Pandemics can be stressful. Holidays and elections can be stressful. Virtual school, social distancing and not seeing friends and loved ones can be stressful too. All these things together can be a recipe for anxiety. Anxiety and fear can feel overwhelming for both adults and children alike. Sometimes it can be hard to identify anxiety or understand the strong emotions that can come along with anxiety, especially for children.
What does anxiety look and feel like?
Fear and worry about your own health and the health of your loved ones, your financial situation or job, or loss of support services you rely on
Being there for and taking care of family and friends is important but you should create a healthy balance with caring for yourself too. Here are some tips from the Centers for Disease Control on coping with the stress that comes with living through a pandemic.
Know what to do if you are sick and are concerned about COVID-19. Contact a health professional before you start any self-treatment for COVID-19.
If you think you may need a COVID-19 test, save your spot at an IHA testing location: ihacares.com/saveyourspot
Know where and how to get treatment and other support services and resources, including counseling or therapy (in person or through telehealth services).
Take care of your emotional health.Taking care of your emotional health will help you think clearly and react to the urgent needs to protect yourself and your family.
Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including those on social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.
Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy.
Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.
Connect with your community- or faith-based organizations. While social distancing measures are in place, consider connecting online, through social media, or by phone or mail.
Make time for quiet. If you find comfort in prayer or meditation, make time to incorporate this quiet time into your day. As little as 10 minutes can make a difference in your anxiety level.
Quick tips for taking control of your anxiety.
Take control of your breathing. Try square breathing: breathe in through your nose, pause, breathe out through your mouth and pause, counting to four at each step. Watch Alberto Nacif, MD give instructions on square breathing here: https://bit.ly/2Izy1aL
Tighten and relax your muscles. In areas where you feel physical tension tighten your muscles and then relax them.
Go to your happy place. Yes! It does exist! Think of a time or a place in your life where you felt at ease, happy or at peace. Focus on the positive feelings associated with this moment in time.
Know when it’s time to seek medical professional help.
If stress or anxiety get in the way of your daily life several days in a row, it may be time to contact your primary care provider. There are many resources available for managing these feelings and your provider can help you find the best fit for you.
Traditional Thanksgiving gatherings with family and friends are fun but can increase the chances of getting or spreading COVID-19 or the flu. Please be sure to follow the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) orders to make your Thanksgiving holiday safer and to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
The safest way to celebrate Thanksgiving this year is to celebrate with people in your household. If you do plan to spend Thanksgiving with people outside your household, take steps to make your celebration safer.
Wear a Mask
Wear a mask with two or more layers to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Wear the mask over your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin.
Make sure the mask fits snugly against the sides of your face.
Stay at least 6 feet away from others who do not live with you.
Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread COVID-19 or flu.
Keeping 6 feet (about 2 arm lengths) from others is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
Wash your hands.
Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Keep hand sanitizer with you and use it when you are unable to wash your hands.
Use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Attending a gathering.
Make your celebration safer. In addition to following the MDHHS order, consider these additional steps while attending a Thanksgiving gathering:
Bring your own food, drinks, plates, cups, and utensils.
Avoid going in and out of the areas where food is being prepared or handled, such as in the kitchen.
Use single-use options, like salad dressing and condiment packets, and disposable items like food containers, plates, and utensils.
Hosting a gathering.
If having guests to your home, please limit the number of people based on the MDHHS order. Additional ideas that can make your celebration safer include:
Have a small outdoor meal.
Have conversations with guests ahead of time to set expectations for celebrating together.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and items between use.
If celebrating indoors, make sure to open windows.
Limit the number of people in food preparation areas.
Have guests bring their own food and drink.
If sharing food, have one person serve food and use single-use options, like plastic utensils and plates.
Consider new Thanksgiving activities.
Host a virtual Thanksgiving meal with friends and family who don’t live with you
Schedule a time to share a meal together virtually.
Have people share recipes and show their turkey, dressing, or other dishes they prepared.
Watch television and play games with people in your household
Watch Thanksgiving Day parades, sports, and movies at home.
Find a fun game to play.
Shopping
Shop online sales the day after Thanksgiving and days leading up to the winter holidays.
Use contactless services for purchased items, like curbside pick-up.
Shop in open air markets staying 6 feet away from others.
Other Activities
Safely prepare traditional dishes and deliver them to family and neighbors in a way that does not involve contact with others (for example, leave them on the porch).
Participate in a gratitude activity, like writing down things you are grateful for and sharing with your friends and family.
Safe travel tips for college students.
There is no universal approach to Thanksgiving this year for colleges and universities. Though some are encouraging students to stay on campus for the holiday, others are allowing them to go home for the long Thanksgiving weekend. Still more are sending students home to begin their winter break or finish their semesters remotely.
Take the risk seriouslyYoung people have been identified as sources of some family outbreaks, infecting their older, more vulnerable relatives who live in the same household. Experts also point out that travel could increase students’ risk of exposure to the virus, and that holiday celebrations held indoors could facilitate transmission.
Self-quarantine and get testedIn the days before leaving campus, students should be tested, preferably with a PCR test, the laboratory test used to diagnose the coronavirus. Many colleges and universities have been regularly testing their students, and some have rolled out special guidance for holiday travel.
