In general:

1. Wash your hands, arms, and face often.
2. Remain quarantined, unless you are headed to your medical appointments or the grocery store.
3. Keep hydrated and don’t forget to eat your vegetables. If you were to become infected, having a healthy baseline immune system will get you far.
4. Continue all prescription medications. Now is not the time to have uncontrolled blood pressure, a glucose level through the roof, or a crazy thyroid.

How to wear a surgical mask properly:

1. The colored side goes on the outside.
2. Stretch out the mask such that it’s covering your nose, mouth, and chin.
3. Pinch the nose of the mask so it hugs your nose, minimizing droplets from getting in and out.
4. Lastly, the mask itself is not enough. You should be wearing a plastic face shield to cover your entire face. If that’s not available, wear some glasses to cover your eyes and please stay more than 6 feet away from other people.

How to wear an N95 mask properly:

1. These masks are supposed to be properly fitted by certified specialists.
2. If you have one but haven’t been fitted, make sure it fully covers your nose, mouth, and chin.
3. Add a plastic face shield if possible. If not, add some glasses to cover your eyes and please stay more than 6 feet away from other people.

If you think you are sick:

1. Stay quarantined away from other people and pets.
2. If you have a fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, call your primary care doctor and let them know you’re on your way with a fever, cough, sore throat, and shortness of breath (the symptoms of COVID-19) so they can prepare for your arrival.
3. If you don’t have a primary care provider, go to the health department. Again, call ahead so they can prepare for your arrival.
4. If you do NOT have a fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, STAY PUT. Stay hydrated and get plenty of rest.
5. If you don’t have a thermometer, go to your primary care provider or the health department if you are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19.

When to go to the emergency department or call 911:

1. If your fever is greater than 103 degrees Fahrenheit after taking Motrin/Tylenol. Although this is not a hard set rule, this is my general rule as a primary care provider because I worry about dehydration, the need for proper COVID19 testing, and close monitoring.
2. If you have an underlying lung disease (COPD, Asthma, Sarcoidosis, Interstitial Lung Disease, etc) and your shortness of breath is much worse than normal. You may need oxygen, a chest x-ray or chest CT, etc. Call 911.
3. If you have chest pain, trouble breathing, difficulty walking or getting up, or don’t feel safe traveling to the hospital on your own, please call 911.
4. If you’re unsure as to what to do, call your primary care provider and they can triage you over the phone. If you can’t get through to them, call 911 and they’ll triage you when they arrive.
5. My general rule is that if you don’t feel well, JUST CALL SOMEONE so you can get help.

Lastly:

1. Pray
2. Pray
3. Pray
4. Pray for those infected and for those who are putting their lives at risk around the infected.

Because without prayer, the only thing that remains is panic. But if we pray, the power that comes from God replaces the panic and provides strength not only to the one who is praying but also for the people they are praying for.

And if you don’t know how to pray, I’ll help you. All you have to do is start with, “God, I don’t know how to pray, what to say, or what to do. But I know you’re listening. So let me just talk to you for a few seconds and ask for your help.” Then tell him how you feel and what you need. You’ll be amazed at how you feel afterwards and how quickly your prayers are answered.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NLT.