{"id":3991,"date":"2020-03-17T19:39:30","date_gmt":"2020-03-17T19:39:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/?p=3991"},"modified":"2023-12-19T18:07:58","modified_gmt":"2023-12-19T18:07:58","slug":"health-alert-for-patients-and-caregivers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/2020\/03\/17\/health-alert-for-patients-and-caregivers\/","title":{"rendered":"NEW – Health Alert for People with Sickle Cell Disease and their Caregivers"},"content":{"rendered":"

DOWNLOAD PATIENT PDF<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0(Spanish Version)<\/em><\/a><\/strong>
\nDOWNLOAD PATIENT SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN PDF<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

SHOW THIS TO YOUR MEDICAL PROVIDERS TO HELP THEM HELP YOU.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

This document will be updated as more information becomes available.<\/em><\/strong>
\nMay 27, 2020<\/strong> \u2013 COVID-19, the coronavirus disease of 2019 – also known as Coronavirus-2 (also called SARS-CoV-2) – and the illness it causes is on everybody\u2019s mind. If you or your family member has sickle cell disease (SCD), you may be worried about what this new disease may mean to you.
\nThe more you learn about COVID-19, the better you can understand what to look for, how to protect yourself or your loved one, and what to do IF you feel sick.
\nSCDAA and its Medical and Research Advisory Committee want to help you understand COVID-19, how it may affect a person with SCD, and what you can do to help.
\nThe potential health risk posed by COVID-19 for people with SCD is a real concern.<\/strong> The knowledge we have about how COVID-19 will affect those living with SCD is evolving constantly. In light of this, the risks to our community may change in the coming days, weeks and months. It is critical that you stay regularly informed.<\/strong>
\nMembers of MARAC have been speaking daily with other experts around the world to get new information that may be useful to you.
\nWhat You Need to Know About the Coronavirus (COVID-19)<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe coronavirus pandemic is real; it is not just a scare tactic, and it is not fake news.<\/strong> <\/span>People who have SCD may have a more difficult time IF they get COVID-19; it is better to protect yourself from getting the infection.<\/p>\n

Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n

SCDAA Medical and Research Advisory Committee Members<\/u><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Miguel R Abboud, MD
\n<\/strong>Professor of Pediatrics and Pediatric Hematology-Oncology
\nChairman
\nDepartment of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine
\nAmerican University of Beirut, Lebanon
\nBiree Andemariam, MD
\n<\/strong>Chair, Medical and Research Advisory Committee, Sickle Cell Disease Association of America
\nChief Medical Officer, Sickle Cell Disease Association of America
\nDirector, New England Sickle Cell Institute
\nAssociate Professor of Medicine
\nUniversity of Connecticut Health
\nFarmington, CT 06030
\nShawn Bediako, PhD
\n<\/strong>Associate Professor
\nDepartment of Psychology
\nUniversity of Maryland Baltimore County
\nBaltimore, Maryland
\nAndrew Campbell, MD
\n<\/strong>Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders
\nChildren’s National Health System
\nAssociate Professor of Pediatrics
\nGeorge Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences
\nWashington, DC
\nRaffaella Colombatti, MD, PhD
\n<\/strong>Physician Azienda Ospedaliera-Universit\u00e0 di Padova
\n<\/span>Department of Womens’ and Child Health
\nClinic of Pediatric Hematology\u00a0Oncology
\n<\/span>Via Giustiniani 3
\n<\/span>35129 Padova Italy<\/span>
\nLori Crosby, PsyD
\n<\/strong>Co-Director, Innovations in Community Research, Division of Behavioral Medicine & Clinical Psychology
\nCo-Director, CCTST, Community Engagement Core
\nPsychologist, Research, Behavioral Medicine & Clinical Psychologist
\nCincinnati Children\u2019s
\nProfessor, UC Department of Pediatrics
\nCincinnati, OH
\nDeepika Darbari, MD
