Mayor’s Message: Message about COVID-19 Update #2
Posted on: March 7, 2020 - 12:21pm
Hi everyone,
In response to questions some of you have raised about Covid-19 (Novel Coronavirus), here is a quick update. There are still no known cases in Hastings-on-Hudson. The Superintended of Schools is answering questions that parents have about the school closing and we are publishing her letters through the Village email system so that people who do not have children in the school are kept informed.
The County has informed us that New York State Emergency Services has opened command centers at the Department of Health in New Rochelle and the Traffic Management Center in Valhalla. They are expanding their staff to answer questions and they are increasing the capability for testing.
Several of you wanted to know more about testing and quarantine protocols. Our understanding from the County is:
Testing Protocols: Testing will occur if:
- a person has come within 6 feet of a person confirmed to be infected
- a person has recently traveled to one of the global hotspots
- a person under quarantine experiences symptoms of Covid-19
- a person is seriously ill and has not tested positive for any other disease
- Doctors may, at their discretion, deem Covid-19 testing necessary
Quarantine Protocols: Quarantine is mandated for people who:
- have tested positive for Covid-19
- have had direct contact (within 6 feet) with person who tested positive
- returned from country with level 2 or 3 travel notice and has symptoms
- the County’s hotline for all residents who are quarantined and need assistance is 866-588-0195. Also, 211 is available for the general public to call. These phones are staffed 24hrs.
Accurate and Vetted Covid-19 Information:
As per my last email, for those of you who want accurate and vetted information about Covid-19 the best source (and the one that all other levels of government are referring to) is the CDC website which you can access HERE. The CDC site has a tremendous amount of information including some very helpful posters available in multiple languages (my favorite is this one). There is specific guidance for schools, colleges and universities, businesses and employers and places of worship. There is also a section with protocols for first responders and health care providers. And there is a section for higher risk populations (older adults and people who have severe chronic medical conditions) as well as pregnant women and children. The key messages for individual citizens have been well summarized on the County site (see HERE) and also replicated on the Village website HERE.
How to Protect Yourself and Your Family:
The advice is simple, clear and practical and reminds me exactly of what my grandmother always said about avoiding the flu:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (enough time to sing “Happy Birthday to You” twice). Use alcohol based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
- Cough or sneeze into a tissue (not your hands), then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a cleaning product that contains bleach.
- Get a flu shot.
What To Do If You Feel Sick:
There is detailed information on the CDC website on what to do if you think you might be sick, again the advice is very sensible: if you have the typical symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath) stay home, separate yourself from others, and call the Covid-19 hotlines to notify the authorities so that you can be given the help you need while protecting your family and neighbors. Here are the numbers to call:
There is detailed information on the CDC website on what to do if you think you might be sick, again the advice is very sensible: if you have the typical symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath) stay home, separate yourself from others, and call the Covid-19 hotlines to notify the authorities so that you can be given the help you need while protecting your family and neighbors. Here are the numbers to call:
- People under self-quarantine or exposure to known case, call (866) 588-0195
- NYS Department of Health COVID-19 Hotline (888) 364-3065
- Westchester County COVID-19 Information Call 211
Other Helpful Links:
The County's COVID-19 fact sheet; the County’s news conference; the State's news conference; and the fast facts page from the County on the Westchester cases.
Village Preparedness:
As mentioned in our last communication, the Village Manager, the Chief of Police, the Fire Chief, the Board of Trustees and I have been preparing for the possibility of a potential or actual exposure for several weeks. We have been coordinating directly with County and have approved protocols in place for our emergency responders. We are working with local, County and State authorities to stay informed as the situation changes. Please know that the risk of becoming infected remains low, and that most people who fall ill are likely to experience mild to moderate disease with full recovery. While it is important to be attentive and prepared, fear and panic are not helpful. The CDC encourages all of us to share facts, not fear.
Acts of Kindness:
Lots of people have called me over the past few days, to ask for information and to seek reassurance, and some of them have shared stories about situations they have observed that make them thankful to be in our community at a time like this. I wanted to share a story that I thought was particularly lovely. As you all know, the people who are most vulnerable are seniors and people who have severe health conditions. One resident told me that he was at Food Town and saw an elderly gentleman anxiously looking for hand sanitizer. There was a young(ish) woman who had the last batch in her cart and, realizing the elderly gentleman’s concern, gave half her stash to him. That was the right thing to do! Please send me more stories like this so we can share them and please think about ways you can help people who are more needy than you are.
Feel free to reach out to me if you have specific questions or concerns or stories to share: mayor@hastingsgov.org
Sincerely,
Nicola Armacost
Mayor