Editor’s note: With our coronavirus coverage, our goal is not to alarm you but to equip you with the information you need. We will try to keep things in context and focus on helping you make decisions. See a list of resources and frequently asked questions at the end of this story.

CINCINNATI — Freestore Foodbank will provide prepackaged boxes of food at its Liberty Street Market starting Tuesday in efforts to feed the community affected by coronavirus-related closures.

“We are here to serve our neighbors when they need us the most. We provide food, connection & hope, especially during the most challenging times,” the food bank announced on Twitter Friday evening. “As we face the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, our main priority is to keep our customers, volunteers, donors, & staff safe."

Starting March 17, boxes will be available at the Liberty Street Market, 112 E. Liberty Street through its front bay service area. The food bank will be closed Monday to prepare.

“We will continue to serve clients at the Customer Connection Center with modifications,” the foodbank’s statement read. “We will be implementing physical distancing and CDC hygiene protocol. We will continue to deliver food to our agency partners and work with local schools to help feed children.”

For more information, click here or call (513) 482-4500.

Many schools have closed in the Tri-State, and those who rely on free and reduced lunches can find a list of agencies that can help here.

Find more coronavirus/COVID-19 hotlines and resources below:

Ohio



Department of Health COVID-19 hotline: 833-4-ASK-ODH

See ODH’s COVID-19 resources here.

Kentucky



State COVID-19 hotline: 1-800-722-5725

See the Cabinet for Health and Family Services coronavirus resource site here.

Indiana



SDH Epidemiology Resource Center: (317) 233-7125 or (317) 233-1325 after hours, or e-mail epiresource@isdh.in.gov

or after hours, or e-mail epiresource@isdh.in.gov See more information for coronavirus in Indiana here.

FAQ:

What is coronavirus, COVID-19?

According to the World Health Organization, coronaviruses are "a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).

A novel coronavirus, such as COVID-19, is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans.

COVID-19 was first identified in December 2019 in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China and has now been detected in 45 countries across the globe, including in the U.S., according to the CDC.

The CDC reports the initial patients in China have some link to a large seafood and live animal market, indicative of animal-to-person spread. A growing number of patients, however, did not report exposure to animal markets, indicating the disease is spreading person-to-person.

What are the symptoms? How does it spread?

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death, according to the CDC. Symptoms can include fever, cough, shortness of breath.

The CDC said symptoms could appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure. It is similar to the incubation period for MERS.

Spread of the virus is thought to be mainly from person-to-person. Spread is between people who are in close contact with one another (within about six feet). Spread occurs via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

According to the CDC, it could be possible for a person to get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose or possibly their eyes. This is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads, the CDC said.

The disease is most contagious when people are the sickest and showing the most symptoms.