\n<\/strong>Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders
\nChildren’s National Health System
\nAssociate Professor of Pediatrics
\nGeorge Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences
\nWashington, DC
\nPayal Desai, MD
\n<\/strong>Associate Professor
\nDirector of Sickle Cell Research
\nThe Ohio State University
\nJames Care at Ohio State East Hospital
\n181 Taylor Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43203
\nJames Eckman, MD
\n<\/strong>Professor Emeritus, Hematology & Medical Oncology
\nEmory University School of Medicine
\nDepartment of Hematology and Medical Oncology
\n49 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive SE
\nAtlanta, GA 30303
\nMark Gladwin, MD
\n<\/strong>Professor and Chair
\nDepartment of Medicine
\nFounder, Pittsburgh Heart, Lung, and Blood Vascular Medicine Institute
\nUniversity of Pittsburgh
\nE1240 BST
\n200 Lothrop Street
\nPittsburgh, PA 15261
\nJo Howard, MB Bchir, MRCP, FRCPath
\n<\/strong>Head of Red Cell\/Sickle Cell Service
\nGuy’s and St Thomas’
\nNHS Foundation Trust
\nGreat Maze Pond
\nLondon, United Kingdom
\nLewis Hsu, MD, PhD
\n<\/strong>Co-Chair, Medical and Research Advisory Committee, Sickle Cell Disease Association of America
\nVice Chief Medical Officer, Sickle Cell Disease Association of America
\nDirector of Pediatric Sickle Cell
\nProfessor of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology
\nUniversity of Illinois at Chicago
\nChicago, Illinois
\nDr Baba Inusa
\n<\/strong>Honorary Reader in Paediatric Haematology, King’s College London
\nLead Consultant Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Service
\nEvelina London Children\u2019s Hospital
\nSt Thomas\u2019 Hospital
\nWestminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7EH
\nElizabeth Klings, MD
\n<\/strong>Associate Professor of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine
\nProgram Director, Center of Excellence in Sickle Cell Disease
\nDirector, Pulmonary Hypertension Inpatient and Education Program
\nMedical Director, Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program, Boston Medical Center
\n72 East Concord Street, R-304
\nBoston, MA 02118
\nLakshmanan Krishnamurti, MD
\n<\/strong>Professor of Pediatrics, Director of BMT
\nJoseph Kuechenmeister Aflac Field Force Chair
\nAflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center
\nChildren\u2019s Healthcare of Atlanta\/Emory University
\nAtlanta, GA
\nSophie Lanzkron, MD, MHS
\n<\/strong>Director, Sickle Cell Center for Adults
\nThe Johns Hopkins Hospital
\n1800 Orleans St
\nBaltimore, MD 21287
\nCaterina P. Minniti, MD
\n<\/strong>Director, Sickle Cell Center
\nMontefiore Health System
\nProfessor of Medicine and Pediatrics
\nAlbert Einstein College of Medicine
\nBronx, NY
\nGenice T. Nelson, DNP, APRN, ANP-BC
\n<\/strong>Program Director
\nNew England Sickle Cell Institute & Connecticut Bleeding Disorders Programs
\nUConn Health
\nFarmington, CT 06030
\nBoard Member, Sickle Cell Disease Association of America
\nIsaac Odame, MB ChB, MRCP(UK), FRCPath, FRCPCH, FRCPC
\n<\/strong>Professor, Department of Paediatrics
\nUniversity of Toronto
\nThe Hospital for Sick Children
\nDivision of Haematology\/Oncology
\n555 University Avenue
\nToronto, Ontario M5G 1X8
\nGwendolyn Poles, D.O.
\n<\/strong>Honorary Medical Staff Member
\nFormer Medical Director, Kline Health Center
\nFaculty, Internal Medicine Program
\nUPMC Pinnacle
\nHarrisburg, PA
\nBoard Member, Sickle Cell Disease Association of America
\nJohn Roberts, MD
\n<\/strong>Yale Adult Sickle Cell Program
\nSmilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven
\n35 Park Street, Ste 7th floor, Multispecialty
\nNew Haven, CT 06511
\nWally Smith, MD
\n<\/strong>Professor
\nScientific Director, VCU Center on Health Disparities
\nDirector, VCU Adult Sickle Cell Program
\nDepartment of Internal Medicine
\nDivision of General Internal Medicine
\nWest Hospital W10W-403
\nP.O. Box 980306
\nRichmond, VA 23298
\nCrawford J Strunk MD
\n<\/strong>Pediatric Hematology\/Oncology
\nPediatric Hematology\/Oncology Program at Toledo Children’s Hospital
\n2142 N. Cove Blvd.
