
Families
How to stay healthy and not get sick:
- Throughout the day, wash your hands all over with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (count to 20 or sing “Happy Birthday” song twice). Dry your hands with a paper towel. You can also use hand sanitizer, but washing your hands is best.
- Wash hands before eating
- Wash hands after using the bathroom
- Wash hands after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
- Wash hands after coming home from the store or other public place
- Keep your hands away from your face. If you touch your eyes, nose, or mouth, that is how germs can get in your body and you could get sick.
- To help yourself remember to keep your hands away from your face, try drawing, playing a game on your device, using a fidget spinner, or squeezing a stress ball.
- If someone else is sick, stay far away from them.
- If someone helps you eat or care for yourself, remind them to wash their hands before helping you.
How to keep other people from getting sick:
- If you have to cough or sneeze, do it in your elbow or in a tissue, and then throw away the tissue in a trash can.
- If you have to itch or touch your face, use a tissue.
- Remind your family and friends to wash their hands and keep their hands away from their faces.
- If you feel sick or different than normal, tell someone immediately and stay home.
Extra Tips for Families/Caregivers
- If possible, have a separate room and bathroom for vulnerable loved ones to protect them from getting sick.
- Regularly clean handrails, tables, phones/tablets/keyboards, TV remotes, wheelchair handles, doorknobs, and other things that are used a lot.
- Have a backup plan for caregivers in case someone gets sick.
Do you have questions?
- COVID-19 Call Center (available all day and night): 1-866-779-6121
- Email: COVID-19@flhealth.gov
- Tips and updates are posted online at floridahealthcovid19.gov
- Follow @HealthyFla on Twitter and @FLDepartmentofHealth on Facebook
Family Resources
- List of COVID-19 Resources for People with Disabilities
- COVID-19 Information for People with Disabilities
- Easy to Read COVID-19 Materials from the CDC
- Be sure to complete the new community action survey, StrongerThanC-19, designed to aid Florida as the state continues to fight the spread of COVID-19. This cutting-edge tool gives residents the power to unite in the fight to help slow the spread of coronavirus in Florida.
- Florida Agency Updates and Contacts
- DCF Economic Self-Sufficiency Program Information
- COVID-19 Information By and For People with Disabilities
- Información de COVID-19 Por y Para Personas con Discapacidades
- COVID-19 Resources for Parents
- Florida Office of Financial Regulation - Consumer Alert: Beware of Coronavirus Scams
- Florida Diagnostic & Learning Resources System
- "Let’s Talk About the Coronavirus (COVID-19)" by University of Miami-Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism & Related Disabilities
- Social Distancing, Quarantine, and Isolation
- Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19
- Cloth Face Coverings: Questions and Answers
- COVIDView: A Weekly Surveillance Summary of U.S. COVID-19 Activity
- How to Prepare
- Recommendation Regarding the Use of Cloth Face Coverings, Especially in Areas of Significant Community-Based Transmission
- Infection Control Landing Page
- CDC COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions
- CDC COVID-19 - People with Disabilities
- CDC COVID-19 - Stress and Coping
- Caring for Children
- What to Do if You Are Sick
- Caring for Someone at Home
- Older Adults
- COVID-19 Helplines
- NYC Early Childhood Mental Health Training and Technical Assistance Center - COVID-19 Resource Links
- TTAC Webinar: Supporting Families and Caregivers of Infants and Young Children Affected by COVID-19
- Q&A on COVID-19 and Down Syndrome
- New York Deaf-Blind Collaborative Tipsheet - Providing Access through Sign Language and Text for Low Vision and Tactile Communicators During the Coronavirus Pandemic
- Wheelchair and Assistive Technology Users - Precautions for COVID-19
- Resources for parents, families, and youth from the Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health
- NADSP - COVID-19 Toolkit for DSPs
- Autism Research Institute Resources
- May Institute Tips for Activities and Routines
- APD Resources for Individuals with Disabilities
- Resources for Elders with ID/DD
- Resources for People with Disabilities from the National Disability Institute
- Helping Children and Families Cope with the COVID-19 Pandemic - Guide
- Helpline Center - What is 211?
- Article: "COVID-19 and College Students with Special Needs"
- National Alliance on Mental Illness COVID-19 Resource and Information Guide
- Kid-Friendly Face Masks and Tips to Actually Keep Them On
- American Red Cross Virtual Family Assistance Center
- CDC - Toolkit for People with Disabilities
- CDC - Isolate If You Are Sick
- DOE - Questions and Answers on Providing Services to Children with Disabilities During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak
- Florida DOE - Considerations for Students with Disabilities
- Florida DOE - Free Resources for Families & Teachers - Students with Disabilities
- Stanford Medicine’s Back-to-School Decision Guide for Families with Special Needs
- COVID-19 Plain Language Guidance for Employees with Developmental Disabilities
- CDC Guidance on Caring for People with Developmental Disabilities
- CDC Guidance for People with Developmental and Behavioral Disorders
- Providing and Receiving Respite Care Safely During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Should I Take My Loved One Home During the COVID-19 Crisis?
- “Let’s Talk COVID-19”
Families - Free At-Home Activities
- Free and Paid Virtual Museum Tours
- Pinterest Board of DIY Projects/Crafts for Adults with Disabilities
- Laughing Together - Five Activities To Get Residents Smiling
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Projects Using Kitchen Items
- Online Puzzles
- Vizcaya Museum and Gardens Online Activities/Resources
- Safer, Smarter Kids At-Home Activities: Ideas for Fun While Practicing Safety & Social-Emotional Skills!
SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) Information
- If you or a loved one is feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or others, call the Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746. (TTY 1-800-846-8517). Trained counselors are available to talk with you 24/7. Learn more by visiting the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) information on social distancing, quarantine, and isolation
- Coping with Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks
- This tip sheet describes resources that can be used to virtually support recovery from mental/substance use disorders. It also provides resources to help local recovery programs create virtual meetings. SAMHSA: Your Recovery is Important: Virtual Recovery Resources