Newsletter: Friday, August 7
communicating with others during covid-19
In these unprecedented times, we are expected to keep up with a lot of change. Physical distancing and face coverings are huge adjustments to our daily lives. This means that we might need to establish new social etiquette that we weren’t used to before the pandemic. Read below for helpful communication tips in case you have been experiencing challenges while wearing a face covering or maintaining social distancing with others.
Wearing a Face Covering in Public Spaces
Even before the pandemic, it was common in some cultures to wear a face covering if someone is sick or wants to prevent getting sick. However, this way of life is very new to many of us in Oregon. Wearing a face covering may feel odd at first, and it may make it difficult to communicate with others.
When you are in a public space, it is helpful to remember that tone, eye contact and volume of your voice are all very important when your face is covered. If you have trouble carrying your voice, it might be helpful to bring a notepad to write your message on or use gestures to help with communication.
Image Source: CDC Considerations for Wearing a Mask
Masks should cover your mouth and nose at all times, so make sure to choose a mask that is comfortable and doesn’t slip off of your nose while talking to people. If you have trouble breathing in a face covering, find one that has breathable fabric and wicks moisture. You can also consider using a face shield instead. This will help you communicate AND keep people around you safe. The only time you want to touch your mask is when you put it on or take it off at home – always washing your hands before and after you do so. Cloth masks need to be washed after every time you wear them. Disposable masks need to be thrown away after each use.
Multnomah County’s website has tips for people who are hard of hearing to communicate with face coverings. The site also has helpful communication cards to download, print and bring if you need to leave home.
If you see someone in public who isn’t wearing a mask or face covering when they should be, try to avoid interaction and remove yourself from the situation if you feel at risk. Remember that by maintaining your six-foot distance and wearing a face covering, you are setting a good example and keeping the community safe. We can’t control other people’s actions, but we can do our best to stay healthy and be prepared for anything.
If you feel that a business is not enforcing proper face covering guidelines, you can file a complaint with OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) to investigate the issue.
Navigating Social Situations
COVID-19 continues to be a threat to Oregonians and actions have been taken by our state’s leaders in order to slow down the spread of the virus. It is still recommended to stay home as often as possible and follow the CDC’s guidelines to protect yourself and others. If you do leave home, it’s important to remember that many people are responding differently to coronavirus than others. This might depend on individual risk level or awareness of updated science related to COVID-19. This means that some people have different boundaries and expectations than others when it comes to preventing the spread of the virus.
Maintaining Boundaries with Friends and Family
“Managing risk during a pandemic is a delicate dance. It can be hard to tell friends and family that you can’t see them. It might feel awkward to set safety expectations ahead of get-togethers.” - Oregon Health Authority Coronavirus Bulletin on July 27th, 2020
You might find yourself in some uncomfortable situations, such interacting with a friend who does not keep six feet distance between you when you meet for an outdoor get together. Or, you might have a family member who isn’t updated on CDC’s recommendations and you’d like to keep distance from them in order to maintain your health and safety.
One way to navigate these situations is to make sure loved ones understand your concern for your own health and safety. If you experience a social situation in which you’re unsure about how to communicate your boundaries, the following sentences developed by Oregon Health Authority are very helpful guides to express your desire to continue social distancing:
“I believe it’s important to stay home and keep the virus from spreading”
“In our family we’re keeping a healthy distance from others to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus.”
“I care about you and want to see you, but I want to make sure that we are on the same page about how we keep each other healthy and safe right now.”
“I look forward to seeing you when we can all safely get together again.”
“We would love to visit with you over the internet or on the phone.”
It’s good to initiate these conversations. Remember that health and safety of yourself and loved ones is the highest priority right now. We are all adjusting to new social norms around coronavirus, and it is best to navigate through open and honest conversation rather than put yourself at risk of getting sick.
If you’re not sure about what might put you at risk or when to have these conversations, the following graph displays risk levels related to certain activities. Staying home as often as possible is the safest and most efficient way to reduce the spread of coronavirus.
Keeping Your Distance in Public
Social situations that make us nervous about spreading coronavirus can happen with anyone, not just among family and friends. You might meet a stranger at the pharmacy who stands too close to you. You might take a walk and run into a neighbor who is not wearing a mask but still would like to stop and chat with you. Dr. Tracy Shaffer, Department of Communications at Louisiana State University, has created a helpful guide for situations in which an acquaintance or stranger makes you feel at risk. The guide is called REST.
