COVID-19 Door Poster
Those living with lung disease or lung cancer are at higher risk of contracting a severe case of COVID-19. This poster, to be placed at…
View moreCOVID-19 spreads from person to person through droplet transmission. Droplets are small pieces of saliva which are produced when a person coughs or sneezes. Droplets usually travel no further than one metre through the air. You can become infected if:
Droplets cannot go through skin and can only lead to infection if they touch your mouth, nose or eyes.
Type | Features and Recommendations |
---|---|
P2 or N95 masks |
It is not recommended that members of the public use P2 or N95 masks to reduce spread of viruses. The one-way valve is less effective at filtering the air you breath out meaning viruses may be transmitted to others in proximity. Rigid design may make this mask more difficult to remove hygienically. If not removed carefully, you may spread contaminants on the surface of the mask to your face or hands. |
Store-bought disposable facemasks |
Endorsed by the World Health Organisation. Also know as surgical masks. Provides 3 layers of synthetic non-woven materials which provide protection to the person donning the facemask and others in proximity. Easier to place and remove from the face hygienically. |
Fabric facemask |
If worn, fabric facemasks should have an inner layer of absorbent material (eg. cotton), a middle layer of non-woven material (eg. polypropylene) and an outer layer of non-absorbent material (eg. polyester). Not all fabric facemasks have 3 layers of fabric or use appropriate materials to filter air in and out of the mask. Fabric facemasks should be washed daily and stored in a sealable plastic bag when not worn. |
Face covers |
Face covers refer to wardrobe items (e.g. bandanas, scarfs) that may be fashioned into a face cover. However, these types of items are not considered as effective personal protective equipment. Consult your treating healthcare team before using a face cover to prevent the spread of coronavirus. |
If you live with a chronic cough or have developed a cough due to being unwell, your coughing will likely make the inside of your mask moist. Replace your mask as soon as it becomes moist as the mask is now less effective.
Surgical masks are designed as single-use, disposable products. Even if the mask looks clean, do not wear a surgical mask more than once. Dispose of the mask in the bin and wash your hands thoroughly.
Fabric facemasks can be worn more than once but need to be washed daily. Wash fabric facemasks in hot, soapy water as soon as possible. Store your facemask in a sealable plastic bag when not wearing.
If you are living in an area which is experiencing community transmission of COVID-19 the best precaution is to stay at home. To assist with this, utilise food and pharmaceutical delivery services. Stay in contact with your treating healthcare team during this time by organising telehealth appointments.
If you need to leave your home for an essential activity, plan your travel and activity ahead of time to reduce your time out of the home. For example, if you are going to the supermarket, write a grocery list before you leave home.
If you must attend an essential activity, such as a face-to-face doctor’s appointment, call ahead to ensure proper safety precautions are being taken. Speak with reception about your condition and discuss what precautions you should take if you are not wearing a mask.
Now is the time to call on your close community to assist you with essential activities such as grocery shopping. Have a plan in place to protect yourself when family and friend’s deliver items. Download our COVID-19 door poster to notify visitors of your condition and the extra precaution they should take around you, available here.
Investigate additional community-based support services such as volunteer programs, which can assist you with shopping and other daily tasks. If you need further information or support about your condition, and information on how to stay safe during COVID-19, call us on 1800 654 301 (option 3).
If people need to visit your home, ask them to wash their hands thoroughly on arriving, maintain physical distance from you and avoid touching anything unnecessarily. We’ve developed a poster that you can hang on your front door as a reminder to anyone who might be entering your home.
Health experts have recommended a series of practical steps for maintaining good hygiene at home to reduce the chance of the virus entering your home. These include:
There is a lot of inaccurate information available about which products you should be using to clean your home. Cleaning and disinfecting is advised to help limit the spread of the virus and most everyday cleaning products will be suitable for thorough cleaning, but to kill the virus, a disinfectant is needed.
