Social Connectivity in the Time of COVID-19

SOCIAL CONNECTIVITY IN THE TIME OF COVID-19

The need for social distancing has put a pause on normal socializing activities, like family get-togethers, restaurant outings and music concerts. As the pandemic continues, social distancing doesn’t need to mean social isolation. If you don’t address it, isolation and loneliness during the pandemic may pose a risk to your mental health.

Your Wellness Matters: Flu

A recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study suggested that, on average, about 8% of the U.S. population gets sick from the flu each season. In preparation for the 2020-21 flu season, learn more about the flu and how you can prevent it.

About Influenza

Influenza, which is commonly known as the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by flu viruses. Flu season typically begins in October, peaks between December and February, and can last through May.

The flu is different than a cold, as it usually comes on suddenly. It’s also important to note that COVID-19 and the flu may present similar symptoms. As such, testing may be needed to help confirm a diagnosis.

What are the symptoms of the flu?

The flu can cause mild to severe illness. People who contract the flu may feel some or all of these symptoms:

·      Cough

·      Sore throat

·      Runny or stuffy nose

·      Muscle or body aches

·      Headaches

·      Fatigue

In some cases, particularly in children, vomiting and diarrhea can also be a symptom of the flu.

Prevalence of the Flu

The flu is so common that the number of people infected each season can only be estimated. However, it is more prevalent in certain age groups. One Clinical Infectious Diseases study broke down the infection rate across age groups as follows:

·      Children ages 0 to 17 years - 9.3%

·      Adults ages 18 to 64 years - 8.8%

·      Adults ages 65 and older - 3.9%

How can the flu be treated?

Antiviral drugs can lessen symptoms and shorten the time you are sick, as well as prevent serious flu complications like pneumonia. The CDC recommends prompt treatment for people who have or are suspected to have the flu. This is especially important for those who have a high risk of serious flu complications, including:

·      Young children

·      Adults of 65 years or older

·      Pregnant women

·      People with certain medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease

How can the flu be prevented?

The best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated every year. This year, due to COVID-19, it’s more important than ever. The CDC recommends that everyone over the age of 6 months receive their annual flu vaccine. 

To keep yourself safe, you should also:

·      Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

·      Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.

·      Wash your hands with soap and warm water often, or use an alcohol-based sanitizer when soap and water aren’t available.

For more information about the flu, contact your doctor today. 

OSHA Guidance: Wearing Face Coverings in Hot and Humid Environments

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued guidance on safety protocols employees can use when wearing cloth face coverings in hot, humid indoor and outdoor work conditions. Wearing face coverings has become necessary in multiple industries because of the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Heat-Related Illness and Respiratory Hazard

According to OSHA, hot and humid working conditions can pose a respiratory hazard to workers and account for 50 to 70% of all outdoor fatalities in the workplace. Hazardous heat exposure can occur indoors or outdoors, and can occur during any season if the conditions are right.

For these reasons, and because of the current pandemic, OSHA has published guidance for employers on how they can protect workers who wear cloth face coverings in hot and humid work conditions. 

The Guidance

OSHA’s guidance provides best practices to reduce the risk of heat-related illness or injuries while wearing cloth face coverings, including:

þ  Allowing employees to use personal cooling systems;

þ  Considering alternatives to wearing face coverings;

þ  Monitoring weather conditions and scheduling strenuous activities during cooler parts of the day; and

þ  Continuing to use administrative and engineering safety controls in addition to cloth face coverings.

Employers should train their employees on how to prevent heat-related illnesses and stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Employers should also consider making the indoor and outdoor best practices publications available to their employees. 

President Trump Issues Health Care Plan in an Executive Order

On Sept. 24, 2020, President Donald Trump introduced his plan for affordable, high-quality health care, called the America First Health Care Plan. This plan, issued in an executive order, is primarily aimed at protecting people with preexisting conditions and combating surprise medical billing.

An executive order is a broad policy directive used to establish how laws will be enforced by the administration. The order does not make any changes to existing laws or regulations, but directs federal agencies to issue new guidance to implement the order’s policies. As a result, the executive order’s specific impact will remain largely unclear until agencies issue further guidance or Congress takes action in response to the order.

The America First Health Care Plan

The executive order directs the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor and the Treasury to maintain and build upon existing actions to:

·         Expand options for affordable health care;

·         Expand access to affordable medicines, including accelerating the approvals of new generic and biosimilar drugs and facilitating the safe importation of affordable prescription drugs from abroad;

·         Ensure consumers have access to meaningful price and quality information before the delivery of care; and

·         Reduce waste, fraud and abuse in the health care system.

The executive order specifically directs HHS to work with Congress to reach a legislative solution to end surprise medical billing by Dec. 31, 2020. If a legislative solution is not reached by that date, the executive order directs HHS to take administrative action to prevent out-of-pocket expenses that cannot be reasonably foreseen.