UPDATE: Face Cover DOs, DON'Ts, HOW-TOs 

Message from Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Lakshmi Dhanvanthari, MD
April 8, 2020

Our Local and State Public Health Leaders Still Need Our Help!
Face Covers? Yes, but…
  • CDC, based on developing science, says wearing in public a cloth face cover over the nose and mouth may well be good to help stop coronavirus spread by those infected, but with no symptoms.
  • If you do cover up, great. You can use a simple mask, maybe one you make yourself; or a well-wrapped scarf.
  • But NOT the N95 and surgical masks our frontline medical heroes need to stop them from getting the infection as they work with COVID -19 patients. At this time the surgical masks and N-95 masks are in short supply 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 very important to keep in mind: A face cover should be used as an added preventive measure. We should continue to shelter in place, maintain at least a 6-feet distance with non-immediate family members, wash hands frequently, and not touch our face especially our eyes, nose and mouth.
Just REMEMBER: Do not let up.
We must all continue to Practice and Share these messages:
■ Shelter in place
■ 6-Feet Apart – Keep your physical distance from non-immediate family members
■ Wash hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds
■ Do not touch your face, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth
■ Stay home if sick
■ If you think you MIGHT have the coronavirus – stay home and call your healthcare provider; follow their instructions
These practices are starting to work. Early studies show that Washington State and California may be faring better because of using aggressive preventive measures early. We’ve come so far; we cannot stop now!
HOW TO Make a Cloth Face Cover
■ "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 -
HPSJ: We're All Still "Here" - 
For Our Members, Providers, & Community
For our members during COVID-19:
Information, health care access, & support  
Supporting our Members & Community

Our COVID-19 page is a central Go-To place to see the practical, timely advice we are giving our members and then broadcasting to our community.
  • Notices, including: There is no cost to members for medically-needed screening, testing, and treatment for Coronavirus
  • Tips for Staying Healthy - especially proper hand washing 
  • Mental Health Supports
  • Links to local county and state health resources, as well as the CDC 
  • Community Resources click here - including Community Partners and a KIDS' CORNER filled with reading, crafts, and education resources for parents
  • Messages from our Chief Medical Officer, including Social Distancing & Shelter in Place.
Please bookmark https://www.hpsj.com/coronavirus/, to find regular updates as events unfold.
Practical Support for Providers -
HPSJ Remains Open During COVID-19
No Interruptions, as HPSJ staff are now mostly working from home
We are closely adhering to executive orders from the Governor and following advisories from the CDC, the California Department of Public Health, each of our local county public health departments, and the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC).

Our message to each valued part of our Provider Network is –
  • We remain open for business.
  • We will be available to every part of our Provider Network throughout this time.
  • As always, providers and their staff are welcome to call Customer Service with any questions, at 209-942-6320.
  • Providers can continue to rely on their partners at Health Plan of San Joaquin.
On the new HPSJ Providers/COVID-19 web page, www.hpsj.com/covid-19-provider-information/, updates include telehealth options, interpretation & American Sign Language (ASL) services, special COVID-19 billing codes, pharmacy updates, and policies (ex. no charges for HPSJ members for COVID-19 screening, testing, and treatment).
Heathcare Providers -
our doctors, nurses, pharmacists, techs, support staff ... and now many local medical students -
are HEROES!

But they cannot do this all by themselves.
We all need to be Public Health Heroes! 
Adding our voice: HPSJ Myth Busters COVID-19
"This is what we know. We each need to act NOW! Please join us in getting this out in the community and help prevent the spread of COVID-19." - Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lakshmi Dhanvanthari, MD
Click here for Myth Busters COVID-19.

Myth Buster #7 - 
This is not my job. It’s up to doctors and nurses to save us

Wrong – They are on the front lines.

Too many are getting sick; many are dying – for us! From hospitals all over California and the US, they are pleading: We stay here for you. Please stay home for us. Do not spread this coronavirus. Stay home. Keep 6 feet from those not in your immediate family. Kill this invading virus with lots of 20 seconds of handwashing – it just HATES soap!

Join our doctors and nurses. LIKE THEM, BE A PUBLIC HEALTH HERO!
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT - 
from California Health Report, March 30, 2020
The urgent, plainspoken message to all of our community and the people of California, from Dr. Lakshmi Dhanvanthari, MD - "We can do this!" Read it here. 
In this time of COVID-19 and home sheltering, 
Healthy Nutrition Can Still Mean Choices


As we shelter in place, this is vital -

Good food not only keeps you healthy each day, it can boost immune systems.

No fresh food? Here are some tips.
Each Month is National Nutrition Month!
Healthy Choices Come Fresh, Frozen, or Canned
In this time of COVID-19 and shelter at home, it has never been more vital to remember: The food you put in your body not only keeps you healthy and ready for each day, it helps boost your immune system. If you don’t have fresh food, the American Heart Association has some great tips to keep your choices healthy:
  1. Watch for sodium - Check labels on canned food and choose the low sodium or no salt added labels. Draining and rinsing canned veggies also helps.
  2. Watch out for added sugar - Fruits can come in water, juice, or syrup. Choose fruits in water when you can and rinse fruits that come in syrup.
  3. Frozen fruits and veggies - These choices are picked at the peak of their season so they can be very high in nutrition. Check for sodium on labels and choose 100% frozen fruits with no added sugar.
If you’re looking for some healthy recipes using frozen, canned, or fresh fruits and veggies, CalFresh Healthy Living has great, easy to follow recipes perfect for you and your family. Find them at http://calfresh.dss.ca.gov/cfhl/eating-healthy

WIC
If you receive WIC, don’t forget to get your new California WIC Card. You can get fresh fruits and veggies for you and your family! Contact your local WIC office – Learn more about the new California WIC card here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gz_j2hkvb2c
NOTE – Due to current COVID-19 concerns, please call your local WIC office before going to check on the status of appointments.

Click here for this latest from the HPSJ Health Articles Library.
Let's Keep in Touch   
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Together: We carry on for local health students –      GenNext! 
2020 Women's Leadership Conference: Health, presented by California State University, Stanislaus

Emanuel Medical Center CEO Lani Dickinson (left) and HPSJ CEO Amy Shin were hosted by CSUS College of Business Administration Dean Tomas Gomez-Arias to speak to students, including advice from their own education and career experiences. Students, along with some faculty, eagerly engaged, peppering both with questions, during and after the presentation.
DESTINATION MEDICINE 2020

An Annual Initiative of Stanislaus Medical Society

Find out more here, and see latest coverage by the Modesto Bee 
Rotary Read In 2020 
HPSJ staff & friends, return to encourage health and literacy among our youngest students, perhaps our future doctors, nurses, and pharmacists.
UNDERWAY: 
2020 HPSJ Health Careers Scholarship & Mentor Program. Get all the details, including student stories, HPSJ staff mentors, and how to apply for the 2020-21 school year.
Connect Your Passion with Our Purpose –
WE'RE HIRING, NOW! 
Our search for more great people continues.
Now, more than ever, good people from throughout San Joaquin and Stanislaus are needed to join our hardworking, dedicated employees. Here is a sample of our new openings:
2019 HPSJ Community Report - click here
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