of taste or smell is another one that we’ve seen.
[jwplayer b7WEsb2R]
