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COVID-19

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1. Is my business an "essential service"?

There are 17 sectors that are considered “essential service” under Texas Executive Order GA-14.

Follow this link for steps to determine whether your business is an “essential service” as defined by Texas Executive Order GA-14.

2. When is the new stay at home order in effect?

Effective 11:59 PM March 27th until 11:59 PM April 30th

3. When can I leave my house?

Citizens should stay home unless they have an essential need to get out, for example: 

• Going to work 
• Going to purchase items you need for their household (related to food, shelter or clothing) 
• Going to the doctor or healthcare related activities  
• Going to mental health or religious activities  
  
  
  

4. Is a mask or face covering recommended?

CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.

See the tutorial and how to make a home made mask at www.brownwoodtexas.gov/cdcmask

5. Can I go to the park?

City playscapes and park equipment are closed.

City parks are open, but people must observe social distancing and limit groups to 10 or less people at all times.

 Green space and walking trails are open for use. 

6. Can I walk or run in my neighborhood?

Yes, but observe social distancing and limit groups to 10 or less people at all times.

7. If I am sick, do I have to stay home?

Yes. If you have any signs of COVID-19 (fever, shortness of breath, cough) then you must stay home until you no longer have fever for 72 hours, AND your symptoms have improved, AND 14 days have passed since you first had symptoms. These are based on CDC guidelines. 

8. If a member of my household or I have been diagnosed with COVID-19, can we leave our house?

No. No one may leave the house for 14 days unless going to seek medical care. 

9. What businesses have to close?

Entertainment businesses (game rooms, movies, bowling, and related businesses) 

Non-health related personal services (hair salons, hair stylists, barbershops, beauty shops, nail salons, tattoo shops, piercing businesses, and any services requiring close personal contact) 

10. What does this mean for businesses that stay open?

Take necessary action to have social distancing for employees and customers. 

Take the necessary steps to sanitize the workplace for employees and customers. 

Monitor the health of employees regularly. 

Employees with a temperature of more than 99.9 must be sent home and follow the stay at home order regarding sickness. 

11. Does this close down churches or religious gatherings?

No, but clergy and church leaders are encouraged to follow best practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

12. What business resources are currently available?

The Brownwood Municipal Development District has created a consolidated resource guide include federal, state, and other aid available here. 

13. What are the symptoms of COVID19?

The following symptoms may occur 2-14 days after exposure

• Fever
• Cough, usually not productive
• Shortness of breath, or chest pain

14. Who should be tested?

Per CDC not everyone needs to be tested for COVID-19. This information might help in making decisions about seeking care or testing.

• Most people have mild illness and are able to recover at home.
• There is no treatment specifically approved for this virus.
• Testing results may be helpful to inform decision making about who you come in contact with.

Please see https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/testing.html for more information from the CDC.

15. When should a test be considered?

• If you have fever or cough or shortness of breath AND close contact with a lab confirmed COVID-19 person within 14 days of symptom onset.
• If you have fever AND cough or shortness of breath AND have travel from an area affected by COVID-19 within 14 days of symptom onset OR have risk factor that put you at high risk (65 or older, have a chronic Medical condition or are immunocompromised).
• If you have fever and cough or shortness of breath requiring hospitalization AND no know etiology.

16. Who is at higher risk of severe illness?

• Over age 60
• Some chronic medical conditions
  • Heart disease
  • Lung disease including asthma
  • Kidney disease
  • Diabetes
  • Immunocompromised such as cancer or autoimmune disease

17. How do I ask about getting a test?

• If you meet the criteria above call your medical care provider or the COVID-19 hotline for a screening.
• After screening criteria has been completed and prioritized a swab could be scheduled through your health care provider.
• Testing submitted through the Department of State Health Services labs must meet the guidelines and prioritization screening before being submitted.
• Testing submitted through private labs may have different criteria.

18. How do I seek medical care?

• Call you health care provider before you arrive at their office.
• If you do not have a health care provider there are several clinics who could see you but remember to call first.

19. When should I seek emergency medical attention?

• Severe difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion or difficulty to arouse
• Bluish lips or face.
• Call the ER before you arrive or if calling an ambulance, please tell the dispatch you have these symptoms so health care workers can protect themselves.

20. How is the virus spread?

• Spread occurs from person to person who are in contact with each other closer than 6 feet via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
• Droplets can land in the mouth or nose of people who are nearby or possibly inhaled into the lungs.
• Droplet can be on common surfaces where droplets feel. The virus can be washed from hands with hand washing and removed from surfaces with disinfecting cleaners.

21. How do I protect myself?

• Wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds with warm water and soap especially after being in a public place or blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
• If soap is not available use hand sanitizer.
• Sneeze into a tissue and toss in the trash, then wash your hands
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Maintain social distancing. Stay at lease 6 feet apart from others in public.
• Limit close personal contact with others in public.

22. Are masks recommended to prevent COVID-19?

CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.

23. How can I clean and disinfect my surroundings and laundry?

• Wear gloves when possible when cleaning
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets and sinks.
• If surfaces are dirty, clean them with detergent or soap and water before disinfecting. You can use most household disinfectants to disinfect, CDC has a 7-page list of cleaners on their website.
• Lysol or Clorox cleaners are preferred. Items such as baby wipes will not kill the virus.
• A bleach solution of 1/3 cup bleach per gallon of water or 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water may also be used.
• For clothing, use the warmest water and launder as labeled.

24. Who should monitor or self-isolate?

• People who have traveled to areas know to have COVID-19, should self-isolate and monitor their temperature twice daily.
• If you have had contact with a lab confirmed case of COVID-19, you must self-isolate and monitor temperature twice daily.

25. Am I at risk for COVID-19 from a package or products shipped from China?

• Currently, there is no evidence to support the transmission of COVID-19 associated with imported goods.