State Essential Employee Information Line for Employers: (800) 755-6672
Flatten the Curve on COVID-19
The “Flatten the Curve” concept traces back to a 2007 Centers for Disease Control (CDC) paper on pandemics. The root of the concept is that the disease will not disappear overnight and will take time for our health system to control. However, by our community being smart and working to slow the spread we can spread the effects out over time where we remain within the capacity of our health care system. What we do not want to happen is a rapid spread where our health care system is overrun by a quick surge of COVID-19 cases. Fast Company has a good article explaining the origins of this concept and the associated graphics.
The following illustration from Dr. Siouxsie Wiles and other contributors illustrates this concept graphically:
COVID-19 Information Resources
COVID-19 Call Center (406) 548-0123 or callcenter@www.readygallatin.com
Gallatin County COVID-19 Website: https://www.healthygallatin.org/coronavirus-covid-19/
Montana DPHHS COVID-19 Website: https://dphhs.mt.gov/publichealth/cdepi/diseases/coronavirusmt
CDC COVID-19 Website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/
Business Resources
Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/
State Essential Employee Question Line for Employers: (800) 755-6672
Individual Resources
Official Local Donation Site: http://www.bozemanfoundation.org/covid-19-resources/
Reopening the Big Sky Phased Approach
April 22nd, 2020Governor Bullock has released the following 3 phase plan for reopening Montana.
Governor Bullock Issues Stay at Home Directive
March 26th, 2020Business Assistance
March 17th, 2020Assistance for businesses in disasters is largely managed and driven by the federal government. Our congressional delegation is currently working on what needs to be done to support our economy. Feedback from Montana business owners is of high value to them.
Senator Jon Tester
(406) 586-4450
https://www.tester.senate.gov/
Small Business Administration
Online assistance for Small Business Administration is available at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/
Organizational Continuity of Operations
March 11th, 2020Wondering what your organization can do to help limit your employee’s and organization’s exposure to COVID-19?
Below are a couple key actions you can take to help limit the spread of COVID-19:
- If someone is sick, they should stay home and consult their doctor. Wear a facemask if sick and around other people.
- Use good personal hygiene measures. COVID-19 is spread in respiratory droplets in close person to person contact, it is not airborne.
- Wash hands regularly with water and soap for 20 seconds. Have hand sanitizer available for staff and visitors.
- Avoid touching your mouth and eyes.
- Cover your coughs, then wash your hands immediately.
- Keep communal spaces disinfected on a regular basis.
- Do not share dishes, glasses, cups & utensils.
- Consider social distancing. 6 feet is the magic number to be considered outside the exposure radius.
- Allow workers to spread out and not work in tight spaces.
- Expand the distance between staff and public.
- Have public and/ or staff leave a buffer between themselves and service counters.
- Evaluate the need for attending group activities in person.
To disinfect:
Most common EPA-registered household disinfectants will work. Use disinfectants appropriate for the surface.
Options include:
- Diluting your household bleach.
To make a bleach solution, mix:- 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water
OR - 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water
Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. Unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted.
- 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water
- Alcohol solutions.
Ensure solution has at least 70% alcohol. - Other common EPA-registered household disinfectants.
Products with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens [7 pages] claims are expected to be effective against COVID-19 based on data for harder to kill viruses. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products (e.g., concentration, application method and contact time, etc.).
COVID-19 Coronavirus Resources
February 25th, 2020What is a coronavirus?
Human coronaviruses are common throughout the world. There are several types of coronaviruses including those that cause symptoms of the common cold. Human coronaviruses commonly cause mild to moderate illness. A novel, or new coronavirus is a strain of coronavirus that has not been identified before. This has happened previously with MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV both of which cause more severe respiratory illnesses.
Where does the name come from?
View the World Health Organization explanation.
What is a novel coronavirus?
The novel coronavirus associated with Wuhan China, or COVID-19, recently emerged and is causing an outbreak of illnesses in China, with additional cases reported in other countries including the United States. To date, all U.S. cases had recent travel to the Wuhan area. At this time, the risk to the U.S. public remains low.
How does COVID-19 spread?
The virus is still being studied and public health officials are learning more each day. To date, it appears that transmission occurs via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes as is the case with other respiratory illnesses like the common cold or influenza.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
Patients with this novel coronavirus have reported mild to severe respiratory illness with cough, fever, and/or shortness of breath.
How do I know if I am at risk for COVID-19?
At this time, the risk for the majority of people remains low but a person at risk includes specific symptoms and travel to China within the past 14 days OR close contact to a confirmed case. Review the CDC assessment tool for detailed information.
How can I help protect myself and my family?
The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus. The same preventative measures that are recommended during cold and flu season will also help to protect against COVID-19:
- Wash your hands thoroughly and often
- Hand Washing is a key action in limiting spread. Please help share the message. Hand washing material available at https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/materials.html.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
- Cover your cough/sneeze with a tissue (or your elbow)
- Stay home if you are sick
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
Resources for Current Coronavirus Information and Educational Material:
- Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)