Firstly, clean surfaces using a detergent and water and unsure you scrub diligently to remove dirt, grime and dust. Then, apply disinfectant to kill the virus, again scrubbing diligently. For the disinfectant to be as effective as possible, make sure it has contact with the surface for at least 5-10 minutes. Use a bleach-based solution or an alcohol-based solution with at least 70% alcohol. The Australian Department of Health says you should use a disinfectant that claims “antiviral activity” – meaning it can kill a virus, for example, chlorine-based disinfectants.
It is important to note that natural cleaning products (e.g. vinegar) are not as effective as commercial cleaners and disinfectants. Most natural or “eco-cleaners” are unlikely to kill the virus. Be careful not to mix different cleaning products, as this can create dangerous solutions that are likely to be ineffective. Ensure you thoroughly wash any cloths you used to clean, and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water afterwards.
One way to slow the spread of viruses is social distancing. Social distancing (or physical distancing) refers to creating physical space between yourself and others. It’s currently advised that people maintain 1.5 metres distance between each other. The more space between you and others, the harder it is for viruses to spread. As states and territories ease restrictions around Australia, it is still important that everyone continues to practice social distancing.
To stay up to date with the latest announcements and for other resources, download the Australian Government Coronavirus App – available through the Apple apps store and Google Play.
How to maintain social distancing
Even though restrictions are easing, you may wish to exercise caution and continue to stay at home as much as possible, especially with the winter months upon us. There are many ways you can continue to stay in touch with family and friends:
If you need to talk to someone urgently, Lifeline provides 24-hour crisis telephone counselling on 13 11 14.
We understand this is a difficult time for everyone which is only made harder by not being able to spend time with those closest to you. We have created a suite of information and resources to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing during this time.
Before accepting visitors to your home, you should check the restrictions on the number of people you are allowed in your house in the state or territory where you live. Each has its own specific COVID-19 website. If you are allowed to have visitors at home, you still need to maintain 1.5 metres between people from different households. Keeping visitors to a minimum will help to reduce the spread of the virus throughout the community. For more information, including details of the state and territory websites for COVID-19, see the Australian Government Department of Health website.
The current advice from the government is employees should work from home if the arrangement works for the employee and employer. In some states, if you have been working from home, you must continue to do so. To find out more about work from home arrangements and recommendation, visit the Australian Governments Department of Health website.
If you cannot work from home and you are sick, you must not attend your workplace. You must stay at home and away from others
If you are living with a lung condition and are unable to work from home, speak with your employer about the measures that are being put in place to protect employees. Visit Safe Work Australia website for advice for workers, along with information for employers and preparing workplaces.
If you’re experiencing any cold or flu-like symptoms, we strongly encourage you to self-isolate and seek medical attention as early as possible.
COVID-19 symptoms include:
It’s important to seek medical attention as early as possible if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms. You should telephone your treating doctor or hospital before arrival and inform them of your pre-existing condition, as well as your travel history and if you may have been in contact with a potential case of coronavirus. You must remain isolated either in your home or a healthcare setting until public health authorities inform you it is safe for you to return to your usual activities.
Testing
The criteria for having a test for COVID-19 are updated regularly as new evidence becomes available. Testing diagnoses patients with COVID-19 and also helps health authorities monitor and track the spread of COVID-19. People with mild symptoms can still spread the virus. To help stop the resurgence and spread of COVID-19, anyone with symptoms of an acute respiratory infection should get tested as soon as possible.
Where to get tested:
After testing, it may take a day or two for the results to come back. While you wait for the results, you should isolate yourself at home to protect yourself and others.
Have a plan if you get sick
Consult with your treating healthcare team for more information about monitoring your health during this time. If you develop symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 contact the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080 and clearly explain you have a pre-existing lung condition. If you become sick due to a flare-up of symptoms or COVID-19, seek help and support from friends, family, neighbours and community health workers. If you caregiver gets sick or is self-isolating, determine who can care for you or help with daily tasks – it might be a good idea to start considering other alternatives early.
