Social Distancing Guidelines from LNP Center

Social Distancing is a set of actions that apply to groups or communities. These actions help to control the spread of illness by minimizing the chance of groups coming in close contact with one another.

Influenza is thought to be primarily spread through large respiratory droplets (droplet transmission) that directly contact the nose, mouth, or eyes. These droplets are produced when infected people cough, sneeze, or talk, sending the infectious droplets and very small sprays (aerosols) into the air and into contact with other people. Large droplets can only travel a limited distance; therefore, people should limit close contact (within 6 feet) with others when possible. To a lesser degree, human influenza is spread by touching objects contaminated with influenza viruses and then transferring the infected material from the hands to the nose, mouth, or eyes.

What Are the Basics of Social Distancing

Social distancing may be a viable alternative for the general public to avoid the pandemic influenza infection until a vaccine becomes available. Below, in order of potential effectiveness, are various aspects of SD suggestions:

1. Limit exposure to other people within 6 feet.

2. Minimize exposure to enclosed spaces containing crowds, such as movie theatres, grocery stores, gas stations, schools, malls, and so forth.

3. Use personal protective equipment, such as N95 masks (see Pandemic Planning—Personal Protective Equipment fact sheet), if you must get within 6 feet of anyone outside your immediate family (or other individuals where you have intimate knowledge of their health conditions) or if you must go into an enclosed space containing crowds. It should be noted that there is limited information on the use of surgical masks for the control of a pandemic in settings where there is no identified source of infection.

4. Wash hands after touching any item that may have been touched by others or use disposable gloves. Contaminated surfaces can transmit influenza for 24 hours.

Children as Significant Transmitters.

Children are a significant factor in the transmission of influenza for many reasons. Compared with adults, children usually shed more influenza virus and for a longer period. They also are less skilled in handling their secretions and are in close proximity with many other children for most of the day at school. Schools, in particular, clearly serve as a means to transmit seasonal community influenza epidemics. Infected children and parents are also thought to play a major role in introducing and transmitting influenza virus within their households.

Therefore, given the disproportionate contribution of children in spreading disease and viruses, targeting their social networks both within and outside of schools would be expected to help disrupt influenza spread. Given that children and teens are together at school for a significant portion of the day, dismissal of students from school could effectively disrupt a significant portion of influenza transmission within these age groups.

What Do We Recommend in Community as  Precautionary Measures?

1. Do not attend our meetings if:

a. you are experiencing symptoms of a flu-like virus

b. you are already sick of any respiratory disease e.g. cough and colds

c. you have been in close contact with a person who has been tested positive of the virus.

2. Do not let your children come to our meetings if:

a. they are experiencing symptoms of a flu-like virus

b. they are already sick of any respiratory disease e.g. cough and colds

c. they have been in close contact with a person who has been tested positive of the virus.

d. their school has been subjected to the 10-day quarantine by the DOH.

3. As prescribed by the Archdiocese of Manila, we are to refrain from holding hands and taking the communion by mouth. Similarly, we want to refrain for the mean time from our expressions and gestures of closeness:

a. Refrain from kissing and hugging members.

b. Refrain children from kissing their titos and titas

4. Report to your Coordinator if there are members of your family who tested positive with the virus. If that happens, you need to subject yourself to the quarantine.

5. In our gatherings, cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. Then wash hands frequently.

6. Use the sanitizers being made available in the center. You may want to bring your own hand sanitizers too wherever you go.

7. Do not be embarrassed to wear protective mask if you want during gatherings

8. Boost your resistance level by taking the necessary vitamins

Social distancing measures include stopping large groups of people coming together, closing buildings, and cancelling events. Though we don’t yet see the need for this, please trust that the community leadership will continue to assess our situation and will take the necessary steps when needed. For the mean time, please continue praying the prayer we sent you and trust that the Lord will protect His people.