Coronavirus: What to do and what not to do

Editor’s note: This list will be updated as guidance is issued by public and health officials.

DO protect yourself

• Wash hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds.

• Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.

• Cover a cough or sneeze with your sleeve, or disposable tissue. Wash your hands afterward.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Stay away from work, school or other people if you become sick with respiratory symptoms like fever and cough.

DO monitor your health

• If you believe you have symptoms of novel coronavirus, call your primary care physician or the hospital before you go.

• If you have mild symptoms, self-isolate until the symptoms are resolved.

• There are limited tests in Humboldt County. Even if you test positive, the medical advice is likely to be the same: Self isolate until the symptoms are resolved.

• St. Joseph Health has tips to help: https://www. providence.org/patientsand-visitors/coronavirusadvisory

DO seek more info from county public health officials

• The Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services has a hotline on COVID-19 information. Residents can call 707-441-5000 or send nonmedical questions to covidinfo@co.humboldt. ca.us

DO follow recommendations from state officials

• Gatherings of 50 people or more should be canceled or postponed for the next eight weeks.

• Residents over the age of 65 and those with chronic conditions should selfisolate.

• Guidance for businesses can be found here: https:// www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/ Guidance.aspx

DO find out how schools are working for students

• Humboldt County Office of Education has a Google spreadsheet that lists the status of local schools. Find it here: https://bit. ly/39VONJr

• Information from Humboldt State University: https://covid19.humboldt. edu/

• Information from College of the Redwoods: https:// bit.ly/2TU7jMP

DO check whether you’re eligible for benefits

• The state Employment Development Department answers questions about what to do if you lost work hours because of the coronavirus. A FAQ from EDD can be found here: https:// www.edd.ca.gov/about_ edd/coronavirus-2019.htm

DON’T worry about utilities … for now

• Pacific Gas and Electric Co. will not disconnect your power for nonpayment during the health crisis, the utility said. The rule applies to both businesses and residential services. For more information, call 1-800-743-5000. PG&E has a program called CARE that helps customers with economic hardships. To find out if you qualify, go to www.pge.com/care.