United States: Guide For General Public: FDA Explains How Everyone Can "Make A Difference" During COVID-19 With Simple Infographic, Update

The Food and Drug Administration has taken many steps to assist in the response to the COVID-19 health crisis, including easing regulations, expediting the availability of necessary medical equipment, and creating streamlined procedures for developing tests and potential treatments.  In addition to its advice to industry and business, FDA recently issued an infographic and consumer update designed for the general public regarding how everyone can help during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Because the " Make a Difference" infographic and update provides simple, FDA-approved recommendations and links to trusted resources for additional information, employers and businesses may find it helpful to share with workers, customers, and/or the public.  Both the infographic and the consumer update are also available in Spanish and Chinese to reach broader audiences.

Infographic

The infographic is in cartoon form.  

FDA, Make a Difference During the COVID-19 Pandemic, summarizes steps that everyone can take to prevent infection, conserve resources, protect against fraud, and potentially save lives.

The infographic visually explains how to prevent infection, echoing advice from other agencies and health organizations such as the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization.  The infographic reminds the public to:

• Stay at home;
• Maintain a distance of six feet from other people when not home;
• Clean hands often, preferably with soap and water; and
• Wear cloth face coverings.

Additionally, FDA addresses civic duty and ways to help others during the COVID-19 pandemic as part of the infographic.  Specifically, FDA encourages the public to:

• Donate blood and plasma;
• Report fraudulent COVID-19 tests, vaccines, and treatments;
• Refrain from "panic buying" of food; and
• Save medical masks and other protective equipment for those on the "front line" fighting COVID-19.

Consumer Update

Accompanying the infographic is an update that expands on each method that can help prevent COVID-19 and help others to fight COVID-19.  As part of the update, FDA provides links that the public may access for even further information.  These links address:

• Preventing the spread of coronavirus through social distancing measures;
• How to properly wash hands to prevent the spread of coronavirus and other diseases;
• Where to donate blood and plasma;
• Reporting suspected fraud relating to COVID-19 products;
• What masks to wear for the general public and how to make them; and
• FDA's efforts to make sure that food is available during the pandemic.

As the COVID-19 crisis evolves, Seyfarth Shaw attorneys are closely monitoring FDA's reactions to the situation.  We are available to protect your interests, help you mitigate risks and liabilities, and keep you informed regarding the latest implications related to the COVID-19 crisis. Visit our Resource Center for more information.

Originally Published 21 April, 2020

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.