We care about your health and safety. We are doing everything we can to keep our museum clean, paying particular attention to frequently touched surfaces. Our staff is paying special attention to wiping down “touchpoint surfaces” such as door handles, railings, desks and keyboards. Should recommendations for additional cleaning procedures evolve, we will adjust our practices accordingly.We are closed until further notice and are preparing for opening back up with procedures in place.
We are taking the steps recommended by the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to prevent the spread of communicable infection, which are to wash hands or use hand sanitizer frequently. We will post practical tips about proper hygiene practices to remind everyone about how they can help minimize the spread of any illness that can be common, regardless of additional circumstances such as the Coronavirus outbreak. We ask that you observe the posted recommendations, and that you take into consideration your current health status and avoid exposing others if you are experiencing any illness.
Sincerely,
Also Congresswoman Katherine Clark sent this out today that I think is a good guideline to follow. Find her recommendations below:
Hello Friend,
With reports indicating an increase in Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the United States and across the globe, I wanted to share prevention measures you should take to stay healthy and update you on the important work we are doing in Congress to effectively respond to this growing public health concern.
Prevention
Here are simple, preventative steps recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC):
- Wash your hands with hot, soapy water for at least 20 seconds.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using household cleaning sprays or a wipe.
- Avoid touching frequently-used public objects with your hands like elevator buttons, doorknobs, and public transportation handles.
- Get a flu shot, not because it will prevent the spread of COVID-19, but so that you stay healthy and out of the hospital.
Fighting Misconceptions and Misinformation
As the situation continues to develop, the amount of information being circulated about COVID-19 will continue to grow. In order to stay well-informed and avoid falling for falsehoods, be sure to follow these these helpful “dos and don’ts”-
DO: Rely on trusted sources like the opens in a new windowMassachusetts Department of Public Health and the opens in a new windowCDC for important public health updates.
DON’T: Fall for false information circulating online. It’s very easy for inaccurate or even dangerous information to be shared rapidly on social media platforms.
DO: Stay updated on travel advisories and warnings issued by the State Department. You can view the complete list of travel advisories issued by the State Department.
DON’T: Stigmatize others. It is important that we reject stigmatizing falsehoods disparaging and negatively impacting the Asian American community in the United States and abroad. According to the CDC, stigma and discrimination can occur when people associate an infectious disease like COVID-19 with a specific population or nationality, even though not everyone in that population or from that region has the disease and members of particular groups are at no greater risk of contracting it.
DO: Stock up on food, home supplies, and medicine. As with any emergency, it is recommended that you stock up on a 30-day supply of any needed prescriptions as well as food staples, laundry detergent, tissues and all-purpose cleaners, and also diapers, if you have small children.
DON’T: Stockpile on surgical face masks or other similar types of specialized protective gear. According to the Surgeon General, they are not effective in preventing the general public from catching COVID-19 and need to be readily available for health care providers and those who are actually sick. Stockpiling these items can cause shortages and negatively impact those who need them.
Most of all, it is important that we be prepared and don’t panic. The majority of COVID-19 cases are mild with symptoms similar to the common cold. Should you begin to feel unwell, call your primary care provider right away.
Congressional Action
I am working diligently with my colleagues in the House of Representatives to advance a strategic funding package that fully addresses the scale of this growing public health risk.
