Dr. Alia Hasham, Director of the Colorectal Cancer Screening Program and Assistant Professor of Gastroenterology at Montefiore-Einstein, discusses colorectal cancer symptoms, risk, and screening options available during COVID-19.

Why is it important to get screened for colorectal cancer? Dr. Alia Hasham, Director of the Colorectal Cancer Screening Program and Assistant Professor of Gastroenterology at Montefiore-Einstein, discusses colorectal cancer symptoms, how to reduce your risk, the different types of COVID-SAFE screening options available and what to know about screenings during the COVID-19 era.

Transcript

STAY STRONG

- Is Colorectal cancer screening recommended during the COVID-19 era?

- Colorectal cancer is one of the more preventable cancers therefore screening is essential and should not be delayed. Importantly, some may not demonstrate any signs or symptoms of colorectal cancer which is why screening is so important. Our healthcare team at Montefiore cares about every patient's safety and comfort and should know that careful steps and precautions are being taken to ensure a safe and comfortable environment when they have their colonoscopy such as designated patient treatment areas, rigorous cleaning and use of masks. Patients should talk to their healthcare providers to discuss the different screening options available to them. While there are specific recommendations to start screening based on age and/or family history of colorectal cancer even without any symptoms, if anyone is having signs or symptoms of colorectal cancer including blood in the stools, change in their bowel habits, abdominal pain, weight loss or anemia in their blood work, they should talk to their healthcare provider to make sure they have the appropriate testing done.

- Why is it important to be screened for colorectal cancer?

- Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States and the second leading cause of cancer related deaths in men and women combined. Colorectal cancer is highly preventable and curable if detected early. Getting screened for colorectal cancer allows for the detection and removal of precancerous growths or polyps on the inner lining of the colon or rectum before they can develop into cancer. Screening will also help detect pre-cancer and cancerous polyps that may be at an earlier stage therefore improving the chances of successful treatment. Therefore, early detection is key. The risk for colorectal cancer appears to increase after the age of 50. However, amongst those aged 50 to 75 years, approximately one in three adults still have never been screened. What is concerning is that more recent studies are showing that colorectal cancer is being diagnosed in those younger than age 50 at a rate of approximately one to 2% per year. While the exact reasons for the rise in early onset colorectal cancer are unclear, diet, sedentary lifestyle, positive family history and/or lack of awareness of the symptoms for colorectal cancer may be contributing factors.

- What are the symptoms of colorectal cancer?

- Some patients especially with pre-cancerous polyps or in the earlier stages of colorectal cancer may not have any signs or symptoms which is why screening is important even if you are feeling well. However, if you have any of the following signs or symptoms, you should inform your doctor to discuss further testing. These include change in bowel habits, blood in the stools, abdominal pain and/or unexplained weight loss.

- What age is screening recommended and what are the screening options for colorectal cancer?

- The goal of screening is to detect precancerous polyps and prevent colorectal cancer. Most expert groups recommend starting to screen at the age of 50. However, some including the American Cancer Society recommend beginning at age 45 considering the rise in early onset colorectal cancer cases. Due to higher rates of colorectal cancer in certain ethnic groups, experts also recommend that African Americans begin screening at age 45. However, if you have any symptoms or a positive family history of colorectal cancer, you should discuss this with your doctor as you may need to be screened at a younger age. There are multiple ways to be screened for colorectal cancer including visual based testing such as a colonoscopy or a sigmoidoscopy which uses a thin flexible tube to examine your colon and rectum. This procedure will also allow for the removal of polyps if they are found. Virtual or CT colonography is another alternative that uses x-ray images to examine your colon and rectum and also look for polyps. Stool based testing is another option that can be done in the comfort of your own home which looks for occult or hidden blood in your stool sample. Colonoscopy is the preferred test. However, it is important to be aware of the different options available to you. Your doctor may recommend a certain test be done based on your overall health and your preference. If you do have a test other than a colonoscopy such as a stool test and have an abnormal or positive result, this should be followed by a colonoscopy.

- What are some tips that may help reduce your risk from colorectal cancer?

