COVID-19: Symptoms, Close Contacts, and Actions

Covid-19 Induction Information for Staff & Volunteer Mentors

Covid-19: What Is It? COVID-19 is an illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It s caused by a virus called Coronavirus. Coronavirus (COVID-19) is spread in sneeze or cough droplets. Viruses can be easily spread to other people and you are normally infectious until all your symptoms have gone. Coronavirus (COVID-19) may survive on surfaces if someone who has it coughs or sneezes onto it. Simple household disinfectants can kill the virus on surfaces.

Covid-19: Symptoms It can take up to 14 days for symptoms of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) to show. They can be similar to the symptoms of cold and flu. Common symptoms include but are not limited to: Fever - high temperature - 38 degrees Celsius or above Cough - this can be any kind of cough, not just dry Shortness of breath or breathing difficulties Runny or blocked nose Loss or change to your sense of smell or taste this means you have noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea Aches, pains or tiredness Sore throat Headache

COVID-19: Symptoms or Close Contact To protect you, your colleagues, programme participants and your family, it is essential that if you: Have any symptoms of COVID-19 OR If you feel unwell before Fighting Words OR Have been in close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case Take the following action: Immediately make phone contact with your Fighting Words manager/supervisor Do not attend at the Fighting Words centre Visit www.hse.ie/coronavirus OR telephone your GP or the HSE Helpline at 1850 241850 and follow advice received.

COVID-19: Close Contacts What Is It? When you have been in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, you will get a text from the HSE to let you know that you are a close contact. You could have been in contact with a positive case: in your home (sometimes called a 'household close contact') outside your home (sometimes called a 'non-household close contact' or community close contact ) The advice from the HSE is the same for both household and non-household close contacts but varies depending on your situation.

COVID-19: Close Contacts What to Do Next Information varies about what to do if you are a close contact. The HSE website has the most up-to-date information. Find out what you need to do if you or your child is a close contact of a person that tests positive for COVID-19: If you are a close contact If your child is a close contact Restricted movements and self-isolation Restricted movements (stay at home) if you do not have symptoms Self-isolation (stay in your room) if you have symptoms

Managing Suspected COVID-19 At FW Locations If you develop symptoms at Fighting Words: Tell your manager/supervisor immediately. Fighting Words has a process in place. Follow the guidelines and advice. You will need to: Isolate immediately from other staff in Dublin, the isolation room is the office of the main centre. Wear a well-fitted medical grade or respirator face mask The mask should also be worn if in a common area with other people or while exiting the premises Keep a distance of least 2 metres from others Go home or to a medical facility as soon as it is safe to do so. Self-isolate at home and phone your GP. Do not use public transport of any kind to travel. Seek advice from the HSE and/or other medical professionals, such as your GP

Managing Suspected COVID-19 At FW Locations If you cannot go home immediately: Remain self-isolating in the building Avoid touching people, surfaces and objects Cover your mouth and nose with tissues when you cough or sneeze. Bin these tissues in a waste bag Following a suspected case of Covid-19 at Fighting Words, designated staff members will: o Arrange for appropriate cleaning of the isolation area and work areas o Carry out a full risk assessment of the incident to see what, if any, further action needs to be taken

Preventing the Spread of Covid-19: Summary

Preventing The Spread of COVID-19 To prevent person-to-person spread of respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, follow proper hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette and keep surfaces clean. Hand Hygiene Wash hands regularly and avoid touching your face and eyes with your hands. Use hand sanitiser where soap and water are not available. If hands are visibly dirty, wash hands with soap and water prior to using the sanitiser. Remember wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. Cough Etiquette When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or a tissue. Place used tissues into a closed bin and wash your hands Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. Keep your environment clean.

Preventing The Spread of COVID-19 It is also important to refrain from physical contact and to maintain distance from others to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Physical Distancing (also known as Social Distancing) Physical distancing aims, through a variety of means, to decrease or interrupt the spread of COVID-19. The current recommended distance to be maintained between people to minimise risk of transmission is 2 metres (6 feet). Unnecessary Contact Do not shake hands, high-five or make unnecessary contact with others, e.g. when saying hello. STOP before you start! If your activity is going to require close contact within two metres, STOP and ask the manager/supervisor for advice. This will require a risk assessment resulting in additional protection measures.

