Community, Giving, Infectious Disease
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Homemade Face Mask Step-by-Step Instructions
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Here’s how to make a CDC-compliant homemade face mask.
Supplies Needed
Cotton fabric. A tightly woven cotton for the front layer and preferably a softer cotton (such as flannel) for the back layer.
Rope elastic. Beading cord elastic will work too. You may also use 1/8 inches flat elastic.
Instructions (duration: 15-20 minutes)
Cut the fabric 9-by-6 inches for an adult mask or 7.5-5 inches for a child mask. Place any fabric design horizontally.
Cut the elastic 7 inches long and tie a knot at each end (do not knot the ends of the flat).
Put right sides of the fabric together.
Starting at the center of the bottom edge, sew to the first corner and stop. Sew the elastic with the edge out into the corner. A few stitches forward and back will hold this.
Sew to the next corner, stop and bring the other end of the same elastic to the corner and sew a few stitches forward and back.
Sew across that top of the mask to the next corner. Again, put an elastic with the edge out.
Sew to the next corner and sew in the other end of the same elastic.
Sew across the bottom leaving about 1.5 inches to 2 inches open. Stop, cut the thread. Turn inside out.
Pin three tucks on each side of the mask. Make sure the tucks are in the same direction.
Sew around the edge of the mask twice.
When masks are completed, please drop them off curbside to Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) on Wednesday or Friday from 10 am to noon at AAMC’s Belcher Pavilion Circle, located at 2000 Medical Parkway, Annapolis, MD, 21401.
Adapted from instructions by Deaconess Hospital.
Community, News & Press Releases, Infectious Disease
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Blood donations and coronavirus: How we’re keeping our community safe
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[Information updated February 10, 2022]
Having a strong blood supply is more important than ever, especially as we continue to monitor the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center’s (LHAAMC) Blood Donor Center is taking these steps for the health and safety of our community:
We are practicing social distancing by keeping blood donors separate. We are also keeping a safe distance between blood donors and technicians. This includes decreasing the number of donations happening at the same time on our bloodmobile.
Our donor interview process identifies healthy blood donors. We added several screening questions that are specific to coronavirus to our donor interview process. We also added a two-question telephone pre-screen for potential donors. This will disqualify anyone with symptoms or possible coronavirus exposure.
There is no evidence that coronavirus can be transmitted through a blood transfusion. For more details, you can check out the AABB (formerly known as the American Association of Blood Banks).
Additionally, we’d like to help make it clear that people who have had COVID and are fully recovered can donate blood. Per the Food and Drug Administration guidelines, individuals are eligible to donate blood 10 days after complete resolution of symptoms. Our mission is to enhance the health of the people and communities we serve and we ask for help in this endeavor.
Every year, LHAAMC’s blood bank helps around 3,000 people heal from medical conditions and surgical procedures. Patients with cancer and other serious illnesses need transfusion support. And having a strong blood supply could save their lives.
Healthy individuals should schedule an appointment to donate for those in need. The Blood Donor Center is located inside LHAAMC’s Wayson Pavilion, suite 450. Donation times are Monday through Wednesday from 8:15 am – 3:45 pm and Thursday and Friday from 7:15 am – 2:45 pm. You can call 443-481-4215 to schedule a time to donate.
If you’re interested in hosting a blood drive, please contact the mobile coordinator at the LHAAMC Blood Donor Center at 443-481-4272 or [email protected].
Check out our donor center web page for more information and to see upcoming blood drives.
Thank you for your support in keeping our community healthy!
Community, Pediatrics, Infectious Disease
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How to talk to your child about coronavirus
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It’s reasonable for your child to feel anxious, stressed or sad about what’s happening around them. Their daily routine is being interrupted and it might be difficult for your child to understand what they’re seeing online, on TV or hearing from those around them.
Times like this call for having open, supportive discussions that can help them understand, digest and cope.
Ask open-ended questions and listen carefully. Start by letting them know you’re willing to talk about the issue and find out what’s on their mind. Allow your child to talk freely in a safe, non-judgmental environment. Remember, don’t underestimate their concerns or worries. Acknowledge their feelings and let them know it’s normal to feel scared. Show that you’re listening by giving them your full attention. Remind them that they can talk to you any time they need to.
