Did you know that there are at least 1,680 cases of the coronavirus in the United States and the numbers are climbing fast. Broadway and Disney World shut down. Major sports leagues, like the NBA and MLS, suspended their seasons. Schools are closing. And governors across the country declared states of emergency.

The series of events that unfolded this week paralyzed the country and fueled the already-growing concerns over the coronavirus outbreak.

It is important to declare it as a disaster situation because such declaration would put FEMA, which is supporting the Health and Human Services Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for coronavirus response, in a position to be the coordinator, and together, they can be very effective.

According to CNN, Declarations can also start as one type of emergency and then change to another in order to access more resources.

New York Times reports that An Australian official who recently met with Attorney General William Barr and Ivanka Trump has tested positive. In fact, the Australia’s minister for home affairs, Peter Dutton, who last week met with Ivanka Trump, said himself he had contracted the new coronavirus.

How do you lower risk of contracting the virus?

Older people living in locations that are experiencing sharp increases in coronavirus cases may also need to “think about what actions” they can take to reduce their exposure.

This can include strategies such as avoiding large public gatherings, staying home, and avoiding anyone who appears ill.

Social distancing also can help people most at risk avoid infection.

According to the CDC, the best way to prevent illness is to avoid exposure to the virus. Here are Some of the tips the CDC recommends:

• Stay home when you’re sick.
• Cover coughs or sneezes with a tissue,      and then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Avoid close contact with sick people.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched items and surfaces using regular household cleaning sprays or wipes.
• Stock up on supplies.
• Take everyday precautions to keep space between yourself and others.
• When you go out in public, keep away from others who are sick, limit close contact and wash your hands often.

Please, we recommend to always consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.

For more information about the virus, visit the website www.cdc.gov. Subscribe to this channel to receive updated news about the virus and other diseases to improve your health.

Stay healthy. We can all win this battle if we care for one another.