\nToledo, Ohio 43606
\nImmacolata Tartaglione, MD PhD
\n<\/strong>Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialist Surgery
\nUniversit\u00e0 degli Studi della Campania \u201cLuigi Vanvitelli\u201d
\nNaples, Italy
\nMarsha Treadwell, PhD
\n<\/strong>Director, Northern California, Network of Care for Sickle Cell Disease
\nCo-Principal Investigator and Regional Director, Pacific Sickle Cell Regional Collaborative
\nDirector, Hematology Behavioral Services
\nComprehensive Center for Sickle Cell Disease
\nMain Hospital
\n747 52nd Street
\nOakland, CA 94609
\nWinfred C. Wang, MD
\n<\/strong>Member, Department of Hematology
\nSt. Jude Children\u2019s Research Hospital
\n262 Danny Thomas Place, MS 800
\nMemphis, TN\u00a0 38105
\nRussell E. Ware, MD, PhD
\n<\/strong>Director, Division of Hematology
\nInstitute Co-Director, Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute
\nDirector, Global Health Center
\nMarjory J. Johnson Chair of Hematology Translational Research
\nCincinnati Children\u2019s
\nProfessor, UC Department of Pediatrics
\nCincinnati, OH
\nJulie Kanter Washko, MD
\n<\/strong>Associate Professor
\nDivision of Hematology Oncology
\nUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham
\n1720 2nd Avenue South, NP 2540
\nBirmingham, AL 35294-3300
\nKim Smith-Whitley, MD
\n<\/strong>Professor of Pediatrics
\nDirector Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center
\nDivision of Hematology
\n11th Floor Colket Building
\nThe Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
\n34th & Civic Center Blvd.
\nPhiladelphia, PA 19104
\nBoard Member, Sickle Cell Disease Association of America
\nWanda Whitten-Shurney, MD
\n<\/strong>CEO & Medical Director
\nSickle Cell Disease Association, Michigan Chapter Inc.
\nBoard Member, Sickle Cell Disease Association of America
\nDetroit, MI
\nAhmar U. Zaidi, MD
\n<\/strong>Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
\nComprehensive Sickle Cell Center, Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Wayne State University\/Central Michigan University School of Medicine
\nDetroit, MD<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

DOWNLOAD PATIENT PDF\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0(Spanish Version) DOWNLOAD PATIENT SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN PDF SHOW THIS TO YOUR MEDICAL PROVIDERS TO HELP THEM HELP YOU. This document will be updated as more information becomes available. May 27, 2020 \u2013 COVID-19, the coronavirus disease of 2019 – also known as Coronavirus-2 (also called SARS-CoV-2) – and the illness it […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3992,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3991","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\nNEW - Health Alert for People with Sickle Cell Disease and their Caregivers - Sickle Cell Disease Association of America Inc.<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/2020\/03\/17\/health-alert-for-patients-and-caregivers\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"NEW - Health Alert for People with Sickle Cell Disease and their Caregivers - Sickle Cell Disease Association of America Inc.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"DOWNLOAD PATIENT PDF\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0(Spanish Version) DOWNLOAD PATIENT SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN PDF SHOW THIS TO YOUR MEDICAL PROVIDERS TO HELP THEM HELP YOU. This document will be updated as more information becomes available. May 27, 2020 \u2013 COVID-19, the coronavirus disease of 2019 – also known as Coronavirus-2 (also called SARS-CoV-2) – and the illness it […]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/2020\/03\/17\/health-alert-for-patients-and-caregivers\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Sickle Cell Disease Association of America Inc.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2020-03-17T19:39:30+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-12-19T18:07:58+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/covid5.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1827\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1150\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"admin\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"admin\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"17 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/2020\/03\/17\/health-alert-for-patients-and-caregivers\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/2020\/03\/17\/health-alert-for-patients-and-caregivers\/\",\"name\":\"NEW - Health Alert for People with Sickle Cell Disease and their Caregivers - Sickle Cell Disease Association of America Inc.\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/2020\/03\/17\/health-alert-for-patients-and-caregivers\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/2020\/03\/17\/health-alert-for-patients-and-caregivers\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/covid5.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2020-03-17T19:39:30+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-12-19T18:07:58+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/#\/schema\/person\/efc0c6b0f986827becc4515dd736f366\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/2020\/03\/17\/health-alert-for-patients-and-caregivers\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/2020\/03\/17\/health-alert-for-patients-and-caregivers\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/2020\/03\/17\/health-alert-for-patients-and-caregivers\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/covid5.