Frontline Initiative: DSPs Respond to COVID-19
Questions and Answers on COVID-19 Response
Direct support professionals (DSPs) play a critical role in supporting health among the people they support. This role is even more important in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Frontline Initiative co-editors Chet Tschetter and Julie Kramme sat down with Dr. Ruth Lynfield and Tammy Hale from the Minnesota Department of Health for some clear conversation about how DSPs can prevent and control the spread of COVID-19 to protect their own health and the safety of others. These videos provide clear, concise information about COVID-19 so DSPs educate themselves and others. This interview happened on November 5, 2021.
These video clips can be viewed individually or by moving from one video to another. We have included links to resources that are referenced in the clips, plus other resources.
What is public health and why are DSP collaborations important in reducing the spread of COVID-19?: https://www.youtube.com/embed/N9MBiRX54Kc
What has surprised you about the public’s response?: https://www.youtube.com/embed/OFpKc3VQvaY
How do vaccines help control the spread of COVID-19?: https://www.youtube.com/embed/dI6ar9H0iXk
How can DSPs control the spread of COVID-19?: https://www.youtube.com/embed/Zmt7JbQ6wHo
Which prevention practices outside of work should DSPs consider?: https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ca1HceX0oWc
Why are people with IDD at higher risk of severe illness & death from COVID-19 compared to others?: https://www.youtube.com/embed/6T6EZyaTqjA
How is the response to the COVID-19 pandemic different from the flu pandemic?: https://www.youtube.com/embed/NP13mKOOSEg
Why specifically are vaccines important in public health?: https://www.youtube.com/embed/m6IJufM7O-E
What could we expect to change for us if more of us get the vaccine?: https://www.youtube.com/embed/kR4jJeNTF8E
How can a DSP reduce the risk of infection if supporting someone who tests positive for COVID-19?: https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZZ_wsvzUbBw
What additional precautions should an unvaccinated DSP consider?: https://www.youtube.com/embed/5eRBGtNT9gw
What prevention strategies help reduce spread of COVID-19 in congregate settings?: https://www.youtube.com/embed/VdWpmypst7g
Resources to learn more
Ruth Lynfield and Tammy Hale shared many resources, listed below, that relate to our questions. It helps to learn more about COVID-19 so you better understand how to respond to it.
- Symptoms of COVID-19 | CDC
- COVID-19 Testing Overview (cdc.gov)
- How to Protect Yourself & Others from COVID-19 | CDC
- Myths and Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines | CDC
- Understanding How COVID-19 Vaccines Work | CDC
- Benefits of Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine | CDC
- COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots | CDC
- Understanding Variants | CDC
- Infection Control Guidance for Healthcare Professionals about Coronavirus (COVID-19) | CDC
- Mental Health and Resiliency Tools for Health Care Workers: COVID-19 - Minnesota Dept. of Health (state.mn.us)
- Coping with Stress (cdc.gov)
- Behavioral Health Staff Wellness - tools and resources that support the individual, the team, and the organization for all responder levels to the Covid-19 Pandemic
- Project Firstline Infection Control Training | CDC
- Videos About Infection Control | Project Firstline | CDC
- COVID-19 Guidance for Direct Service Providers (cdc.gov)
- Clean Hands Count Campaign | Hand Hygiene | CDC
- Using COVID-19 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) | NIOSH | CDC
- People with Certain Medical Conditions and Risks | CDC
- Underlying Medical Conditions Associated with Higher Risk for Severe COVID-19: Information for Healthcare Providers (cdc.gov)
- What’s New & Updated | CDC
Minnesota specific resources
States provide resources for locating testing sites, vaccination sites, and public health services. You can find resources in your state by searching for similar information from your state department of health website.
Find Testing Locations in Minnesota / COVID-19 Updates and Information - State of Minnesota (mn.gov)