Coronavirus and memory care facilities; Any ideas as to how to manage and minimize risk?

I am in the camp of people that believe that this corona virus is germ warfare from China. I have never heard of China coming out with a cure for a disease or any improvements to healthcare. That having been said I think you treat this disease like any other flew or cold outbreak. I think it is a stronger strain of the common cold. I have several articles that I have come across from some of our Republican Senators. I just want everyone to know where my information that I am posting is coming from. It will take several postings because of limited computer skills. This first one comes from The Washington Times talking about the President's efforts. https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/mar/2/thanks-to-trump-administration-the-united-states-h/

The ALF where my mother resides was under quarantine a few months ago for Norovirus. Although my 98 yr old mom did not get sick, it was awful for her and all the other residents to be locked in their rooms for 2 weeks over the Christmas holidays. My mother became so depressed and weak, I thought she would die from downright loneliness. She wasn't eating and fell in the shower from the weakness. I pray that this virus doesn't cause her facility to go into lockdown again. I believe the quarantine will last much longer than 14 days this time around. We're in for the long haul regarding this virus, so take it seriously and be prepared in any event.

The reason that I do not wash fruits and vegetables with hot water and soap is because if it is contaminated, it is quickly absorbed up into the plant. Has anyone seen a blue artificially colored carnation? That blue dye is absorbed quickly up from the stem.
A flower that has not yet bloomed (a rose bud) can be forced bloomed by placing it in hot water. Lettuce that has wilted can be quickly revived in cold water, because the veins of the plant absorb it.
Lettuce can be contaminated, yes.

One area of concern that is often overlooked is doorknobs. The hand is on the door, which could then be spread to the nose, etc.

disgustedtoo: Yes, we kept my MIL up to date on her flu and pneumonia injections.

Disgusted, too: yes, all vegetables and fruits purchased are washed well with hot water and soap.   I wouldn't consider eating them otherwise.

But I'm an organic gardener; I assume you're not?

Geaton777 raises some good points, and that's the relevant information and co-morbidities of those who succumbed to the virus.  I've found some stats on those issues, but not as much as I was hoping to find.

I was looking for breakdowns on a cluster of statistics, and am still looking.  But here are some factors in analyzing the severity of the virus:

1.    Cases per million people. 

https://nucleuswealth.com/articles/updated-coronavirus-statistics-cases-deaths-mortality-rate/

Note that the chart indicates where diagnoses were made, as opposed to where the source of infection may have been.   The rates of Iran, Italy and South Korea are more intensive than any other country.    Question is why?    I don't know.    If Italy or South Korea were one of the poorer or strife ridden countries, I could understand, in part b/c medical facilities wouldn't be as available as in the more developed countries.

2.    In the last few or more weeks I recalled seeing a PBS program on the massive problem of trash disposal in Italy.   Streets were filled with garbage; it was too repugnant to see, so I didn't watch the rest of the program.    I wonder if that was  a factor, b/c Italy isn't one of the underdeveloped countries with limited medical facilities.

I would like to see a breakdown down of the Vatican City vs. the rest of Italy, as the former has  a more reclusive environment and from what I understand isn't as exposed as the rest of the country.

3.   The second graph addresses rapidity of detection.   The vertical line isn't identified, but I'm presuming it represents days.   Italy, South Korea and Iran were apparently later in identifying cases than other countries.    If so, there's one commonality.

4.     I'm still searching for statistics such as those addressed by Geaton777, especially the co-morbidity factors between those who died and those who survived.    I think that would be more telling than some of the reports that are being floated around.  

5.   I notice also that there are no statistics for Russia, which I assume is because they're not being reported or shared.

6.  Something no one has addressed in the many reports available are the facts that there are so many variables in potential vectors:  mail, for one.   Even though mail is automated, it's still hand delivered at the end point.   Food products are another, especially produce from other countries with different hygienic standards.  I was surprised when I'd ask various restaurants if they washed raw vegetables and fruits with hot water and soap.  They did not.   

Agencies will be gathering data for months, including after the peaks and as the virus (hopefully eventually becomes medical addressed, or runs its course.  

I'm especially interested in the role of the little critter that may have carried the virus and started the epidemic in the "fresh" meat markets of China.

Another way germs can be spread is with people in wheelchairs, propelling the chair using bare hands on the wheels. Whatever is on the ground gets transferred to the hands.

I just called the nursing home my brother is in and asked what their plan was regarding the virus. I was told they will follow what the government advises. My concerns are huge. They already have the flu going around there. I glove, mask up and wear my glasses when I visit. Praying it doesn't spread to any NHs. I heard on Fox News that 30-40% of the population may be affected. I do not recall any other virus this intense. Probably because we don't have a vaccine?

The Coronavirus is airborne. The only way to prevent transmission is to cover nose, mouth and eyes. A mask and some eye coverage. Always wash your hands and avoid touching your face.