- There are some healthy habits that may help lower your risk of colorectal cancer. These include maintaining a healthy body weight, increasing your physical activity such as trying to limit the amount of time sitting or lying down and depending on your physical health, taking the stairs and incorporating more walking into your day. You could also try to increase your intake of dietary fiber including fruit, vegetables and whole grains. Also, reducing your intake of red meat and processed meats. These include beef, lamb and luncheon meats such as pre-packaged lunch meats including ham or turkey. You should also try to stop smoking and avoid or limit your intake of alcoholic beverages. If you do consume alcohol, try to limit it to one to two drinks per day. You should also speak to your family and find out if there's anyone with colon polyps or colorectal cancer as this may place you at an increased risk.

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Dr. Seth Congdon, Co-Director of the COVID-19 Recovery Clinic at Montefiore-Einstein, discusses what is long-haul COVID, symptoms of the disease, available treatment options, the recovery process and what Montefiore-Einstein's CORE Clinic is doing to help.

What is long-haul COVID and how does it impact the body? Dr. Seth Congdon, Co-Director of the COVID-19 Recovery Clinic at Montefiore-Einstein, discusses symptoms of the disease, available treatment options, the recovery process and what Montefiore-Einstein's CORE Clinic is doing to help.

Transcript

STAY STRONG

– Long Haulers and COVID-19

– What is a COVID-19 long hauler?

- A COVID-19 long hauler is someone that had COVID-19 and then either continues to experience symptoms or develops new symptoms that last for four weeks or longer and are not fully explained by some other medical condition.

– Who is vulnerable to becoming a long hauler?

– Anyone who gets COVID-19 is vulnerable to becoming a long hauler. It's been seen in people that were hospitalized and people that were not hospitalized, people who had life-threatening COVID pneumonia, and others who had relatively mild acute cases. It's unclear at this time what the risk factors are for developing long COVID, but based on surveys and other population-based research, roughly 10% of people who get COVID go on to have prolonged symptoms.

– What are long haulers' symptoms?

– There are many possible long hauler symptoms. Some of the most common are fatigue, shortness of breath, decreased exercise tolerance, and trouble with memory or concentration, which is commonly called brain fog. There are people whose sense of smell and taste has never returned to normal or took a long time to return to normal. Long COVID can essentially affect any part of the body. There has been issues with digestion, nausea, stomach pain, chest pain, heart palpitations, headaches, trouble sleeping, muscle and joint pains. The list unfortunately goes on.

– What is the recovery process for long haulers?

– The recovery process for long haulers is also quite variable. Some only take a few weeks or months to recover, while others have been experiencing symptoms for over one year at this point. It's important that people with long haul COVID work with medical providers that are empathetic, that validate long haul COVID is real, that acknowledge we're still learning about it, but pledge to work with you and other medical specialists on your treatment and recovery.

– What is the treatment for long haulers?

– The treatment for long haulers is different depending on what your symptoms are, but in general, it's helpful to track your symptoms with a symptom diary to try and figure out what could be contributing to them, what things seem to make them worse or better. In addition, many people benefit from doing physical therapy, occupational therapy, and cognitive therapy.

– Why is mental health care important for long haulers?

– Mental health care is very important for long haul patients. The mind-body connection is real and the psychological distress of having these prolonged symptoms that are not well understood can be significant. It's important that people understand that depression or anxiety is not the cause of their symptom, the only thing going on, but they can have very real effects on the body and make recovery more difficult. Taking the time to improve your mental health is an important part of recovery. This can mean working with a therapist and/or a psychiatrist, practicing meditation or other mindfulness strategies, and engaging in long haul COVID support groups.

– Can long haulers get the vaccine?

– Long haulers can and should get the vaccine. Vaccination is proven to reduce risk of reinfection and severe disease if you do get reinfected. While there is not clear evidence at this time that vaccination improves long hauler symptoms, there is evidence that people who are vaccinated and then get COVID-19 have a lower risk of becoming a long hauler.

– Is there any way to reduce the chance of getting long COVID?

– The way to reduce the chance of getting long COVID is to prevent getting COVID in the first place. The most important way to do this is to get vaccinated. The vaccines are safe and effective. And there is also evidence now that people that are vaccinated, but unfortunately still get a breakthrough COVID infection, have a lower risk of developing long hauler symptoms.

– How is Montefiore-Einstein's CORE Clinic helping long haulers?

