Our message to the community about COVID-19

 March 12, 2020

SHEP community and friends,

Sight-Hearing Encouragement Program (SHEP) is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for our clients and staff.  This applies to all aspects of health and safety, including illness such as the flu and recent cases of coronavirus (COVID -19).

We encourage SSPs, DeafBlind members and families to be mindful of key preventive measures. Please encourage everyone to practice good habits, including:

1. Wash your hands regularly, especially after using the restroom and before preparing or consuming food. Using soap and hot water, wash for about 20 seconds. Be sure to also wash your fingertips.
2. Avoid coughing or sneezing into your hands or in the air. Always try to cough or sneeze into a tissue, and then throw the tissue away. If you don’t have a tissue, cough/sneeze into your arm.
3. Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.
4. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
5. If you are feeling sick, please stay at home. In the event of a true health emergency please contact 911.  

Note: If you have any questions or concerns about your rights as a Deaf/HoH/DeafBlind individual when you visit a health care provider feel free to read this great and informative article here.

To find accurate, Oklahoma-specific information on COVID-19, please visit the OSDH website at https://www.ok.gov/health/Prevention_and_Preparedness/Acute_Disease_Service/Disease_Information/Coronavirus_Disease_2019/.  More information is also available on the Center for Disease Control website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/

Also, at this time, public health officials are advising U.S. travelers to avoid cruises and international travel. Updated travel advisories can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html

Please encourage everyone to try to adhere to the following travel guidance:

We will continue to keep everyone updated with new information, including upcoming changes with future SSP training, such as introducing hybrid training models and if that will also be postponed or not, as we monitor ongoing national events.

At this time, if you want to help support the DeafBlind community during this time, you can donate at www.shep-ok.org/donate

Thank you for your careful attention to the DeafBlind community and SSP safety! We appreciate your efforts and look forward to returning to future social gatherings both happy and healthy!

Cassandra Oakes

President, Founder