• Stay in touch – This sickness may still cause problems until there is a safe drug that works well.
• There is good news – We made the curve flatter by staying 6-feet apart, and other safety means. Now our counties are using what we know to help lead our re-open with care.
• Be real – Drugs take time; there may be more waves.
• For months to come we may have to:
  • Stay 6-feet apart
  • Do lots of hand washing
  • Cough in the crook of your arm
  • Wear a face cover when in public
  • And other blocking tools
• Talk to your doctor for your routine health needs – They are changing their set-up to keep you safe; take care of yourself so you can stay healthy and take care of your loved ones.

HPSJ staff are working safely. In this way, we are still here for you – with facts, keys to health care, and support, for our doctors – giving helpful support as we stay open with no breaks, and for our counties – where we carry on our long-custom of team work. At HPSJ we still offer sound, health-linked news and aids for help during this time.

Mental Health Awareness

How are you feeling? HPSJ Can Help Just because we’re mostly stuck inside You need not keep your feelings inside! Many of us are feeling stress. Is this you?

• Changes in sleep patterns.
• Problems sleeping or focusing.
• Greater use of alcohol, tobacco or other mixtures.
• And in the end, worries you may have a weaker immune system.

You can help cut stress with these actions –

• Take breaks—There is a lot of news out there. Take some time away from the news and do something healthy you enjoy.
• Take care of your body—Stretch, take deep breaths, eat healthy, and sleep.
• Make time to unwind—Try new projects or rekindle your love of old hobbies you at last have time for.
• Link with others—Call or text family or friends. Talk to people you trust about how you are feeling.

To members of Health Plan of San Joaquin, we are saying If you are feeling overwhelmed, or worried about family members:

• Get help from HPSJ Customer Service or your county mental health plan
• See helpful tips from American Red Cross, Coping with Shelter-in-Place Emergencies
• HPSJ members can call Beacon Health Strategies at 1.888.581.7526

Knowing can ease your mind. Members (and all community residents) can bookmark https://www.hpsj.com/coronavirus/ for these and more resources. More Help:

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• San Joaquin County Crisis Phone (there 24/7): 209-468-8686
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA’s) Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746. (TTY 1-800-846-8517)
• Stanislaus County Health Services: Call 1-888-376-6246 for county program help on mental health and alcohol and drug aids

Message from Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lakshmi Dhanvanthari, MD April 22, 2020

Our Local and State Public Health Leaders Still Need Our Help! Face Covers? Yes, but…

• CDC, based on growing science, says wearing in public a cloth face cover over the nose and mouth may help stop coronavirus spread.
• Some people may have the virus and not have any signs, and some may be early in the sickness and not feel ill. But you can still spread the virus when you speak, cough or sneeze.
• By wearing a face cover – if you have the virus it may stop the spread of the virus.
• Please use a cloth mask that you can buy or one that you can make yourself.
• Face Mask Do’s:

• • Make sure you can breathe through it
  • Wear it when going out in public
  • Make sure it covers your nose and mouth
  • Wash after using
• Who should NOT wear a mask – young children under 2 years, any who has trouble breathing, or is out cold, injured or unable to remove the cover without help.

If you have questions or think your health issue does not allow you to wear a mask, please check with your PCP.

• Please do NOT use the N95 and surgical masks. These are meant for use by our health care heroes and we need to stop them from getting the infection as they work with COVID-19 patients.

At this time, we are still short on surgical masks and N-95 masks and we must save them for the healthcare workforce and the first responders.

• Do not touch your face cover. When you remove it, untie it at the back of your head and wash it with hot water and soap.
• It is vital to keep in mind – A face cover should be used as an added blocking measure. We must continue to:

• • Shelter in place
  • Keep at least a 6-feet distance from all family members – along with immediate family members who do not live in the same household
  • Wash hands often
  • Not touch our face, chiefly our eyes, nose and mouth

If you have questions or think that your health condition does not allow you to wear a mask, please check with your PCP.

• “Sew and No Sew Instructions” at CDC page
• KPIX-TV Anchor Liz Cook shows you how to make a mask,  click here
• Johns Hopkins Medicine 
• New York Times, Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s one from the CDC How-To page –

Message from the HPSJ Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Lakshmi Dhanvanthari, MD

Social Distancing and Shelter in Place

Social Distancing and Shelter in Place. Now, we are all using those terms. But what do they mean to you, to your family and friends, to others and your community?

Social Distancing

Social Distancing (also called Physical Distancing) is about keeping bodily distance between people who don't live together. For each person, it means keeping 6 feet of distance (between you and anyone except immediate family) while in public or at your workplace and dodging bodily contact with people who do not share your home. At the community level, it means closing schools and workplaces and canceling events like concerts, shows, and sports. Remember, the person who does not look sick may still be a carrier! Wrong vs. Right. But one aspect of Social Distancing — to skip gatherings of 10 people or more — has made for a lot of confusion. It has given the sense that while public indoor events are bad, it’s OK to host up to nine people at your home or outside. That is not right! Now all people should limit close contact to only family members, indoors and outdoors. This means no dinner parties or BBQs, no play dates, no birthday parties with a few friends. Who should do this? ALL PEOPLE! Why is this important: You can have the virus and not show any symptoms; or you could be mildly sick or very sick. Even if you are not sick you can spread the virus and make others sick. So please keep 6 feet away from others.

Shelter in Place

This means stay home. Do not leave the house unless you must. Don’t mix with people outside your family. Do not go to a friend’s house for dinner or invite a trusted friend over. During a shelter-in-place order, you are often allowed to go outside for essentials — to pick up groceries or meds — but you should limit those trips to no more than once a week if you can. Be sure to keep 6 feet away from others. People with vital jobs — like in public safety, health care, sanitation, or groceries — can still go to work. And you can visit someone if you are their caregiver. But remember: You still must be 6 feet away from others. Who should do this? ALL PEOPLE who live in a place with a shelter-in-place order! – From California and Washington State, to New York. Now, it is vital to keep to yourself as much as possible. This is how we can save lives – from the people we care about, to the healthcare experts who care for us!