– Montefiore-Einstein's COVID recovery or CORE clinic is helping long haulers by evaluating their symptoms, explaining the current understanding of what could be causing them, referring to medical specialists as appropriate, and making recommendations to the patients and their primary care doctors on the best way to try and diagnose, manage, and treat their symptoms as we all work together towards their recovery.

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Recovery


COVID-19 Recovery

What is long-haul COVID and how does it impact the body? Dr. Seth Congdon, Co-Director of the COVID-19 Recovery Clinic at Montefiore-Einstein, discusses symptoms of the disease, available treatment options, the recovery process and what Montefiore-Einstein's CORE Clinic is doing to help.

 

Gastroenterology


COVID-SAFE

Why is it important to get screened for colorectal cancer? Dr. Alia Hasham, Director of the Colorectal Cancer Screening Program and Assistant Professor of Gastroenterology at Montefiore-Einstein, discusses colorectal cancer symptoms, how to reduce your risk, the different types of COVID-SAFE screening options available and what to know about screenings during the COVID-19 era.

 

Mental Health and Coping


Mental Health Myths

I’ve had therapy, and I’m not sure how it can help with COVID-19? Montefiore’s Chief Psychologist, Dr. Simon Rego, explains what COVID-19 treatment looks like and which approach might work best. 

How can a therapist help me cope with COVID-19? Montefiore’s Chief Psychologist, Dr. Simon Rego, explains the tools a therapist can provide to help you handle COVID-19, what happens in a session and what to talk about.

I'm just too busy with family and work. How can I find time for my COVID-19 feelings? Montefiore’s Chief Psychologist, Dr. Simon Rego, explains why finding time is important for our self-care, and recommends small things we can do to talk about our COVID-19 feelings that can fit into a busy schedule.

Will people judge me for seeking help for my fears and anxieties about COVID-19? Montefiore’s Chief Psychologist, Dr. Simon Rego, explains ways to overcome concerns about being judged, and why seeking support to cope during this time is perfectly fine and necessary.

I’m supposed to be providing COVID-19 help, not asking for it. Montefiore’s Chief Psychologist, Dr. Simon Rego, discusses why healthcare workers should ask for and receive COVID-19 help.

Why can’t I deal with my COVID-19 feelings on my own? Montefiore’s Chief Psychologist, Dr. Simon Rego, explains why it’s not weak to ask for help and why you might need assistance coping with COVID-19.

Why am I always anxious? Do I have COVID-19? Will I lose my job? Montefiore’s Chief Psychologist, Dr. Simon Rego, explains how part of our brain works to keep us safe from something that could go wrong, and where and when to seek help for COVID-19 anxiety.

Is it normal to think about COVID-19 all the time? Montefiore’s Chief Psychologist, Dr. Simon Rego, discusses why it's normal and whether to seek help.

COVID-19 and Relationships

How do I juggle work, life and COVID-19? Montefiore’s Chief Psychologist, Dr. Simon Rego, discusses ways to maintain focus and a healthy work-life balance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

How can I best stay home alone? Montefiore’s Chief Psychologist, Dr. Simon Rego, shares tools and techniques to help single people stay home, which can help with social isolation.

How can I best stay home with a partner? Montefiore’s Chief Psychologist, Dr. Simon Rego, discusses ways to work through the challenges of staying home with another person, as well as things to work on together.

COVID-19 and Managing Feelings

How do I deal with my anxiety about finances affected by COVID-19? Montefiore’s Chief Psychologist, Dr. Simon Rego, explains how to manage financial fears during the crisis.

How can I manage addictive behaviors during COVID-19? Montefiore’s Chief Psychologist, Dr. Simon Rego, explains how to avoid negative coping methods during the crisis.

How do I deal with the human toll from COVID-19 and the impact on life as we know it? Montefiore’s Chief Psychologist, Dr. Simon Rego, explains how to cope with the loss of normalcy and changes in our lives as a result of the crisis.

How do I deal with feeling lonely in isolation? Montefiore’s Chief Psychologist, Dr. Simon Rego, discusses managing feelings of isolation during COVID-19, and how to seek help.

How do I manage my feelings of anger toward COVID-19? Montefiore’s Chief Psychologist, Dr. Simon Rego, discusses why it's normal to have strong feelings about COVID-19, how to recognize triggers and things we can do to manage anger.