Source: Centers for Disease Control
Save Your Spot for drive-up COVID-19 testing at select IHA Urgent Care locations
During this pandemic, feeling sick can be scary. If you have symptoms like fever, cough, or shortness of breath, it is important to get tested for COVID-19. You should always contact your doctor with questions or concerns, but having test results will help with their recommendations for your care.
IHA offers convenient drive-up COVID-19 testing for new and established patients. We offer both PCR and Rapid tests. Your provider will determine which test is best for you based on your symptoms. Rapid testing is not always recommended. Do not go to your local IHA Urgent Care or emergency department for COVID-19 testing.
Patients in need of a COVID-19 test, please be aware: 1. You must have an appointment. Save Your Spot at one of our COVID-19 testing locations below. 2. Testing is being prioritized for symptomatic patients and patients who have had a high-risk exposure. 3. COVID-19 test results usually take 24 to 72 hours to return, but due to recent significant increases in testing – results are taking up to 5 days. 4. If you are not experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or have not had a high-risk exposure, please visit Michigan.gov to find an alternate testing location.
Halloween and everything that surrounds it –
trick-or-treating, costume parades, bobbing for apples – are fun, but can
spread COVID-19 or other seasonal infections, like influenza. While celebrating
Halloween this year will look very different from every other year, there are
still ways to enjoy all that Halloween has to offer, while protecting yourself
and your family from picking up a virus.
Giving Out Candy
Avoid direct contact with trick-or-treaters
Give out treats outdoors, if possible
Set up a station with individually bagged treats
for kids to take
Wash hands or use hand sanitizer before handling
treats, and in between trick-or-treaters
Wear a cloth mask
Trick-or-Treating
Wear a mask
Make your cloth mask part of your costume
A costume mask is not a substitute for a cloth
mask
Do NOT wear a costume mask over a cloth mask. It
can make breathing more difficult
Masks
should NOT be worn by children under the age of 2 or anyone who has trouble
breathing
Wash your hands
Bring hand sanitizer with you and use it after
touching objects or other people
Use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol
Parents: supervise young children using hand
sanitizer
Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20
seconds when you get home and before you eat any treats
Stay at least 6 feet away from others who do
not live with you
Indoors and outdoors, you are more likely to get
or spread COVID-19 when you are in close contact with others for a long time
Make sure you are always doing the following. Every.
Single. Day.
Wear a mask
Stay 6 feet away from anyone that does not live
with you – indoors and outdoors
Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer frequently
If you decide not to take your kids trick or treating this
year, here are some ideas how you can enjoy Halloween safely.
Decorate and carve pumpkins
Decorate your home for Halloween.
Carve pumpkins with members of your household or outside with neighbors or friends.
Walk from house to house, admiring Halloween decorations at a distance.
Visit an orchard, forest, or corn maze. Attend a scavenger hunt.
Go on an outdoor Halloween-themed scavenger hunt.
Visit a pumpkin patch or orchard. Remember to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer frequently, especially after touching frequently touched surfaces, pumpkins, or apples.
Go to a one-way, walk-through haunted forest or corn maze.
Other Ideas
Hide Halloween treats in and around your house. Hold a Halloween treat hunt with household members.
Hold a socially distanced outdoor costume parade or contest so everyone can show off their costumes.
Host a socially distanced outdoor Halloween movie night with friends or neighbors or an indoor movie night with your household members.
Flu Before Boo!
Protect yourself and your family during flu season by getting your flu vaccine before Halloween. Scheduling your flu shot is easy! Click below and choose an appointment time that works for you.
How to reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure while playing
youth sports
Many youth sports leagues are easing back into practice and
in some cases competition. While it’s a much-welcomed change after a summer of
quarantine, whatever you or your children play, you should play it safe. There
are a number of steps you can take to help lower the risk of COVID-19 exposure
and reduce the spread while playing sports. The more people a participant
interacts with, the closer the physical interaction, the more sharing of
equipment there is by multiple players, and the longer the interaction, the
higher the risk of COVID-19 spread. Therefore, risk of COVID-19 spread can be
different, depending on the type of activity. Read on for guidance from the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Make a game plan to reduce risk
Lowest Risk: Performing skill-building drills or
conditioning at home, alone or with members of the same household
Increasing Risk: Team-based practice
More Risk: Within-team competition
Higher Risk: Full competition between teams from
the same local geographic area (e.g., city or county)
Highest Risk: Full competition between teams
from different geographic areas (e.g., outside county or state)
If organizations are not able to keep safety
measures in place during competition (for example, keeping participants six
feet apart at all times), they may consider limiting participation to
within-team competition only (for example, scrimmages between members of the
same team) or team-based practices only
Similarly, if organizations are unable to put in
place safety measures during team-based activities, they may choose individual
or at-home activities, especially if any members of the team are at an
increased risk for severe illness
Source: CDC
Prepare before you participate
in sports
Bring supplies to help you and others stay
healthy—for example, masks (bring extra), hand sanitizer with at least 60%
alcohol, broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher, and drinking water.
Prioritize participating in outdoor activities
over indoor activities and stay within your local area as much as possible.
If using an indoor facility, allow previous
groups to leave the facility before entering with your team. If possible, allow
time for cleaning and/or disinfecting.
Check the league’s COVID-19 prevention practices
before you go to make sure they have steps in place to prevent the spread of
the virus.