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/covid5.jpg\",\"width\":1827,\"height\":1150},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/2020\/03\/17\/health-alert-for-patients-and-caregivers\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"NEW – Health Alert for People with Sickle Cell Disease and their Caregivers\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/\",\"name\":\"Sickle Cell Disease Association of America Inc.\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/#\/schema\/person\/efc0c6b0f986827becc4515dd736f366\",\"name\":\"admin\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/2b80c3a97c5df05f644e48a1b6c6a1f0?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/2b80c3a97c5df05f644e48a1b6c6a1f0?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"admin\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/author\/admin\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"NEW - Health Alert for People with Sickle Cell Disease and their Caregivers - Sickle Cell Disease Association of America Inc.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/2020\/03\/17\/health-alert-for-patients-and-caregivers\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"NEW - Health Alert for People with Sickle Cell Disease and their Caregivers - Sickle Cell Disease Association of America Inc.","og_description":"DOWNLOAD PATIENT PDF\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0(Spanish Version) DOWNLOAD PATIENT SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN PDF SHOW THIS TO YOUR MEDICAL PROVIDERS TO HELP THEM HELP YOU. This document will be updated as more information becomes available. May 27, 2020 \u2013 COVID-19, the coronavirus disease of 2019 – also known as Coronavirus-2 (also called SARS-CoV-2) – and the illness it […]","og_url":"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/2020\/03\/17\/health-alert-for-patients-and-caregivers\/","og_site_name":"Sickle Cell Disease Association of America Inc.","article_published_time":"2020-03-17T19:39:30+00:00","article_modified_time":"2023-12-19T18:07:58+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1827,"height":1150,"url":"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/covid5.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"admin","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"admin","Est. reading time":"17 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/2020\/03\/17\/health-alert-for-patients-and-caregivers\/","url":"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/2020\/03\/17\/health-alert-for-patients-and-caregivers\/","name":"NEW - Health Alert for People with Sickle Cell Disease and their Caregivers - Sickle Cell Disease Association of America Inc.","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/2020\/03\/17\/health-alert-for-patients-and-caregivers\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/2020\/03\/17\/health-alert-for-patients-and-caregivers\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/covid5.jpg","datePublished":"2020-03-17T19:39:30+00:00","dateModified":"2023-12-19T18:07:58+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/#\/schema\/person\/efc0c6b0f986827becc4515dd736f366"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/2020\/03\/17\/health-alert-for-patients-and-caregivers\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/2020\/03\/17\/health-alert-for-patients-and-caregivers\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/2020\/03\/17\/health-alert-for-patients-and-caregivers\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/covid5.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/covid5.jpg","width":1827,"height":1150},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/2020\/03\/17\/health-alert-for-patients-and-caregivers\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"NEW – Health Alert for People with Sickle Cell Disease and their Caregivers"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/","name":"Sickle Cell Disease Association of America Inc.","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/#\/schema\/person\/efc0c6b0f986827becc4515dd736f366","name":"admin","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/2b80c3a97c5df05f644e48a1b6c6a1f0?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/2b80c3a97c5df05f644e48a1b6c6a1f0?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"admin"},"url":"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/author\/admin\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3991","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3991"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3991\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6886,"href":"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3991\/revisions\/6886"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3992"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3991"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3991"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sicklecelldisease.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3991"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}

What can I do to make sure that I do not get COVID-19?<\/span><\/strong>
\nStay home as much as possible.<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Do not leave home unless absolutely necessary.
