What is Girl Scouts of Utah doing in
response to the Coronavirus?
Girl Scouts of Utah is monitoring the situation closely. The
Council has convened a task force which is actively monitoring
guidelines provided by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), as well
as state and local health departments to respond quickly to any shifts
in their recommendations. Based on public health authorities’ current
guidance, we are operating as usual but also working on contingency
plans as needed.
Will Girl Scouts of Utah be cancelling any programs?
Public health authorities’ current guidance does not include
closures or cancellations of functions at this time. All planned
activities are going on as scheduled. Decisions regarding
participation in Girl Scout activities are left up to the good
judgement and discretion of parents and caregivers. We are operating
as usual but will be prepared for changing circumstances and will
share updates as they become available.
How much notice will you give if you cancel any programs?
Will we receive full refunds?
While we do not anticipate canceling programs or events, due to the
evolving nature of this situation, cancellations may have to be made
with short notice, for instance, in the case of a public health
directive. If GSU-sponsored programs or events need to be cancelled,
registered participants will receive the opportunity to sign up for a
future event, opt to donate to GSU, or request a partial or full
refund, if applicable. We will do our best to contact all those
affected as quickly as possible. Please be sure that your contact
information is up-to-date in your myGS and UltraCamp profile.
What is a coronavirus?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which may cause illness
in animals or humans. In humans, several coronaviruses are known to
cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more
severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The most recently discovered
coronavirus causes coronavirus disease COVID-19.
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the most recently
discovered coronavirus. This new virus and disease were unknown before
the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and dry
cough. Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny
nose, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and
begin gradually. Some people become infected but don’t develop any
symptoms and don't feel unwell. Most people (about 80%) recover from
the disease without needing special treatment. Around 1 out of every 6
people who gets COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and develops difficulty
breathing. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems
like high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, are more likely
to develop serious illness. About 2% of people with the disease have
died. People with fever, cough, and difficulty breathing should seek
medical attention.
What steps can girls, volunteers, and staff take to prevent the
spread of coronavirus?
Please follow all of the steps recommended by the CDC (see https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/2019-ncov-factsheet.pdf).
The same simple steps that prevent the spread of ordinary flu viruses
work against coronavirus and other illnesses:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20
seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are
not available.
- Cough into a tissue or your elbow (not your
hand). Then throw tissue away and wash hands.
- Avoid
touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when
you are sick, with temperature above 100.0 F or do not feel well,
appear weak or ill.
- Consult your health care provider if
you have special health conditions that put you at increased
risk.
Can the virus that causes COVID-19 be transmitted through the air?
Studies to date suggest that the virus that causes COVID-19 is
mainly transmitted through contact with respiratory droplets rather
than through the air.
Can COVID-19 be caught from a person who has no symptoms?
The main way the disease spreads is through respiratory droplets
expelled by someone who is coughing. The risk of catching COVID-19
from someone with no symptoms at all is very low. However, many people
with COVID-19 experience only mild symptoms. This is particularly true
at the early stages of the disease. It is therefore possible to catch
COVID-19 from someone who has, for example, just a mild cough and does
not feel ill. World Health Organization (WHO) is assessing ongoing
research on the period of transmission of COVID-19 and will continue
to share updated findings.
What is the CDC doing about COVID-19?
This is an emerging, rapidly evolving situation and CDC will
continue to provide updated information as it becomes available. CDC
works 24/7 to protect people’s health. More information about CDC’s
response to COVID-19 is available online.
Where can I go to learn more about COVID-19?
Resources from the CDC and Salt Lake County Health Department
CDC
Guidance & Updates
CDC
Coronavirus Prevention
CDC
Coronavirus Travel Information
Salt Lake County Health
Department Information
Girl Scouts has also created a way to talk to girls not by avoiding
the topic, but by tackling it head-on.
Help
Her Be Happy and Healthy (Raising Awesome Girls Blog)
Since COVID-19 is spread through contact with others, is it still
safe for our girls to be selling cookies in public places?
The safety and well-being of girls and volunteers is of paramount
importance during all Girl Scout activities, especially the Girl Scout
Cookie Program. We encourage all girls and volunteers to follow all
safety and health protocols and are actively disseminating information
from the CDC and other sources as it becomes available. Currently, we
encourage girls and volunteers to continue with their cookie sales,
exercising caution and discretion. We will keep our volunteers updated
on any change in our recommendation.
Does Girl Scouts have any medical expertise?
While Girl Scouts strives to be a resource for girls and their
caregivers, we want to ensure that official guidance of the Centers
for Disease Control (CDC) and other official sources reach our members
in a timely and efficient manner.
