COVID-19 BASICS: HOW TO HELP CURB THE SPREAD OF THE DISEASE AND WHERE TO GO FOR HELP AND INFORMATION DURING OUTBREAK
COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus. The severity of the illness can range from mild to serious and even fatal.
Local and state officials, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have said you should wash your hands frequently and practice social distancing to help slow the spread of the virus. That means maintaining at least 6 feet of space between individuals outside of the home.
Everyone who can stay home should except to go out for essential needs such as groceries and medication.
Anyone who develops symptoms of COVID-19 — including a dry cough, fever or shortness of breath — should call their primary care doctor.
If you don’t have a doctor, you should not go to an emergency room without first calling the hospital. ER personnel must be prepared in advance for patients to prevent the spread of the virus.
The Kentucky hotline for more information is 1-800-722-5725.
The state has a COVID-19 website with information about the number of confirmed cases in each county, best health practices, how to apply for benefits, a list of executive orders that restrict public gatherings and more.
The CDC has a COVID-19 website.
The number to call if you want to report non-compliance with Kentucky state orders that you’ve seen in the community is 1-833-KYSAFER. You can also report non-compliance online.
Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. Brown was a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era, where she worked for 30 years. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board past president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition. She serves on the Hopkinsville History Foundation's board.