R: REFLECT
Reflect on the situation. Check your surroundings to see if you can remove yourself and step away from the person who approached you. Also, try to put yourself in their shoes and understand why they might be getting closer to you. Maybe they are also avoiding someone who is in their space. Try to be calm and stay aware of your surroundings.
E: EYES
If you cannot remove yourself from the situation, use eye contact and expression to communicate feelings of concern to the person.
S: STATEMENT
If you find that reflection and eye contact are not sufficient in this situation, a statement might be necessary to express your concern.
T: TACT
Use tact and politeness in your statement. Say something such as: “I’m really concerned about my immune system, can you please keep your social distance?”
Read more about Dr. Shaffer’s recommendations here.
According to Oregon Health Authority physicians and mental health specialists, the best thing you can do in all situations during the pandemic is be prepared. It is important to understand that although most people mean well, some individuals might forget how serious the virus is when they are caught up in daily chores or activities outside of their homes. Prepare yourself by creating polite statements for different situations in which someone might get too close. This can help you to stay calm and communicate effectively, which is important in order to keep yourself safe and healthy.
Americans with Disabilities Act
Did you know that last Sunday, July 26th, marked 30 years since George W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law? According to Disability Rights Oregon, ADA was a “landmark civil rights law that made clear people with disabilities have an equal right to live, work, and participate in our society.” This law was signed in order to prevent discrimination against people with disabilities at a federal level by providing inclusion standards for businesses, health care, social services, transportation and telecommunications.
As far as our nation has come in the past 30 years, there is still a lot of work to do in order to fight for advocacy among the DD community. This is especially important to acknowledge during the ongoing pandemic; the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recognizes the inequalities in public health among people with disabilities. “Some people with disabilities might be at increased risk of being infected or having severe illness from COVID-19 because of their underlying medical conditions; they also might not be able to communicate symptoms of illness.” Read more from the CDC here.
Community Pathways advocates for our customers. We are here for you during this global crisis. If you are a customer, use your PA as a resource to ask about how to stay safe and prepare for emergencies. You can also access our emergency planning page to learn more about your medical rights and utilize resources for communicating in case of an emergency. This page also provides DRO’s contact information if you have experienced discrimination at a medical facility.
Want to advocate for the community? Here are a couple of ways to get involved:
Join Self Advocates Taking Action on the second Friday of every month from 11am-1pm. These meetings are now on Zoom; look for updates with meeting links on their Facebook page!
Write to the Senate to express the importance of including the Disability Community within COVID-19 Relief Bills.
““Never give up, be motivated by a challenge, and be a strong advocate for yourself as well as for others. Together, we will succeed.” ”
CPI Employee Spotlight of the Week
Zoe’s dog, Lily, sometimes has cat-like tendencies
Zoe loves walking her dogs and spending time in her garden, but she is very social and misses interacting with people face-to-face. She looks forward to the day when we can all do that again!
Zoe, CPI’s resource manager, has been keeping busy at home since the pandemic began. Zoe is enjoying extra walks and snuggles with her two dogs, Lily and Carter. She also enjoys tending to the flowers and vegetables she grows in her yard; this summer her husband built a new greenhouse to expand their garden!
Zoe is growing beautiful pink dahlias in her garden
Upcoming Events Online
Let’s Talk About Sex! Webinar for parents
10 - 11:30 AM on August 12, 2020
This online training, held by the Arc and OTAC, is designed to help parents talk to their children about sexuality, bodies, gender and relationships. Find out more and register here.
Portland Art and Learning Studio (PALS)
Check out PALS virtual classes such as poetry, creative writing, karaoke, drawing, and crafts.
Email PALSinfo@albertinakerr.org for more information.
FACT Oregon Tri4Youth Race Online
August 8 to August 22, 2020
FACT Oregon is holding a virtual challenge to complete 2.53 miles of physical activity. The Tri4Youth Race is a fundraiser to support families with the information, resources, and support they need to effectively advocate for children experiencing disability. Join for free and participate by sending photos or videos of the healthy activity of your choice! Find out more and register here.