During the Covid 19 pandemic, Deaf Reach Inc has continued to provide the same level of services to people who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing with behavioral health concerns.  Our residential programs have continued to operate and our community support services have also continued to support clients in access services promoting their health and welfare.

Anyone Deaf or Hard of Hearing who would like to contact Deaf Reach Inc to discuss information about Covid 19, special deaf friendly masks, vaccinations or other issues may do so using the contact information on this web site.

In addition, we have compiled the following information:

Emergency Preparedness for Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)

History of COVID-19

Human coronaviruses disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a new strain of coronaviruses that had not been previously identified being the seventh coronavirus identified that has infected humans.  It is believed to have been transmitted from an infected animal to a human host carrier.

What is COVID-19?

Respiratory illness caused by a virus called SARS-CoV-2.

How is COVID-19 spread?

The COVID-19 virus spreads through respiratory droplets of a person’s saliva or discharges from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Similar to how colds are spreads.

Symptoms of COVID-19?

Symptoms range from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

** This list does not include all possible symptoms.

When to seek emergency medical attention such as 911 or your local emergency facility? 

Emergency warning signs are:

• Trouble breathing
• Consistent pain or pressure in the chest
• Confusion
• Inability to wake or stay awake
• Color changes in lips or face

**This list is not all possible symptoms.

How can I protect myself from COVID-19?

According to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), the best way to prevent infection is to avoid exposure to this virus. Such as avoid crowds and closed vented areas.

Everyday action to stop the spread of COVID-19 includes:

• Wash your hands
• Sanitizer with at least 60% rubbing alcohol
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Distance yourself from other people (6 feet social distance), especially if you are at high risk
• Stay home when you are sick

Who are the high-risk people?

• Pregnant
• Age 65 and older
• Underlying medical problems such as but not limited to heart diseases, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, and cancer

Should I use a face-covering / mask?

Yes! All Deaf Reach clients, staff, contractors, and visitors must wear a face-covering / mask inside any facilities.  Deaf Reach will provide face covering to clients and visitors if they do not have their own.

• Face covering / mask must be your own covering the nose and mouth completely.
• Wash reusable face-covering / mask after each use
• Non-reusable such as medical face mask must use once, trashed
• Face-covering / mask does not remove the 6 feet social distance, for you should continue to keep the distance

Handling mail, package, or deliveries to Deaf Reach?

• Allow delivery persons to drop off items outside of buildings or offices whenever possible
• Keep at a social distance of at least 6 feet during the delivery process
• Use disposable gloves when opening mails and packages, which are gloves are trashed afterward
• After handling the mails and packages, wash hands entirely for at least 20 seconds using soap and warm water

** Scientific research shows that COVID-19 can live on:

• Cardboard and other paper surfaces for 24 hours
• Plastic surfaces for 3 days

Recommend mail and other packages (e.g., boxes, envelopes, pouches, etc.)

• Should be allowed to sit for 2 days after arrival
• Plastic boxes or bags should be allowed to sit for 4 days after arrival

Deaf Reach require to prevent the spreading of COVID-19?

Yes. Deaf Reach requires face-coverings / mask, daily self-screenings, and social distancing for all clients, staff, contractors, employees. Deaf Reach will provide hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies, protective barriers when needed.

All clients, staff, contractors, employees will undergo health screening before entering the facilities.

Protocol for screening symptoms:

• Fever (100.4 degrees or higher)
• Chills
• Cough or sore throat
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea, vomiting
• Diarrhea

Will ask within the last 14 days, have you:

• Been diagnosed with COVID-19
• Received instructions from a health authority to self-monitor for symptoms or self-quarantine
• Been in close physical contact (within 6 feet) with a person who was diagnosed with COVID-19 within 14 days of your contact
• Received a COVID-19 alert on your phone
• Traveled outside the country or other state

If so, you must contact your health provider (doctor) or caseworker before leaving the facility.

You must self-quarantine until all symptoms subside and your doctor issue you a COVID clearance (free).

What if a client, employee, staff, or contractor have COVID-19 or appears ill?

Always treat the person with respect and courtesy

Kindly withdraw from the social engagement

Provide the individual with information to continue the matter on videophone or online. 

Screen and monitor all clients, contractors, and employees who may have been in contact

How long should a person quarantine?

An individual must quarantine for 14 days from the day they believed they have been in contact with an infected person and the health provider gives clearance.

What if I recently traveled or plan to travel?

You must quarantine and have no symptoms for 14 days upon arrival

Should get tested for COVID-19 after 14 days quarantine

Postpone non-emergency travels

Emergency travels conduct pre self-health screenings, wear face-covering / mask, and carry hand sanitizer

Follow the CDC travel guidelines and travel guidelines of the DC Area.

Are there vaccines available?

Vaccines (shots) are underway.   Please check the DC Department of Health website for information associated with scheduling your vaccine if you live in DC and your state Department of Health or Hygiene if you reside in other areas.  These sites are all posting frequent updates.

Resources:

Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC):

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncovtraveeler/after-travel-precautions.html

Kaiser Permanente:

https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/maryland-virginia-washington-dc/health-wellness/coronavirus-information/testing

World Health Organization:

https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus#tab=tab_1