You've all heard of the nursing home in Kirkland, WA, where 50+ people (residents and staff) have symptoms and are being tested. https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/03/health/life-care-center-nursing-home-coronavirus/index.html

The statistics surrounding Covid-19 are only as accurate as the data used. What is not being measured are factors like: how many people HAD it, but recovered? How old were they? Were they confirmed cases? What were their healthcare options? If you are looking at the infections and deaths numbers, countries with inferior healthcare are taking the hardest hit (China, Iran, who knows what in North Korea, Italy: what the heck). Also, this type of virus tends to be less active the warmer the climate. It does not seem to have much of a footprint in Africa and most of south America. With spring approaching, it will probably die out on its own, just like the "regular" flu does every year. My personal opinion is that this is mostly a nothing-burger, a tempest in a teapot no worse than the "regular" flu. Just breathless media talking-heads "reporting" numbers without context.

Everyone should wash their hands multiple times a day. The elderly frequently have forgotten the importance. My MIL basically killed herself by refusing to wash her hands for many years. When with her we would insist she do so, then she was angry with us. One good thing about dementia/Alzheimers is that the person doesn't remain angry more than a minute or two. My MIL came down with the flu and pneumonia at the same time, spent 31 days in the hospital, never to recover. So sad b/c her death could have been prevented.

I think that a conversation about the facilities policies is in order. The LTC facility that each of my parents ended up in went into lock-down due to the flu. A note was posted on the visitor's entrance, as was the all-clear. All patients were given a course of anti-viral medication. They served meals in their rooms instead of communally. The hygienic methods in the kitchen must be very strict. They also paid attention to any visitors who looked like they were sick and would discourage them from visiting until they were well when there wasn't a lock down. With the coronavirus being so devastating for the elderly in LTC with chronic conditions, especially since there is a constant flow of patients going back and forth to hospitals, I am hoping that LTCs will initiate a community test sampling for the virus. They all cough, either due to chronic respiratory conditions or swallowing issues so it might be difficult to differentiate the COV patient at the onset so testing may be the only way to identify it early. Ask the director what their plans are to protect their staff if the virus does hit the facility. Hopefully, this new virus will be the catalyst for changes in long term care facilities in regard to cleanliness. Let's hope that an anti-viral that is effective for COV is developed soon. Maybe there will be better air filtration and surface hygiene methods through passive means utilized as a matter of course as well as an increase in the custodial budget. As for you and your mom, devise a list of ways to remain in touch with her if there is a lock-down. I read aloud to dad over the phone when I couldn't visit.

The residents in facilities will not bring corona virus into this environment. The staff and visitors will be the ones to introduce the virus. So, it will be more of a matter of the staff and visitors keeping up good practices - washing their hands before and after touching clients, not breathing into clients' faces, staying home when they get sick, and using face masks if they have colds or coughs so they don't spread any diseases.... all these are practices that should already be in use.

If the corona virus does get introduced into a facility, then clients will most likely take meals in their rooms, not have "group" activities, and be monitored more closely for coughs, breathing problems and fever. The problem is when a client develops pneumonia - which is makes breathing difficult - and is harder on an aging population with underlying respiratory or cardiac problems. So far, the disease only has a mortality rate of 1% for the general population and 15% for the older population.

You prepare just as you would for any flu, or respiratory illness, good hand washing with soap and water, and masks with active coughing / sneezing.

People seem so afraid of the coronavirus, but gloss over the fact that every year, there are so very many flu illnesses and deaths.

"As of mid-January, in the US, there have been at least 9.7 million cases of the flu, at least 87,000 flu-related hospitalization, and up to 12,000 deaths, according to the CDC. Forty-six states plus Puerto Rico are currently experiencing widespread flu activity, though the type of strain and incidence vary from region to region."

Oh and now there are 2 confirmed cases here in Florida, both counties by mine. And Snowbird season, so a bit more worrisome.

If anything, I think many people have become cavalier about flu. Remember that the media love a pandemic; flu is boring to them even though it kills far more people.

From Johns Hopkins School of Medicine:
Influenza (“the flu”) and COVID-19, the illness caused by the new coronavirus, are both infectious respiratory illnesses. Although the symptoms of COVID-19 and the flu can look similar, the two illnesses are caused by different viruses.
As of Mar. 2, 2020, the **flu** is showing *much more* of an impact on Americans than COVID-19.
Both the flu and COVID-19 cause fever, cough, body aches, fatigue; sometimes vomiting and diarrhea.
Both can be mild or severe, even fatal in rare cases.
Both can result in pneumonia.
Both can be spread from person to person through droplets in the air from an infected person coughing, sneezing or talking.
Severe cases of both may require hospitalization and support such as mechanical ventilation.
***Both may be prevented by frequent, thorough hand washing, coughing into the crook of your elbow, staying home when sick and limiting contact with people who are infected.***
COVID-19: Antiviral medications are currently being tested to see if they can address symptoms.
Flu: Antiviral medications can address symptoms and sometimes shorten the duration of the illness.
COVID-19: No vaccine is available at this time, though it is in progress.
Flu: A vaccine is available and effective to prevent some of the most dangerous types or to reduce the severity of the flu.
COVID-19: Approximately 90,279 cases worldwide; 100 cases in the U.S. as of Mar. 2, 2020.
Flu: Estimated 1 *billion* cases worldwide; 9.3 million to 45 *million* cases in the U.S. *per year*.
COVID-19: Approximately 3,085 deaths reported worldwide; 6 deaths in the U.S., as of Mar. 2, 2020.
Flu: 291,000 to 646,000 deaths worldwide; 12,000 to 61,000 deaths in the U.S. per year.

