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Moffat Library Databases: ONGOING PANDEMIC - COVID-19
Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Tracking Dashboard
This interactive map from Johns Hopkins University allows users to see a breakdown of the coronavirus's spread and extent in different countries. The data used in the dashboard is drawn from regional and world health departments including the World Health Organization (WHO), the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CCDC), and the American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The source for the dashboard can be found at the Johns Hopkins Center for System Science and Engineering.
Updates are published as they become available.
PLEASE NOTE: There are increasing reports that scammers are using fake coronavirus maps to steal peoples' personal information and spread malware. Please be cautious when clicking or sharing links. Expect spam emails referring to COVID-19 to increase. Always be vigilant when opening an unexpected email; don't click on any links or open any attachments before you are confident that they are legitimate. You can always try to verify its contents by attempting to call a business's public phone number (never use a phone number given in a suspected spam email) or by performing a direct search for the organization or service that you want.
In the event that you want to access a tracking map like the one above, please navigate to them by visiting safe and reliable sources like the World Health Organization, the New York State Department of Health, or The New York Times. All of these organizations maintain frequently updated data.
Changes In Mobility Due To COVID-19
Collective, anonymized data can provide useful public health insights for nations and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Software companies such as Apple and Google are currently providing mobility reports created from aggregate, anonymous data taken from travel direction requests and visits to different categories of locations.
Apple - COVID-19 - Mobility Trends Reports
Protect Yourself From Fraud
Practices like price gouging, fraudulent advertising, and unsafe products during pandemics are all too common. Federal and state agencies are responsible for protecting consumers from scams and harmful business practices.
Federal Trade Commission
Protecting Yourself Financially During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Call the New York Consumer Helpline to Report Price Gouging: 1-800-697-1220
Medical Databases & Information
Scientists are publishing an immense amount of research on coronaviruses each day. If you want to take a deeper dive into the medical and biological literature, many publishers and libraries are collecting their COVID-19 articles into free and easily accessible information centers. Checking health claims that you see online against published research is a good way to avoid misinformation.
National Institutes of Health - Coronavirus 2019 Disease Situation Summary
Novel Coronavirus Information Center
New York State on PAUSE Executive Order
Our actions determine our future.
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) May 24, 2020
Knowledge is power.
Go to our regional dashboard to see where your community stands. https://t.co/iUykd4slpQ
Infectious disease experts say most cases of COVID-19 are mild to moderate, like the common cold. But it can be more severe in older adults and people with chronic health conditions. It is also important to work to contain and slow the spread of the virus in order to prevent hospitals and healthcare systems from being overwhelmed. If you can stay home, do so.
As of May 26 New York State on PAUSE orders expired for several regions that met all of the metrics in the Moving New York Forward plan. Those regions may begin initial phased openings. Orange County (which is in the Mid-Hudson Region) is currently scheduled to begin Phase I reopening this week. This means that several categories of businesses - such as construction, manufacturing, wholesale trade, and retail with curbside or in-store pickup and drop off only - may resume operations. Consult the New York Forward website for detailed reopening and health guidance. The coronavirus continues to spread at a slow rate, so please remain conscientious about social distancing and mask wearing. All schools will remain closed through the rest of the academic year while continuing to provide distance learning, meal delivery, and child care services.
- As metrics on infections, hospitalization, deaths, and testing rates improve, New York will allow different regions to enter phased reopening.
- The primary goal is for regions to see either 14 consecutive days of declines in the 3-day-averages of hospitalizations and deaths OR fewer than 15 total hospitalizations and 5 total daily deaths each day.
- Additional metrics measure healthcare capacity, such as share of available hospital beds, ICU treatment, stockpiles of personal protective equipment, and weekly average testing rate per capita.
- Testing protocols for both COVID-19 and antibodies are available online. Use the screening questionnaire to determine if you should be tested.
- Priorities for reopening include manufacturing and construction, wholesale supply chains, and retail with curb-side pickup only.
- Governor Cuomo and several northeast state Governors announced the creation of a multi-state council to restore the economy and to coordinate the purchasing of medical equipment.
- New Yorkers who have recovered from COVID-19 are encouraged to donate blood. Here’s information on how to donate.
- New Yorkers without health insurance can apply through NY State of Health through June 15, 2020; must apply within 60 days of losing coverage.
- New Yorkers can call the COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline at 1-844-863-9314 for mental health counseling.
- Testing is free for all eligible New Yorkers as ordered by a health care provider.
- Your local health department is your community contact for COVID-19 concerns.
