A Message from

the CSRC Regarding COVID-19

California has become a part of the emerging COVID-19 outbreak. We now have cases which are not related to travel, but through community transmission. Federal, State and Local governments are imposing strategies upon the population to minimize transmission, largely through social distancing. In alignment with government mandates, the CSRC has canceled all of its public meetings through June 2020. This includes;

• ·       Region Meetings
• ·       Social Events
• ·       Student Nights
• ·       Sputum Bowls
• ·       CEU Events
• ·       State Convention in Pechanga

Once we receive notice that we can resume our normal activities, we will post announcements to the website and through our social media platforms. We recognize that California RCPs rely heavily upon CEUs provided by the CSRC. We are assembling new online courses which will help support you in keeping up with your CEUs. In the meantime, we encourage you to go to AARC.org for CRCE courses and credit.

As respiratory health professionals, we are on the front lines and trenches in battling this disease. As the crisis continues to develop, we strongly urge everyone to remain calm, compassionate, and flexible, letting common sense and science guide our actions. The medias (news media and social media) are overwhelming all of us with information, some of which is incorrect and misrepresented. This is fueling tensions, fears, and panic among the public.

For that reason, the aim of the CSRC is to provide current, reliable and accurate information to our members, the respiratory health community, and the public. We are closely monitoring and scrutinizing what is posted to the CSRC social media platforms, the Pneusbrief, and on our website.

For those that have come to the CSRC seeking information regarding the COVID-19 outbreak, we acknowledge that the CSRC cannot keep up with the latest development and practices which are evolving daily. So, we are redirecting you to the following sites;

World Health Organization (WHO)

              https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

              https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

California Department of Public Health (CDPH)

https://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/cid/dcdc/pages/immunization/ncov2019.aspx

California Thoracic Society (CTS) has created a CTS COVID-19 guideline/outpatient office policy that can be adopted at any institution (community and academic). The document provides insight into the prevention of COVID-19 in addition to testing and billing codes.

              https://calthoracic.org/cts-covid19-guidance/

American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC)

              https://www.aarc.org/nn20-covid-19-news-resources/