If you are at an increased risk for severe
illness or have existing health conditions, take extra precautions and preventive
actions during the activity or choose individual or at-home activities.
Stay home if sick
If the participant has symptoms of COVID-19, has been
diagnosed with COVID-19, is waiting for COVID-19 test results, or may have been
exposed to someone with COVID-19, they should stay home and not participate in
any sports.
Have smaller team sizes
Sports with a large number of players on a team
may increase the likelihood of spread compared to sports with fewer team
members.
Limit your team to a core group of participants,
by restricting non-team players from joining when your team is short players
and not adding new members during the season.
Reduce physical closeness between players when possible
Maintain at least 6 feet between yourself and
your teammates, other competitors, and officials while actively participating
in the sport.
Focus on building individual skills, like
batting, dribbling, kicking, and strength training.
Avoid high fives, handshakes, fist bumps or
hugs.
Keep space between players in the practice
areas, including on the sideline, dugout, and bench.
Wait in car or away from the playing area until
just before the warm-up period or the beginning of the game.
Avoid congregating in the parking lot or near
the field before or after games.
If it is not possible to avoid congregating,
practice social distancing by ensuring there is at least 6 feet between
participants.
If social distancing is not possible, wear a
mask whenever possible to reduce risk of virus transmission.
Space out spectators by 6 feet
Limit nonessential visitors, spectators, and
volunteers. Ensure they wear masks and maintain social distancing.
Wear a mask if possible
Wear a mask if feasible, especially when it is
difficult to stay less than 6 feet apart from other people or indoors, for
example in close contact sports such as basketball.
Lower intensity sports: Emphasize wearing masks
and practicing social distancing for lower intensity sports.
Higher intensity sports: People who are engaged
in high intensity activities, like running, may not be able to wear a mask if
it causes difficulty breathing.
If unable to wear a mask, consider conducting
the activity in a location with greater ventilation and air exchange (for
instance, outdoors versus indoors) and where it is possible to maintain
physical distance from others.
In situations where individuals might raise
their voices, such as shouting or chanting, we strongly encourage wearing
masks.
For youth athletes, parents, coaches, and sports
administrators should decide if the kids need to wear a mask.
It is not known if face shields provide any
benefit as source control to protect others from the spray of respiratory
particles. CDC does not recommend use of face shields for normal everyday activities
or as a substitute for masks.
Minimize sharing of equipment or gear
Encourage players to bring their own equipment
if possible, like gloves, balls, and helmets.
Limit the use of frequently touched surfaces on
the field, court, or play surface.
Bring your own water to minimize use and
touching of drinking fountains.
Clean and disinfect shared items between use.
Don’t share towels, clothing, or any items used
to wipe your face or hands.
Avoid sharing food, drink containers (e.g.,
coolers), and utensils.
Cover your coughs and sneezes.
When coughing or sneezing, use a tissue or the
inside of your elbow. Used tissues should be thrown away and hands washed
immediately with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer
with 60% alcohol.
If soap and water are not readily available,
hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol can be used.
Wash hands
Wash your hands with soap and water for at least
20 seconds or use hand sanitizer with 60% alcohol.
Before and after you play.
Before adjusting your mask—review information
about proper use, removal, and washing of masks.
Limit travel outside of your area
Consider competing against teams in your local
area (neighborhood, town, or community).
Checklist for coaches
Send a welcome email or call parents (for youth players) and/or players. Inform them about actions that the sports program will take to protect players. Remind them to stay home if sick or if they have been around someone who is sick.
Be a role model. Wear a mask and encourage family members, fans, officials, and sports staff to wear one during practices and games.
Provide hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol to players before and after practice/game and encourage them to wash their hands with soap and water.
Educate players about covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or their elbow. Discourage spitting.
youths practicing basketball
Encourage players to focus on building individual skills
Remind players about social distancing and identify markers (such as signage or tape on floor).
Encourage your players to focus on building their individual skills and cardiovascular conditioning, so they can limit close contact with other players.
Check with your sports administrator to make sure they are following cleaning and disinfection recommendations.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces on field, court, or play surface (such as drinking fountains) at least daily or between use.
Clean and disinfect shared equipment.
If you have questions or concerns about your child participating in sports this fall, make an appointment to talk it over with yout pediatric provider.
CDC offers the following tips for staying safe and slowing the spread of COVID-19 while scheduling services or repairs inside the home. This may include installation and repair of plumbing, electrical, heating, or air conditioning systems; painting; or cleaning services.
In general, the closer and longer you interact with others, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spread. Limiting close face-to-face contact and staying at least 6 feet away from other people is the best way to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection, along with wearing masks and practicing everyday preventive actions. Before welcoming service providers into your home, consider these tips to help keep you, your family, and the service provider safe during in-home services or repairs:
Before the visit
Check with your local health department to see if there is a stay-at-home order in your state or local community that restricts non-essential activities or services. If a stay-at-home order is in effect in your community, consider if the service request is essential or if it can be delayed.
If you or someone in your home has COVID-19, has symptoms consistent with COVID-19, or has been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, wait to schedule non-emergency services that require entry into your home until it is safe to be around others.
If you or someone in your home is at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19, such as older adults or those with underlying medical conditions, consider not being inside the home during the service, or find someone else who can be in the home instead.
