COVID-19
COVID-19 is a contagious disease that was first indicated in December, 2019. Unfortunately, the virus is still a threat. Progress has been made but the virus continues to change. Be aware of the information and resources that are available to you.
Popular Questions
- Vaccines will remain available. Access to COVID-19 vaccines will generally not be affected for now. The U.S. government is currently distributing free COVID-19 vaccines for all adults and children. To help keep communities safe from COVID-19, HHS remains committed to maximizing continued access to COVID-19 vaccines.
- COVID-19 at-home tests may not be covered by insurance. Insurance providers will no longer be required to waive costs or provide free COVID-19 tests. CDC’s No Cost COVID-19 Testing Locator can help people find current community and pharmacy partners participating in the Increasing Community Access to Testing (ICATT) program.
- Treatments will remain available. Medication to prevent severe COVID-19, such as Paxlovid, will remain available for free while supplies last. After that, the price will be determined by the medication manufacturer and your health insurance coverage. Check with your healthcare provider if you need early treatment to prevent severe COVID-19.
The Covid-19 pandemic has had profound adverse impacts on cognitive and mental health. Long Covid The Center for Disease Control (CDC) defines Long Covid as new, returining or ongoing symptoms that last four or more weeks and for some years, following Covid-19 infection. People who experience Long Covid most commonly report difficulty thinking or concentration, sleep problems, depression or anxiety to name a few. If you feel you need to talk to someone the Nebraska Resource and Referral System (NRRS) can help you find a mental health professional.
COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by a type of SARS coronavirus discouvered in 2019. The virus that casuses COVID-19 can spread through respiratory droples when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposed to the virus and can include fever, chills, and cough. Some people that are infected may not have any symptoms.
There are a wide range of symptoms that have been reported by people with COVID-19. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. Listed below are a possible symptoms:
Possible symptoms include:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Based on current evidence, a person with any of the conditions listed below are at greater risk of getting very sick from COVID-19.
- Cancer
- Chronic kidney disease
- Chronic liver disease
- Chronic lung disease
- Asthma
- Bronchietasis
- Bronchopulmonary dysplasia
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Having damaged or scarred lung tissue
- Pulmonary embolism
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Cystic fibrosis
- Dementia or other neurological conditions
- Diabetes (type 1 or type 2)
- Disabilities
- Heart conditions
- HIV infection
- Immunocomprised condition or weakened immune system
- Mental Health conditions
- Overweight and obesity
- Physical inactivity
- Pregnancy
- Sickle cell disease or thalassemia
- Smoking, current or former
- Solid organ or bludd stem cell transplant
- Stroke or cerbrovascular disease
- Substance use disorders
- Tuberculosis
CDC provides recommendations on how parents and caregivers can help support children and teens during COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19, the common cold, seasonal allergies and the flu have many similar symtoms. The following website from the Mayo Clinic has some nice charts that will show the simularities and differences.
| Symptom | COVID-19 | Cold |
|---|---|---|
| Headache | Usually | Rare |
| Cough | Usually (dry) | Usually |
| Muscle aches | Usually | Sometimes |
| Tiredness | Usually | Sometimes |
| Sneezing | Rarely | Usually |
| Sore throat | Usually | Usually |
| Runny or stuffy nose | Usually | Usually |
| Fever | Usually | Sometimes |
| Diarrhea | Sometimes | Never |
| Nausea or vomiting | Sometimes | Never |
| New loss of taste or smell | Usually (early — often without a runny or stuffy nose) | Sometimes (especially with a stuffy nose) |
| Symptom | COVID-19 | Allergy |
|---|---|---|
| Headache | Usually | Rare |
| Cough | Usually (dry) | Sometimes |
| Fever | Usually | Never |
| Muscle aches | Usually | Never |
| Tiredness | Usually | Sometimes |
| Itchy nose, eyes, mouth or inner ear | Never | Usually |
| Sneezing | Rarely | Usually |
| Sore throat | Usually | Rarely |
| Runny or stuffy nose | Usually | Usually |
| Pink eye (conjunctivitis) | Sometimes | Sometimes |
| Nausea or vomiting | Sometimes | Never |
| Diarrhea | Sometimes | Never |
| New loss of taste or smell | Usually (early — often without a runny or stuffy nose) | Sometimes |
| Symptom | COVID-19 | Flu |
|---|---|---|
| Headache | Usually | Usually |
| Cough | Usually (dry) | Usually |
| Muscle aches | Usually | Usually |
| Tiredness | Usually | Usually |
| Sore throat | Usually | Usually |
| Runny or stuffy nose | Usually | Usually |
| Fever | Usually | Usually |
| Nausea or vomiting | Sometimes | Sometimes (more common in children) |
| Diarrhea | Sometimes | Sometimes (more common in children) |
| Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing | Usually | Usually |
| New loss of taste or smell | Usually (early — often without a runny or stuffy nose) | Rarely |
Most individuals with disabilities are not more likely to become infected with or have severe illness from COVID-19. Some people with disabilities might be more likely to get infected or have severe illness because of underlying medical conditions, congregate living settings, or systemic health and social inequities.
Disability groups and risk
If you have one of the disability types listed below, you might be at increased risk of becoming infected or having unrecognized illness. You should discuss your risk of illness with your healthcare provider.
- Individuals who have limited mobility or who cannot avoid coming into close contact with others who may be infected, such as direct support providers and family members
- Individuals who have trouble understanding information or practicing preventive measures, such as hand washing and social distancing
- Individuals who may not be able to communicate symptoms of illness
- Individuals with any type of disability that makes it more difficult to do certain activities or interact with the world around them, including people who need help with self-care or daily activities
- Individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Individuals with cerebral palsy
- Individuals with birth defects
- Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities
- Individuals with learning disabilities
- Individuals with spinal cord injuries
- Individuals with Down syndrome
Prepare
There are some additional things individuals with disabilities can do to prepare during the COVID-19 outbreak:
- Plan what you will do if you or your direct support provider gets sick. Create a contact list of family, friends, neighbors and local service agencies that can provide support in case you or your direct support provider becomes ill or unavailable.
- Plan at least two ways of communicating from home and work that can be used rapidly in an emergency (e.g., landline phone, cell phone, text-messaging, email). Write down this information and keep it with you.
- Have enough household items and groceries so that you will be comfortable staying home for a few weeks or until needed
- Have at least a 30-day supply of over the counter and prescription medicines
- Have any medical equipment or supplies that you might need
- Some health plans allow for a 90-day refill on prescription medications. Consider discussing this option with your healthcare provider.
- Make a photocopy of prescriptions, as this may help in obtaining medications in an emergency.