How is COVID-19 treated?
There is currently no treatment for COVID-19. Antibiotics are not effective against viruses. Supportive care may be provided by your doctor or a hospital, such as fluids to reduce the risk of dehydration, medication to reduce fever and in more severe cases, supplemental oxygen.
Australian Government agencies are working with states and territories to implement measures to manage the risk of COVID-19. The Department of Education, Skills and Employment website helps students, parents, and education providers, as well as job seekers and employers find the information they need to make informed decisions about managing risk associated with COVID-19.
Everyone can protect against infections by practising good hand and respiratory hygiene. Health promotion materials are available from Victoria Health to educate and promote healthy habits for staff, students and families:
These words have sprung into everyone’s vocabulary in the last few months, but what’s the difference? Both are important measures to help protect yourself and others from COVID-19 and to slow down the spread of the virus. Social distancing is about maintaining spatial distance between yourself and other people to help reduce the chance of transmitting the virus. The Government currently recommends 1.5 metres distance between people, and to allow at least 4 square metres of space per person indoors. As the issue unfolds, these measures may change. Self-isolation means staying in your home at all times to reduce physical contact with anyone, unless absolutely necessary. Experts strongly advise anyone who is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or might have been exposed to self-isolate for 14 days.
Think about the things that you really can’t go without – groceries, medicine and medical appointments. Some things might feel essential to you, even if they’re non-essential, such as seeing your grandkids. Remember, this is only a temporary situation. It’s important to consider all your interactions during this time and think about alternative ways you may be able to stay connected. Embrace technology and ask your family and friends to help you set up things like Facetime or other apps so you can feel connected.
If you have a pre-existing lung condition, you’re at a heightened risk of serious illness if you contract a virus such as COVID-19. Social distancing and self-isolation are the most effective ways of preventing the spread. Lung Foundation Australia strongly supports the new social distancing restrictions announced by the Federal Government on 29 March 2020. Under the new restrictions people over 70, or over 60 living with a pre-existing condition, or indigenous people aged over 50 are to stay home wherever possible. It’s important to remember that people who have COVID-19 don’t always display symptoms.
If you do have to go out for an essential reason:
Home delivery of medication and groceries are either available now or launching soon to support vulnerable Australians in staying home during this time. Visit the following links for the most up-to-date information on these services.
If these services are not yet available in your region, contact family and friends to see if they help by purchasing essential supplies on your behalf during this time. If you must go out, ensure you practice social distancing, avoid high-touch areas such as shopping trolleys and door handles, avoid touching your face, and was your hands thoroughly when you get home.
If you are living with a lung condition and are unable to work from home, speak with your employer about the measures that are being put in place to protect employees. Visit Safe Work Australia website for advice for workers, along with information for employers and preparing workplaces.
It’s important you put your health first and this might mean talking to your friends and family about what you need from them during this time. If people need to visit your home, ask them to wash their hands thoroughly on arriving, maintain physical distance from you and avoid touching anything unnecessarily.
We’ve developed a poster that you can hang on your front door as a reminder to anyone who might be entering your home. Download now.
Your doctor will tell you if you should be tested and they will arrange for the test to happen.
You will only be tested if your doctor decides you meet the criteria:
For more information on testing criteria, view here.
If possible, ask a family member or friend who doesn’t live with you to purchase supplies on your behalf, and ask them to leave them outside your door to minimise your physical contact with that person. If a carer/family member who lives with you does have to go out to purchase supplies, ensure they are:
Only household members who are essential for caring for you should stay in the home. Consider:
Other people living in the home should consider staying elsewhere if possible. Surfaces in shared areas such as tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, toilets, faucets and sinks should be cleaned daily with household disinfectant or a diluted bleach solution – wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly afterwards. Clean and disinfect telephones and mobiles and keyboards – wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly afterwards.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) is an evolving international health concern, stay up-to-date with the latest information from our leading respiratory experts.