Page 9 - 052020-Market-Bulletin

WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2020 FARMERS AND CONSUMERS MARKET BULLETIN – 404-656-3722 – agr.georgia.gov PAGE 9
Mercer Medical MoMent: Best practices for the new COVID-19 normal

By Amber J. Schmidtke, Ph.D. of death among those between the ages of 50 and 79, males tizer and sanitizing wipes for when you cannot access soap
Assistant Professor of Microbiology and black or African Americans. Of all the fatalities recorded and water or your usual disinfectants. As soon as you re-
Mercer University School of Medicine, to date, Georgia’s rural counties have a higher rate than other enter your home, wash your hands. Consider making this
Department of Biomedical Sciences county types. So, if you are in a high-risk category or care for a part of your home entry rules, just as some households
someone who is, you’ll want to be sure to limit your exposure remove their shoes upon entry.
As Georgia reopens in the midst of as much as possible and consider staying home if you’re finan- • Limit your exposures as much as possible. Avoid unneces-
the COVID-19 pandemic, every family cially able to do so. sary travel, appointments and errands. Always do your best
across the state is having to weigh their Staying home is not possible for many, so here are some best to keep a perimeter of at least 6 feet around you. When you
situation and make decisions based upon practices to minimize your exposure when you’re in public: think about a task you need to complete for life or work,
their health, finances, family and commu- • Assume everything you touch is contaminated and that ev- pause and think about the exposures you will encounter and
nity. To help you make the most informed ery person you encounter is carrying the disease. We have have a plan for reducing them.
decision possible, let’s go over the most widespread community transmission in Georgia. • Cover your coughs and sneezes. You can use a tissue, the
up-to-date information we have on who • Wear a face mask but remember that you are not invinci- collar of your shirt or your elbow. Avoid coughing or sneez-
is most at risk for developing a serious or ble when you wear one. Typically, people who wear masks ing into your hands unless you can immediately wash them
life-threatening illness. Then we’ll go over some best practices tend to engage in higher-risk exposures than those not afterward.
for keeping yourself safe if you are among those who need to wearing them because they give a false sense of security. • Throw away your trash when it comes to masks and gloves.
return to work. The mask needs to cover your nose and mouth, and you Do not put others at risk by discarding your personal pro-
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Preven- should try to avoid touching the mask, especially the front tective equipment in parking lots or public spaces.
tion, older adults and people who have severe underlying med- of it, for the entire time you’re wearing it. When you re- I know we would all prefer this pandemic to end as quickly
ical conditions such as hypertension, obesity and metabolic move your mask, consider it contaminated and do not put as it arrived. But it’s more than likely going to be with us in
disease – including diabetes, adrenal disorders, and thyroid it back on. If it is a cloth mask, wash it in hot water with some form for the next several months. As strange as some
dysfunction – are more likely to be hospitalized or develop se- bleach and dry before using it again. of these new customs might seem, they really can make a
rious complications. For children, 50 percent have no known • Keep your hands clean. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or huge impact on the spread of COVID-19. For the latest Geor-
underlying condition. However, the most significant conditions mouth. Wash your hands often with warm water and soap gia updates, visit www.dph.georgia.gov or email Dr. Amber
for kids are obesity and asthma. Data from the Georgia De- for 20 seconds (the same amount of time it would take to Schmidtke at Mercer University School of Medicine (schmidt-
partment of Public Health reveals that there are higher rates sing “Happy Birthday” twice). Carry your own hand sani- ke_aj@mercer.edu).
cook GeorGia Grown: Easy Strawberry Jam

Ingredients Combine strawberries in a bowl with a plate in the freezer. Once the plate
1 qt fresh strawberries, washed and sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice and has chilled well, place a small spoon
hulled vanilla. Place mixture in a heavy-bottom of mixture on the plate to check the
¾ cup sugar saucepan over medium-low heat, consistency.
½ tsp lemon zest stirring until sugar has dissolved.
2 Tbsps fresh lemon juice Store in the refrigerator or follow
½ tsp vanilla extract Raise heat to medium-high and cook canning procedures to store in
until it reaches a temperature of 215 properly sterilized and sealed jars.
Directions degrees on a candy thermometer, Find canning instructions online at
Cut strawberries in small pieces. stirring to prevent scorching. If you www.GeorgiaGrown.com.
don’t have a candy thermometer, place

Jeff Register

Building & Truss

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