Thread by @WHO

NEW WHO guidance on disability during #COVID19. Populations with #disability may be impacted more significantly by #coronavirus. This can be mitigated if simple actions & protective measures are taken
👉 bit.ly/33ZDtKo

People with #disability may be at greater risk of contracting #COVID19 because:
• Physical barriers to use basic hygiene facilities
• Need to touch things
• Difficulty in enacting social distancing
• Barriers to accessing public health & #coronavirus information

Depending on their health condition, people with #disability may have risks of developing more severe cases of #coronavirus because #COVID19 exacerbates existing health conditions, particularly related to respiratory functions, immune system, heart disease or diabetes.

People with #disability can reduce their potential exposure to #COVID19 by:
• Avoiding crowded environments
• Disinfecting assistive products frequently
• Working from home
• Gathering urgent items such as food, cleaning supplies, medication or medical supplies

#coronavirus

During #COVID19 people with #disability should put a plan in place to ensure continuation of the care and support they need, including considering increasing the pool of caregivers they can call upon

👉 bit.ly/33ZDtKo

#coronavirus

People with disability should prepare for the instance they contract #COVID19 by informing their family, friends & people in the household on important information and required steps to be taken

👉 bit.ly/33ZDtKo

#coronavirus

During #COVID19, governments should:
✅ Ensure public health information & #coronavirus communication is accessible & barrier free
✅ Undertake targeted measures for people with #disability, their support networks & disability service providers

👉 bit.ly/33ZDtKo

To support people with #disability, #HealthWorkers should:
✅ Ensure #COVID19 health care is accessible, affordable and inclusive
✅ Deliver telehealth

👉 bit.ly/33ZDtKo

All #HealthWorkers, including those providing support to people with disability should follow the WHO guidance to 👩‍⚕️🧑‍⚕️during the #COVID19 outbreak.

👉 bit.ly/2xRzljw
#coronavirus

#Disability service providers should:
•Develop & implement service continuity plans incl. for ↘️ workforce
•Communicate frequently with people with disability & their support networks
•↘️potential exposure to #COVID19
•Provide sufficient support for people with complex needs

Support people with #disability by taking the risk of #coronavirus seriously. Even if you may not be at high risk of serious symptoms, you may pass the virus on to someone that is. Always follow the WHO basic protection measures during #COVID19:
👉 bit.ly/2u1Ybvr

During #COVID19 governments should ensure that people with #disability:
✅ are not left behind in the #coronavirus response
✅ still have the right to access the healthcare they need on an equal basis with others