\n\u2022 If you MUST go out, remember to do these when you get to where you are going and as soon as you return home:
\no Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds (that is, don\u2019t stop until you finish singing the \u201cAlphabet song\u201d once or \u201cHappy Birthday\u201d twice) after you touch anyone or anything outside, as soon as you can; or,
\no Use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol to rub your hands.
\nWhat to do if you feel sick:<\/strong>
\n\u2022 CALL your doctor, nurse, healthcare team, or hospital immediately.
\n\u2022 Do not just rush to the hospital. CALL first, if possible.
\n\u2022 Tell them how you feel.
\n\u2022 Remember to tell them you have SCD.
\n\u2022 Please consider going to the hospital if you continue to feel sick and are unable to reach anyone for advice.
\n\u2022 Be careful when you meet other people. Try to protect yourself and them, as well.
\no Do not get too close to anyone, especially a person who is coughing, or sneezing.
\no Stay farther than you can touch each other by stretching out your arm.
\no Greet one another by waving from a distance (no hugs or handshakes).
\nReduce the spread of germs in your house or place of work:<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Use disinfectants:<\/strong> Use a disinfectant to clean surfaces (like counter tops, tables, and arms of chairs) or things that were touched by others because a strong disinfectant can kill the virus; and,
\n\u2022 Keep surfaces clean:<\/strong> Clean surfaces frequently with a disinfectant if you or other people use or touch the same surfaces or things often. The virus can live on surfaces for many days. Surfaces include phones, remote controls, counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables.
\n\u2022 Do not share items, if possible:<\/strong>
\no Avoid sharing personal household items such as dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people in your home.
\n\u2022 Cover your mouth and nose:<\/strong> Remember to cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw away tissue in trash, and immediately wash your hands.
\no If you do not have tissue, cough or sneeze into your clothes. Do not cough or sneeze into your bare hands or skin.
\n\u2022 Protect parts of your face:<\/strong> Do not touch your eyes, nose, mouth, or face; the virus can get into your body through those body parts.
\n\u2022 Stay away from anyone in your home that is sick:<\/strong> Those positive for COVID-19 or think they may have it should follow the advice at the CDC website (https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/coronavirus\/2019-ncov\/if-you-are-sick\/index.html<\/a>)
\n\u2022 Masks:<\/strong> They are not enough to protect you completely from the COVID-19 infection:
\no The CDC recommends you wear a mask when out to protect others and yourself.
\no Remember, wearing a mask does not protect you enough and you should continue to do all the other things to prevent the spread of germs.
\no When you are using a mask please follow these guidelines:
\n\uf0a7 They can be reused but should be replaced when visibly soiled or damaged.
\n\uf0a7 Cloth masks should be washed and dried regularly.
\n\uf0a7 They should be stored in a clean paper bag between uses.
\n\uf0a7 When storing, fold the mask so that the inner surface is held against itself to reduce contact with the outer surface.
\nHow can I get myself and my family prepared?<\/span><\/strong>
\nUse this checklist if it helps you to prepare.<\/strong>
\n____ Refills: Please check to see if you have refilled all your medications so that you do not run out.
\n____ Extra medications: Contact your doctor, nurse or hospital to ask about getting extra medications to have on hand in case there is an outbreak of COVID-19 in your community and you need to stay home for a long time. Try and get a 90-day supply. Some pharmacies are offering home delivery.
\n____ Over the counter medicines and supplies: Be sure you have over-the-counter medicines and medical supplies (e.g. tissues).
\n____ Thermometer: Make sure you have a thermometer to take your temperature and clean it after each use.
\n____ Take your prescribed medications for SCD: hydroxyurea, glutamine, penicillin, folic acid, Voxelotor, Crizanlizumab, Deferasirox, and any others. These medications will help keep your body in the best possible condition to fight off infection.
