COVID-19 Health Awareness Resources

Radhika Sivadi

10 min read ·

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We have compiled a selection of resources to help keep your employees, and customers, safe during the COVID-19 crisis.

 

Healthline | Free Eyeglasses and Eye Care – Listicle

This article identifies organizations that provide free or low-cost eye exam and glasses. These businesses are nationwide and very accessible to most people.

Vive Health | Balance Exercises – Video

One in four older Americans fall each year, and they are not the only ones. Balance exercises can prevent falls and also are linked to better mental health. This 10-minute video offers simple exercises that can be practiced every day to help prevent a potential spill.


Small Biz Daily | 6 Health Tips for Busy Entrepreneurs – Article

It’s very easy for small business owners to put business needs ahead of their own, especially in the chaos and unique circumstances of the past years. This article highlights six areas for owners to keep in mind to keep their own health a priority.

MadFit | Fifteen-minute Full Body Workout – Video

No matter how hard we work, we can’t create time! This video provides a condensed, intense workout that requires no additional equipment, so you can fit it into your morning routine or maybe even squeeze it in at the office.

AARP | Article – What to Know About Mixing COVID-19 Vaccines

Many recipients of the Pfizer vaccine are eligible for a booster, specifically those over the age of 65 and those between the ages of 50 and 64 who have underlying medical conditions. For people who received different vaccines, this article summarizes the latest updates on safety and availability.

NPR | Article – FAQs on Flying during COVID-19

This article addresses issues raised by travelers who will be flying as the Delta variant of the coronavirus continues to spread. The author poses questions for individuals to help them determine their comfort level for flying and visiting areas where cases of the virus may be surging.

WHO | Free Online Training on COVID-19

The World Health Organization offers online training and exercises on a range of issues related to COVID-19 in more than 50 languages. Representative topics include vaccinations, mask usage, management of infections in health workers, risk communication and more. 

Positive Psychology | Article – 26 Mental Health Exercises & Interventions Based on Science

This article explains the importance of mental health and its connection to emotional and physical health. It includes specific exercise and activities for mental health interventions, workplace activities, worksheets, and age-appropriate approaches for children through adults.

Stretching Exercises for Lower Back Pain

Whether you work from home or an office, sitting for long periods without a break can create strain and pain in the lower back. These stretches can relieve discomfort and help prevent continued back issues.

AARP | Coronavirus Tele-Town Halls

AARP hosts two Tele-Town halls each month on pandemic-related topics, from vaccines to staying safe to maintaining social connection. All of their Town Halls are accessible via this site.

 

Free Stretching Office Posters

Barbre Ergonomics offers free, printable mini-posters on stretching created for industrial and office employees. These exercises were created by professionals to help relieve the strain, fatigue and soreness associated with heavy computer use.

 

Mask Bans versus Mask Mandates in the Workplace

Requirements for and bans on mask usage in various states can seem contradictory, but state bans rarely affect private businesses. This article explains several federal directives and offers tips to businesses for best practices.

 

COVID-19 Mythbusters

Misleading and misinterpreted information on the coronavirus has led to confusion and frustration for many people. The World Health Organization has created resources to address misinformation on many topics frequently brought up as contributing to coronavirus or used to discourage vaccinations against it.

 

At-home Exercises During COVID-19

Being physically active can help maintain a healthy immune system, but when gyms are closed it can be difficult to workout. This article identifies different exercise options that can be done at home without the need for a lot of additional equipment.

 

Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle While Staying at Home Video

Quarantine restrictions are no longer as limiting as they were early in the pandemic, but many people still choose or are required to limit outings. This video offers advice on maintaining physical and mental wellness while staying at home. 

 

Free Online Tai Chi Classes

Tai Chi is a series of exercises and stretches designed to connect mind and body. The Tai Chi Foundation offers free classes for people of all abilities, from complete novices to experts. 

 

U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has information to help employers address the coronavirus pandemic, including:

 

U.S. Chamber of Commerce (CoC) | Coronavirus Response Toolkit

With guidance and recommendations from the CDC, the U.S. CoC has created a coronavirus toolkit for businesses. The toolkit includes important information you can use in your workplace and social media communications, including prepared messaging and social media graphics you can download and share. Using these messages and graphics can reduce confusion among your workforce and your customers—and on a holistic level, it can help combat the spread of inaccurate information about the virus and acceptable social behaviors.

