HMONG HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS COALITION

HHCPC CORT FAQ sheet for COVID-19 - Website: Commonly asked questions from the Hmong Community

 

Q1. What can I do to protect my family from COVID-19?

 

A: Get yourself and your family vaccinated if you are ages 12 and older. We also recommend following the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s guides to avoid being exposed to the virus. This means practice good hand washing, cover your cough or sneeze, stay home (also wear a mask) when sick, keep within 6 feet from another person outside of your home, and disinfect your frequently touched home surfaces.

 

Q2. Who is most at risk?

 

A: Based upon the most current information available to date, those at high-risk for severe illness from COVID-19 include:

• People over 65 years old

• People who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility

• Pregnant women

• People with high-risk conditions

  • Chronic lung disease

  • Moderate to severe asthma

  • Heart conditions

  • Immunocompromised 

    • Cancer

    • Smoking

    • Bone marrow or organ transplantation

    • Poorly controlled HIV or AIDS

    • Weakened immune systems from prolong use of medications such as corticosteroids

  • Anyone of any age who has a body mass index (BMI) over 40

  • Diabetes

  • Renal failure

  • Liver disease

 

Q3. How long do I need to stay home if I’m sick?

 

A: If you have symptoms such as fever, coughing, muscle aches, sore throat, and headache, you should stay home for at least 7 days even after having a negative COVID test at day 5 or later if having symptoms. 

 

Q4. What does it mean to host or attend an event gathering such as funeral and burial services, church for worship, parties and religious ceremonies (Ua Neeb/Hu Plig) with precaution?

 

A: When hosting or attending gatherings, COVID-19 precautions must be considered to avoid and slow the spread of COVID-19. Consider postponing these events or gatherings if possible or having a smaller numbers of people at these events. Also consider having these events and gatherings outdoors or in well ventilated places. 

 

Q5. How do I get help if I am experiencing domestic violence or abuse at home?

 

A: If your or a loved one’s life is in danger, call 911 immediately. 

 

If you live in Hennepin County, you can make reports to Hennepin County Domestic Abuse Center Domestic Abuse Service Center Government Center, 300 South Sixth Street Minneapolis, MN 55487 612-348-5073. Website: www.mncourts.gov/district/4/?page=369   

 

If you live in Ramsey County, you can make reports to Ramsey County Sexual Offense Services 1619 Dayton Ave. Saint Paul, MN 55104 Business line: 651-643-3022 24-hour crisis line: 651-266-1000. Website: www.co.ramsey.mn.us/ph/hs/sos.htm 

 

Victims and survivors who need support can also contact the Minnesota DayOne Hotline by calling 1-866-223-1111 or text to 612-399-9995.

 

Q6. How do I report hate-crimes related to COVID-19?

 

A: Hate-crimes are all bias-related incidents and can include xenophobia behaviors (hatred/dislike of or prejudice of other people from other countries) that can lead to life threatening situations. 

 

If you believe you have been discriminated against because of COVID-19, you can report it to the Minnesota Department of Human Rights by calling 651-539-113 or 1-800-657-3704. You can also report any discrimination via email at info.mdhr@state.mn.us or online at http://bit.ly/mdhrintake.  Contact your local police department for all non-emergency incidents at 651-291-1111.

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Q7. What should I know about worker protections and rights related to COVID-19?

 

A: The federal and state has laws to protect employees. Please visit http://www.dli.mn.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/MN_worker_protections_related_to_COVID_19.pdf if you need information about worker protections and rights related to COVID-19 such as:

• Sick leave

• Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

• Federal Families First Corona Response Act (FFCRA)

• Human rights for individuals who are disabled or experiencing flu-like symptoms

• Unemployment

• Protection for workers who contract or have been exposed to COVID-19

• Workers compensation

• Final wages

• Changes to working conditions

• Hours worked; hours paid

• Workplace health and safety

• Reporting health and safety concerns at work

• Refusal to work rights

 

Q8. Where can I find more reliable information about COVID-19?

 

A: You can find more reliable information and resources about COVID-19 by visiting the CDC’s website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html and the Minnesota Department of Health’s website at https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/index.html

 

Q9. How do I provide support for friends and family who are experiencing grief due to death from COVID-19?

 

A: It is difficult to experience loss of a loved one to COVID-19. Continue to support friends and family as you would through keeping in contact via phone, video calls, online messengers, emails, social distancing and ordering flowers to be delivered. Do ask the impacted families if they are accepting visitors and how they would prefer to be comforted.  

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Q10. Should I still wear a mask or take precautions if I am fully vaccinated? 

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A: If you are fully vaccinated, you can participate in many of the activities you were doing before the pandemic. You can still get COVID-19 even after vaccination. To protect yourself from COVID-19, especially the Delta variant, continue to wear a mask indoors at public places and take COVID-19 precautions. Continue to wear a mask where required by law, healthcare settings, local businesses, or local guidance. Get tested if you have been around someone with COVID-19 and are having symptoms.