Tell them the truth in a way they can understand. Share with your child information that is truthful and appropriate for their age. Let your child know that some information online isn’t accurate and some stories are only based on rumors. If there are questions to which you don’t know the answer, try researching the answer together from reliable sources, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Show them how they can best protect themselves and their friends. One of the best ways to keep your child safe is by encouraging them to wash their hands regularly. Try using this WHO guide to clean hands or dance while lathering upto make learning fun.
Remain calm and give them reassurance. Children will react to what you say and how you say it, whether you’re having a conversation directly with them or others. When a child sees certain images on TV or online, it can sometimes feel like the crisis is all around us at all times. This can make it hard for your child to distinguish between images on screen and their own reality. You can help your child cope with the stress by carving out time for them to play and relax. Keep regular routines and adhere to schedules as much as possible. Let them know that there are many people working hard to keep everyone safe.
Help them look for the good. Let your child know there are scientists, doctors, health workers and many others who are working tirelessly to keep everyone safe.
Let them know you’re there for them. Don’t leave your child in a state of worry. Try to watch their body language by measuring their tone of voice and watching their breathing. Remind your child that you’re there for them and available whenever they have concerns.
Author
Jennifer Evans is a mental health clinician with Anne Arundel Medical Center’s (AAMC) Psychiatric Day Hospital.
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Does intermittent fasting work?
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Supporters claim that intermittent fasting helps with weight loss faster than traditional diets. While most diets call for you to take in less food than your body burns, intermittent fasting ranges from 16 to over 24 hours.
Let’s take a look at the benefits and consequences of this food trend.
Benefits
Weight loss. Fasting
can be a useful weight loss tool for some. But although research has shown
success, studies have been small, few and mostly done on animals.
Health. Intermittent
fasting can help reduce triglycerides and increase high-density lipoprotein
cholesterol, which can lower the risk of heart disease. It can also reduce the chances
of developing other diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
Convenience. You
might find it easier to follow intermittent fasting over a long period instead
of keeping food records and restricting calories. There are companies that promote
packaged meal plans but these can be expensive, ranging around $300 for a week
of food.
Consequences
Physical side effects. Some research participants experienced headaches, constipation and lack of energy. Some also reported developing a bad temper and lack of concentration. One study found that those fasting became more preoccupied with food, which could be an issue if you are predisposed to eating disorders.
Sustainability. Living in a food-centered environment – like attending social gatherings – can make fasting extremely difficult to sustain.
You should talk to your doctor if you are considering intermittent fasting. Skipping meals and severely restricting calories can be dangerous if you are pregnant, have a history of eating disorders or certain conditions, like diabetes and hypoglycemia. If you take medications for blood pressure or heart disease this can also lead to electrolyte imbalances.
Unfortunately, there isn’t enough research. There are many approaches to weight loss and healthy eating you might consider instead. Talk to your doctor to find the best approach to meet your individual needs.
Authors
Ann Caldwell and Maureen Shackelford are nutritionists and registered dietitians at Anne Arundel Medical Center. To reach them, call 443-481-5555.
News & Press Releases, Infectious Disease
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Coronavirus and high-risk individuals
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Certain people are at a higher risk of getting very sick from the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), including older adults and people with chronic medical conditions.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, those at high-risk for severe illness from COVID-19 include:
People aged 65 years and older
People who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility
People with chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma
People who have serious heart conditions
People who are immunocompromised, including patients who are being treated for cancer
People of any age with severe obesity (Body Mass Index of 40 or higher)
People of any age with certain underlying medical conditions, particularly if not well-controlled, such as those with diabetes, renal failure, or liver disease
People who are pregnant should be monitored since they are known to be at risk with severe viral illness, though to date, data on COVID-19 has not shown increased risk
This is an evolving situation, and we encourage you to check back with the CDC regularly for updates.
If I am a high-risk individual, how should I protect myself?
In order to reduce your risk of exposure to COVID-19, we recommend taking the following precautions:
Practice social distancing and remain in your home
Consider working from home, if you are able
Arrange to have your groceries delivered
Stock up on necessities, including medicine
Avoid crowds as much as you can
Keep away from others who are sick
Wash your hands frequently
READ MORE: Coronavirus: What you need to know