Mark Rauterkus & Running Mates ponder current events: Fwd: 🛑 Special CEO Message: Get Active. Stay Healthy.

Friday, March 13, 2020

Fwd: 🛑 Special CEO Message: Get Active. Stay Healthy.

--- Forwarded message ---

From: The Cooper Institute

SPECIAL CEO MESSAGE

Get Active. Stay Healthy.

Staying active and fit is a critical part of staying healthy. Although many schools and businesses are sending people home, it doesn't mean that you and your family can't still be physically active.

Instead of spending the next few days or weeks binge-watching TV and playing video games, try finding fun activities to keep the whole family active. Walking, hiking, riding bikes, and playing outside are all fun ways to avoid cabin fever, improve fitness and enjoy quality family time while maintaining a safe "social distance" from others. There are also plenty of fitness classes to stream online to keep everyone busy and active.

"Our research has shown time and time again that fitness and physical activity improves our overall health and quality of life," said Dr. Laura DeFina, President, CEO and Chief Science Officer of The Cooper Institute. "This is a great time to focus on our health by making fitness a priority for the whole family."

In light of recent concerns about the spread of COVID-19, The Cooper Institute will not hold any events between now and June 1. Our staff will also not be attending or presenting at any conferences until further notice. This decision comes in response to the March 11 declaration of the coronavirus as a global pandemic by the World Health Organization.

"As part of the scientific community with a vested interest in public health and epidemiology, we must stand with the recommendations from leading health organizations," said Dr. DeFina. "It is better to be overly cautious by limiting close contact with large groups of people than to risk spreading illness to our families, friends and communities."

"We've always said that prevention is the key to living a long, healthy life," said Dr. Benjamin Willis, Director of Epidemiology at The Cooper Institute. "By restricting contact and adhering to strict cleaning and sanitizing regimens, we can all help flatten the curve of this outbreak."

Dr. Willis also recommends following the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and other infections disease.

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Maintain "social distance" of at least 3 feet from other people.
Stay home if you are sick and seek medical attention.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when sneezing or coughing. Use the inside of your elbow if tissues are not readily available.
Clean and disinfect all frequently touched surfaces daily.

Planned events from The Cooper Institute that are affected by this decision include:

March 16 Celebration of Life for Orville Rogers
April 20-22 NFL PLAY 60 FitnessGram Champion Summit

The Cooper Institute leadership team will consider rescheduling these events as the situation develops. Check our website and follow us on social media for the latest updates, fit tips, and other public health news.