Do as much of the pre-service consultation as possible before the service provider arrives, to reduce the amount of time the service provider spends inside your home. For example, discuss the details of the service request on the phone or by email, and send pictures ahead of time.
Discuss any COVID-19 precautions the service provider is taking, including the use of masks for the duration of the service visit, any pre-screening procedures (such as temperature checks) and using the restroom during the service call.
During the visit
Do not allow service providers to enter your home if they seem sick or are showing symptoms of COVID-19.
Ask the service provider to wear a mask before entering your home and during the service visit. Also, you and other household members should wear a mask. Consider having clean, spare masks to offer to service providers if their cloth face covering becomes wet, contaminated or otherwise soiled during the service call.
Avoid physical greetings, for example, handshakes.
Minimize indoor conversations. All conversations with the service providers should take place outdoors, when possible, and physically distanced indoors, if necessary.
Maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from the service provider, and limit interactions between the service provider and other household members and pets.
During indoor services, take steps to maximize ventilation inside the home, such as turning on the air conditioner or opening windows in the area.
After the visit
If possible, use touchless payment options or pay over the phone to avoid touching money, a card, or a keypad. If you must handle money, a card, or use a keypad, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol after paying.
After the service is completed, clean and disinfect any surfaces in your home that may have been touched by the service provider.
If you have symptoms of COVID-19 and need to be tested, Save Your Spot at Fever and Upper Respiratory Illness Clinic at an IHA Urgent Care near you.
Who could have imagined the struggles that all of us would encounter from this unprecedented global pandemic? Not only has it brought our state and country great economic stress, but it also has changed how healthcare services will be delivered forevermore.
Early in the crisis, IHA’s healthcare providers and staff took multiple steps to help our community respond to the pandemic. Within a matter of days, our medical group opened drive-thru testing sites, implemented a free on-line COVID screening tool, and designated locations where patients with fevers and upper respiratory symptoms could be treated. Additionally, we rolled-out video appointments for all our patients and began piloting home care visits for our most vulnerable patients.
These are complicated times with rapidly changing standards, which is why IHA has been providing regular updates to our staff and providers, as well as our patients. In a matter of weeks, IHA has addressed the most significant and complex changes to face healthcare in our lifetime, but we are not done. We are moving toward what many are calling the “new normal.”
Staying safe in the “new normal”. Video appointments continue to be our primary method used to treat patients. Since launching this service just a few weeks ago, we have completed nearly 25,000 video appointments. The decline in new COVID cases is enabling IHA to reconnect in-person with patients whose appointments, surgeries or outpatient procedures were cancelled. Over the next two weeks, our physicians and practitioners will slowly increase the number of in-person appointments they offer and surgeries they perform. As we reopen more offces, we want to assure you that we are committed to being both responsive and responsible, navigating these unusual times with everyone’s safety in mind.
Numerous safeguards and quality measures are in place across IHA to care for COVID and Non-COVID patients. These include our use of telehealth visits which are actively being embraced by our patients and our providers alike.
IHA is following CDC guidelines and has put additional cleaning and screening processes in place to keep anyone entering an IHA building safe. These processes include requiring all staff and patients to wear masks and having their temperature checked before entering a practice. Along with maintaining appropriate social distancing, items such as hand sanitizer and tissues will be prominent in every location.
Saving lives, improving quality of life.
Our difficult journey is not over, but we must look to the future. Children need to maintain their immunization schedules, older adults or those with complex medical issues need their health and medications regularly monitored, and further delaying surgeries or exploratory procedures may cause serious harm or lead to other health problems. The steps we are following to reopen are being implemented with extreme care and will be constantly evaluated. As a member of Saint Joseph Mercy Health System, we are working together on safety and security protocols. We have developed COVID-Free Zones, areas where we provide care only for people not known to have COVID-19 or COVID symptoms. We wish to assure the community that our healthcare delivery system is working closer than ever to keep your health and wellness at the center of everything.
Over the past two months, no one industry has learned more than healthcare about the need to change and adapt quickly in order to care for those we serve. Our lives have drastically changed but fulfilling IHA’s mission of healing will remain with us forever. Please know that we stand ready to care for you. IHA’s motto “our family caring for yours” has never meant more to us than it does today.
We encourage you to call your provider’s office or visit ihacares.com today to learn about the many ways we can connect and safely provide the care that you need. IHA is here for you.
