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Author: City of Linden

Managing the Fear of Coronavirus

Due to reports of Coronavirus cases in the U.S., many people are expressing fear and anxiety about this potentially serious illness. While it is understandable to worry about the health and safety of ourselves and out loved ones, it is important to manage our anxiety. Few make good decisions based on fear, and the 24/7 media coverage- much of it gloomy- often obscures reality and adds to a sense of panic. Taking care of your emotions, especially during times of higher stress and anxiety, is a good first step to protecting yourself and those you love.

Common Reactions

  • Fear and anxiety- about you or someone you know contracting the virus; thinking over and over about the virus spreading.
  • Irritability – becoming easily angry or annoyed, or feeling “on edge”.
  • Physical reactions-headaches, upset stomach, or muscle tension.
  • Difficulty concentrating-being preoccupied with thoughts related to the virus.
  • Insomnia- difficulty sleeping due to anxiety and worrying.
  • Information overload- repeatedly monitoring media and website for the latest news on the virus.

Self-Care/Coping with the Stress Caused by a Health Crisis

  • Maintain perspective and remind yourself of the facts – how real this threat to me is right now?
  • Try to follow as many routine activities as possible, as this enhances comfort and predictability.
  • Talk with friends, family, coworkers or a counselor about your feelings and concerns.
  • Engage in some form of exercise daily; this is very effective at reducing stress.
  • Limit your intake of news related to the virus.
  • Do things you enjoy. Part of taking care of yourself is making time to let go and engage in positive activities; this helps give your mind a break from worry and helps maintain balance.
  • Relax; use deep breathing, meditation, prayer or other relaxation techniques that work for you.
  • Call the EAP for confidential assistance with many problems, including coping with health fears.
  • Focus on things you have control over by creating an emergency plan, so you and your family will know what to do in a crisis; American Red Cross- how to make an emergency plan, has simple steps you can take to create a plan or check out Creating an Emergency Plan for Coronavirus.

Although Coronavirus is a health issue that is being taken very seriously by public health authorities worldwide, do not let your worry about this virus control your life. For more information on Coronavirus, visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Here is helpful information from the CDC on personal preparedness.

Managing the Fear of Coronavirus

Due to reports of Coronavirus cases in the U.S., many people are expressing fear and anxiety about this potentially serious illness. While it is understandable to worry about the health and safety of ourselves and out loved ones, it is important to manage our anxiety. Few make good decisions based on fear, and the 24/7 media coverage – much of it gloomy – often obscures reality and adds to a sense of panic. Taking care of your emotions, especially during times of higher stress and anxiety, is a good first step to protecting yourself. Please read this attachment for more information.

Message from Mayor Armstead RE COVID-19 Data Transmission

In these challenging and difficult times, as Mayor of the great City of Linden, I want to assure you that all information concerning COVID-19 is presented to you in a timely and transparent manner. My administration will continue to do all things necessary to protect our residents by providing the services that our government provides.

However, even in this pandemic, my administration is obligated to comply with certain laws that protect patient information and what can be shared publicly. The HIPAA Privacy Rule protects the privacy of patients’ health information but is balanced to ensure that appropriate uses and disclosures of the information still may be made when necessary to protect a patient, to protect the nation’s public health, and for other critical purposes.

Consequently, HIPAA still requires us to protect a patient’s privacy, however, through the Linden Board of Health, and our Health Officers, if certain information is received about a resident who tests positive for COVID-19, they are required to follow certain protocols in notifying individuals that may have had CLOSE contact with that person, and are able to take other steps to minimize the spread of the virus.

The following are trusted resources for COVID-19 information.

Press Statement Regarding Testing (In Spanish)

El CONDADO DE UNION ABRE EL PRIMER CENTRO EN EL ESTADO PARA HACER LAS PRUEBAS DEL COVID-19, CONDUCIENDO SU AUTO (DRIVE IN) EL LUNES EN KEAN UNIVERSITY

CONDADO DE UNION, NJ—Comenzando el lunes, la Junta de Legisladores del Condado de Union, en conjunto con sus asociados gubernamentales, educacionales y de cuidado de salud, abrirán el primer centro en el estado de New Jersey con facilidad de pasar sin desmontarse de su auto para ser examinado para el COVID-19 virus en Kean University.

Por favor tome nota que los exámenes son solamente por previa cita y usted sebre ser inscrito a través de su doctor, o su proveedor de salud. Los residentes del Condado de Union, y el personal que responde a las emergencias del Condado de Union, quienes han sido notificados por su doctor o proveedor de salud que sean examinados para el COVID-19, deben tener una receta y haber sido inscrito por su doctor y tener una cita para poder pasar por el centro. Esta es la única forma de poder ser examinado. Para la seguridad y salud de los voluntarios en el centro, no se permitirán pacientes que no vengan en autos entrar al campo Universitario, aunque tengan una receta y cita. Si no tiene transporte, por favor discuta con su doctor antes de solicitar la cita.

También si usted piensa que puede tener los síntomas del COVID-19, hay una herramienta de autoevaluación que ha sido desarrollada por el Estado de of New Jersey. Esta herramienta puede asistirle en determinar que acciones puede tomar para proteger a su familia y a usted mismo, para saber si necesita ser examinado para el virus COVID-19, y puede encontrarla en https://self.covid19.nj.gov

Este centro del Condado de Union para ser examinado para el COVID 19 por medio de su carro es ejecutado por el Condado en conjunto con el Overlook Medical Center (Atlantic Health System) en Summit, el Trinitas Regional Medical Center en Elizabeth, y Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJ Barnabas Health) en Rahway. La Junta de Legisladores, el Administrador del Condado y su personal ha trabajado con los Senadores del Estado Joseph P. Cryan, Nicholas P. Scutari, Gobernador Phil Murphy, Kean University, y el Departamento de Salud del Estado de New Jersey.

New Jersey Conference of Mayors Information Bulletin

Please find below two additional Executive Orders and an addition to the existing Mandatory Facility Closure:

  • EO 107– Clarifies what is considered “non-essential” businesses.
  • EO 108 – Clarifies that Counties and Municipalities may not exceed the scope of the Governor’s Executive Orders in restricting businesses or activities.
  • Executive Order on Mandatory Facilities Closure – Add’s Libraries to the list of facilities that are to close.