These are the latest directives from Governor Holcomb:

• Indiana will adhere to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for large events and mass gatherings. The guidance recommends no in-person events of more than 50 people. Here is a link to the guidance: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/large-events/mass-gatherings-ready-for-covid-19.html
• Under the current guidance for schools, 273 public school districts are closed, using e-learning days, or on spring break and have announced a future closure. The Department of Education is working with the remaining 16 school corporations to determine their next steps and needs.
• Bars, nightclubs and restaurants are required to close to in-person patrons and may provide take-out and delivery services through the end of March.
• Hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers should cancel and/or postpone elective and non-urgent surgical procedures immediately. This action will help the healthcare system conserve resources and personnel necessary to meet emerging health needs.
  • Physicians should continue to perform critical procedures necessary to prevent short-term and/or long-term adverse effects to their patients’ overall health
• The state’s Emergency Operations Center has been raised to a Level 1 status and will work in conjunction with the incident command center at the Indiana State Department of Health for planning, coordination, predictive analysis and other functions.
• State employees will maximize the use of remote work and meet virtually whenever possible while maintaining operations. Non-essential in-person meetings will be limited to 10 persons or less and should meet virtually whenever possible. High-risk individuals should not attend meetings in person.
• State employees over the age of 60 with underlying  health conditions are advised to work from home, and agencies should identify work that can be accomplished remotely for those individuals. The Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, which are closed on Mondays, will close to the public beginning Tuesday.
• The visitors center at White River State Park will close.
• Indiana state parks and recreation centers, including state park inns, remain open. Restaurants will convert operations to take-out and delivery.
• State agencies already are developing remote work plans for employees and will continue to implement them while maintaining necessary state services. Employees who work outdoors are encouraged to practice social distancing.
• The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) has suspended rules requiring certain unemployment insurance claimants to physically appear to continue their unemployment insurance eligibility
  • The DWD will also request flexibility under federal and state law to expand eligibility for claimants and ease burdens on employers.
• The Indiana Economic Development Corporation will postpone the inaugural Indiana Global Economic Summit, scheduled for April 26-28.
• Communities are encouraged to work together to provide child care options for all who need assistance and delivery services of meals and other necessities for senior citizens.
• Hoosiers who can donate blood are encouraged to visit local blood centers. Blood supplies are low. Please follow the guidance at http://www.redcross.org

More information may be found at the ISDH website at https://on.in.gov/COVID19 and the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Prescription? Don’t Get Frantic. Get Informed!

Everybody’s talking about it. What’s the latest news on the coronavirus and what can I do to stay safe?

Well, for starters you can watch this space for the latest news on the COVID-19 pandemic. Edgewater Health cares about the community and the people we serve, so in the interest of health and safety, we will present accurate information about the state of the health emergency, as well as practical guidance on preventive measures.

The Indiana Department of Health (ISDH) has issued the following guidelines for public gatherings as ordered by Governor Eric J. Holcomb:

• Non-essential gatherings of 250 people or more should be postponed or canceled. This includes any event or gathering of people who are in a single room or single space at the same time, such as an auditorium, cafeteria, church, stadium, arena, large conference room, or meeting hall. This would include gatherings such as concerts, conferences, social and community events.
• Smaller, non-essential gatherings held in venues which do not allow social distancing of six (6) feet per person should be postponed or canceled.
• If an event cannot be canceled or postponed, institute the following precautionary measures:
  • Use phones or video conferencing to reduce the number attending and the need for close interactions;
  • Stagger activities or add frequency of an event to spread out attendance;
  • Encourage those in a high-risk group to not attend the event;
  • Recommend that attendees stay home if they have a fever and/or respiratory symptoms;
  • Practice social distancing, such as adding distance between where individuals sit or stand around tables, and also limit the number of people in lines;
  • Avoid direct physical contact with others, such as hand-shaking, holding hands, and hugging;
  • Event organizers should
    • Explore alternative site design and set-up;
    • Prop doors open to avoid touching;
    • Increase ventilation within the facility;
    • Increase the number of hygiene stations;
    • Clean frequently touched surfaces, such as handrails and countertops, during the event.
  • For those who attend the event, recommend they take the following precautions to prevent possible transmission of the COVID-19 before, during, and after the event:
    • Wash hands often with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer;
    • Cough and sneeze into the elbow or into a tissue;
    • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

Certain activities are essential to the functioning of our state and must continue. The goal of these recommendations is to prevent people from being together unnecessarily where viruses can be easily spread to others. This guidance does not apply to essential activities or services. Hence, this guidance does not apply to the workplace, essential public transportation and travel, or shopping.

Additional Resources:

http://on.in.gov/COVID19

http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Skip the stigmas, and stick to the facts.

We’ve come a long way in the history of mental healthcare. Only 100 years ago, someone suffering from mental illness would be subjected to treatment that we would consider nothing short of barbaric. And while we’re miles away from Bedlam in terms of how we treat mental health patients, there remains progress to be made. “Mental health” as a term carries with it stigmas and misconceptions. Here are five of the most common—and unfortunately most persistent.

Because you already know it’s good for your health.

It’s common knowledge that exercise is good for you. It helps you maintain a healthy weight. It’s good for your heart. It’s good for your mind, too. We know all this and yet, some of us still can’t seem to get motivated. So instead of a traditional “exercise is good for you” blog, we’ve decided to list some not-so-obvious reasons to exercise.

Tips for preventing head pain

We get it: You have enough “headaches” in your life—you don’t need real ones! But what causes headaches and how can you avoid them? With a little planning, good habits, and fast acting, you can minimize headaches. We’ll show you how.

 What you need to know now

The bad news is that diabetes is on the rise among Americans. The good news is that there is something to be done about it. Edgewater Health wants you to know the facts about both Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes and learn how to stop Type 2 Diabetes before it starts.

Celebrate your heart this February

It’s hardly fair that arguably the most important part of us gets the shortest of celebratory months: February, Heart Health Month. But let’s make the most of these 28 days. Here are some ways to show your heart you care and help it stay in top shape all year long.

The living room looks bare without the Christmas tree. Relatives and friends have returned back home and to their normal routines. Cheerful decorations have been carefully stored for next year. The only remnant of the holidays is the stack of bills waiting to be paid.

Whether you’re decking the halls, spinning the dreidel, or lighting the kinara, this is a busy time of year for most families. While the holiday season is usually a joyous time, for some the hustle and bustle can lead to stress and anxiety also known as the “holiday blues.” When sadness feels like more than just the blues, pay close attention to your symptoms.