Mayor’s Message: Message about COVID-19 Update #3
Posted on: March 10, 2020 - 3:18pm
Hi everyone,
Here’s our latest update about Covid-19 (Novel Coronavirus).
There are still no known cases in Hastings-on-Hudson but we do have some residents who have been asked to self-quarantine (more on this in a bit).
We have been publishing out the emails from the Superintendent of Schools related to the school closings and follow up measures being taken - see #1, #2 and #3 for those of you who are not on the school mailing list. We will continue to share this information as it is issued by the school.
The past two Mayor’s Message on Covid-19 can be found here: #1 and #2. They contain information on testing and quarantine protocols, accurate and vetted Covid-19 Information, guidance for schools, colleges and universities, businesses and employers, places of worship, higher risk populations (older adults and people who have severe chronic medical conditions), pregnant women and children. There is also advice for travellers. New guidance on the CDC site includes protocols for homeless shelters and large gatherings.
Yesterday, County Executive George Latimer held a live Facebook interview with Dr. Sherita Amler, the County’s Public Health Commissioner, to up date residents - see: HERE. The core advice for individual citizens remains the same as summarized on the County site HERE and also replicated on the Village website HERE.
How to Protect Yourself and Your Family:
- 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 (1 tablespoon of bleach to a quart of water).
- Get a flu shot.
Some people have told me they are concerned about family members in other parts of the country.
- College kids: If you have college kids make a point of becoming familiar with what advice they are receiving from their universities/fraternities/sororities. One of my sons studies at UC Berkeley and my husband and I have found the communication from the university helpful (see HERE). Cal includes a section on its website titled “Staying Healthy” where it encourages students to “Keep your immune system healthy by getting plenty of SLEEP, nutrition, stress-relief, and exercise.” This is excellent advice for all of us and especially for college kids! A friend who is President of a university in New York told me he has asked for this CDC poster to be put up around campus – feel free to share it with your children.
- Elderly relatives: Some elder care facilities, including Andrus on Hudson, are restricting visitors so as to minimize risks to their charges (see HERE). Please respect these precautionary measures and work out alternate ways to communicate with and support your elderly loved ones. The vast majority of people with COVID-19 have minimal symptoms (e.g. a small cough or a slight fever), however, older populations and those with underlying chronic health conditions may experience more serious complications, so we should focus on protecting those populations from exposure (e.g. they avoid crowds and stay at least 6 feet away from anyone who appears to be ill).
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: 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: 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
Isolation and Quarantine Protocols:
Some people have expressed frustration at conflicting information they are being told in the media or from friends on when isolation and quarantine protocols should kick in. The CDC defines the two terms HERE:
- Isolation separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick. The County’s isolation protocol for Covid-19 is HERE.
- Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick. The County’s quarantine protocol for Covid-19 is HERE.
As per the County’s quarantine protocol, the point of a “self-quarantine” is not to mix with other people, so if you are just being asked to work from home please don’t call that “self-quarantine” as it will confuse others. If you are not clear what protocols you should be following please call the self-quarantine hotline (866) 588-0195 to get accurate guidance. If after calling the hotline you are still unclear, or if you are getting conflicting messages, please let me know and I will make the County and State aware.
As I think most of you understand, Governor Cuomo is taking the lead on standards for testing and quarantine. If you are quarantined, as inconvenient as it is, it is essential that you honor it
Large Gatherings:
While the CDC has issued a protocol on large gatherings the word “large” is not clearly defined. We are trying to get a clearer definition from the County and State for our local context and will let you know. In the meantime, we have decided to postpone or cancel largish events where seniors might be exposed as they are the most vulnerable population. The County has cancelled or postponed some events (see the County facebook page for details). Local municipalities are making their own decisions. Even if events are not cancelled, people should make a judgment about whether you should attend an event given your personal circumstances.
Acts of Kindness #2:
Several of you responded to my last email with lovely stories about acts of kindness you have observed as people work out how to navigate this new situation we find ourselves in. One resident wrote this:
Here is my FoodTown story: My husband and I are in our late 70s. We are active and healthy, but a surprising heart attack a year ago caused me heart failure. I have recovered nicely but still have just 35% of a functioning heart. I was relating this story to the FoodTown checkout clerk as I realized they were out of hand sanitizer. The guy behind me went and retrieved what he could in terms of wipes and alcohol. My checkout person reached into her bag and gave me her hand sanitizer. I was not panicked and tried to tell her it was fine but she insisted. I have loved Foodtown since they arrived and this is an example of who they are.
Please send me more stories like this so we can continue to share them and please think about ways you can help people who are more needy than you are.
Additional Resources:
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