Coronavirus Resource Center

Resources for Library Patrons regarding the Corona Virus (COVID-19)

• Where to Start
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information
• Statements from the Essex Library
• State and Local Information
  • Information from the Town of Essex
  • Information from the State of Connecticut
• Hand Washing Information
• Health and Safety
  • Instructions for Sewing Face Mask Covers
• Public Health Organizations
• Children and Coronavirus
• Travel Information

Where to Start

A Guide to COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) for Public Libraries – A thorough guide by the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NNLM) with links to reliable sources of online information.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information

• 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) (State of Connecticut)
• Share Facts About COVID-19 (Centers for Disease Control)
• Preventing COVID-19 Spread in Communities (Centers for Disease Control)
• 5 Ways To Prevent And Prepare For The Coronavirus (National Public Radio)
• Coronavirus Testing: What To Know As It Becomes Available Across The U.S. (National Public Radio)
• Novel Coronavirus Information (World Health Organization)
• Coronavirus Advice for Public (World Health Organization)
• How the Coronavirus Could Hurt the Accuaracy of the 2020 Census (New York Times)
• F.A.Q. on Stimulus Checks, Unemployment and the Coronavirus Plan (New York Times)
• Dubunking COVID-19 Virus Myths (Federation of American Scientists)

Statements from the Essex Library

• Statement Regarding Essex Library Closure – 3/13/2020
• Important Update on Essex Library Programs and Meeting Rooms – 3/11/2020
• Statement Regarding CT Emergency Declaration – 3/10/2020 (PDF Version)
• Statement Regarding New State Guidelines on Covid-19 Virus – 3/9/2020 – (PDF Version)
• Statement on Essex Library Continuity Planning and Covid-19 – 3/2/2020 (PDF Version)

Information from the Town of Essex

• https://www.essexct.gov/ – Click the “Health Alerts” tab for links to CDC and Department of Public Health Guidance
• Town of Essex COVID-19 Update – 3/20/2020
• SaferEssex Emergency Alert Signup

Limit Private Gatherings to Less Than 10 People
(From Town of Essex, 3/19/2020)

This is Lisa Fasulo, Health Director for the Town of Essex.

Effective immediately, in order to stop the spread of Coronavirus, private events such as dinner parties and/or any social gatherings greater than 10 people are strongly discouraged.

I understand this is an extraordinary step, but we need to keep everyone safe from the spread of this virus. We must all work at minimizing the health risks to ourselves, to others, and to our community.

People of all ages are becoming ill and are dying, so we ask that you adhere to strict Social Distancing by staying at least 6 feet away from others when out in public and limiting your private gatherings to less than 10 people.

• Remember to continue to wash your hands and/or use hand sanitizer,
• Clean and sanitize common-contact surfaces,
• Cover your cough, and
• most importantly, Stay Home if you are Sick!

We will get through this, but it will take each one of us to do our part for the benefit of our entire community.

Ways to Prepare for CoronaVirus Outbreak (from the Town of Essex)

• Mitigation of Community Transmission –  This is typically done by increasing personal behaviors which limit the spread of communicable diseases caused by virus/bacteria/germs.  Hand washing, staying home when ill, practice social distancing, seeking medical care when needed. No travel to areas where the virus is prevalent.
• Preparing your family and household contacts for extended isolation (14-days or more). – This is done by having food, medication, water, toiletries, and other essentials stocked in the home prior to anyone becoming ill.  People should NOT rely on home delivery services such as PeaPod, Amazon, GrubHub, Library books, Pharmaceutical products, etc. because these options may be limited if the drivers and staff in their warehouses are also ill and have to be home for 14-days.
• Preparing business for prolonged employee absences. – Encourage all businesses to plan how they will operate with limited staff & employees.  This will be critical for businesses that provide essential services such as home heating oil delivery, grocery stores, gas stations, daycares, senior living facilities/senior services, etc.  It is critically important for Restaurants to exclude ill food-service workers. Even office-type businesses (accountants, realtors, cable/internet customer services, etc.) must plan how they will still serve their customers with limited employees to manage service calls or day-to-day operations.
• Knowing what to do if flu-like symptoms arise. – Unless it’s a true emergency, people who develop flu-like symptoms should NOT go to their physician or walk-in clinic without FIRST CALLING the office to notify the physicians.  The physician’s office may be short-staffed (because staff is home ill) or there may be updated State protocols with instructions on where to go for proper medical care. Again these protocols will change as the rate of illness changes.

Information from the State of Connecticut

• Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• Connecticut Emergency Alerting and Notification Systems
• Scam Alert: Coronavirus Inspires Scam Artists to Target Consumers
• Information on the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) for K-12 Schools (as of 2/6/2020)
• Connecticut Law about Quarantine
• Guidance from the Connecticut Department of Labor regarding layoffs and furloughs

Updates from the Governor and State Government

• Governor Lamont Issues New Guidance on Coronavirus to State Employees (as of 3/9/2020)
• Governor Lamont Urges Connecticut Residents to Follow Ongoing Travel Guidance From CDC About Coronavirus (as of 3/04/2020)
• Governor Lamont Provides Update on Coronavirus Prevention Efforts (as of 2/26/2020)

News Articles Concerning the State of Connecticut

• 10-20% of Connecticut residents could contract COVID-19 in near future, health official says, as Lamont bans large gatherings to slow coronavirus spread (Hartford Courant)
• School, sports, work and travel: Here’s what is canceled, postponed or rescheduled because of the coronavirus (Hartford Courant)

Hand Washing Information

• Why You’re Washing Your Hands Wrong (From the BBC)
• Hand Washing (From the CDC)
• Coronavirus Has Caused a Hand Sanitizer Shortage. What Should You Do? (New York Times)

Health and Safety

• Connecticut State Department of Public Health: Emergency Preparedness Checklist 
• Coronavirus: The Fake Health Advice You Should Ignore (BBC)
• I Practiced Social Distancing Before Coronavirus. It Works.  (New York Times)
• Why outbreaks like coronavirus spreak exponentially, and how to “flatten the curve”  (Washington Post)
• The New Coronavirus Can Live On Surfaces For 2-3 Days (NPR)
• To Stop Coronavirus In Its Tracks, Here’s Your Guide To 5 Degrees Of Separation (KHN)
• 9 States Reopen ACA Insurance Enrollment To Broaden Health Coverage (NPR) (Related: Access Health CT)
• Resources for People with Disabilities on COVID-19 (American Association of Health and Disability)
• COV-19 Resources (National Federation of the Blind)

Mental Health

• Manage Anxiety and Stress (CDC)

Face Mask Cover Sewing Instructions

• Fabric Face Mask Cover Tutorial by Riley Blake Designs (Youtube)
• AB Mask by a Nurse for a Nurse (Instructables)
• How NOT to wear a Mask (New York Times)

Public Health Organizations

• US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• World Health Organization: WHO

Children and Coronavirus

• Helping Children Cope with Frightening News (Child Mind Institute)
• How to Talk To Your Kids About Corona Virus (New York Times)
• Talking to Kids About the Corona Virus (Child Mind Institute)
• What Kids Want To Know About Coronavirus: An Original Comic : Goats and Soda (National Public Radio)
• 10 Questions Parents May Have About Coronavirus (New York Times)
• Education Dept. Makes Changes To Standardized Tests, Student Loans Over Coronavirus (National Public Radio)

Travel Information

• Travel Advisories (US Department of State)
• How to Disinfect Your Space on an Airplane (New York Times)