**If you are outside of BC, please refer to your own Provincial or State guidelines.
Learning about Covid 19 (also called The Corona Virus)
What is it? Covid 19 is a new virus that is affecting people all over the world (this is called a pandemic). The virus is passed from person to person by germs, so its important to keep ourselves safe. This means washing our hands well, keeping a safe distance from others, and might mean wearing a mask in public or even staying at home.
Check out this super informative video on Covid19!
…because the virus can spread from touching things and from our mouths when we sneeze or cough, it’s important to:
Wash your hands often!
You should wash after going to the bathroom, touching things in public and before and after eating. Hand sanitizer works in a pinch but good ol’fashioned handwashing is best!
Keep your distance!
Remember to give lots of space. Since Covid19 can spread from coughs and sneezes, we should try to stay 6 feet away from people, especially in public places!
Stay home if sick!
Covid19 can look and feel like other sicknesses so it SUPER important to stay home if you feel an illness coming on. When you stay home you help keep other people safe!
Here’s a cool video that explains how germs spread from person to person. It can be a bit gross seeing how germs pass from person to person, but there’s no reason to feel scared or anxious about it! Knowing how germs spread helps us to understand why it SO important we do the things above to keep ourselves and others safe and healthy!
Why do people wear masks??
Some places have made wearing masks mandatory now – that means that you have to wear a mask to go inside. Some cities and provinces have even made it mandatory to wear masks in public places (like at malls, in stores, on the buses… and where you’re around strangers!).
It’s important to remember that masks are just a part of the solution though, and even when wearing makes we need to practice all of the other safety things like social distancing and frequent hand washing!
IMPORTANT: If you need to or choose to wear a mask, it’s super important that you wear it properly and follow these guidelines to make sure that it’s actually helping.
Check out this video from WHO with great tips on how to wear one safely.
Covid 19 and Mental Health
Covid19 has caused a lot of things to change really quickly! It’s incredibly normal to feel weird or upset about these changes or to feel anxious about the virus. Change is hard, and can feel scary. It’s important to know that it’s okay to have these feelings and that you are NOT alone. Lots of people are feeling these things right now. Luckily, there are some things we can do to help keep us feeling better during this time!
It’s important to pay attention your mental health! If you’re feeling gross and down, you can talk to someone you trust. You can also explore our Mental Health page where you can learn more about what mental health is and new skills to help you cope.
If things are feeling really hard, it’s a good idea to talk to someone you trust. You can also try out The Government of Canada’s special Covid 19 Mental Health Check, where they offer resources and support. We also have lots of other resources for you in our Mental Health Resources section, where you can find websites and phone-lines that will help you in a crisis.
Check out our webinar with Dr. Comeau back in December when we discussed how we are feeling during the pandemic and how to support ourselves and others with coping strategies.
The most important thing to remember:
You are not alone, and things will get better!
*Important Online Resources*
Below we’ve put together some important online websites for you to access easily to get trusted information on Covid 19 news, safety, disability services during the pandemic and more.
- Self Assessment – if you’re worried you might be sick, this assessment from the BC Health will help you know if you should seek help
- The Health Canada website has more information to teach you about Covid19 and how to keep safe
- CLBL keeps you and Caregivers across B.C. up to date with new developments about disability program supports being affected by Covid 19 in their weekly updates
- The Government of Canada has financial support for some people affected by Covid 19’s impact on society. People with disabilities may be able to get a one time payment of $600, while some people who lots their jobs may be entitled to lost income support, called CERB. These financial websites can be a bit confusing, so if you need help figuring out if you’re entitled to something, check with your caregiver!
Easy to Read info and Printables!
These are great easy to understand social stories and information posters that you can print out to help you or a loved one to remember important ways to stay safe and healthy during Covid 19:
COVID-19 Information By and For People with Disabilities – Created by the Green Mountain Self Advocates
Self-advocate COVID-19 guide and workbook – Created by Opening Doors Uk
Help reduce the spread of COVID-19 – Poster created by Health Canada
Coping with stress during the 2019-nCoV outbreak – created by the World Health Organization
Click here to share any new ideas you’d love to see on this page!