 

World Health Organization (WHO) Coronavirus Briefing

The WHO has provided a succinct briefing that can help you prepare the workplace for COVID-19. If you haven’t already instituted new policies to keep the virus from spreading, review the briefing to learn about:

  • How coronavirus spreads.
  • Ways to prevent the virus’ spread in the workplace.
  • Considerations for travel.
  • Planning essentials in case an employee becomes ill or potentially contracts the virus.

 

Poster My Wall | Free Covid-19 Posters

Poster My Wall has an extensive collection of Covid-19 awareness posters that are free to download and completely customizable. Do your part by spreading awareness and accurate information. Raise awareness on social distancing, the importance of washing your hands & other helpful details with our free templates. Learn how to shift your business online and fight the Coronavirus pandemic. Let’s #FlattenTheCurve together.

Labor & Workforce Development Agency | Resources for Employers and Workers

In the face of the COVID-19, the Labor & Workforce Development Agency (LWDA) wants to keep workers, employers, co-workers, and families safe. What employees are entitled to may be confusing. The are trying to make it easier and spread awareness through this centralized source of info.

CDC | U.S. Map

The CDC has created an extensive website that contains valuable information about how Covid-19 is spreading across the U.S.  The page also hosts a map of all of the reported cases of Covid-19 in the U.S. that is updated daily.

CNN | This is Where All 50 States Stand on Reopening

More than 97% of the US population is currently under a stay-at-home or shelter-in-place order as the coronavirus pandemic continues to upend life as we know it. More than 50,000 Americans have died. But worries for the economy — and people’s mental health — are raising the question: When will things go back to normal? And what will that normal even look like?

President Donald Trump has indicated many states can reopen by May 1, and shared federal guidelines for restarting the economy with governors.

Across the country, governors have been forming pacts. Those leaders are highlighting the importance of using science and advice from health officials rather than politics to choose when to reopen the economy.

  • Expanded testing
  • Tracking contacts of people who had the virus
  • Improved treatment options
  • Vaccine development

They say these are the top priority. However, 43 states and the District of Columbia have ordered or recommended school closures through end of the academic year.

Find the latest on where states stand in their plans to reopen here.

Mental Health America | Information and Resources

As the number of cases of COVID-19 increase, so does the associated anxiety.

For the general public, the mental health effects of COVID-19 are as important to address as are the physical health effects. And for the one in five who already have mental health conditions – or the one in two who are at risk of developing them – we need to take personal, professional, and policy measures now to address them.

For the past several weeks, MHA has been using its unique database to monitor daily this increase in anxiety. According to our screening data, we experienced a 19 percent increase in screening for clinical anxiety in the first weeks of February, and a 12 percent increase in the first two weeks of March.

This suggests that our screeners are not just “worried well.” Instead they represent thousands of people whose lives and sense of well-being are being severely impacted by concerns about the virus.

As things unfold in the coming days and weeks, MHA will continue to monitor anxiety.

To aid individuals and communities during this time, MHA has compiled a range of resources and information.

Tableau | Coronavirus (COVID-19) Global Data Tracker

COVID-19 case data is the most important data right now. It’s the basis of how we’re seeing and measuring the impact of this virus in the world. Tableau is providing a global coronavirus tracker to help you stay updated on the confirmed case and death totals, the spread of coronavirus, and the places most impacted by this pandemic.

To prepare communities for the surge of testing and treatment demands, the Cerner Intelligence team developed a county-level COVID-19 forecasting model to predict requirements and identify potential shortages before they happen.­

Tableau has created a downloadable workbook with a starter dashboard and an embedded connection to a clean Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Data Stream that combines WHO and CDC case data. Anyone can blend their own data with this workbook to better understand the impact on their organization.

 

IBM | Global Covid-19 Statistics

IBM is leveraging data from the state and local governments and the World Health Organization to build an interactive dashboard on IBM Cognos Analytics. The dashboard is designed to help researchers, data scientists, media and other users conduct deeper analysis and filtering of regional data.