Recognize The Symptoms Of COVID-19
Practicing Critical Thinking & Avoiding Misinformation
Conspiracy theories and unfounded information can spread faster than any disease. Some of these rumors and claims may be wrong but are relatively harmless, such as the idea that eating garlic can help protect you from COVID-19. Others are much more dangerous, such as conspiracies that the novel coronavirus is a human-made bio-weapon or that certain treatments or supplements can cure COVID-19. Misinformation makes everyone less safe, by leaving us more vulnerable to infection, to panicked behavior, to harming ourselves through attempting dangerous remedies, and to stigmatizing and fearing other people. But there are simple steps to avoid getting fooled and to slow the spread of misinformation.
- Be Careful Where You Get Your News About Coronavirus (Source: Harvard Health Blog)
- Even though social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and TikTok are taking steps to moderate content and flag misleading information, it is still easy to to spread misinformation on these platforms. Be cautious when reading and sharing news on social media. (Click each social media platform's name to see how they are working to combat misinformation.)
- Prioritize reliable sources like international and government agencies (which have missions to protect and inform the public), major news organizations (which have established expertise and robust fact checking policies), and scientific and medical journals (which have rigorous vetting before publication and do not have vested commercial interests in the information provided).
- Take Some Time To Verify Information Before You Share It
- You don't need to spend a long time trying to find the original source of a claim or exhaustively assess the credibility of its author. But wait a few minutes before sharing a link or interacting with a post. You can use that time to see if other news organizations are reporting the same information. You can check whether the claim has a commercial interest in selling you a product or service. You can reflect when confronting claims that try to sensationalize events or make you panicked or angry. The faster you consume and share information, the easier it is to be fooled.
- Scams will exploit (and already have exploited) fears and concerns about COVID-19 to steal your personal information, place malware on your devices, and steal money. The best defense against such scams is to carefully scrutinize links and information before you act on it. Scammers will try to rush you into a hasty decision. Be suspicious of any unsolicited emails or information.
- Consult Factchecking And Public Health Organizations For More Context
- WHO - Advice For The Public: Myth Busters
- CDC - Key Facts
- Snopes - The Coronavirus Collection
- Factcheck.org - Issue Coverage: Coronavirus
- Consider Taking Breaks From The News
- It is understandable that people want to stay as informed as possible about a rapidly changing situation like the COVID-19 pandemic. But constantly chasing the latest headlines and broadcasts can make you more anxious without actually informing you of anything new or useful. Even if they are accurate, the rapid alerts that you see may lack important context and distract from your daily life. Information that updates less frequently can provide a clearer picture of important trends while still conveying necessary details. Take some time every day to relax and pursue activities that you enjoy. You'll be better equipped to understand the news afterward.
State & Local Health Organizations
State and local health departments are responsible for the safety of New Yorkers. If you or someone you know has information about someone who has had contact with a person infected with coronavirus, please call the hotlines listed below.
PLEASE NOTE: If you or a family member are exhibiting symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and are seeking medical help, CALL AHEAD to inform your healthcare provider or hospital so that they can take adequate precautions.
Hotline: Call 1-888-364-3065 for Information about Coronavirus
- Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Main Website
- Simple Steps for Preparation
- Executive Order 202 - State Declaration of Emergency
- Executive Order 202.8 - Effective March 22, all non-essential businesses must reduce in-person workforce by 100%; all social and public gatherings are suspended
- Executive Order 202.11 - Statewide Closure of Schools through the rest of the school year
- Executive Order 202.17 - Effective April 17, all New Yorkers must wear a mask or face covering while in public and unable to maintain social distancing
Orange County Health Department Phone Number: 845-291-2330
Travel Advisories
As of March 19, 2020, the State Department has issued a Global Level 4 Health Advisory - Do Not Travel
As of March 18, 2020, CDC has issued a Level 2 Travel Health Notice - recommending against all nonessential domestic travel due to community transmission. There are higher level notices issued for travel to specific countries.
The State Department is responsible for American consulates in foreign countries and issues travel advisories for American citizens. At this time, they are recommending that all Americans avoid all international travel. Additionally, all Americans abroad who are able to do so should arrange to return to the United States immediately unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period of time.
Information From Other Libraries
Moffat Library is grateful for the swift action and resource sharing on the parts of the Middletown Thrall Library and the Southeastern New York Library Resource Council (SENYLRC). If the information you need is not available through one of the links provided above, we encourage you to explore the resources collected by these libraries.