Anxiety Busters

 

Keeping your body active is a great way to relieve anxiety and can boost your immune system. Montefiore’s Supervising Psychologist and Assistant Director of the Trauma-Informed Care Program, Dr. Paul Bulman, provides ways to work in regular exercise during the COVID-19 pandemic for physical and mental health.

Getting a good night's sleep can help combat anxiety caused by the COVID-19 crisis. Montefiore’s Supervising Psychologist and Assistant Director of the Trauma-Informed Care Program, Dr. Paul Bulman, provides techniques for sleeping better during the pandemic.

Negative thoughts can create more anxiety. Montefiore’s Supervising Psychologist and Assistant Director of the Trauma-Informed Care Program, Dr. Paul Bulman, provides techniques to combat negative thinking during the COVID-19 crisis, including knowing the triggers and the 3 questions to ask.

Focusing on the moment can help reduce COVID-19 anxiety. Montefiore’s Supervising Psychologist and Assistant Director of the Trauma-Informed Care Program, Dr. Paul Bulman, shares techniques for staying present during this difficult time.

Balancing negative thinking with positivity can help reduce anxiety about COVID-19. Montefiore’s Supervising Psychologist and Assistant Director of the Trauma-Informed Care Program, Dr. Paul Bulman, shows how making a gratitude list can spark positive thinking.

Taking a deep breath can help reduce anxiety. Montefiore’s Supervising Psychologist and Assistant Director of the Trauma-Informed Care Program, Dr. Paul Bulman, demonstrates ways to breathe better when feeling anxious about COVID-19.

Essential Workers and COVID-19

If my loved one is an essential worker, how can I best handle sharing my concerns about COVID-19? Montefiore’s Supervising Psychologist and Director of the Trauma-Informed Care Program, Dr. Dana Crawford offers advice on how to communicate about COVID-19 with loved ones who are essential workers.

As an essential worker, how can I best handle conversations about COVID-19 with my loved ones? Montefiore’s Supervising Psychologist and Director of the Trauma-Informed Care Program, Dr. Dana Crawford gives essential workers tips on how to have conversations about COVID-19 with loved ones.

Montefiore’s Supervising Psychologist and Director of the Trauma-Informed Care Program, Dr. Dana Crawford, explains how the family and close friends of essential workers can navigate concerns arising from their loved ones’ COVID-19 work.

Montefiore’s Supervising Psychologist and Director of the Trauma-Informed Care Program, Dr. Dana Crawford, explains how essential workers and their families can handle concerns arising from COVID-19 work.

Surviving COVID-19

What's it like to survive COVID-19? Montefiore’s Dr. Miguelina Germán, Psychologist and Director of Pediatric Behavioral Health Services, shares her personal experience with COVID-19. She talks about quarantining with her family in a two-bedroom apartment, coping with her fiancé contracting COVID-19, asking friends for help and emotionally working through her diagnosis. She also offers advice based on what she learned during this experience.

Who to tell about your positive COVID-19 diagnosis and when? Montefiore’s Dr. Miguelina Germán, Psychologist and Director of Pediatric Behavioral Health Services, discusses life living with COVID-19, how she decided which family and friends to contact and when was the right time to tell them about her positive diagnosis.

What happens after recovering from COVID-19? Montefiore’s Dr. Miguelina Germán, Psychologist and Director of Pediatric Behavioral Health Services, shares her personal experience after recovering from COVID-19, and what she learned about symptoms coming back and the importance of self-care after recovery.

Parenting During COVID-19

Montefiore's Chief of Child and Adolescent Psychology, Dr. Sandra Pimentel, discusses how gratitude can give meaning in challenging times and provides ways to cultivate gratitude with kids and as families.

Montefiore's Chief of Child and Adolescent Psychology, Dr. Sandra Pimentel, offers ways to build hope for kids, including what we can do to manage the negative information about COVID-19 and how to find the positive that is hopeful. Dr. Pimentel also explains the important role of gratitude.

How can parents develop resilience in children during the era of COVID-19? Montefiore's Chief of Child and Adolescent Psychology, Dr. Sandra Pimentel, shares some ways parents can create family resiliency, and discusses the value of structure, social support, stress release, focusing on the positive and practicing gratitude.

