Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Initial and Ongoing Recommendations

FCN Vaccine Appointment Assistance – Websites and waitlists are fastest ways to schedule the most people for a Covid-19 vaccine. Unfortunately, our most vulnerable and most isolated community members struggle to access and use the internet. Faith Community Nurses have the opportunity to connect congregants and other vulnerable people with local resources for Covid-19 vaccine appointments. Every county in every state has a different system, and having a local advocate assist with this process can be a blessing. The FCN Vaccine Appointment Assist Form was created as a tool for FCNs to use and adapt hyper-locally to meet the needs of their specific community. The first page is a place for FCNs to keep track of  local numbers and eligibility information as well as transportation resources. For community members needing more than just information, the second page is a guide for a conversation with a community member needing assistance with finding an appointment. 
Angela Combs, MSN, MPH, RN – Faith Community Nurse Liaison, St. Joseph Mercy Health System, Ann Arbor, MI  in collaboration with Margo Murphy, BSN, RN-  FCN at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Plymouth, MI


A message from HHS Partnership Center – We are hearing from many of our faith and community partners that they are willing and even eager to host future vaccine programs. Please keep in mind that vaccine distribution is facilitated locally and that community leaders need to connect with their local health dept., vaccine provider, or Community Health Center to discover the most helpful role their organization can play in COVID prevention and vaccine efforts.
Read about the synagogue in North Carolina that proactively reached out to their local provider and county health authorities to explore the possibility of using their building and congregational resources to operate a neighborhood-based vaccination site.

CMS – COVID-19 Partner Toolkit


From the CDC – Centers for Disease Control: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/summary.html
•  Preventing COVID-19 Spread in Communities including guidance for homes, schools, and workplaces

•  Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with Suspected or Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Healthcare Settings
•  What to do if you are sick with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
•  Share Facts About COVID-19
•  What you need to know about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)


To keep up with the important work of the White House Coronavirus Task Force in response to COVID-19, visit https:/www.coronavirus.gov.  For a complete and updated list of CMS actions, and other information specific to CMS, please visit the Current Emergencies Website


From SAMHSA.gov Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health
Tips for Social Distancing, Quarantine, and Isolation . . .


March 24, 2020 – American Nurses Association Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Resources
• ANA COVID-19 Webinar “Be Confident Protecting Yourself and Providing the Best Care to Your Patients during this COVID-19 Pandemic – On Demand” Click here to register and view.