Frontline Initiative: DSPs Respond to COVID-19

Questions and Answers on COVID-19 Response

Authors

Ruth Lynfield , M.D., is the Minnesota State Epidemiologist and Medical Director at the Minnesota Department of Health

Tammy Hale , MSN, RN, CIC, is the Infection Control Assessment and Response (ICAR) Unit Supervisor at the Minnesota Department of Health in St. Paul, Minnesota

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.

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What is public health and why are DSP collaborations important in reducing the spread of COVID-19?: https://www.youtube.com/embed/N9MBiRX54Kc

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What has surprised you about the public’s response?: https://www.youtube.com/embed/OFpKc3VQvaY

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How do vaccines help control the spread of COVID-19?: https://www.youtube.com/embed/dI6ar9H0iXk

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How can DSPs control the spread of COVID-19?: https://www.youtube.com/embed/Zmt7JbQ6wHo

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Which prevention practices outside of work should DSPs consider?: https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ca1HceX0oWc

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Why are people with IDD at higher risk of severe illness & death from COVID-19 compared to others?: https://www.youtube.com/embed/6T6EZyaTqjA

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How is the response to the COVID-19 pandemic different from the flu pandemic?: https://www.youtube.com/embed/NP13mKOOSEg

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Why specifically are vaccines important in public health?: https://www.youtube.com/embed/m6IJufM7O-E

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What could we expect to change for us if more of us get the vaccine?: https://www.youtube.com/embed/kR4jJeNTF8E

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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

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What additional precautions should an unvaccinated DSP consider?: https://www.youtube.com/embed/5eRBGtNT9gw

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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.

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)