Coronavirus information for people with a learning disability
Coronavirus or Covid-19 is a new virus that has been spreading around the world since December 2019.
It makes people ill when they breathe it in.
Most people who have coronavirus get these symptoms
- A high temperature
- A nasty cough
- Loss of smell or taste
They feel poorly for a week or two and then get better.
Other people are ill for much longer and find it hard to get well again. This is sometimes called Long Covid. Some of the signs are
You feel worn out
You find it hard to think or remember things
You get out of breath
Aches and pains
Dizziness
A higher risk
More than a million people have died across the world including many people with learning disabilities.
People with a learning disability are six times more likely to die from coronavirus than other people.
There are things you can do to keep yourself safe
Hands
Wash your hands lots of times during the day
Use soap and water
Or use hand sanitiser gel
Scrub for 20-30 seconds
Space
Covid spreads when people breathe, talk, laugh and cough
Try and keep a distance from others - the advice is at least 2 metres (6 feet)
Face
Wear a face mask or face covering whenever you cannot keep a distance from other people
On public transport
Shops and indoor spaces
In busy places outdoors
Remember to wash your hands
When you come home
When you visit other places
Before you touch food
Any other time is also good
DO NOT touch
Eyes
Nose
Mouth
This can spread the virus from your hands to your lungs
Always cough and sneeze into a tissue.
Then throw the tissue away and wash your hands.
If you don’t have a tissue cough into your sleeve to catch it.
Coronavirus has changed all of our lives and you may feel worried.
Try and keep in touch with people and don’t be afraid to ask for help.