In times of health crisis like COVID-19, it’s worth listening to what the nurses, nurse-practitioners, physician assistants, and doctors are saying.

There’s a measured approach that lies between “It’s no big deal—just a lot of hype” and “This is a catastrophe—I’m grabbing all the masks and hand sanitizer I can find.”

It’s in our training and in our years of practice to assess a situation quickly, take appropriate and conservative first measures, re-assess and re-adjust as needed…and then move on.

If I come into a room with a cancer patient in great pain, I wouldn’t say “Oh, she’ll get over it by herself—no need for drama,” nor would I immediately give her a large injection of morphine and hope for the best. I would reassure her I’m here to help, assess her pain, listen calmly for a quick history of what’s come before, include any caregivers in the conversation, start pain medication cautiously, and then re-assess to see where we’re at. We start with the ‘low-hanging fruit’ that’s likely to have the most positive effect – and then move forward into more complex territory of caring for this patient over the days and weeks ahead.

Same general idea for anyone in varying stages of medical, emotional, or spiritual crisis – we’re hoping to walk the cautious, informed, caring middle ground between under- and over-reaction.

Whether it’s the Centers for Disease Control, public health departments, local health care facilities, or the nurses and doctors in your immediate communities – listen to what they’re saying about a cautious and rational approach to containing a new virus among us. (You may want to ignore those health professionals who are burned-out or cynical, as their perspective may be skewed.) It’s in our training to look right at what’s in front of us in serious or crisis situations…and then respond intelligently. That intelligence comes from different kinds of knowledge–from professional training, previous experience, science and research, compassionate care, intuition, and ‘thinking-outside the box.’ We make decisions from that knowledge, and then re-assess and adjust our next steps forward.

The ‘low-hanging fruit’ for most communities right now is:

• Pause and take a deep breath.
• Follow the health advice of your local or state health departments – they’re on top of the situation in your area. Also…the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

• Cover your cough/sneeze – with tissue or into your elbow to stop spread of germs.

• Stay home if you’re sick.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. (If you’re a health care professional who might have exposure through your work, you will follow CDC guidelines for hand hygiene and personal protective equipment.)

• Consult with your health care provider if you’re immune-compromised and wondering whether you should be around people.

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

• The CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a face mask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.

• Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in closed settings (at home or in a health care facility).