Recommended precautions for household members, intimate partners, and caregivers of COVID-19 patients
Close contacts of COVID-19 patients should follow these recommendations: • Make sure that you understand and can help the patient follow their healthcare provider’s instructions for medication(s) and care. You should help the patient with basic needs in the home and provide support for getting groceries, prescriptions, and otherpersonal needs. • Monitor the patient’s symptoms. If the patient is getting sicker, call his or her healthcare provider and tell them that the patient has laboratory-confirmed COVID-19. This will help the healthcare provider’s office take steps to keep other people in the office or waiting room from getting infected. Ask the healthcare provider to call the local or state health department for additional guidance. If the patient has a medical emergency and you need to call 911, notify the dispatch personnel that the patient has, or is being evaluated for COVID-19. • Household members should stay in another room or be separated from the patient as much as possible. Household members should use a separate bedroom and bathroom, if available. • Prohibit visitors who do not have an essential need to be in the home. • Household members should care for any pets in the home. Do not handle pets or other animals while sick. • Make sure that shared spaces in the home have good air flow, such as by an air conditioner or an opened window, weather permitting. • Perform hand hygiene frequently. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains 60 to 95% alcohol, covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry. Soap and water should be used preferentially if hands are visibly dirty. • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. • The patient should wear a facemask when you are around other people. If the patient is not able to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), you, as the caregiver, should wear a mask when you are in the same room as the patient. • Wear a disposable facemask and gloves when you touch or have contact with the patient’s blood, stool, or body fluids, such as saliva, sputum, nasal mucus, vomit, urine. • Throw out disposable facemasks and gloves after using them. Do not reuse. • When removing personal protective equipment, first remove and dispose of gloves. Then, immediately clean your hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Next, remove and dispose of facemask, and immediately clean your hands again with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer. • Avoid sharing household items with the patient. You should not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, bedding, or other items. After the patient uses these items, you should wash them thoroughly (see below “Wash laundry thoroughly”). • Clean all “high-touch” surfaces, such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables, every day. Also, clean any surfaces that may have blood, stool, or body fluids on them. • Use a household cleaning spray or wipe, according to the label instructions. Labels contain instructions for safe and effective use of the cleaning product including precautions you should take when applying the product, such as wearing gloves and making sure you have good ventilation during use of the product. • Wash laundry thoroughly. • Immediately remove and wash clothes or bedding that have blood, stool, or body fluids on them. • Wear disposable gloves while handling soiled items and keep soiled items away from your body. Clean your hands (with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer) immediately after removing your gloves.
• Read and follow directions on labels of laundry or clothing items and detergent. In general, using a normal laundry detergent according to washing machine instructions and dry thoroughly using the warmest temperatures recommended on the clothing label. • Place all used disposable gloves, facemasks, and other contaminated items in a lined container before disposing of them with other household waste. Clean your hands (with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer) immediately after handling these items. Soap and water should be used preferentially if hands are visibly dirty. • Discuss any additional questions with your state or local health department or healthcare provider. Check available hours when contacting your local health department.
If you or someone you know has symptoms of COVID-19, take our free online screening today.
This week in Michigan, school was officially cancelled for
the remainder of the year in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. For many students
an occasional snow day is a welcomed site, but trading once-in-a-lifetime
events like prom and graduation, fun with friends, concerts and performances, sports
and end of year class parties for several weeks or months of quarantine is a different
story. With the announcement this week, your child, especially teens, may be left
feeling a sense of loss. As parents, you want to support your children as they
navigate this unprecedented stage of life, but you’re also working through these
changes while trying to keep up with working from home, homeschooling and
keeping the family healthy. We’ve got you covered! Read on for some quick tips on
how to support your teen through quarantine.
It’s OK to feel angry.
High school seniors have lost out on much of what they’ve
been working for over the last 12 years, and teens in general are missing out on
high school and college rites-of-passage. Understandably, they may be feeling angry,
sad, disappointed, and just plain miserable. For parents, expressing empathy for
their current situation can go a long way in helping them cope.
Say this: “I’m sorry that you’re missing out on so many
things you were looking forward to. This will end and life will get better, but
I understand that you feel miserable right now.”
It’s OK to feel happy.
On the flip side, your teen may feel a huge sense of relief with
the premature end of the school year. For some, the stress of studies, pressure
of performances, or social struggles means quarantine is actually a welcomed
change. It’s important to allow your child to feel both disappointment and
relief.
Say this: “It’s okay to feel relieved that some of the
things you were worried about are now not going to happen.”
Be ready for friction.
For teens, friendships can be as important and their
relationships with their family members. Expect that they are not going to
enjoy being forced to stay away from their friends for many weeks. Be ready for
arguments and anger as you keep them home to keep them well. This will be even
more challenging as other parents may not follow the rules and allow their children
to interact with friends outside their homes.
Say this: “I’m following the advice of medical experts
during this quarantine, and I can’t allow you to go to someone else’s home or
have someone over to ours, regardless of the choices your friend’s parents are
making.”
Give them a voice.
As you navigate a new family schedule, be respectful of the
fact that your teen has their own idea of how they would like to see their day
go. Layout your expectations for schoolwork, help with younger siblings and housework.
Ask for their input and come to an agreement together.
Say this: “I need some things from you during this quarantine,
and I know you have needs too. Let’s look at our weekly schedule together and
come up with one that works for both of us.”
Take breaks.
When you’re working from home, it can be more difficult than
ever to disconnect from work. It’s important to give your family, and
especially your children, undivided attention, sans work. Set aside time every day
where you can put your devices away and focus on family.
Say this: “At five-o’clock today, let’s head outside and
take a walk before dinner. It’s important to get our work done, but we need to
make time for time for each other. Spending time with you is one of my favorite
things to do!”
Know when your child needs help.
Despite your best efforts, your child’s response to the stress
surrounding COVID-19 may require some outside help. The IHA Pediatric Behavioral
Health team is here to support you. Call today to learn more.
Say this: “I can see you’re struggling, and I want to do
what’s best to help you. I know someone that can help.”
Due to the outpouring of support IHA has received from community members, they have setup a donation center for those who have expressed interest in donating items.