How should parents talk to their kids about the next phase of COVID-19? Dr. Sandra Pimentel, Montefiore’s Chief Child and Adolescent Psychologist, explains what’s important to communicate to children about the ongoing pandemic and how parents can create resiliency in their children by reflecting with them on what has happened, continuing to engage them in safe behaviors and including them in planning ahead. Dr. Pimentel also shares how to handle a child’s worry about the uncertainty of school by validating their feelings and focusing on what we can control.

What are red flags I should look for to know if my child needs help? Dr. Sandra Pimentel, Montefiore’s Chief Child and Adolescent Psychologist, shares advice for parents of children struggling during COVID-19 and explains what therapy looks like for children, including virtual health options.

How can parents manage both their stress and the stress inflicted on their families by COVID-19? Montefiore's Chief of Child and Adolescent Psychology, Dr. Sandra Pimentel, shares techniques to help cope and manage stress in these unprecedented times.

How can I help a teenager cope with the life changes and risks caused by COVID-19? Montefiore's Chief of Child and Adolescent Psychology, Dr. Sandra Pimentel, discusses ways to help teens cope with uncertainty and loss due to COVID-19, as well as taking the risks of contracting or spreading the virus seriously.

How can parents talk about what's happening as a result of COVID-19 with kids of all ages? Montefiore's Chief of Child and Adolescent Psychology, Dr. Sandra Pimentel, discusses how to help kids understand COVID-19 using techniques to encourage talking about their feelings resulting from the life changes and uncertainty they're experiencing because of the pandemic, and how parents can model coping methods to help kids make more sense of their world.

Addiction During the Era of COVID-19

How has stress affected addiction during the era of COVID-19? Montefiore’s Addiction Psychiatry Program Director, Dr. Merrill Herman, explains how increased levels of anxiety and depression caused by the pandemic impact addiction, why people self-medicate, and how treatment can make a difference.

What is gambling disorder and help during the era of COVID-19? Montefiore’s Director of Addiction Consultation Service, Dr. Howard Forman, explains what gambling disorder is, how lack of pleasure and activity during the era of Covid-19 created a new wave of gambling addiction for many people, and ways to get and seek help.

How can someone access medication for addiction recovery during the era of COVID-19? Montefiore’s Director of Addiction Consultation Service, Dr. Howard Forman, explains the ways Montefiore eased how people can have access to medication during the era of COVID-19 with more flexible personalized medication pick-up and delivery scheduled tailored to the individual.

How can someone struggling with addiction get help during COVID-19? Montefiore’s Director of Addiction Consultation Service, Dr. Howard Forman, discusses how video visits and technology have transformed addiction care for the better during the pandemic, made care accessible to people in a whole new way, and how to get medical help if needed.

How can the era of COVID-19 motivate recovery from addiction? Montefiore’s Director of Addiction Consultation Service, Dr. Howard Forman, describes how the pandemic has impacted those with existing addictions and describes how this time can be used to recover from addiction.

What are the treatment options for internet addiction during the era of COVID-19? Montefiore’s Director of Addiction Consultation Service, Dr. Howard Forman, shares available treatment options, including ways to receive treatment today from home.

How is internet addiction being affected and manifested during the era of COVID-19? Montefiore’s Director of Addiction Consultation Service, Dr. Howard Forman, describes the impact the pandemic has had on those with new or existing internet addictions, and offers guidance on available treatment options.

How can a person get help for behavioral addiction during the era of COVID-19? Montefiore’s Director of Addiction Consultation Service, Dr. Howard Forman, shares ways to seek help for behavioral addictions that have increased or begun during the era of COVID-19.

How is behavioral addiction being affected and manifested during the era of COVID-19? Montefiore’s Director of Addiction Consultation Service, Dr. Howard Forman, describes the impact the pandemic has on those with behavioral addiction, why many people are developing behavioral addiction, and shares what help is available.

 

Pediatrics


MIS-C During the Era of COVID-19

What is Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C) in children, what to look for, and how is it treated? Dr. Nadine Choueiter, Montefiore’s Director of Noninvasive Imaging and Pediatric Cardiology, explains the symptoms of MIS-C, what is known so far about what causes it, and why follow-up care is important after children are discharged from the hospital.

