Some new and confusing words are being used to talk about COVID-19. That is why YDAS has made a list that explains what some of these words mean.
Access needs: Something a person needs to have so that they can communicate, learn, go somewhere, or do an activity. Example: Some people cannot walk up stairs so they need a ramp or an elevator.
Advice: When someone gives you information to support you to make a decision.
Application: When you ask to be allowed to do something or have something. Example: If you want to get Rent Relief money from the Victorian government you have to apply and answer some questions.
Asymptomatic: Someone does not show any symptoms of a disease or sickness.
Business days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Except public holidays.
Coronaviruses: A group of sicknesses that are dangerous for animals and humans.
COVID-19: One type of coronavirus that we have only just learned about.
Curfew: a rule where people have to stay at home between certain times.
Example: In metropolitan Melbourne, you have to stay at home from 8pm-5am every night.
Disadvantaged: When a person or a group of people do not have what they need to live safely. Example: a homeless person does not have somewhere to live.
Droplets: Very small drops of liquid. They could come out of someone’s mouth or nose when they sneeze and spread germs.
Eligible: Having the right to get something. Example: To get (or be eligible for) Rent Relief money, you have to have less than $5,000.
Essential businesses: Organisations or jobs that are important for keeping everyone safe. People in these businesses cannot work from home. Example: Doctors and nurses work in hospitals to help people who are sick.
Fatigue: Feeling tired.
Fever: When someone’s body temperature is higher than normal.
Fined: When you have to pay money because you did something wrong.
Flatten the curve: Making sure that a sickness spreads slowly. This will mean that not as many people have to be treated for it at the same time.
Grant: Money given to someone by a government or organisation. You have to use the money in a way that the government or organisation choose. Example: Rent relief money has to be used to pay rent.
High-risk: When someone has a bigger chance of getting a disease than other people. Or if they do get a disease, it is more dangerous for them. Example: People who are older than 60 are high risk. They are more likely to become very sick if they get the coronavirus.
Hotline: A telephone number used for one main reason. Example: The coronavirus hotline is for people to ask questions about the coronavirus.
Hotspot: An area where there are lots of people who have coronavirus. You should stay away from those places as much as you can.
Hygiene: Tasks you do to stay clean and healthy. Example: Washing your hands.
Income: Money that you get for doing work.
Isolation: When people who have a disease are separated from people who do not have it. This is to make sure they do not make anyone else sick.
Job Seeker payments: Money that the government will give to businesses who may not be able to pay the people who work for them. This is because of COVID-19. Businesses then give some money to the people who work for them.
Job Keeper payments: Money that the government will give to people who are looking for a job. You have to be at least 22 years old to get this money. You can find out more here.
Kids Helpline: A number that young people in Australia can call for free. You can talk to someone about things that are making you feel sad, angry or worried.
Landlord: A person who owns a house or apartment. Someone else lives in the house or apartment and has to pay money to the owner.
Lock down: When the government says that people cannot leave their houses unless they have a good reason. This is to keep everyone safe.
Negotiate: When people talk about their differences. They talk to each other until they reach an agreement. Example: People who are renting will need to talk to the owner of their house to agree on changes to the rent they pay during COVID-19.
Non-essential businesses and activities: Jobs and tasks that are not important for keeping everyone safe. You should not do these while Victoria is in lock down. Example: Going on holiday.
Outbreak: When lots of people have a disease at the same time.
Patient: Someone who is in hospital or seeing a doctor because they have the new coronavirus.
Pandemic: A disease that has spread all over the world.
Physical distancing: Staying away from other people to make sure you do not get sick. It is a good idea to stay more than 3 steps away from other people when outside your house. This is only until the coronavirus goes away. Physical distancing is also another word for social distancing.
Precaution: Something you do to stop a bad thing from happening.
Example:Washing your hands so you don’t get sick.
Quarantine: When someone who has been around a person with the coronavirus stays away from other people. This is to make sure that they are not sick. A person in quarantine has to stay away from other people for at least 14 days.
Register: To put your name and other details on an official list.
Example: if you register an agreement with your landlord, you are putting your name and other details on a list of agreements between landlords and tenants.
Residential accommodation: A house or apartment that is owned by the government.
Respiratory problems: Problems with breathing. This is one symptom of the coronavirus.
Restrictions: When something is limited or controlled. Example: At some supermarkets you can only buy a small number of some items.
Routine: Things that you do in the same order every day. Example: After you get up in the morning, you might have breakfast and then brush your teeth.
Severe: Very bad.
Social Distancing: The same as physical distancing listed above.
State of emergency: When the government makes new laws in a dangerous situation to keep people safe.
Symptom: Something that you can feel or see on your body if you are sick. Example: When people have coronavirus, they might feel very warm and find it hard to breathe.
Tenant: A person who lives in a house that is owned by someone else.
Tenant’s Victoria: An organisation that gives advice to people in Victoria who rent their home.
Temporary: When something doesn’t last forever. It is only for a short time.
Transmission of disease: When a disease or virus is passed from one person to another.
Vaccine: Medicine that stops the spread of a disease. Most people are given the medicine through a needle. There is no vaccine for the coronavirus.
Valve: A hole or gap that lets air in or out. Some masks have valves, but they are not safe. Do not wear a mask that has a valve.
Have we forgotten any words? If there is a word you would like to see on our list, let us know on Twitter or Instagram.
For COVID-19 resources and information for disabled young people in Victoria, read our COVID-19 blog post.