The outbreak of COVID-19 is straining our local communities and resources. While IHA currently has the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) necessary to keep frontline healthcare workers safe, donations from the community will proactively support our reserves for potential long-term challenges.
Beginning today, IHA will accept
donations of the following unused items:
N95 Masks
Disposable Face Masks
Disposable Gloves
Disposable Gowns
Eyewear
Face Shields
Donations may be made Monday through Friday between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm to: IHA Central Offices (at Domino’s Farms Office Park)
24 Frank Lloyd Wright Drive
Lobby J, Suite 2000
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
For more information on COVID-19
and how to seek care, please visit: www.IHAcares.com
Here in Michigan, schools, libraries and other facilities are closed amid the COVID-19 outbreak. Coupled with shortages in grocery stores, some families that rely on food-security programs may be struggling to feed their families. Local non-profit agencies are working hard to ensure these programs are maintained and our communities don’t go hungry. If you or someone you know needs help, scroll down for a list of food-security programs, organized by county and school district. If you are able to volunteer to help get food to those in need, or would like to donate, click here.
Washtenaw County
Ann Arbor Public Schools has set 11 locations for
free meal pickups around Ann Arbor. Breakfast and lunch packages are available
for pickup from 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM Tuesdays and Fridaysexcept
for Friday, April 3. Meals will be available on Thursday, April 2 instead.
Bryant
Community Center, 3 W. Eden Court.
Green
Baxter Court Community Center, 1737 Green Road.
Hikone
Community Center, 2724 Hikone Drive.
The
Pinelake Village Coop, outside the clubhouse, 2680 Adrienne Drive.
Lakestone
Apartments, outside the clubhouse, 4275 Eyrie Drive.
Scio
Farms, outside the clubhouse, 6655 Jackson Road.
Orchard
Grove, outside the clubhouse, 2835 S. Wagner Road.
Carpenter
Elementary, outside the school, 4250 Central Blvd.
Scarlett
Middle School, outside the school, 3300 Lorraine St.
Peace
Maple Meadows Satellite, West Ann Arbor Satellite 1111 N. Maple Road.
Arrowwood
Hills Community Center, 2566 Arrowwood Trail.
For individuals that
cannot make it to one of these food pick-ups or have food allergy concerns,
call the AAPS Food Service Hotline at 734-994-2265.
Chelsea School District Food Service is providing sack breakfast and
lunch meals for students from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM on Wednesday, March 18;
Monday, March 23 and Friday, March 27 at the Chelsea High School commons
entrance. Please contact (734) 433-2208 ext. 6082 for further information.
Dexter Community Schools is implementing Drive-up pickup starting Tuesday, March 17 in the
Mill Creek Parking Lot.Drive-up pickup will be 8:00 AM – 9:30
AM and 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM every Tuesday and Friday. Each pickup will
include breakfast and lunch for 5 days’ worth per child.
Lincoln Consolidated Schools’ Lincoln Food Service is providing grab and go
meals for all students in need. Drive-through distribution begins Monday, from
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM behind the Lincoln High School East Cafe
Milan Area Schools will run its usual bus route to get meals to families
starting Tuesday, March 17. Additionally, a drive-through site will be
available between 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM at Paddock Elementary. Information
regarding further food service distribution will be available Wednesday
morning.
Saline Area Social Services is distributing pre-packaged
groceries to families 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM Tuesday and Thursday in its
parking lot at 244 W. Michigan Ave. Those interested in volunteering are asked
to call 734-476-7831.
Ypsilanti
Community Schools will offer a week’s worth of
breakfast and lunch to be provided from March 17 to April 2. Meals will be
handed out11:00 AM – 1:00 PM Tuesdays and Thursdays at all
six locations. Three sites will hand out meals from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM on
those days as well.
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
A.C.C.E., 1076 Ecorse
Community Family Life Center,
1375 S Harris Road
Stronger Tower Ministries, 134
Spencer Lane
Parkridge Community Center, 591
Armstrong Drive
CRC Community Resource Center,
2057 Tyler Road
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Community Family Life Center
Stronger Tower Ministries
Parkridge Community Center
The district is in search of volunteers to staff the six locations. Training for 24 lead volunteers is 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM Monday at the district administration building, 1885 Packard St. Additional volunteers will be needed starting Tuesday, March 17. Part of the job for lead volunteers will be documenting meals served and assisting with clean up.
Livingston County
Howell Public Schools is offering food on Monday, March 23 and Monday,
March 30 from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM in the circle driveway on the north side of
Howell High School. The district will deliver meal kits to families who are
unable come during the pick-up time. If you need a meal kit delivered, please
use the following link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfvy-qr2Aye-sm8q5qozk8aBi_5dFTIyWpL0e_TLP6FXZQkeQ/viewform
Fowlerville Community Schools is partnering with Gleaners’ Community Food Bank to distribute food to their students’ families on Thursday, March 19th and Thursday, April 2nd at the Fowlerville High School. Any member of a student’s family can come to the main entrance of the high school from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM. Approximately two weeks of food for each student will be distributed. There are other resources available to support families during this time as well. Breakfast sandwiches are being distributed at Kodet’s Hardware. Visit their Facebook page for more information. Lunch is being distributed at the Torch 180 at 131 Mill Street. Click here for more information. Families in need of support could also call the Family Impact Center at (517) 223- 4428.
