Nurses are on the front lines of the global COVID-19 pandemic. There are plenty of resources available for Maryland’s nurses, and MNA wants to make sure our members have access to everything they need to know.
ANA COVID Resource Center – click here
Update on Mask Mandates March 2022:
Q: How should I protect myself from this virus?
A: First and foremost, if you are medically able to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, vaccination and a booster dose is strongly encouraged to prevent severe illness, hospitalization, or death from COVID-19 the disease caused the coronavirus SARS CoV-2. Fully vaccinated people can safely resume most activities they did prior to the pandemic, but mask use is still recommended in areas where there is high virus transmission. When making decisions about your individual prevention strategies and behaviors, consider the COVID-19 Community Level in the county where you live, work, or visit, and make decisions based on whether you or someone you have close contact with is at high risk for severe illness. If wearing a mask, experts recommend you upgrade your mask to a high filtration respirator if you want optimal protection. Continue to practice hand hygiene, and if you have symptoms of COVID-19 stay home if sick and seek testing for confirmation. If you are immune compromised, live with, or closely interact with someone who is medically vulnerable or unvaccinated, wearing a mask, even if vaccinated, will help lower their risk of exposure. For those who are unvaccinated, everyday measures to protect yourself from the virus include frequent hand hygiene, physical distancing when in public, wearing a face mask, and most importantly, stay home if you are sick. If you are at higher risk for severe illness, additional information is found here. If you are health care personnel:
- Adhere to the standards for donning and doffing PPE when caring for COVID-19 patients.
- Avoid touching your N95 respirator, facemask, eye goggles, and face shield if wearing during extended use.
- Wash your hands before donning all PPE. When doffing PPE, wash your hands before doffing your goggles, N95 respirator, and face shield, and again after all PPE is doffed.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water.
- Doff PPE before breaking for meals and taking trips to the rest room.
- Practice hand hygiene before and after going to the restroom and before eating.
- Eat meals in non-clinical areas.
- Disinfect your cell phone frequently, place your cellphone in a clear sealable bag that serves as a barrier, discard of the bag before going home, disinfect your cell phone before entering your home.
- Change your scrubs and shoes if possible before returning home.
- Find additional CDC infection prevention and control recommendations here.
DATA
MD COVID-19 Data Dashboard
COVID-19 Updates
CNN by Madeline Holcombe, April 6, 2021
ABC News by Sarah Pezenik, April 5, 2021
Washington, D.C. to expand COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to those ages 16 and older | TheHill
The Hill by Marina Pitofsky, April 5, 2021
Maryland to open eligibility to all at mass vaccination sites | TheHill
The Hill by Nathaniel Weixel, April 5, 2021
CDC says risk of COVID-19 transmission on surfaces 1 in 10,000 | TheHill
The Hill by Nathaniel Weixel, April 1, 2021
New COVID-19 Video Education options – watch full webinars or Quick Videos
In addition to free 60-minute webinars on COVID-19 important topics, ANA now offers the option of watching quick videos (5-15 minutes each) for those who prefer their education in quick bites. Registration is necessary to view the full webinars and can be done here. The Quick Videos are available for viewing immediately on the webpages.
Two COVID-19 topics are ready for viewing of the full webinars or the Quick Videos: click on the links below to visit our webpage on that topic
See all the ANA COVID-19 Video Education topics here