COVID-19: General Information

This guide was created by Toronto Public Health (TPH) Library to link TPH staff to a selective list of online resources on the Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV or SARS-CoV-2) which causes COVID-19. We are grateful for our public health library colleagues across Ontario (i.e. Ontario Public Health Library Association members) who communicate regularly throughout the pandemic and share topics and resources of interest which were added to this guide.  

• Some links in this guide are from other jurisdictions. If in doubt, always follow the guidance received from your local health officials (TPH COVID or Ontario COVID information).
• As of February 11, 2020 this guide will be updated to reflect the new disease name (COVID-19)  but readers may notice that the previous name/s in earlier publications.
• Disclaimer:  This guide is for informational purposes only. Please follow the advice of your local public health officials. 
• The guide will be updated Monday - Friday.
• For comprehensive searches, research questions, or comments on the guide please email TPH library. 

• Advice on caring for someone with COVID-19
• American Sign Language Resources
• City of Toronto Orders
• COVID-19 information for Caregivers (for the Elderly)
• COVID-19 information for Parents with Kids
• Educational links for kids 
• Multilingual Resources
• Mental Health and Wellbeing Resources
• Resources for the Public (Ontario)
• Vaccine Myths (debunked) New!
• WHO Advice for the Public
• WHO Posters

• Caring for children with COVID-19 [BCCDC]
•  COVID-19 stigma and prejudice [CAMH]
• How to care for someone with COVID-19 [Ontario Ministry of Health]

• What you need to know about 2019-nCoV pdf icon[PDF]
• What to do if you are sick with 2019-nCoV pdf icon[PDF]
• 2019-nCoV: Prevention and Treatment [CDC]
• Cloth Face Coverings [CDC]
• ASL Video Series: Easy DIY Cloth Face Covering [CDC]
• How To Make Your Own Face Covering Video [CDC]

• Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): How to care for a person with COVID-19 at home - Advice for caregivers [PHAC]
• Coronavirus (COVID-19): Tips for Dementia Caregivers [Alzheimer's Association]
• Coronavirus and Older Adults: Your Questions Answered[AARP]
• Extra COVID-19 precautions for people with physical disabilities [Mayo Clinic]
• Covid 19 Q & A for Cancer Patients [Mayo Clinic]
• Making informed housing decisions during a pandemic [McMaster University, Optimal Aging Portal]

  • Patient Decision Aid: During the COVID-19 pandemic, should I or my family member go to live with family or stay in the long-term care or nursing home? [Ottawa Hospital Research Institute]

  • Patient Decision Aid: During the COVID-19 pandemic, should I go to live with family/friend or stay in my retirement/assisted living home?

  • Blog Post: Should I stay or should I go? Factors influencing older adults’ decisions about housing [Blog Post]

• Resources on Elder Abuse [Ontario]

• Coronavirus: A Book for Kids  by Nosy Crow
• Coronavirus: what it is and how you’re helping fight it
• Coronavirus: What Kids Can Do
• Guide to parent self-care during the COVID-19 pandemic [Oxford University Press Blog]
• How to talk to your kids about COVID-19 [TPH Internal site, CHD resource]
• Handwashing 101 (CBC Kids)
• What is Coronavirus? [comic]
• Why do I need to wash my hands?
• Tips and Resources for Parents [Zero to Three] 

• 20 Activities For You And Your Kids When You Need To Stay Indoors For Long Periods
• 38 ways to use the library from home [Toronto Public Library]
• Activities for Preschoolers [TVO Kid]
• Activities for School aged kids [TVO Kids]
• Ask Magazine & Teacher Guide [EBSCO]
• Click Magazine & Teacher Guide [EBSCO]
• Coloring in the Catalog: Library scenes to print and colour [EBSCO]
• Cricket Magazine & Teacher Guide [EBSCO]
• Daily Schedule For Kids
• Dial a Story: 416-395-5400 (Children's stories in over 16 languages)
• Kids Health for Kids
• Kids Health for Teens
• Open Access eBooks for Kids (Pearson, K-12)
• Open Courses (TVO ILC, Grades 9-12)
• World Digital Library
• What in the World: Covid-19 Pandemic (Grades 8+ lessons)