Brighton Area Schools’ Student Nutrition Department has donated a
large quantity of unused food to Gleaners for distribution to families during
the shutdown. Gleaners’ Shared Harvest Pantry will be open by appointment only.
The pantry will offer a drive-up service with a box of food; and may include
meat, fresh produce, toilet paper and laundry soap as supplies are available.
For more information, call (517) 548-3710.
The Salvation Army will provide sack
lunches Tuesday-Friday next week from Noon to 1 PM at the following locations:
Tuesday: Lakeshore Village Apartments 2812 Ontario Ct, Howell, MI 48843
Wednesday: Grand Plaza Apartments 401 S Highlander Way, Howell, MI 48843
Thursday: Prentis Estates Apartments1103 S Latson Rd, Howell, MI 48843
Friday: Howell Estates, 515 Mason Rd, Howell, MI 48843
Brighton Area Schools will also be continuing their “Blessings in a
Backpack” program through BAS by distributing food in the BECC parking lot
during the next three Tuesdays from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM. This will be a drive
through pick up process. If you need additional support, please email Starr
Acromite at acromis@brightonk12.com or call (810) 299-4040.
Pinckney Community Schools will be offering breakfast and lunch food Thursdays from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM. Food will be distributed in front of pathfinder school at the main office entry. They ask that all parents and students remain in their vehicles as the food is brought to their car. Two-day portions will be provided at each distribution. Electronic forms are currently being developed so that they can deliver food personally. Pinckney Community Schools will offer a mobile food pantry Wednesday, March 18th from 5:00PM – 6:00 PM in the district transportation garage.
Whitmore Lake Public Schools is providing grab and go breakfast and lunches Monday through Friday. Breakfast can be picked up 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM, and lunch is picked up from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM at the front doors of Whitmore Lake Elementary School, 1077 Barker Road, Whitmore Lake, MI. To help plan for the right amount of food, parents are asked to fill out this form. If your family is unable to pick up the meals, but still are in need of assistance, you canfill out this form
Oakland County
Clarkston Community Schools is partnering with Chartwells School Dining
to provide free breakfasts and lunch to families in need. Students ages 18 and
younger (or 26 and younger if an Adult Transition Services student) can pick up
food Monday through Friday at the following locations and times:
CURBSIDE PICK-UP AT:
Andersonville Elementary School
10350 Andersonville Road
Daily pick-up from 11am-12:30pm
Sashabaw Middle School
5565 Pine Knob Lane
Daily pick-up from 11am-12:30pm
Clarkston Junior High School
6595 Waldon Road
Daily pick-up from 11am-12:30pm
CCS FOOD SERVICES TRUCK IN PARKING LOT AT:
Bridgewater Park Apartments
5801 Bridgewater Dr.
Daily pick-up from 11:30am-12pm
Clintonvilla Mobile Home Community
4851 Clintonville Rd.
Daily pick-up from 12pm-12:30pm
Independence Woods Mobile Home Community
2500 Mann Rd.
Daily pick-up from 11am-11:30am
Clawson Public Schools is collaborating with Chartwells dining
services to offer a free brown bag breakfast and lunch program to all members
in the community from Monday to Friday 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM or 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
at Clawson Middle School.
Novi Community School District will provide grab and go breakfast and lunches for students aged 18 and under and students with IEPs up to age 26 on Tuesday March 24 and Tuesday March 31. Seven days of food will be provided each week. Food will be provided for each student in the family. Families can pick up the food in the Novi High School Taft Road parking lot. It is a drive through process in the bus loop area. Families can pick up food between the hours of 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM. There are also two mobile drop off areas in the community. One in the Novi Ridge Apartments and the other in the Pavilion Court. Food will be delivered to the clubhouses via a Novi Community School District
bus in both locations between 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM. Children do not have to be
present.
Pontiac School District will deliver meals to designated stops along each bus route starting Wednesday, March 18 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. For full details click here.
South
Lyon Community Schools’
students are eligible to receive breakfast and lunch for seven days on each
pickup date listed below. Students do not need to be present. This program will
be a pickup and go program. Families will pull up to the main entrance of the
respective school building and volunteers will come to your vehicle to ask how
many children you will be feeding. At that time, they will bring the prepacked
breakfast and lunch food to your vehicle. Wednesday, March 18; Wednesday, March
25 and Wednesday, April 1. The locations include:
South Lyon High School 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Kent Lake Elementary 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Dolsen Elementary 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Salem Elementary 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Southfield Public Schools is working with SFE and First Student to offer up to two meals per day to all children ages 18 and under for free. This includes students with disabilities, ages 18-26, with an active individual education program (IEP). Beginning Monday, March 16, meals for seven days a week will be delivered to Southfield Public Schools students and all children in the community throughout the time of the state closure of schools. Specified stops will be made from 10:45 AM – 1:30 PM daily.
Students that ride special needs buses will have meals delivered to their homes. In addition, there will be buses on standby to capture students who may miss the scheduled bus delivery or for special meals. Meals will also be distributed at Thompson K-8 International Academy (16300 Lincoln Drive, Southfield 48076) starting Monday, March 16, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM. The remainder of the week’s distribution will be 8:00 PM – 1:00 PM. Please call (248) 746-8522 for questions. Click here for the full bus stop schedule.
