EPIDEMIOLOGY
Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. The latest and most up-to-date sources of stats and information on COVID-19: here.
Worldometers, a live world statistics site, has good graphics showing up-to-date epidemiological statistics on COVID-19: here.
CDC’s Health Alert Network (HAN) is CDC’s primary method of sharing cleared information about urgent public health incidents with public information officers; federal, state, territorial, tribal, and local public health practitioners; clinicians; and public health laboratories: here.
DASHBOARDS/ CLEARINGHOUSES/STATISTICS FOCUSED
Worldometers has good graphics showing up to date epidemiological statistics on COVID-19: here.
The Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress: Many, many helpful articles and links via this page: COVID-19 PANDEMIC RESPONSE RESOURCES
World Health Organization: Latest live health updates and links to Your Questions Answered
TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF
The Mental Health Foundation: Looking after your mental health during the Coronavirus outbreak (from The Mental Health Foundation, UK).
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): article about preventing getting sick.
American Psychiatric Association: Coronavirus & mental health: taking care of self in infectious disease outbreaks.
The Conversation: Independent, nonprofit, global network of newsrooms first launched in Australia in 2011, with US operations in beginning in 2014: Science-based strategies to cope with coronavirus anxiety
National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) is a nation- & state-wide organization providing advocacy, education, support and public awareness for individuals & families:
In The Rooms Foundation: The recovery-focused organization In The Rooms addresses online support and provides a meeting directory.
TAKING CARE OF YOUR FAMILY
Talking to your children about the Coronavirus pandemic (from The Mental Health Foundation, UK): here.
Coping Techniques for Children, from Harvard Health: here.
Helping Children Cope with Isolation and Social Distancing, from the LA Times: here.
The Child Mind Institute has published a resource on how to talk to young people about COVID-19: here.
Some sites (among many) on safe order-out and pick-up and delivery of food:
- Delish: Is food delivery & takeout safe?
- CBC News Canada: Is it safe to eat takeout & delivery food?
Preventing relationship meltdowns: Time Magazine has an article with eleven tips, by marital therapists, to save your relationship from the downsides of sheltering with a partner.
EMPLOYEE STRESS
Quizzify, a workplace health website created by our iHope friend, Al Lewis, is a fun way to test your knowledge and learn useful facts about coronavirus.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
American Psychiatric Association: An organization of psychiatrists working to ensure humane care and effective treatment for all persons with mental illness with information for medical professionals, families and patients. Their blog on the outbreak is here.
American Psychological Association gives an overview of pandemic resources available for managers, older adults, students, faculty, as well as research on COVID-19.
FOR PEOPLE WITH THE VIRUS
The CDC has steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 if you are sick. They also describe coping and self-management response.
National Geographic has a review of the underlying factors for coronavirus.
STRESS AND COPING
News of a widespread public health emergency like COVID-19 can cause feelings of uncertainty and anxiety. It is completely expected and appropriate to experience fear during situations like these. It is also important to know how to manage overwhelming anxiety and keep perspective as the situation unfolds. Here are some resources and tips that may be helpful.
The CDC has an article outlining stress management and anxiety among populations including parents, providers and people recovering from COVID-19.
HEALTH AND FITNESS
Exercise is proven to be effective for reducing depression and anxiety. It is an excellent stress management tool. If gyms are closed, there are lots of apps and videos on YouTube where you can get some training suggestions and even track your exercise program.
YMCA Health and Fitness Videos are available throughout the pandemic response period.
Fitness Blender offers free, at-home workouts of different types, durations and fitness levels, with varied and no equipment needs.
The Daily Burn 365 is a fee-based individual and group work-out site, with a 60-day free trial period.
Walk at Home has series of workouts offered on You Tube.
SLEEP
Adequate and good quality sleep is vital to good health. The immune system recharges itself during sleep, like plugging in your phone overnight. Anxiety, depression, stress, caffeine and alcohol and even some medications can interfere with sleep.
The most effective treatment for sleep problems or insomnia is cognitive behavior therapy (CBT-I). There are many online self-guided programs and smartphone apps that can help you improve your sleep. You can find them using Google to search for treatment of insomnia.
We have a helpful article on sleep by Dr Steven Locke on this website.
Mayo Clinic has good information on sleep problems.
Or seek the help of a behavioral health specialist who is experienced with the treatment of sleep disorders using CBT-I.
STUDENTS
Many students across the nation are dealing with sudden changes to their regular schedules and most had to quickly leave their campuses and face school closures without contingency plans yet in place. These developments have been stressful. At the same time, families and school leaders are working to provide the necessary support to their loved ones and students. Many students have had to go back home and live with their parents and that can be stressful in its own way, for parents and the students.
American College Health Association created a guide to help college health staff and campus administrators address COVID-19 on campus. A response to COVID-19 should be a priority for campuses and a part of a larger plan for control of infectious diseases in college settings. This document serves as a supplement to the guidelines available through the CDC and WHO and as a companion document to ACHA’s Emergency Planning Guidelines for Campus Health Services: An All Hazards Approach.
FORBES magazine has an article on maximizing opportunity for self-study to advance.
Hope4College: this organization has articles for people supporting college students during the pandemic.
PROFESSIONAL AND SELF-CARE RESOURCES
Anxiety and Depression Association of America has a two-part series on a Compassionate Guide to Anxiety in the pandemic. Part 1, Understanding Why We are So Anxious Right Now, and Part 2, Managing Your Anxiety.
Psychologist Jelena Kecmanovic provides some science-based strategies and tips for coping with COVID-19 anxiety.
JED Foundation: JED Foundation’s self-care experts have recommendations for practicing good self-care. (The JED Foundation was set up in 1998 by Donna and Phil Satow, after they lost their youngest son, Jed, to suicide.)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Text “START” to 741-741 to reach the Crisis Text Line.
Headspace is a mindfulness focused site offering services to improve mental, emotional, and social health. It is offering services for free through 2020 to healthcare providers with NPI numbers.
Ten Percent Happier offers training on meditation and mindfulness, with a free daily stress relief webinar at 3 pm EDT with leading experts in meditation and mindfulness.
SENIOR CARE
Most people 50 or older have embraced technology. Over 91 percent have used computers. Among the 55 and up group, 75 percent have smartphones. This is a group that embraces technology. Ninety percent of them use it for communication, such as texts and email. But, like every other generation, they surf the web, make purchases, and read the news. They use it for social media and banking and three out of four are on social media. Public health must make use of the internet for pandemic prevention and response.
AARP has COVD-19 online information directed at seniors.
Eldercare has resources, or call 1-800-677-1116.
FINANCIAL
CNBC Making It offers news about how to cope with financial stress and anxiety during the coronavirus pandemic.
HUMOR
Bored Panda has coronavirus jokes, and a section just for children’s views on life (“I love the sound of nobody talking”).
Forbes has a review of some recent scenes from late-night shows hosting from home.
Jimmy Fallon is YouTubing his show from home.
Wall Street Journal article reviews balcony and back yard singing, music and exercise to relieve COVID-19 stress.
