MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WTVF) — Old Time Pottery is partnering with senior and assisted living facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The company said Friday it would donate “Big-Hearted Bins” filled with essential supplies to more than 40 facilities in 11 states. Customers who want to help will get a 25% discount off items they choose to donate.
“With their higher risk of coronavirus complications, many senior community residents have little choice but to shelter-in-place and that has a strong negative impact on their mental health,” said Jason Schmitt, CEO of Old Time Pottery. “We wanted to be able to partner with our customers in these difficult times to bring a ray of hope and help put a smile on their faces.”
Old Time Pottery says it will also be coordinating efforts for facility residents to write well-wishes greeting cards for coronavirus patients in community hospitals.
The company says it’s partnering with Singer to provide sewing spaces, machines and fabric for community members to create masks that will be donated to local health care facilities in order to keep workers protected.
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See all our coronavirus coverage here
COUNTY-BY-COUNTY CASES IN TENNESSEE
What is COVID-19 (a.k.a. the new coronavirus?)
According to the World Health Organization, coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. Examples include the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV)and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans. COVID-19 stands for "Coronavirus disease 2019," which is when this strain of the coronavirus was discovered.
What are the symptoms?
The CDC says patients confirmed to have the 2019-nCoV reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Or at least two of the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
At this time, the CDC believes symptoms could appear as soon as two days after exposure, or as long as 14 days.
Prevention
The CDC is recommending "common sense" measures such as:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