Troy School District is offering grab and go breakfasts and lunches every weekday from 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM from March 17 to April 1 at the following locations:
Athens High School
Troy High School
Troy Career and College HS
Baker Middle School
Smith Middle School
Morse Elementary School
Troy Union Elementary
Charter Square Apartments
Rochester Villas
Somerset Apartments
The Gables of Troy
Troy Villas
For further information, please call (248) 823-5089.
Walled Lake Consolidated Schools has a curbside pickup for students in need Monday, March 23 and 30 from 1:45 PM – 3:00PM. If you are unable to pick up food, email info@wlcsd.org for delivery.
Wayne County
Dearborn Public Schools is offering free pickup breakfast
and lunch for students while school is closed for the mandatory shut down over
the next three weeks. Pickups will run daily from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM starting
March 17 at Fordson High School, Edsel Ford High School, Dearborn High School,
McCollough-Unis K-8, Salina Intermediate School and Woodworth Middle School.
Detroit Public Schools will offer Breakfast and lunch
and Academic Packets starting Wednesday, March 18 at 58 DPSCD buildings. Students
will not be allowed to enter the building.
A
“grab-and-go” breakfast will be served, Monday – Friday, from 8:00 AM – 10:30 AM
A
“grab-and-go” lunch will be served from 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Academic
K-8 learning packets with a focus on Mathematics, English Language Arts,
Science and Social Studies can be picked-up at the same 58 school locations
listed below.
All school locations listed below
are linked to Google Maps for directions.
Plymouth – Canton Community Schools has put
together a plan for six district sites to make breakfast and lunch meals
available on a weekly basis. Families are welcome to come pick up free meals
for all kids every Wednesday during the school closure period, starting on
Wednesday, March 18.
Each package contains both breakfast and
lunch for five days. This program is for all kids 18 years old and under, as
well as our students ages 18 to 26 who are serviced with an Individualized
Education Plan (IEP) in their community.
MEAL PICKUP SCHEDULE:
Every Wednesday during the school closure
period (starting March 18) from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
LOCATIONS:
Salem High School, 46181 Joy Rd., Canton
Starkweather Academy, 39750 Joy Rd., Plymouth
Discovery Middle School, 45083 Hanford Rd., Canton
Liberty Middle School, 46250 Cherry Hill Rd., Canton
West Middle School, 44401 Ann Arbor Trail, Plymouth
Eriksson Elementary, 1275 Haggerty Rd., Canton
In addition, families may visit other
school locations to pick up meals should it be more convenient. Visit the Wayne
RESA website for a complete list of Wayne County school districts that are
offering free meal programs. For questions, contact Healthy.Meals@pccsk12.com.
Van Buren Public Schools’ Bus Service will be delivering meals from March 19 to April 10, Monday through Friday. For more information, click here.
Wayne-Westland Community Schools will be providing drive-thru breakfast and lunch for ALL students from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM at John Glenn High School, located at 36105 Marquette, Westland, MI on the following dates: Wednesday, March 18; Monday, March 23 and Monday, March 30. Students do not need to be present Please fill out this form before you visit to indicate which date(s) you plan to attend and how many children are in your family.
Wyandotte Public Schools is offering breakfast and lunch for pickup in weekly portions
on Wednesday, March 18; Wednesday, March 25 and Wednesday, April 1 at the
Roosevelt High School main entrance parking lot from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
Other services offered within Livingston, Oakland, Washtenaw, or Wayne counties
Bountiful Harvest is providing breakfast and lunches for
Livingston County children who qualify for reduced or free lunch. They will be
providing each child with enough food for breakfast and lunch for a week with
pickups once per week at 290 E Grand River Ave, Brighton, MI. Please call the
day before pickup by 5:00 PM at (810) 360-0271. People are welcome to shop the
pantry during their normal pantry hours Thursday 6:00 PM – 8:00, Friday 4:00 PM
– 6:00 PM and Saturday 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM. They also serve a hot dinner Friday
night 3:30 to 5:30 and a hot breakfast Saturday morning 8-11. Takeout meals are
available. For those who do not wish to come in, they have a shopping list for
you to choose the items you want and volunteer shoppers will gather their goods
and bring them to your vehicle.
Hope Clinic is distributing hot
meals to go on Sundays, Mondays and Saturdays. It will have emergency groceries
available during operating hours. Call (734) 484-2989 to make a pantry
appointment. Visit at 518 Harriet St, Ypsilanti, MI.
SOS Community Services has pantry days from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM every Tuesday
and 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM every Wednesday at 114 North River in Ypsilanti, MI
48198. Please call for appointments at (734) 484-9945 prior to pantry day.
Walk-ins will be accepted with limited pantry access. Emergency groceries are also
available.
TeaHaus is providing free boxed lunches for AAPS
students starting Monday. The boxed meals are being handed out at Eat More Tea,
211 E. Ann St. in downtown Ann Arbor.
Palm Palace is offering free meals for kids
while schools are closed at 2370 Carpenter Road, Ann Arbor. Please call (734)
606-0706
To keep all patients safe, please do not enter an IHA facility if you have any of the symptoms of COVID-19, including, fever, cough and shortness of breath. Instead, please visit IHAcares.com/screening to complete a free COVID-19 screening or call your physician’s practice for additional medical assistance.
