You Can Be a Hero
With the novel coronavirus-caused disease COVID-19 sweeping the globe, governments and medical groups worldwide are asking the public to start social distancing. This means staying home from public places except when absolutely necessary, including working remotely, shutting down schools, avoiding nights out and more.
You might be young and see no reason to panic, but social distancing isn't about keeping yourself safe—it's about the safety of others. So stay in unless you absolutely must go out and use reasonable precautions to keep your communities safe.
COVID-19 is a common enemy, and we can beat it together. Gamers are well-equipped to lead the charge and show why staying in is cool.
Keep calm and be informed with our Covid-fighting guide!
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 a disease caused by a new form of coronavirus, the type of virus that causes diseases including the common cold, SARS and MERS. It can be fatal, but usually isn't, and people most at risk are those with pre-existing conditions or seniors.
Most cases of COVID-19 are mild, but that is no reason to ignore it. By using social distancing and basic hygiene, we can help take control of the spread in our communities, keep more people safe and help our medical professionals.
Currently, there is not yet a vaccine or a cure for COVID-19. Check out the WHO's FAQ on COVID-19 for more information on the facts of this virus.
I Feel Sick, Do I have COVID-19?
Dammit Jim, we're gamers, not doctors! Here's what the WHO says are the signs and symptoms of COVID-19:
Fever
Cough
Shortness of Breath
If you develop symptoms or know you have been in contact with somebody who has, stay home! If you have symptoms, call your doctor for advice. Remember that this is a busy time for doctors, hospitals and essential services, so be patient!
Why Does Social Distancing Matter?
Social distancing is the easiest and most impactful thing we can do to prevent the spread of Covid-19 right now. And hey—we're gamers. We have every ability to socialize from home, with many raid nights and fragfests played out in the comfort of our living rooms while our friends are right next to us… in spirit.
By "social distancing" you keep yourself away from catching the virus and you keep yourself from being a spreader of the virus. Social distancing isn’t being scared, it's being smart!
Social Distancing isn't Panicking!
Just because you're staying inside doesn't mean you aren't having fun. It doesn't mean you're consumed with dread, or living on zombie survival rations. It just means using common-sense hygiene and leveraging the Internet and technology to connect you to people instead of going into public spaces.
Life can be fun even if it's inside, especially for gamers.
Gamers are better-equipped than anyone to hunker down and have a good time inside. The CDC recommends cancelling all events with more than 50 people, and similar recommendations are being proposed worldwide. The White House has recommended all gatherings be limited 10 or fewer people, but the best course of action is to limit all in-person gatherings to essentials only.
What if I Have to Go to Work?
Don't go if you've been sick or been in close contact with somebody else who has had COVID-19.
If you are healthy and have to go to work because you cannot work remotely, limit your time out to what is necessary and follow the social distancing guidelines: wash your hands regularly, give people their space (ideally at least six feet), and disinfect your work area.
But Won't People Still Get Sick?
Yes, of course people will still get sick. The idea of social distancing is to lower the infection rate. One of the critical ways a disease like COVID-19 kills people is by overloading medical systems. By reducing the rate that the virus can spread, we're buying time for the people who are critically sick to get the care they need before new patients come in.
If the virus spreads too fast, critical cases stack up and overload the system. By slowing the virus, we give more time for medical professionals to help current cases and even research a treatment.
Plus, with social distancing, people who have to go out to work and people who provide essential services are also at lower risk because they are coming in contact with fewer people during their day.
So stay in and game on! Work from home if you can! Wash your hands!
What should you do to stay healthy?
It's easy:
Stay Home (if possible) to avoid exposure and spread.
If you feel sick or have come in contact with somebody diagnosed with COVID-19, stay at home, call your doctor or local health department and follow their advice
To find your local health department, search "{your city or county} + health department"
Remember that healthcare workers are busy right now—you may have to wait or be on hold for a period of time
Keep your hands clean by washing frequently using warm water for 20-40 seconds or, if unavailable, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content.
Avoid touching your face with your hands specifically your eyes, nose or mouth.
Stop fist bumping, shaking hands, and hugging as greetings or goodbyes
Social isolating: when possible, keep a social distance of 6 feet or greater from other people
If you sneeze or cough, do so into your cloth like your sleeve or a handkerchief, never cough into your hands or into the air
Invite your friends to play online instead of in-person. Instead of going out to a bar, stay in and watch your favorite streamer. Remember: it's no big deal to chill at home.
