Florida Governor Rick DeSantis issued an executive stay at home order for the next 30 days on Wednesday April 1st. The statewide order went into effect at 12:01 am on Friday April 3rd. Residents will still be able to travel for groceries and essentials.
This is a difficult time for all of us, but we believe Florida can handle these times of crisis as we always do.
It is important to educate yourself on how the virus works and does not work! Therefore, we can all take the necessary precautions until the threat has passed. Here at Halo Home Watch, we have implemented several policies until the executive order is lifted. We are disinfecting our hands upon entering and exiting any client property, disinfecting all touched surfaces (door handles, circuit breakers, ACs, faucets, etc.) and wearing new booties for each visit.
We have compiled some great resources by the CDC about the signs, symptoms, spread, and best practices we can all follow to slow the spread of COVID-19 and keep our loved ones safe.
The CDC has made some great graphics to identify signs of infection and its level of seriousness.
COVID-19 is more infectious than influenza, commonly known as the flu. COVID-19 spreads through respiratory droplets produced when someone infected coughs, sneezes, or talks in the direction of another person in close proximity. Further, these droplets can carry an intact virus for up to 72 hours. Therefore, as we will discuss below, there are several tips and best practices you can implement.
Avoid public places if possible. Limit your exposure as much as you can. This is especially true if you are higher risk (over 65 years old, immunocompromised, etc.). If you are in the higher risk category try to get someone of lower risk to complete your essential travel like groceries if possible. If you cannot find someone to go in your stead check your local store to see if there are special times reserved for citizens at higher risk. Otherwise, the best time to go is early in the morning or right before closing to avoid the most people.
Stay at least 6 feet or about two arm’s length away from others while in public. Stay connected with friends, loved ones, and coworkers via video, text, and phone calls.
Wash your hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds. If soap and water is not available use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Remember COVID-19 spreads through droplets so always wash your hands after coughing, sneezing, and/or blowing your nose.
Also, it is good practice to wash your hands whenever you come home from a public place. Avoid touching/contact with your eyes, nose, and mouth before washing your hands. COVID-19 enters the body through oral pathways!
An important practice is to disinfect surfaces you may touch in public. Whenever you go out in public make sure to bring disinfectant such as hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, etc. Use them on commonly touched surfaces such as gas pumps, credit card keypads, shopping carts, and doorways.
Even in your home make sure to clean and disinfect frequently used items. This may include nightstands, remote controls, tables, doorknobs, phones, and bathroom fixtures. Follow the CDC Guidelines for Cleaning and Disinfection for Households
As of Sunday April 5th, Collier County has a total of 221 cases with patients age ranging from 6-94 years old.
Lee County has a total of 329 cases with patients age ranging from 10-100 years old.
With so many cases so close to home it proves even more critical to follow the best practices to slow the spread of this virus.
For more information and the latest outbreak data visit Florida Health
View the Florida Health Resource Toolkit Here
View the Florida’s COVID-19 Data and Surveillance Dashboard Here
We will continue updating this blog with the latest information about Florida and COVID-19 as it comes in.