This week we continue to see new cases of COVID in Haywood County (#18 and 19). The most recent case took 8 days from exposure to onset of symptoms. That’s why we want to emphasize wearing a mask in public, continuing the practice of social distancing, and frequent handwashing.
The Numbers:
5-7-20 | US | NC | Haywood | Buncombe | Cherokee | Clay | Henderson | Graham | Jackson | Macon | Madison | McDowell | Mitchell | Swain | Transylvania |
Cases | 1193813 | 13397 | 19 | 84 | 19 | 5 | 213 (179) | 2 | 20 | 3 | 1 | 28 | 5 | 4 | 7 |
Deaths | 70802 | 507 | - | 4 | 1 | - | 22 | - | 1 | 1 | - | 1 | - | - | - |
COVID-19 and Your Mental Well-Being: Everybody experiences anxiety and depression on occasion, but it seems as if many of us are feeling a bit frayed around the edges as the COVID-19 situation continues. The outbreak has brought on social isolation, health concerns, financial concerns, worry about loved ones, and conflict as people disagree with each other about all aspects of the outbreak. These are all major triggers for anxiety and stress, which can lead to problems with mental well-being, substance use, and suicidal thoughts. Take care of your emotional health as carefully as you have been taking care to wash your hands. Take steps to reduce stress and anxiety, get information from reliable sources, communicate with loved ones, and stay connected with support systems.
Professional help is also available and there is no shame in reaching out for assistance. This is particularly true if you are regularly experiencing any of the following: difficulty sleeping; uncontrollable worry; difficulty concentrating; feeling helpless, hopeless, overwhelmed or worthless; loss of energy; loss of interest in activities that normally bring joy; changes in appetite and unexplained physical issues like headaches or stomachaches; or thoughts of suicide à 1-800-273-TALK (8255). These emotions are normal to experience occasionally, but if they don’t go away, GET HELP. Take a look at the attached mental health resource documents for lots of tools and resources.
- Phase One “Re-Open: There is clearly some confusion about what happens tomorrow at 5 p.m. To be clear: things don’t “Go back to normal.” Our “New Normal” is months and months in the making. See the attached one-pager for a quick description of what Phase One means on Friday, May 8 at 5 p.m.
- Wear a Mask: Please wear a mask when you go out in public and make sure it covers your nose. Act as if everyone you encounter is a carrier of the disease. Phase One is NOT the time to let your guard down in protecting yourself and others from COVID-19.
- Haywood County Food Resources: Updated resource guide with Google map link embedded on the first page
- Thank a Nurse: This week is National Nurse week. Many nurses from all nursing disciplines are stepping up and responding to the most significant Public Health and medical crisis in a century. Take a moment to thank a nurse this week!
- Credible COVID-19 Sources: The most up to date information and guidance can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html [cdc.gov] and https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-response-north-carolina [ncdhhs.gov], and https://www.haywoodcountync.gov/684/Coronavirus-Covid-19-Information
- Please share this email!
