Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1310062
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM NOVEMBER 18-24, 2020 UCW 11 Life during the COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging. Millions of people have lost their jobs, while millions more have been forced to accept reduced salaries. Coupled with those financial challenges, the public health crisis presented by COV- ID-19 has made 2020 a year many people would like to forget. e COVID-19 virus has proven more challenging or stressful for some than others. At the dawn of the outbreak, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned that people with certain underlying medical conditions are at increased risk of serious illness from COVID-19. at in- cludes people with type 2 diabetes. November is Diabetes Aware- ness Month and the American Diabetes Association urges people with diabetes to make a plan to confront COVID-19 before they feel any symptoms or are diagnosed with the virus. Such a plan can focus on gathering the supplies neces- sary should you be diagnosed with the virus or if restrictions on leaving your home are tightened as the weather cools down and people spend more time indoors, a situation that many research- ers feel will lead to an uptick in COVID-19 cases. In addition, plans should include conversations with your health care team so you're in bet- ter position to overcome the virus should you be diagnosed. Make a list of important con- tacts. Create a list of phone numbers of your doctors and healthcare team, including your pharmacy and your insurance provider. Keep the list on your refrigerator door or in another easily accessible place. Make a list of medications and doses, including vitamins and supplements. Stock your pantry with simple carbs like regular soda, honey, jam, Jell-O, hard candies, or popsicles to help keep your blood sugar up or if you are too ill to eat. Get extra refills of your pre- scriptions. If a state of emergency is declared, extra refills on your prescriptions can ensure you do not have to leave the house when it might not be safe to do so. Look into having medications delivered. If you can't get to the pharmacy, inquire about having your medications delivered so you can limit your exposure to the virus. Restock your insulin. Always have enough insulin available for the week ahead in case you get sick or cannot refill your existing supply. Recognize financial help is available. If you are struggling to pay for insulin, the ADA has resources to help. Learn more about these resources at Insulin- Help.org Keep extra hygiene supplies on hand. Stock up on rubbing alco- hol and soap to wash your hands in the event it becomes unsafe for you to go out. Anticipate glucose fluctuations. Make sure to stock up on gluca- gon and ketone strips so you can handle lows and highs. Stock the pantry. Keep enough groceries on hand so that you will be prepared to stay at home for a period of time. It's also wise to stock up on household cleaning supplies so you can keep your home clean even when you can't get out and about. Diabetes patients are at in- creased risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19. As a result, patients must plan ahead in the event they become ill or if social distancing restrictions are tightened. How Diabetes patients can pre- pare for COVID-19 a STAFF REPORT AUTHOR Melody Foote Director of Communications Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau B U L L E T I N Download a mobile app for exploring Cumberland County. THREE RIVERS LAND TRUST HOSTS INAUGURAL OUTDOOR CHALLENGE The Faye eville Area Conven on & Visitors Bureau is proud to coordinate Cumberland County's par cipa on in the inaugural Three Rivers Land Trust (TRLT) Outdoor Challenge, which runs through November, ending on the 27th. The final day of the challenge is designated as #OptOutsideFriday, as an alterna ve to post-Thanksgiving shopping. The virtual challenge is designed to encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to explore the outdoors. Registered par cipants will log in and chart their miles completed by foot, bike or paddle throughout the month of November at sites in 15 coun es. Awards will be given for the most miles by foot, bike and paddle and visits to the most county des na ons in the fastest me. In Cumberland County, three sites are part of the Three Rivers Outdoor Challenge: • Cape Fear River Trail, which offers biking, walking and running. • Hope Mills Lake, which offers kayaking, canoeing, paddle- boarding and swimming. • Carvers Creek State Park, which offers walking, hiking and biking. "Enjoying nature and family me and reconnec ng with friends in a safe manner is top of mind for all of us," says John Meroski, Faye eville Area Conven on & Visitors Bureau's President and CEO. "We are proud to have one site each from Faye eville, Hope Mills and Spring Lake to represent Cumberland County in this challenge." Registra on starts at $35 and includes a TRLT membership, a custom neck gaiter, and the chance to win numerous prizes and giveaways. Family and youth discounts are available. Register here: h ps://threeriverslandtrust.org/outdoorchallenge_2020/. e American Diabetes Association urges people with diabetes to make a plan to confront COVID-19 before they feel any symptoms or are diagnosed with the virus. HEALTH