• Brooks, S., Webster, R., Smith, L., Woodland, L., Wessely, S., Greenberg, N., Rubin, G.J. (2020).  The psychological impact of quarantine and how to reduce it: Rapid review of the evidence. The Lancet. https://doi.org/10.1016/S01406736(20)30460-8
• Brooks, S.K., Dunn, R., Amlot, R., Rubin, G.J., Greenberg, N. (2018). A Systematic, Thematic Review of Social and Occupational Factors Associated with Psychological Outcomes In Health care Employees During an Infectious Disease Outbreak. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 60(3), 248-257. https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000001235

Grey Literature

• "6 tips to respond to employee anxiety about COVID-19." [Canadian Mental Health Association]
• Briefing note on addressing mental health and psychosocial aspects of COVID19 Outbreak- Version 1.0. [Inter-Agency Standing Committee
• Challenging worries and anxious thoughts [Centre for Addiction and Mental Health]
• Coping with stress during the COVID-19 outbreak (World Health Organization)
• Dealing with problems in a structured way (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health)
• Helping children cope with stress during the COVID-19 outbreak (World Health Organization)
•  Managing your stress and anxiety App for iOS or App for Android devices [CAMH]
•  Mental Health and Psychosocial Support for Staff, Volunteers and Communities in an Outbreak of Novel Coronavirus. [Psychosocial Centre: Internal Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies]
• Mind Control: Managing your mental health during COVID-19 Free Online Course [University of Toronto]
• Take Care of Your Mental Health and Well-Being Fact Sheet  (Toronto Public Health) (Also available in Simplified Chinese | Farsi | French )
• Taking Care of Your Mental Health and Well-Being infographic
• Talking to children about COVID-19 and its impact (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health)
• Willing and Able: Building a crisis resilient workforce. [Deloitte, King’s College London, Public Health England, 2015]
• Mental health and psychosocial considerations during the COVID-19 outbreak [WHO)

French

• Multilingual COVID-19 Fact Sheets [Health Literacy Project] 

• Resources in Languages Other than English [CDC]

• COVID-19 information in Indigenous Languages  [UHN, TGH Patient Library]

• COVID19 Self Assessment  [Ontario Ministry of Health]
• Self-isolation: Guide for caregivers, household members and close contacts [Public Health Ontario]
• Mental Health Resources [CAMH]
• Novel Coronavirus [TPH public page]
• News Releases [TPH]
• Public Hotline: 416-338-7600 [TPH]
• Public Resources (Posters) [PHO]
• Cleaning and Disinfection for Public Settings [PHO]
• Ways to fight coronavirus transmission at home [Mayo Clinic]
• Resources in Languages Other than English [CDC]

Guidance for Large or Extended Families [CDC]

Living in the Same Home (focusses more on IPAC) [CDC]

COVID-19 Parental Resources Kit – Early Childhood. Social, Emotional, and Mental Well-being of Young Children during COVID-19

COVID-19 Parental Resources Kit – Young Adulthood. Social, Emotional, and Mental Well-being of Young Adults during COVID-19

COVID-19 Parental Resources Kit – Childhood. Social, Emotional, and Mental Well-being of Children during COVID-19

COVID-19 Parental Resources Kit – Adolescence. Social, Emotional, and Mental Well-being of Adolescents during COVID-19

A Practical Guide to Support Family Stress after a Positive COVID-19 Test

bbc.co.uk – © copyright 2021 BBC

• Q&A Video embedded below: Dr. Fauci Debunks COVID Vaccine Conspiracy Theories [Dr Fauci and The Try Guys] below:

• BBC Reality Check debunks five false vaccine claims [see video embedded below]. 

  bbc.co.uk – © copyright 2021 BBC

Toronto Public Health Media Channels

• twitter.com/CityofToronto
• instagram.com/cityofto 
• facebook.com/cityofto