Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak and what you can do

March 14, 2020

By now, we are all aware that the Coronavirus pandemic started in China and has made its way to the United States. As we face school and government closures, it is important to know the facts. As elder law and special needs attorneys, we want to help disseminate information that may be helpful to you. Below is information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website (CDC) updated as of March 14, 2020:

Who is at higher risk?

Early information out of China, where COVID-19 first started, shows that some people are at higher risk of getting very sick from this illness. This includes:

• Older adults

• People who have serious chronic medical conditions like:

  • Heart disease

  • Diabetes

  • Lung disease

If you are at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19 because of your age or because you have a serious long-term health problem, it is extra important for you to take actions to reduce your risk of getting sick with the disease.

• Stock up on supplies.

• Take everyday precautions to keep space between yourself and others.

• When you go out in public, keep away from others who are sick, limit close contact and wash your hands often.

• Avoid crowds as much as possible.

• Avoid cruise travel and non-essential air travel.

• During a COVID-19 outbreak in your community, stay home as much as possible to further reduce your risk of being exposed.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Take everyday preventive actions:

• Clean your hands often

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, or having been in a public place.

• If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

• To the extent possible, avoid touching high-touch surfaces in public places – elevator buttons, door handles, handrails, handshaking with people, etc. Use a tissue or your sleeve to cover your hand or finger if you must touch something.

• Wash your hands after touching surfaces in public places.

• Avoid touching your face, nose, eyes, etc.

• Clean and disinfect your home to remove germs: practice routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces (for example: tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, toilets, faucets, sinks & cell phones)

• Avoid crowds, especially in poorly ventilated spaces. Your risk of exposure to respiratory viruses like COVID-19 may increase in crowded, closed-in settings with little air circulation if there are people in the crowd who are sick.

• Avoid all non-essential travel including plane trips, and especially avoid embarking on cruise ships.

At LawyerLisa, we take the health of our employees and clients very seriously. We will remain open to be able to help those who need our services. We are cleaning our office and the public areas daily and any ill employees will stay home. We are able to expedite health care advance directives and powers of attorney for those who need them. If you are unable or do not want to visit our office, we are able to make alternate arrangements for meetings using various technologies. Please call our office or email us for more information about your options.