How To Wash Your Hands WHO Guidelines

Travelling to Fighting Words When travelling to Fighting Words, it is preferable that you do so alone by walking, cycling or using a private vehicle. If using public transport, please be aware of the following:

Welfare Facilities When using facilities such as the kitchen area and toilets, allow appropriate time and space to facilitate the correct levels of hygiene and physical distancing. Be respectful of these boundaries. Toilets You must respect the space available to ensure physical distancing. This may required a longer wait. Kitchen Facilities Break times should be staggered to reduce congestion and contact. Cleaning materials will be provided, please clean the area when finished. Dispose of rubbish appropriately. Do not share objects that touch your mouth, e.g. bottles, cups, mugs. Always be vigilant of sources of contamination.

Workshop and Office Environment We must all work as a team, as we have always done at Fighting Words. Throughout your day, you should: Continue to maintain hygiene by washing your hands regularly Keep work spaces clean and disinfected Regularly clean high-touch surfaces such as tables, desks, chairs, door handles, light switches, phones, keyboards, toilets, taps and sinks Wear a face covering in the workshop space

Fighting Words Activities General Principles All Fighting Words staff and volunteer mentors/illustrators are required to complete the Pre-Return Form before arriving for a workshop or other event. The wearing of a face covering is mandatory in the workshop space. Fighting Words will provide face coverings if required, so don t worry if you forget! o Face coverings in specific areas of the office are also required where physical distancing is difficult Fighting Words operates a no hand-shaking policy. This includes high fives and fist bumps. There will be no access to tea and coffee making facilities for the volunteer team. Proper ventilation, e.g. open windows and doors, will be in place. Groups will use the one-way system for entering and exiting the centre. Organising space in such a way that physical distances are maintained. No more than two people working regularly in the office of the main centre. Organising teams and groups of participants into pods to work together consistently.

Fighting Words Activities General Principles, continued Because we work with children under age 12, groups at Fighting Words will be of mixed patrons, in other words, people who are both vaccinated/recently recovered and unvaccinated. As a result, events can be run bearing in mind the following: Participants will be in pods of up to six, with one mentor per pod The number of pods will have regard to the size of the venue. Adults are required to wear face coverings There will be substantial social distance between pods OR 2-metre distance between individuals All centres must be well ventilated, with windows and doors open Regular cleaning is paramount. Chair and cushions should be wiped, as well as door handles and light switches. Hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette must be maintained Participants should bring their own pens or pencils

How to Wear a Face Covering HSE Guidance on Wearing a Face Covering Link to HSE website see guidance here.

Fighting Words Activities at Behan Square Centre In Dublin, primary school students will remain in their pods and arranged to allow for all participants to see the screen. In addition: Participants should be physically distanced at reception, with the outdoor courtyard used to welcome groups Do not use the magic door The volunteer team should not be in the office/kitchen for tea and coffee No handshaking, fist pumps or hugs among the volunteer team

Fighting Words Activities Vaccination Status IMPORTANT Regardless of the vaccination status of staff, volunteers, interns and programme participants, public health infection prevention and control (e.g. physical distancing, hand hygiene, face coverings, adequate ventilation) will remain in place in line with Government advice for schools until further notice.

Compliance and Monitoring Monitoring compliance will require ensuring that physical distancing, hygiene rules and COVID-19 control measures are being adhered to and maintained to reduce the risk of the spread of COVID-19. Compliance checks with COVID-19 may include checking the following measures are in place and being adhered to: Adequate Signage Physical Distancing Hand Washing Cough/Sneeze Etiquette Safety Documentation Risk Assessment Increased cleaning regimes where required Staggering start/finish times, breaks, lunchtimes, etc Record keeping, e.g. signing in to assist in contact tracing

Your Well-Being Infectious disease outbreaks like COVID-19 and related issues can be worrying and can affect your mental health. There are many online resources available and you can contact your GP. Health Service Executive (HSE): Minding Your Mental Health During The Coronavirus Pandemic Connecting For Life Government of Ireland In This Together

Key Contacts We are here to help and advise about Covid-19 Contact any of the following for advice and guidance or if you have a concern: Your Fighting Words location co-ordinator Health and Safety Officer Sara Bennett sara@fightingwords.ie Lead Worker Representatives Emmy Lugoye and Mark Davidson emmy@fightingwords.ie mark@fightingwords.ie

A Final Note We must all depend on each other to protect ourselves, our families, our colleagues and our community. It is essential that we follow the Government and HSE guidelines at home, at work and while volunteering. Take ownership of your safety and the safety of others Maintain physical distancing Wash your hands and practice good respiratory etiquette THANK YOU AND STAY SAFE!