\n____ Pain medications: Make sure you have enough of your pain medications and use them when you have regular sickle cell pain.
\nIn addition, plan for any of the following that apply:<\/strong>
\n____ Household items and groceries: Have enough household items and groceries on hand so that you will be prepared to stay at home for a period of time that could be many weeks.
\n____ Ways to stay in touch: Stay in touch with others by phone, text or email.
\nYou may need to ask for help from friends, family, neighbors, etc. if you become ill.
\n____ Ways to keep children occupied: Keep children occupied with home school activities, arts and crafts.
\n____ Caretakers for loved ones and pets: Think ahead about who will watch your children, other loved ones, or pets if you become too sick.
\n____ Working from home: Find out if working from home is an option. You may need to ask your physician for a letter for your employer to support this option. Discuss with your doctor ways to stay safe at your workplace if you are unable to work from home.
\nHow do I know if I have COVID-19?<\/span><\/strong>
\nThe only way to know for sure that you have coronavirus is to get tested.<\/strong> However, it is not easy to get tested yet as many places have limited access to testing kits. We hope that this will change soon. In low resource countries, there are even fewer places to be tested. Your sample may need to be sent to a lab far from where you are. Your health care team will arrange for your test to be done.
\nMost people who have COVID-19 have the following symptoms:<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Fever
\n\u2022 Cough
\n\u2022 Shortness of breath
\nNOTE:<\/strong> These together can be a sign of Acute Chest Syndrome of SCD, as well as
\nthe serious pneumonia seen in COVID-19. This would be the major concern of COVID-19 in a person with SCD.
\n**Some people who have COVID-19 have diarrhea and\/or a change or loss of smell or taste.
\nIf you have any of the above symptoms:<\/strong>
\nCall your doctor, nurse or hospital right away to discuss what you should do next.
\nIn addition, you or someone should call for emergency help, (911 in the US), if you have:
\n\u2022 Difficulty breathing
\n\u2022 Pain or pressure in the chest different from your usual sickle cell pain
\n\u2022 New confusion or inability to wake up easily
\n\u2022 Darker lips or face than usual
\nWhat should I do if I have a fever?<\/span><\/strong>
\n\u2022 Call your sickle cell doctor, primary care physician, nurse, or hospital to report your illness and arrange to be checked.
\n\u2022 Do NOT immediately rush to the emergency department.
\n\u2022 It is not a good idea to stay at home to \u201cwait and see\u201d and just take medications to force down your high body temperature.
\n\u2022 Be aware that lots of different things can cause fever, such as infections and sickle cell tissue damage. Fever does not mean you have coronavirus!
\n\u2022 If you need to go out or to the emergency room or clinic, make sure to wear a mask so you do not infect others or catch an infection.
\nHow do I get or make a mask?<\/span><\/strong>
\n\u2022 There are many ways to make a mask at home and this may be your best option since there are shortages of masks in most communities.
\n\u2022 The CDC has guides on ways to make masks here: https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/coronavirus\/2019-ncov\/prevent-getting-sick\/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html<\/a>
\n\u2022 The CDC wants you to make sure of the following when using a mask:
\no Mask should:
\n\uf0a7 Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face.
\n\uf0a7 Be secured with ties or ear loops.
\n\uf0a7 Include multiple layers of fabric.
\n\uf0a7 Allow for breathing without restriction.
\n\uf0a7 Be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape.
\nWhat are some good ways to stay as healthy as possible?<\/strong><\/span>
\n\u2022 Take your medications as prescribed.
\n\u2022 Drink plenty of fluids, as usual.
\n\u2022 Try to rest and not do too much physical activity.
\nShould I continue getting my chronic transfusions?<\/span><\/strong>
\n\u2022 Regular transfusions are given often to prevent serious complications like stroke.
\n\u2022 Continue your regular transfusions unless your healthcare team tells you to stop.
\n\u2022 Blood supply may be short so your doctor may need to change the transfusion plan.
\n\u2022 Blood transfusion is still safe; COVID-19 has not been passed through transfusion.
\n\u2022 Talk to your healthcare team if you have concerns about blood and COVID-19.
