Fact. According to the Mayo Clinic, a leader in healthcare, acts of kindness aren’t just good for the soul, they are good for the body too. When we participate in acts of kindness our body releases oxytocin, a hormone that helps regulate our social and emotional response. The more oxytocin released, the more generous, kind and peaceful you are likely to feel. In addition, higher amounts of oxytocin is associated with less stress and better sleep. 

The best part? It is so easy for each of us to participate in acts of kindness. Here are a few ways to get that oxytocin boost and still follow social distancing guidelines: 

• Are you picking up dinner at a local drive thru? If you have the extra cash, pick up the tab for the person pulling up behind you. 
• Did you run to the grocery store to pick up some rolls of toilet paper or get the last few boxes of tissues? Leave your “extras” on a neighbor’s doorstep or in a mailbox. 
• Get your kids involved in acts of kindness and create springtime version of Secret Santa by leaving small arts and crafts or drawings for random people in your community.   

Remember what Mr. Rogers said, “There are three ways to ultimate success: The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind.”

This article courtesy of the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

Oklahomans are doing a great job implementing social distancing recommendations and observing guidance from state and local authorities, and while that means we are staying home and limiting our exposure to others, we still have essential needs that must be met. To meet those needs, Oklahomans still need to go to the grocery store to pick up bread and milk and eggs. We still have to put gas in the car. For others, delivery services have been critical – bringing food, toilet paper, and other items straight to our doors.

But wait. All those items that are coming into our homes, have been touched by multiple hands, traveled by plane, truck and car to reach you. But what can you do about that? You have to have these items, so how will you maintain your individual and household needs and also protect yourself from potential spread of COVID-19. Should we be worried?

Good news folks – the risk of COVID-19 spreading through your delivered groceries and bars of soap are pretty low. In fact, the CDC doesn’t recommend anything special for how you handle packages received in the mail, or that you pick up at the grocery store. The CDC does recommend you continue to observe social distance practices and remain vigilant in your personal hygiene. There are a few extra precautionary measures you can take to reduce risk even more when you are bringing goods into your home.

•If you are having food delivered, avoid direct contact with the food courier by leaving payment (if needed) outside the door and instructions on where to leave your food package. 

•When returning from a trip to the grocery store, gas station or food pick up, be sure to immediately wash your hands and any re-useable bags you may shop with. 

•Don’t leave empty take out boxes on your counters or other hard surfaces, make sure they land in your sink or your trash bin. 

•Continue to regularly disinfect high touch areas in your home – doorknobs, faucet handles, and light switches are examples. 

As long as we all keep doing our part, we can continue to slow the spread and flatten the curve here in Oklahoma. Let’s do this!

This article courtesy of the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

As businesses, places of worship and schools continue to close, the reality of our new world is settling in, and we’re not sure entirely what to think of it. For many of us – this presents a minor inconvenience. Perhaps we have paid sick leave we can access, or a job that allows for remote work. However, for our friends, neighbors and family who work hourly jobs, asking them to self-quarantine is likely causing a lot of anxiety. How will I pay my bills? How will we cover our mortgage or rent? What happens when I miss my first paycheck?

We want to make sure you are taking the steps, and have access to resources to keep your spiritual, emotional and physical health up during these times. Here are some tips and resources to help you through it.

•Have a routine for you and other members of your household. You don’t have to get all dressed up like your leaving the house, but set alarms, have meals at a certain time and “schedule” the day as much as you can.  

•Keep up with your social engagements – virtually. Do you have coffee every Wednesday morning with the moms from the bus stop? Is there a regular happy hour you and your co-workers go to? Great! Pour your beverage of choice and set up a video chat with your service of choice.

•Find ways to keep exercising. Many gyms are now offering streaming workout classes to help people stay busy and active during times of self-quarantine.  Check out a list of options here. 

•Ask for help. If you’re feeling like it’s all too much, that’s ok. We understand that self-quarantine is a disruption in all of our lives, and depending on each of our unique situations, the stress, concern and anxiety may be different. If you need someone to talk to, call the disaster distress helpline at 1-800-985-5990 and talk to someone about how your feeling, and what you need.

Our community is so resilient. We have been through devastating natural disasters and acts of domestic terrorism. If you’re new to our state – know that while COVID-19 may be new to us, we are not new to responding and helping our fellow Oklahomans.

Article courtesy of the Oklahoma State Health Department.

Tulsa, Okla. – Oklahoma Methodist Manor (OMM) has learned a supervisory employee has tested positive for COVID-19 (Coronavirus). The employee has been off work, and not present on our campus, since March 5, 2020. The employee had a scheduled day off on March 6 and did not start feeling symptoms of illness until March 7.

As is our standard practice during flu season, all employees who report any respiratory illness symptoms are directed not to report to duty. No residents are showing any signs or symptoms of COVID-19. The employee has not had any contact with any resident in the past 19 days, so the presumed risk of transmission is low. As early as March 2, OMM had already put several protective measures in place, including the screening of all employees for illness. The foresight of OMM leadership and early adoption of those protective measures are believed to have prevented the potential spread of this virus.

The employee remains quarantined at home with family and has been under the care of a physician since March 10 for flu-like symptoms. Testing for COVID-19 was performed on March 16, but results were not available until yesterday. During this extended absence, the employee has maintained their income through OMM’s sick leave benefit.

“We have notified the Oklahoma State Department of Health and are following procedures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention,” said Steve Dickie, Chief Executive Officer. “The continued health and safety of our residents is our foremost priority.” Residents, their family members, and other employees were also notified of this discovery. OMM is working closely with state officials to ensure that all necessary steps are taken to continue to prevent the virus’ spread.

“We are taking every step as recommended by authorities to continue our work preventing the spread of this virus. We want to make residents, their families, our dedicated staff, and our community aware of this situation and reassure everyone that we are on top of the situation.”
Any media inquiries regarding this case should be directed to the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

As we all try to navigate these challenging times, it is hard to distinguish between what is fact or fiction. Here is a great guide that the Oklahoma Department of Health has put together.

We all have heard or maybe we are saying “But I’m Not Even Sick!”

If you’re experiencing mild symptoms that feel like a typical common cold, or you don’t even have symptoms at all, it’s probably hard to understand the importance of staying home. We understand and want to stress that this is not about YOU.

It is about your grandparents.

It is about your aunt with high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes.

It is about the volunteers in the nursery at your place of worship.

It is about the hourly workers still making your coffee.

It is about the healthcare workers who continue to put themselves in harm’s way.

Right now they are asking all Oklahomans to be good neighbors.

•Limit your time out and about in the community to just the essentials.

•Observe social distancing guidelines. If you are waiting in line to pick up necessities at the grocery store, or need to pay for gas at the gas station, keep your distance from the next person in line, or ask the person behind you to take a few steps back if you need to.

•Practice good personal hygiene. Any time you interact with members outside of your own household, remember to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer when you return home.

•Pay attention to your surroundings. Are you in a crowded room with elderly? Is it hard to walk in between people to get to the counter? If you or someone you love is at higher risk, remove yourself from that situation.

While data continues to become available to help medical experts understand how COVID-19 is being spread, we know the best weapon is personal responsibility. Let’s make future generations proud of how we worked together to mitigate a public health crisis. Let’s serve as leaders in responding with empathy, compassion and respect for our neighbors.