Music and You - Music Therapy Services Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

Given the current and constantly changing situation with the Coronavirus, I felt I should write to update you with what is happening with our Music Therapy Services and to let you know how we are hoping to continue to support our families and community.

We are endeavouring to keep a balance between taking this situation seriously by taking all necessary precautions and following Government advice, while also continuing to provide Music Therapy, which now, I believe, is as important a time as any to have access to.

Music and You is following the advice and directives of Queensland Health, NDIS as well as our current workplace directives. Eg. Many educational facilities have advised to cease non-essential visitors (which includes contracting Therapists).

We continue to offer Mobile Home Visit Music Therapy Sessions. We are taking all precautions to reduce any risk of infection during these visits. We are preparing to make Tele-Health – online Music Therapy sessions available as an alternative option to face-to-face sessions (eg. Via Zoom) for families who may not be well, are choosing to self-isolate, or should the current situation worsen. **Please contact Lou, if you are interested in this option for your sessions** School Holiday - make-up/extra sessions are available (Thursdays 9/4/20 and 16/4/20) in Canungra/home visits, for our individual and small group Music Therapy sessions that have been cancelled in Term 2, due to sickness and/or Coronavirus precautions. - the latest recommended government guidelines in regard to infection control and ‘social-distancing’ will be adhered to during these sessions. - families will be notified if we are unable to run these, due to a worsening situation. If Lou, or her immediate family catches Coronavirus, or comes in contact with anyone confirmed with COVID-19, we will send a message to all families to let you know. All Musical Equipment and props are being thoroughly disinfected prior to and after each session. We are endeavouring to provide more resources for you via email/Social Media to continue using music in your lives as much as possible. (eg. Music and You Facebook page) We kindly ask you to: • Ensure that all adults and children present at the session have washed hands with soap and water prior to each session. • Notify Lou to cancel your session if there are any signs of sickness in your child or immediate family. • Should you or anyone in your immediate family does get infected with the Coronavirus, please let Lou know. • If you find that you have been in contact with anyone who has caught the Coronavirus please let Lou know. • Otherwise please keep coming to your sessions, as it will be so good for you and your child/children! COVID-19 Information: This Government website contains a wealth of information regarding the symptoms to look out for, FAQs & Myth-busting and how to prevent Coronavirus: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19 Coronavirus (COVID-19) can be caught if: • someone with the virus sneezes or coughs onto you • someone with the virus coughed or sneezed onto a surface (like a door handle) that you touch, and you get the infected droplets on your hands and then transfer them to your mouth, nose or eyes when you touch your face or eat. 5 ways we can all help stop the spread of viruses: 1. Clean your hands regularly with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rubs. 2. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or bent elbow when coughing or sneezing. 3. Avoid touching your face, nose and mouth. And avoid shaking hands. 4. Stay home if you are unwell. 5. Avoid contact with anyone who is unwell – try to stay 1.5m away from anyone coughing or sneezing. What else can you do?? • Stay calm – worry and stress is only going to compromise our immune systems. • Looking after yourself and your family - eat a nourishing, healthy diet, continue getting regular exercise, get adequate sleep. • Get fresh air and sunshine (Vitamin D) – nature, beaches, parks, gardens. • And of course – MAKE MUSIC – sing, listen to your favourite music, make up silly songs with your children. See Music and You Facebook page if your are stuck for ideas J Lou MacLachlan Music and You 22nd March, 2020