Distributed via the CDC Health Alert Network February 28, 2020, 1505 ET (3:05 PM ET) Update and Interim Guidance on Outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Summary The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to closely monitor and respond to the COVID-19 outbreak caused by the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2. This CDC Health Alert Network (HAN) Update provides updated guidance on evaluating and testing persons under investigation (PUIs) for COVID-19. It supersedes...

Welcome CoachBW - we are working on getting the blog updated and have asked our medical advisors specific questions. Your plan follows many of the CDC recommendations for how to prepare your household for a possible COVID-19 outbreak . One reminder about masks is that they are most effective when worn by someone who is sick to prevent the spread of the virus through cough droplets. In general, masks don't provide much protection to someone who is not sick. You'd have to be directly...

Shea - I agree with you. I live in NYC and travel to work on the subway and wearing a n95 mask would greatly decrease my chances of contracting the virus where I am in close proximity to strangers. I do understand that the CDC and WHO are trying to quell the general population from buying/wearing masks when basic hygiene would be more helpful in the long term but they are not protecting those the with the 'underlying health conditions' that they continually mention. This is a situation where...

I am new to this so I am not sure how to go about this. I am a worried mama right now. My son who is asthmatic just had to go to the ER due to breathing problems. The said it was just his asthma due to no fever. But with it coming to close to comfort near me I am worried and want to know the true symptoms. I hear so many different things that it has me so worried. My daughter is asthmatic too but so far no breathing problems right now. Please can someone give me some possible reassurance...

Hi @Karleeta we completely understand your concern and fear. Fever and a dry cough are symptoms of a virus. If your son is not running a fever it very well could just be an asthma flare. I hope he is feeling better? The best thing you can do is to make sure both your children take their asthma medications as directed. Do they have asthma action plans? Keep them at home as much as possible, wipe down surfaces with disinfectant wipes, wash hands often and keep them from touching their faces.

Lorene, Thank you for responding back to me. He is feeling a little better. Thank you for asking. They do have Asthma Action Plans. They are with grandparents for a couple days while we make sure our home is disinfectant really good. They are already on top with the washing of the hands and using hand sanitizer. We have been stressing that with them. I know their school just postponed it for another week. I know they will be staying home and not go no where. That is another reason why they...

Hi there! I am so glad he is feeling a little better. It can take such a long time to recover from an asthma flare. Sending healing mojo your way! I have been carrying disinfectant wipes with me and literally have one in my hand all the time to open doors and hit elevator buttons. I'm also using my elbows and hips instead of my hands as much as possible. The virus can live on some surfaces for up to 3 days, so a good cleaning sounds like a good plan, and will probably give you some peace of...

to echo @Lara , same for sore throat and chest tightness, particularly for those with both asthma and allergies. Postnasal drip causes a sore throat for me and I always have a tight chest around dust and ragweed. Those are the literal symptoms of COVID-19... I guess you can't please everyone and nothing is ever clear, ha. We have to do our best to pay close attention to our bodies, ask ourselves if what we are experiencing is unusual and act accordingly.