COVID-19 Top Five Things to Know for April 7, 2020

1. NextStep New CNA Training Resource
   NextStep, a mobile-based training and job placement company aiming to expand the supply of qualified Certified Nursing Assistant, has launched an online certificate designed to improve the safety of the nation's more than 4.5 million long-term care workers, including Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) and other caregivers, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The unique course is offered in partnership with LeadingAge and the National Domestic Workers Alliance, an organization that represents nannies, house cleaners and care workers. Throughout the online course, CNAs and caregivers receive practical guidance from experts about how to keep themselves and those they care for safe during the pandemic. Drawing on up-to-date guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, the World Health Organization, and other public health authorities the course prepares caregivers on infection control practices, personal protective equipment, changes to health and safety practices during the pandemic, and tips for managing stress and anxiety due to the COVID crisis. Through access to self-paced, short-form videos optimized for mobile phones and practical assessments to ensure understanding, long-term care's frontline--CNAs, home care aides, family caregivers, and home health aides--will master essential skills and build the confidence needed to provide care safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. LeadingAge members have FREE online access to this course for all their employees through April 17 using the discount code COVIDCERTNOW.  Here is a link to the course: covidcert.nextstep.careers.  Also, in California, CDPH has released a new All Facilities Letter (AFL 20-35) waiving certain statutory and regulatory requirements related to CNA certification during the COVID-19 outbreak. Training requirements for CNAs already enrolled or nearing the end of their training are being waived; TB tests will not be required; criminal record clearances are being waived; and expiring certifications within 2 years and those expiring during the pandemic are allowed subject to verifying via CDPH's online verification page.
   
   
   
2. Optimizing PPE
   CDC has a framework for determining which contingency strategies you need for your situation.  
3. Cloth Mask Guidance
   With questions about face masks being a commonly asked question and need, CDC put out guidance over the weekend about cloth face coverings, including an FAQ and instructions for sewing one.  This is a contingency strategy you may need and it will be up to your organization to decide how and when to deploy if your masks are running short. 
4. Funding for Housing Service Coordinators
   The CARES Act allows for funding of service coordinators.​
5. Resilience: Real Resilience When We Need it Most
   Jeff Thompson, PhD, says that “Adapting the right attitude can convert a negative stress into a positive one. … Reframing it entails understanding that with perspective and control, we remind ourselves that we can have control over how we view things. We didn’t ask for this, but we certainly do have control over certain things and this includes our perspective.”
6. resources
   We have up to the minute and regular updates that consolidate state and national information on our COVID-19 Resources page and LeadingAge California Connect.