How can I make my immune system stronger?
Get 7-9 hours of sleep per night
Drink 1 oz. of water per 2 lbs. of bodyweight per day
Eat balanced meals. You only need a multivitamin or supplement if your diet is limited or unhealthy.
Get 30 minutes of exercise per day, either all at once or in 10-minute chunks.
Use techniques like mindfulness, meditation, journaling, or deep breathing to manage stress
What should you do if you are sick?
If you're sick:
STAY HOME.
Call your doctor, hospital, or local health department BEFORE seeking medical attention.
When going to the hospital or doctor’s office, don’t use public transportation. Follow your doctor’s instructions for care.
Wear a face mask to limit the risk of you coughing on other people.
Continue with good hand hygiene—wash your hands before eating; after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose; after using the bathroom; etc.
Do not share dishes, utensils, towels, or bedding with other people.
Clean all “high-touch” surfaces like phones, counters, tables, doorknobs, and keyboards every day.
KEEP STAYING HOME.
Who Is Most Likely to Have COVID-19?
There is no race or ethnic group most likely to have or pass on COVID-19. Anybody can carry and pass on the virus, even people with no symptoms. It is counter-productive to respond to COVID-19 with bigotry against specific ethnic groups or classes of people, and doing so disconnects communities and creates more risk.
The people most at risk for severe cases of COVID-19 are the elderly or those with underlying immune system or respiratory conditions. Although children are less likely to develop symptoms, they can still pass the disease on to others.
Keep Calm and Game On!
There is no reason to hoard resources like toilet paper, hand sanitizer, or masks. Washing with soap and water is much more effective than hand sanitizer for this particular virus, and you only need a mask if you are taking care of someone with a suspected or confirmed coronavirus infection. Most of us aren't, so leave those masks for people who are—doctors, nurses, and hospital technicians.
The world isn't ending, we're just staying home for a while!
What If You Need Help Remaining Calm?
Stress and panic comes in many forms, but none of them are good for your health. If you are having trouble managing anxiety, panic or mental health, you can call Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746. (TTY 1-800-846-8517).
Your mental health is as important as your bodily health. The WHO recommends the following to protect your mental health and well-being:
Take breaks from the news and social media. The news will still be there in a few hours.
Eat, stretch, meditate and exercise like normal.
Make sure you get plenty of sleep, don't let time slip away from you
Just because you aren't going out doesn't mean you aren't having fun. Watch movies, play games, read a book, become an expert knitter—find things that are fun for you.
Make sure you're still connecting with people, just do it from a distance. Call your family, queue pubs with friends, be social—at a distance!
Keep Calm and informed on best practices with our Covid-fighting guide!
Who Are We?
We are gamers, medical professionals, and people who care about flattening the curve. We’re a coalition across gaming doing our best to save the world one pledge at a time.
How to Do More
Shop Local and Be Kind
Lots of businesses in your area are going to have slowdowns in business, some will shut temporarily and some may even shut permanently. There is no evidence that food or food packaging transmitting COVID-19, according to the US FDA.
You can still order food, but order it for delivery or pickup instead of eating out at the restaurant.
There's other ways you can help your neighbors and local economy, from calling up and ordering ahead to buying gift cards that you'll use once the pandemic has receded. Call your local government or business bureau if you want to know how your spending can help your area.
Donate
No Kid Hungry
With coronavirus forcing mass school closures across the country, millions of children are losing the daily meals they depend on. No Kid Hungry uses donations to send emergency grants to food banks and local community groups. It diverts resources to feed kids in the hardest-hit communities. The organization also has plans in place to ensure families know how to find food while schools are closed and making sure kids get three meals a day.
Feeding America
This organization helps feed communities and individuals facing hunger across the United States through a nationwide network of food banks.
https://www.feedingamerica.org/
Meals on Wheels
This organization delivers meals to the country’s elderly population. Many of its local programs are struggling with the additional costs of delivering meals during the outbreak.
https://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/
Foster an Animal
Animal shelters have been hit with funding losses and staff shortages. While your at home, it’s a perfect time to foster an animal!
Directory of location shelters
https://bestfriends.org/our-work/supporting-network-partners/network-partners
COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/donate
CDC Foundation