COVID -19 SYMPTOMS AND SUPPORT
DURING A GLOBAL PANDEMIC
A global pandemic is a very serious, and very scary event. It is important that
we not only consider our own physical and mental health, but the health of everyone in our communities.
Do I have COVID-19?
Someone infected with COVID-19 may have little to no symptoms. You may not know you have symptoms of COVID-19 because they are similar to a cold or flu. You may carry the virus, not experience symptoms, and be contagious.
Symptoms may include:
• Fever
• Difficulty breathing
• Pneumonia in both lungs
• Difficulty smelling or tasting
Symptoms may take up to 14 days to appear after exposure to COVID-19. This is the longest known incubation period for this disease.
Recent evidence indicates that the virus can be transmitted to others from someone who is infected but not showing symptoms.
While experts know that these kinds of transmissions are happening among those in close contact or in close physical settings, it is not known to what extent. This means it is extremely important to follow the proven preventative measures (see below).
Think you might have COVID-19?
In Ontario Canada if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19
Contact your primary care provider or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000
Assessment Centres are Province Wide
Call 911 if your symptoms are severe and it is an emergency.
How to prevent catching AND spreading COVID-19:
There is a difference between advice to self-isolate and advice to isolate.
These measures are in place to protect the health and safety of Canadians.
Quarantine (self-isolate)
Quarantine for 14 days if you have no symptoms and any of the following apply:
- You are returning from travel outside of Canada (mandatory quarantine)
- You had close contact with someone who has or is suspected to have COVID-19
- You have been told by the public health authority that you may have been exposed and need to quarantine
Isolate
You must isolate if any of the following apply:
- you have been diagnosed with COVID-19, or are waiting to hear the results of a lab test result
- you have symptoms of COVID-19
- you have been in contact with a suspected, probable or confirmed case of COVID-19
- you have been told by public health that you may have been exposed to COVID-19
- you have returned from travel outside Canada with symptoms of COVID-19 (mandatory)
How to Prevent the spread of COVID-19
Is It safe to go outside with COVID-19?
Stay at home as much as possible. Everyone should be practising physical (social) distancing. Even if you do not have symptoms of COVID-19, you could become infected by others or infect others.
Check with your local Public Health for Guidelines as they do change as we learn about the virus:
• Avoid all non-essential trips in your community
• Do not gather in groups, or visit or accept visitors who do not reside in your home
• Limit contact with people at higher risk, such as older adults and those in poor health
• Go outside to exercise but stay close to home
• If you leave your home, always keep a distance of at least 2 metres (8 feet)
• Household contacts (people you live with) do not need to distance from each other unless they are sick or have travelled in the last 14 days
You can go for a walk if you:
• Local regulations permit you to do so
• Have not been diagnosed with COVID-19
• Do not have symptoms of COVID-19
• Have not travelled outside of Canada in the past 14 days
• Are not in quarantine (self-isolating)
• Are not isolating
If you go out for a walk, do not congregate and always practise physical (social) distancing by keeping at least 2 metres apart from others at all times!
How long does COVID-19 last on surfaces?
It is believed the virus cannot live past 3 days on any surface.
Hygiene is the key to staying safe. The virus can be killed with soap and water, 70% alcohol or bleach. Wash your hands often and every time you come in from outside or touch products you have brought or worn outside. Always wash your hands thoroughly and at least for 20 seconds. Regular use of sanitizer is also helpful.
How to wash COVID-19 off your hands:
Mental Health And COVID-19
TheAnxiety.Clinic can provide online therapy and support. (We do not accept OHIP although your personal or work medical insurance may cover our fees. Please check to ensure your policy covers ‘psychotherapy’.)
You can book an appointment with me online, right now, without a doctor’s referral:
• Fear of becoming ill or infected with COVID-19, or infecting others
• A sense of being socially excluded or judged by others
• Fear of being separated from loved ones due to isolation or physical distancing
• Feelings of helplessness, boredom, loneliness and depression as a result of isolation or physical distancing
• Fear of losing your job or not being able to work and struggling financially
• Concern about your children’s education and wellbeing
• Grief, for the losses we sustain in our personal and professional lives. Even grief over the loss of ‘normal.’
How to manage anxiety during COVID-19
• Practice physical distancing, but stay connected. Talk to friends or family about your feelings and concerns through email, phone calls, video chats and social media platforms
• Practice mindfulness. Take deep breaths, stretch or meditate
• Try to eat healthy meals, exercise regularly, and get plenty of sleep
• Consider how to take advantage of any unexpected flexibility in your daily routine
• Focus on the positive aspects of your life and things you can control
• Be kind and compassionate to yourself and others
Book an appointment with your therapist or with me now…stay on top of your mental health for
your own sake and so you can best support those around you!
COVID-19 and Alcohol and Drugs (Substance Abuse)
Stress and anxiety may be increased during a pandemic, and all the stuff that goes with that can be triggering for many people trying to stay sober.
If you are at all concerned about your use, call for help now! Your doctor, family, friend, sponsor or book an appointment with me as soon as possible.
If you want an emergency appointment call me now.
You can reach me directly at 1-800-699-3396.
If you have been working any program for any time, you already know substances seduce you into believing they are an answer, when in fact they always make the problem worse.
If you can, minimize substance use. (If you do use substances, practice safer use and good hygiene.) If you are sober or struggling with addiction, connect with one of the thousands of online meetings through AA, NA, SOS and FaceBook groups.
• For Toronto Area AA Online meetings CLICK HERE
• For NA Online meetings CLICK HERE
• Non-AA online communities you might want to check out, CLICK HERE
You can book right now and online without a doctor’s referral here:
If you are in a crisis or are seeking other resources, you can contact:
Kids Help Phone
1-800-668-6868 or
Text CONNECT to 686868
Available to young Canadians between 5 to 29 years old who are seeking 24-hour confidential and anonymous care with professional counsellors.
Download the Always There app for additional support.
Hope for Wellness Help Line
Call the toll-free Help Line at 1-855-242-3310 or connect to the online chat.
Available to all Indigenous peoples across Canada who are seeking immediate crisis intervention.
Experienced and culturally competent Help Line counsellors can help if you want to talk or are distressed.
Telephone and online counselling are available in English and French. On request, telephone counselling is also available in Cree, Ojibway and Inuktitut.
Crisis Services Canada
1-833-456-4566
Available to all Canadians seeking support. Visit Crisis Services Canada for the distress centres and crisis organizations nearest you.
Much of this information has been derived from https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html
For more current and detail information please visit this site.