What Is A Pandemic?

Answered simply, a pandemic is the global outbreak of a disease – in this case the COVID-19 coronavirus. More than 200 countries, areas, or territories have reported cases.

How Can I Stay Safe From The COVID?

The coronavirus is respiratory illness and as such is mainly spread by droplets of saliva and other fluid when an infected person coughs or sneezes. To stay safe from coronavirus it’s important that you follow the national health advice and practice good hygiene:

  • Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue
  • Put used tissues straight into the bin
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water (before and after eating and after going to the toilet)
  • Use alcohol-based hand sanitisers
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
  • Open up a window to increase fresh air
  • Clean and disinfect regularly used surfaces and objects (doorknobs, desks, phones, etc.)
  • If you are experiencing symptoms, do not leave home.

It is also important for you to practice social distancing, adhere to the strict government guidelines on public gatherings, and self-isolate where necessary.

These tips were summarised from the Australian Government COVID-19 app, via WhatsApp.

I’m Confused About COVID-19, Where Can I Find More Information?

Find the latest national advice and information at the Department of Health and Aged Care website. For state and territory specific information, you can check the following links:

And remember, if you have any respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, or shortness of breath, please call the Australian Government’s National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080 immediately.

What Is Baptist World Aid Doing In Response To The Global COVID Emergency?

Our world is facing unprecedented times… and in the face of these challenges, Baptist World Aid is acting urgently. With your support, we are commencing an emergency coronavirus response in the Middle East, which some have said is like a ‘ticking time-bomb’.

Due to conflict and violence, this region of the world is already under great stress. And if coronavirus were to take hold… the situation could escalate quickly. We will be sharing more information about this work as it becomes available, so please stay connected with us:

How Is Baptist World Aid Supporting Its Existing Christian Partners In The Field And The Work I Support?

As you know, Baptist World Aid is already in the process of helping our existing Christian partners to prepare to face the coronavirus. Our Christian partners can now receive small grants to help with the following:

  • Materials to tell children, women, and men living in poverty about the great importance of thoroughly washing their hands… and keep them safe from coronavirus.
  • Water and water sources for communities who currently have none… so they can keep their hands clean from germs.
  • And protective equipment so that frontline workers can keep safe from coronavirus.

What Can I Do To Help Fight COVID-19?

As an Australian, we are sure you are doing all that’s within your power to stop the spread of coronavirus… from regularly washing your hands, to calling the Australian Government’s National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080 about worrying symptoms, to keeping your distance from those most at risk.

But what if you didn’t have these options?

What if your community had no clean water… and no soap? What if the nearest doctor was hours away? And what if you and your family of five lived in a refugee camp so overcrowded, that it makes social distancing – of any kind – completely out of the question?

Baptist World Aid has recently launched the COVID-19 Global Emergency Appeal in response to this unprecedented crisis. We’re encouraging you to give your most important gift ever to save vulnerable lives and stop preventable coronavirus deaths. Give generously today.

I’m Struggling With All Of This Time At Home And Am Feeling Very Alone.

Please know that the team at Baptist World Aid is thinking often of you during this uncertain time. You are on our hearts and in our prayers. And if you’d like us to pray for you specifically, you can email your prayer requests to [email protected] or call one of our friendly team on 1300 789 991.

Also, we understand that many people are home alone for longer than usual. Lifeline on 13 11 14 offers a wonderful service with lovely people to just talk to and share your experiences. We really encourage you to give them a call if you’ve been alone a while.

*The team at Baptist World Aid are not medical health professionals. We have just gathered some useful and practical information (and listed their sources) to help you find the answers you are looking for during the global coronavirus emergency.