COVID-19 VISUAL STORIES

Table of Contents

What is the Coronavirus? ...................................................... 1

Why are People Worried about COVID-19? .....................2

Stopping the Virus ..................................................................3

Staying Apart from People ...................................................4

Quarantine ...............................................................................5

Washing Hands .......................................................................6

Keeping Things Clean ...........................................................7

Wearing Masks ........................................................................8

Changes in Daily Living .........................................................9

My Stress ..................................................................................9

Stress of Others ......................................................................9

Staying Calm and Happy ....................................................10

Staying Connected with People ....................................... 11

Staying Busy ..........................................................................12

Exercise ..................................................................................13

Changing Places ...................................................................14

1

What is the Coronavirus?Coronavirus is a sickness that can give people a fever, cough or shortness of breath. This Coronavirus is also called COVID-19. Some people with COVID-19 do not have any symptoms. Some take several days to get sick after they get the virus. Younger people usually recover from COVID-19 at home. Older people might need to go to the hospital in order to recover. If I have COVID-19, I might need to go to the hospital if my symptoms get really bad.

2

Why are People Worried about COVID-19?COVID-19 is very contagious. That means it can be easy to catch by being near someone who has it. If someone has the virus but is not sick yet, they can give it to other people without knowing! People are being encouraged to stay apart from each other, even if they feel okay, because they can still spread the virus.

While some people get the virus and recover at home, others can get much sicker, so we all need to help stop the spread of the virus.

3

Stopping the VirusThere are many ways to stop the virus from spreading.

1. Staying a few feet away from other people

2. Washing my hands well and often

3. Covering my nose if I sneeze

4. Covering my mouth if I cough

5. Wiping down things that I touch often, like the phone

4

Staying Apart from PeopleStaying apart from other people is also called ‘social distancing’. The virus can spread through people breathing on each other, so keeping a distance of 5 or 6 feet apart is important.

Many schools and work places have closed to help people stay apart from each other and slow the spread of the virus.

If I have to go to the store, I will stand 6 feet away from other people.

5

QuarantineA quarantine is when people who have the virus, or may have been near the virus, separate themselves from everyone else until they are sure they are not sick and cannot spread the virus to other people. This is important for everyone to stay safe! If I am near the virus or get sick, I may need to be in quarantine.

6

Washing HandsWashing hands is important to stop the virus from spreading.

It is important to use soap and water to wash my hands for at least 20 seconds. I will also want to make sure that I wash every part of my hands, including my thumbs and between my fingers.

I can also use hand sanitizer if soap and a sink are not available. Everyone should be washing their hands more often and for 20 seconds every time. I will wash my hands more often to help stop the virus from spreading!

Some people are wearing gloves when they go out but they still need to wash their hands when they take the gloves off!

7

Keeping Things CleanI should wipe down things that I touch often like a phone, TV remote, doorknobs, and faucets. If someone touches these with the virus on their hands, other people might get it when they touch them. Keeping things clean helps keep people safe!

8

Wearing MasksSome people are wearing masks to help prevent the spread of the virus. I can wear a mask if I have one. If there aren’t enough masks, people are making sure that medical professionals have them so they can help very sick people.

Changes in Daily LivingHaving a routine can help keep me calm. COVID-19 may affect my schedule. Everything might change from the places I go to the people I see every day. Change can be stressful! I can cope with stress in a few ways.

9

My StressIt can be normal to feel stressed when things are changing. Understanding that I am stressed can help me find ways to cope in a way that is safe for me and the people around me. Understanding my feelings can help me cope! I may not be able to control some of the changes that are happening but I can work on how I cope! When I get very upset, I can stop and take some deep breaths to calm down. I can also tell someone about my feelings. Sharing feelings can make it easier to cope!

Stress of OthersEveryone can get stressed! I can understand that the other people around me might also be stressed. If they act in a way that makes me upset, understanding their feelings can help me be patient with them.

10

Staying Calm and HappyWhen I get stressed, there are many things I can do to calm down.

Taking some deep breaths can help me calm down. Making a list of things that I am thankful for can also help.

I can also talk to someone, like my Mom and Dad, about my problems and fears.

Stress can go down when I focus on the next few minutes and not the future.

Eating healthy foods and exercising can also help.

11

Staying Connected with PeopleI may not be able to do my normal activities but I can find other things to do. I might be able to use a computer, phone or tablet to see some of my friends, family and other people who I normally see in person. I might be able to make a new schedule by interacting with people this way. It can be helpful to stay connected with others!

12

Staying BusyI may not be able to do my usual activities the way I normally do them, but I can still stay busy. I can do activities on the computer, tablet, or phone with people I know. I can also learn or work this way! I can do my hobbies, find new things to do online, and do things around the house. Museums have a lot of tours where I can see things on my computer, tablet or phone without leaving my home. I can do the things at home that I love to do the most.

13

ExerciseIt is important that I find a way to continue to exercise. Exercise can help me feel calm and happy. I can exercise on my own or do an exercise program with someone on my computer, phone or tablet. I may not be able to go to a gym but I can take a walk or jog. I will avoid crowds by staying 6 feet apart from other people. When I come back inside, I will wash my hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

14

Changing PlacesMaking sure my new routine involves different rooms in my house, or going outdoors can help keep me from getting bored. When I switch activities, rooms, or come in from outside, I will wash my hands for 20 seconds to keep my space free of the virus.

CS 20-1611