RestoreYourEconomy.org | Resources and Best Practices

Provides resources and best practice information for public and private stakeholders who are seeking to rebuild their local economies after a disaster as well as assisting the business community in preparing for a disaster. It is a one-stop shop for disaster preparedness, post-disaster economic recovery, and disaster resiliency resources, tools, event announcements as well as opportunities to connect with peers through social media groups.

American Hospital Association | Health Inequity During COVID-19

The American Hospital Association examines the impact of the social determinants of health on patients and communities as they battle the COVID-19 outbreak and shares ideas and case examples to help hospitals address ongoing social needs.

Johns Hopkins | Coronavirus Resource Center

Johns Hopkins experts in global public health, infectious disease, and emergency preparedness have been at the forefront of the international response to COVID-19. This website is a resource to help advance the understanding of the virus, inform the public, and brief policymakers in order to guide response, improve care, and save lives.

 

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention | Mental Health and Covid-19

We are amid an unprecedented public health crisis, yet we also have an extraordinary opportunity to come together within our families and our communities to improve the understanding of mental health.

AFSP encourages everyone to engage in an open, honest dialogue with their friends and loved ones, to demonstrate compassion and kindness, and to practice self-care by exercising, meditating, and consuming the news in measured doses. And, reach out to those who may be isolated and need the extra support. These actions can save lives and positively change our collective culture surrounding mental health for the long-term.  We hope these tools help you to spread positive messages of hope, compassion, mental health care and suicide prevention.

AFSP has documentaries, presentations, and downloadable workplace resources to encourage mental health awareness and suicide prevention in the stressful time of COVID-19.

 

National Health Council | Weekly Webinars

In support of its members, the NHC will hold a weekly webinar to provide a venue for NHC-member patient-group and non-profit Chief Executive Officers to network and share information on: actions taken, policies implemented, data generated; innovations/ technologies/ approaches being used for fundraising and to replace cancelled events; and advocacy for policies regarding financial relief for nonprofits (in any proposals for relief to the economy).

National Institute of Mental Health | Shareable Resources for Small Businesses

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is stressful for many people. People respond to stress in different ways and it is normal to experience a range of emotions, including fear, anxiety, and grief. Sharing accurate information about COVID-19 and strategies for coping can be an effective way to manage stress and connect with others.

Help raise awareness about coping with COVID-19 by sharing these Graphics and Social Media Messages.

 

CDC | Steps for Health and Saftey in the Workplace

During an infectious disease outbreak, such as the current outbreak of COVID-19, small business owners must prepare for disruption in their business as well as prepare to protect their employees’ health and safety in the workplace.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. It spreads between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) and through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms can include fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, which may appear 2-14 days after exposure.

These steps are recommended to protect employees and prepare your business for disruption.

For more tips and information See the CDC Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers and the OSHA Guidance for Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19.

 

School-Based Health Alliance | Resources for Schools and Teachers

Webinars on health issues and well-being in schools are offered for families and educators. The site also offers resources on school reentry considerations and provides a list of organizations and other resources on a range of issues including state and federal policies related to COVID-19.

 

Kaiser Family Foundation | Covid-19 Tracker

The Kaiser Family Foundation offers interactive graphs that show data on coronavirus cases as well as various government actions taken by different countries. The data can be reviewed and sorted by various metrics and used to plot trends. Other trackers are also available on the site.

 

Lululemon | At-Home Workouts

COVID forced Lululemon to move their in-store fitness classes online and they are available for free to all viewers. Videos range from 25- to 45-minutes and include strength and stretching exercises.

Crisis Text Line | On-Demand Counseling

Anyone in the US can text “HOME” to 741741 at any time to speak with a live, trained crisis counselor, whether related to Coronavirus or not. This free call is usually connected within five minutes or less and the callers need only reveal what they are comfortable with.

 

Stay safe and remain strong in this turbulent time. And remember to check back on this article for updates as details of the above guidance and resources change.

If you have additions that you would like to see on our page please send them to reeves@yahoosmallbusiness.com.

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Radhika Sivadi

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