\nWhat if I don\u2019t have a doctor?<\/strong><\/span>
\n\u2022 Many hospitals are setting up ways for patients to have a visit with a healthcare provider over the telephone. These are called \u201ce-visits\u201d or \u201ctelemedicine\u201d.
\n\u2022 Many communities have hotlines available for people to call for help and advice.
\n\u2022 If you are unsure, you can always call your local SCDAA chapter for advice on resources in your community.
\nShould I go to the emergency department if I am ill?<\/strong><\/span>
\n\u2022 If you have a doctor, nurse, or health care team, it is recommended that you call for advice, if you can, before going to the emergency department.
\n\u2022 Emergency departments are very full of sick people right now and it is likely that there will be long waits.
\n\u2022 Also, it is very likely that people with COVID-19 infection will be there.
\n\u2022 If you have no other option, then going to the emergency department may be the only option.
\n\u2022 Try and call ahead to see if they have recommendations beforehand.
\nI think I am having sickle cell pain. What should I do?<\/strong><\/span>
\n\u2022 If your pain feels different or is not responding to your usual home treatment, or you also have fever, cough or trouble breathing, call your healthcare team for advice and arrange to be checked.
\n\u2022 Otherwise, try to manage your sickle cell pain at home in order to avoid a busy emergency department or medical center that may have people with COVID-19 seeking care.
\nIs it safe to travel?<\/span><\/strong>
\n\u2022 It is best to avoid all travel at this time unless there is some emergency.
\n\u2022 If you must travel, talk to your healthcare team or visit the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for travel guidance (www.cdc.gov\/covid19) to stay up to date.
\nWhat if I cannot work from home?<\/strong><\/span>
\n\u2022 If you are unable to work from home, ask your employer to implement the CDC recommendations:
\no social distancing (keeping everyone at least 6 feet apart);
\no all employees wearing some type of mask or face covering; and,
\no increased access to hand washing\/hand sanitizer.
\n\u2022 Help your employer understand that it will benefit the company if everyone stays safe.
\n\u2022 Provide your employer or human resources department a copy of this advisory if you think it may help.
\n\u2022 Give your doctor a printed copy of a sample letter for your employer. It can be found on the SCDAA website here: www.sicklecelldisease.org\/template-letters-for-caregivers-2<\/a>
\nWhat do I do if I am on a research study?<\/span><\/strong>
\n\u2022 It is important that you get in touch with your research team right away to check if there are any changes. And, thank you for being on a clinical trial.
\nI feel fine so far. Is there anything I can do to help others?<\/strong><\/span>
\n\u2022 If you know others living with SCD, contact them by phone, text or social media. Make sure they are doing \u201cok\u201d and see if they need help or reassurance. It is a stressful time for a lot of us. If you know people who are willing to donate blood, encourage them.
\nWill there be a shortage of blood soon?<\/strong><\/span>
\n\u2022 This is very possible, but you can help! If there are people in your family or community that are willing to donate blood, please encourage them to call the local blood bank right away. During times like these, there can be a lot of blood shortages and we know that many people with SCD (as well as other conditions) need blood. See if you can get some people to donate. People with sickle cell trait are still able to donate so please encourage them to do so.
\nHow do I stay informed?<\/strong><\/span>
\n(1) Go to www.OneSCDVoice.com<\/a>, SCDAA\u2019s online information superhighway where we will post updates regularly that are specific to SCD. It is free to join.
\n(2) Go to the website of your local SCDAA organization. You can find the one closest to you at www.sicklecelldisease.org<\/a>. There may be some useful information that applies directly to your community.
\n(3) Go to the CDC’s website (www.cdc.gov\/covid19<\/a>) for regular updates on the COVID-19. Information is updated routinely and will keep you abreast of the latest guidelines and recommendations. There is information on how you can start to prepare in your homes and community.
\n(4) Download template letters for caregivers. www.sicklecelldisease.org\/templateletters- for-caregivers-2<\/a>
\nFor More Information, contact <\/strong>info@sicklecelldisease.org<\/strong><\/a>
\n\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n