As temperatures rise many of us spend more time outdoors. To stay safe and healthy during this time it is important to keep several things in mind about spending time outside.
+ Maintain social distancing with those not in your household, even when outside.
+ If you cannot maintain social distancing, wear a face covering.
+ Wash your hands frequently in warm water with soap for at least 20 seconds.
+ Check before you go. Facilities at some parks and playgrounds are still closed.
+ Bring water, it is important to stay hydrated in the heat. This is especially important for Elders and small children.
+ Wear a broad spectrum water resistant sunscreen 30 SPF or higher to protect yourself from a sunburn.
+ Never swim alone, make sure to bring a friend who can also swim.
+ Wear a helmet when operating motorized vehicles.
+ Watch for poisonous plants, like poison ivy, when out hiking.
+ Never leave anyone, including pets, in a hot car. On a 95 degree day the inside of a car can reach 110 degrees in 5-10 minutes.
It is a challenging time for all of us. But we can still have fun spending time outdoors safely. Enjoy!
Face Coverings: For Everyone’s Safety
The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and the states of Oregon and Washington have started requiring face coverings while in indoor public spaces or businesses. Recent research, although still early in the outbreak, indicates that requiring face coverings does have a positive effect on reducing the case rates in states that have mandated them. In fact, those reductions in cases of COVID-19 continue to increase overtime.
Wearing a face covering can help keep you, your family, and your community safe. Here are a few resources to help you create, wear, and care for your masks:
+ The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov): Instructions for creating, wearing and caring for your masks. This includes sew and no sew instructions.
+ The City of Portland (portland.gov): Includes a link to instructions on how to use face coverings, resources for making face coverings, and a link to the state of Oregon’s new mask requirement.
For the latest information on COVID-19 testing at Yellowhawk see our website at yellowhawk.org.