Good day Families at 22 Wing,
As part of the 22 Wing Defence Team, this letter is to provide you, our team at home, with information related to the Coronavirus -19, also known as COVID-19, as it affects 22 Wing.
Every hour it seems there is new information being reported on the spread of COVID-19. Even though the World Health Organization has declared COVID-19 a pandemic because the virus is wide-spread throughout the world; education and preventative measures are still our best defence against the spread of the virus. Wash your hands often and thoroughly in warm, soapy water or use hand sanitizer. Cough and sneeze in your arm, not your hand. Keep common surfaces clean and disinfected. Get your rest, drink lots of water and maintain a healthy diet.
What are the symptoms?
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and dry cough. Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don’t feel unwell. Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing special treatment. Around 1 out of every 6 people who gets COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and develops difficulty breathing. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness. About 2% of people with the disease have died. People with fever, cough and difficulty breathing should seek medical attention.
How does COVID-19 spread?
People can catch COVID-19 from others who have the virus. The disease can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales. These droplets land on objects and surfaces around the person. Other people then catch COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. People can also catch COVID-19 if they breathe in droplets from a person with COVID-19 who coughs out or exhales droplets. This is why it is important to stay more than 1 meter (3 feet) away from a person who is sick
The Government of Canada has advised travel health notices to the following countries:
- China
- Hong Kong
- Iran
- Japan
- Northern Italy
- Singapore
- South Korea
What does this mean to your family? If you are planning a family trip to any of the seven countries on the travel health notice, we ask that you please plan a trip to another location. Or, better yet, plan a “Stay-cation!”
How to avoid spreading COVID-19:
- washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds;
- avoiding touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands;
- avoiding close contact with people who are sick;
- coughing or sneezing into sleeves and not hands; and
- staying home if sick to avoid spreading illness to others.
Information is one our best defences against the spread of COVID-19. I encourage all of you to visit:
Government of Canada 2019 coronavirus Outbreak Update
Government of Canada Travel Notice
If you are taking care of a sick family member or workmate:
- protect yourself and others;
- allow the ill person to rest away from others;
- treat the fever and cough;
- give lots of fluids, nutritious foods and provide a smoke-free environment;
- keep the sick person’s things separate from others; and
- be alert for complications.
Together, as a team, we can limit the spread of COVID-19.
If you have questions about any restrictions placed upon military members, please contact Tessa Clermont, Executive Director of the North Bay Military Family Resource Centre, at 705-494-2011 ext 2057 or at tessa.clermont@forces.gc.ca, or ask your military partner to contact the chain of command.
Sincerely,
Mark
Colonel Mark Lachapelle
Commander, 22 Wing North Bay
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