Read on Twitter
I’m often asked ”What can I do to help?” Here is a thread of things we can do as a community to help control this virus and accelerate our recovery.
Get a Covid vaccination when it is your time. This is one of the most important ways to protect you, your family, and your fellow Oklahomans. Register here to get your vaccine. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are safe and very effective. https://vaccinate.oklahoma.gov
Continue with personal responsibility( 3 W’s). Wear a mask, Watch your distance, and Wash your hands. http://Gotmaskok.org
Donate blood! You can save a life with your donation. Please donate to @okblood or @RedCrossOK You could also become a volunteer to assist others giving blood. https://obi.org/about-us/newsroom/oklahoma-blood-institute-urges-donations-amid-coronavirus-concerns/2280/?obi.org&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIq73Mia-U7gIVA5JbCh2ncwjWEAAYASAAEgJ5ZfD_BwE
Continue your routine/preventative medical and dental care. Don’t put things off. When you delay care, your medical/dental conditions worsen. If you need urgent or emergent care you can and should go to the Urgent care or Emergency room.
Take care of yourself mentally and emotionally. The social isolation and disruption to our normal life has impacted us all. Practice “self care” in addition to helping others. https://www.mhanational.org/taking-good-care-yourself
Protect yourself if you are caring for someone at home who has Covid. Here are some tips. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/treating-covid-19-at-home/art-20483273
Continue to support local restaurants/businesses by using delivery and curbside pick up. Or you can support restaurant nonprofits like this one. https://www.restaurantworkerscf.org
With our Oklahoma healthcare system so strained, try to eliminate activities that could put you in the ER. Motor vehicle accidents are at the top of the list. Obey speed limits, wear a seatbelt, be attentive, drive responsibly, don’t drink and drive. https://www.nationwide.com/lc/resources/auto-insurance/articles/driving-safety-tips
Falls are another common ER visit. It’s a bigger risk if you are older or take certain medications. Don’t walk on slippery/icy surfaces. Talk to your physician if you have had problems falling to come up with a plan to reduce your risk. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/in-depth/fall-prevention/art-20047358
Ladders are involved with falls at home. Use them safely. https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/how-to/a9631/dont-be-an-idiiot-how-to-use-any-kind-of-ladder-safely-16123359/
If you are sick with COVID-19 you need to isolate. If you have been in direct contact with someone who has Covid-19, you need to quarantine. https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/index.html
Consider volunteering for @OKMRC The Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corp needs healthcare workers and non-healthcare workers to help Oklahoma during difficult times. https://www.okmrc.org
Thank a healthcare worker or first responder. That simple act of appreciation goes a long ways toward lifting spirits. https://kfor.com/news/local/videos-of-gratitude-to-be-played-in-oklahoma-city-hospitals/
With the hard hitting impact Covid-19 has had on Oklahoma, food insecurity is a bigger problem. Consider these nonprofits. http://Hungerfreeok.org http://regionalfoodbank.org http://feedthechildren.org
Check on elderly friends and family. This social isolation has been really hard on them. Call, write, text, or FaceTime with them.
Make smart choices. Limit your travel to essential trips but enjoy outdoor activities if weather permits. Avoid crowded areas, especially indoors. Limit gathering sizes to 10 or less if you do get together https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html
Get your flu vaccination! Getting a flu vaccination protects you and will help keep more Oklahomans out of the hospital. Just remember not to get your flu vaccination 2 weeks prior to or two weeks after your Covid vaccination. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/flushot.htm