 

Neurosurgery


Stroke & COVID-19

Why are some COVID-19 patients having strokes? Montefiore’s Medical Director at the Comprehensive Center for Stroke Care, Dr. Charles Esenwa, explains why some COVID-19 patients experience strokes, who is most at risk and what causes these COVID-19-associated strokes.

If I am diagnosed with COVID-19, what can I do to help prevent a stroke? Montefiore’s Medical Director at the Comprehensive Center for Stroke Care, Dr. Charles Esenwa, explains why it’s important to keep taking existing medications while sick with COVID-19.

Dr. Charles Esenwa, Medical Director at Montefiore's Comprehensive Center for Stroke Care, shares the symptoms of a COVID-19-related stroke and what to do.

What is the recovery process for patients who have experienced COVID-19 related strokes? Montefiore’s Dr. Charles Esenwa, Medical Director at the Comprehensive Center for Stroke Care, describes how Montefiore treats the unique challenges of COVID-19 related strokes with a multi-disciplinary team to ensure the best possible chance for long-term recovery.

The Brain and COVID-19

Montefiore’s Chief of Division of Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery and Surgical Director of the Montefiore Comprehensive Center for Stroke Care, Dr. David Altschul, discusses a range of options from the most advanced medical treatments for strokes and seizures to over-the-counter medications for minor neurological symptoms.

What symptoms from pre-existing neurological conditions could return with COVID-19? Montefiore’s Chief of Division of Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery and Surgical Director of the Montefiore Comprehensive Center for Stroke Care, Dr. David Altschul, gives examples of symptoms that can be triggered by COVID-19 and when to seek immediate care.

Are those with pre-existing neurological conditions at greater risk of getting COVID-19? Montefiore’s Chief of Division of Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery and Surgical Director of the Montefiore Comprehensive Center for Stroke Care, Dr. David Altschul, clarifies the risk of contracting COVID-19 or experiencing recurring symptoms for those with pre-existing neurological conditions.

What research is Montefiore-Einstein conducting to explore COVID-19’s impact on the brain? Montefiore’s Chief of Division of Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery and Surgical Director of the Montefiore Comprehensive Center for Stroke Care, Dr. David Altschul, shares the details of the ongoing, wide-ranging, multi-disciplinary biomarker analysis to determine who is at higher risk for serious reaction to COVID-19 as well as neurological complications.

How does COVID-19 impact the brain? Montefiore’s Chief of Division of Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery and Surgical Director of the Montefiore Comprehensive Center for Stroke Care, Dr. David Altschul, explains the neurological symptoms associated with COVID-19 and details when they can occur, who is at risk of experiencing them, and their long-term impact.

The Nervous System & COVID-19

How does COVID-19 impact the nervous system? Dr. Richard Zampolin, Neuroradiologist at Montefiore, explains how COVID-19 impacts the nervous system, its potential long-term effects and the research Montefiore is currently conducting in this area.

 

Heart


Dr. Leandro Slipczuk Bustamante, Director of Cardiac Imaging at Montefiore's Cardiology Division, discusses heart failure symptoms and when and how to seek medical attention in the era of COVID-19.

What pre-existing health conditions can lead to a higher risk for COVID-19 complications? Dr. Sandhya Murthy, Attending Cardiologist in Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant at Montefiore, describes the conditions that make a patient more vulnerable to severe illness and what precautions those with pre-existing health conditions should take, including heart-healthy habits like exercise and a low-sodium diet.

What research is Montefiore conducting on the impact COVID-19 has on the heart? Dr. Sandhya Murthy, Attending Cardiologist in Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant at Montefiore, describes what discoveries have been made during the pandemic, the patient groups impacted and how Montefiore’s ongoing research helps guide therapies for the best possible patient outcomes.

How does COVID-19 affect the heart? Montefiore’s Division of Cardiology Chief, Dr. Mario Garcia, discusses how COVID-19 affects the heart, what vascular conditions can be caused by COVID-19, who is most at risk, some forms of prevention and when it is important to seek medical care.

Trusted Information Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The leading national public health institute of the United States
 

NY.gov

For the latest COVID-19 guidelines and information from New York State 

World Health Organization

UN agency responsible for international public health