What staff should be doing is wearing gloves. And changing them for each patient. And I hear Drs are the worst. So if you are with ur LO at a facility make sure the aide or nurse has changed their gloves before touching ur LO.

Yes, it is the flu. Yes ,the flu takes lives every year. But in certain conditions the mortality rates with Corona virus are higher. In any type of community living, the risk of transmission is higher. And if the community is older people with other medical conditions who share caregivers, the risk of mortality is higher pure and simple.
So it makes sense to me to treat the situation in a senior/ assisted living/ memory care facility with much more caution.

The most important aspect of infection control is good and vigilant hand washing. By that I mean: under warm to hot running water, using soap wash your hands up to the wrists and in between thumb and index fingers. Wash for 30 seconds. (Hum the Jeopardy tune). Rinse. Turn off the faucet using a paper towel. Dry hands. Use a paper towel to open the door if you are in a rest room. If no running water is available hand sanitizer is acceptable. However, it should not be used in place of through hand washing. The staff at the facility should be washing their hands before touching a resident. They should also wash hands while giving care or dispensing meds. In general, washing your hands is especially important before touching your face (mouth, nose, and eyes).

14.9% mortality rate among people with heart disease is my understanding..

Many of you may know the following but for those who don't, the most recent statistics regarding mortality rates for COVID-19 compared to flu in the GENERAL POPULATION in the US are as follows: flu deaths 0.1%
COVID-19 deaths 2.0%. This means the risk of dying from COVID-19 is 20 times greater than the risk of dying from the flu for the AVERAGE PERSON. However, the death rates for people over 65, the frail, elderly, those with compromised immune systems, those with diabetes and people with heart disease have a significantly higher chance of dying from coronavirus than 2.0%. Another issue which makes the coronavirus more prevalent than the flu is that there is currently no vaccine as there is with the flu. The international medical consensus along with the CDC is that a rushed vaccine could be available as early as a year and half without human trials and Israel in particular seems to be making some headway in creating a vaccine. However in the US the cost to individuals for the vaccine, once it is available, is estimated to be substantial due to trademark protections and other US pharmaceutical industry standard practices. The coronavirus is a dangerous pandemic with no cure and so far no medical intervention to protect people from getting it. In addition, compared to past epidemic preparedness in the US, the US is having a particularly difficult time containing, managing, documenting, testing, and efficiently communicating about COVID-19 within the medical and scientific communities compared to our prepared responses to diseases such as SARS, MERS, Avian flu, ebola and others in the past. Wash hands, do not touch your mouth, nose, or eyes and if you begin to have a fever wear a mask, seek a diagnosis and stay home for 2 weeks or until your doctor gives you the all-clear to resume normal activities.

Doubt that covid19 will live up to its hype. Just follow common sense protocol.

I have to admit. Some of the responses here seem so cavieler. There are pleny things the long term care facility should be doing and that you can do. Saying that people are going to get sick from something and die is mind-blowing. Here is a link to what the CDC recommends https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/healthcare-facilities/prevent-spread-in-long-term-care-facilities.html

With a current 14% mortality rate among people over 70. the virsus is no small risk.

Treat it like any other contagious disease: through washing of hands is the no. 1 method of prevention.

I sent the .facility that my sister is in a note asking them what steps they were going to take. Here is a link to the CDC: .https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/healthcare-facilities/prevent-spread-in-long-term-care-facilities.html


As to your behavior, assume that you are carrying the virus and that you will come in contact with the virus.

Of course don't visit if anyone in your family has symptoms of a cold. or a fever; check your own fever.

The facility should have everyone stop by a desk and check in. The facilityshouldprovide everyone with a mask and have them wash their hands before visiting. The love one should be provided with a mask to wear doing a visit. Be sure to wash your hands before leaving. Don't touch your face or nose (including removing the mask) until you have used hand santizer. and then wash your hands again.

Don't rely on the facility doing an adequate job. Push them. Because the death rate among the elder is 14%.

Many facilities provide masks for visitors. But sometimes I think this makes it more difficult for our loved ones to recognize us. Check with the facility to find out what they recommend.

Don't underestimate the traditional remedies: vitamin C, garlic, onion, homemade chicken soup, oregano, thyme.

You can only do what the facility advises. If you have any symptoms stay away, but after that it is down to the facility to take necessary precautions and manage the situation. Like any cold or flu some will get it some won't, some will survive some won't - different bugs are going around all the time. Even if you took them home you wouldn't be able to guarantee your LO would not catch it if they were going to.

You could take your parent out, as a protective measure.

Any time people are living in such close quarters, the risk will be increased.