Mayor's Message about Covid-19 Update #9 March 21, 2020
Posted on: March 22, 2020 - 12:16am
Hi everyone,
It was a gorgeous day today and my husband and I went for a glorious walk in the woods. On our way home, we engaged in some “extreme social distancing” with our neighbours – they were up on their porches while we were on the road. It was great to connect with people, even if it was from a considerable distance. The general view seems to be resignation to this new state of affairs and an acknowledgement that the situation is very serious and likely to get much worse. Here are some of the things people wanted to know about:
Cases in Hastings-on-Hudson
Today we have 4 official cases of Covid-19 in the Village, but as I explained in my last email, we expect this number to increase dramatically in the next few days and many of you will find you’ve been exposed directly or indirectly. The most important thing right now is to limit our interactions so we can reduce the spread. In New York State, all levels of government are agreed that this is critical. Of course, buying food and medication is important, but even people who feel perfectly healthy should limit the number of times they go out. Try to shop once a week (not every day), don’t go to multiple locations, and when you do go make the visit quick – please don’t congregate!
Responsible Actions
It seems some people are still confused about what family members of people who have tested positive or might have been exposed should and shouldn’t do – HERE is a sheet that simplifies what’s required. The basic message is that everyone should be erring on the side of caution. If you’re living with a person who feels sick and is getting tested for the virus, or someone who came in close contact with someone who has the virus, or someone who actually tested positive, please stay at home! If you need help getting groceries or medicine reach out to friends and neighbors or let me know. It is now generally accepted that because people didn’t follow these simple rules the virus spread rapidly in other countries. Let’s all work together to avoid making the same mistakes here.
Several of you have told me you are having trouble explaining the seriousness of the situation to your children who are teenagers/young adults. One of the most difficult things to explain to kids is that a person who has been exposed can be asymptomatic and feel healthy but still spread the virus to others. I was sent two videos that may be useful. One was made by a group of Italians – they are sending a message from 10 days ago to their current selves sharing what they wished they had known and done differently. I was also sent this entertaining and informative explanation about how the virus spreads in terms of exponential growth. If nothing else these may help to start a conversation where you can explain what the stakes are for all of us.
Governor Cuomo’s Executive Orders
The serious situation we are now in together has prompted the Governor to issue executive orders aimed at limiting interaction between people, while ensuring that essential services are provided. You can find the formal text of all his orders HERE. The Governor has also developed a 10 point plan to stop the spread of the virus which he calls New York State on PAUSE.
Here are the elements:
- Effective at 8PM on Sunday, March 22, all non-essential businesses statewide will be closed; “essential businesses” are defined HERE (the list is quite long and includes, supermarkets, farmers markets, restaurants (for take out), pharmacies, convenience stores, gas stations, hardware stores, laundromats, auto shops, news media, banks, insurance, accounting etc.). Businesses that are not on the list but believe they are providing an essential service can request a designation by filing this FORM.
- Non-essential gatherings of individuals of any size for any reason (e.g. parties, celebrations or other social events) are canceled or postponed at this time;
- Any concentration of individuals outside their home must be limited to workers providing essential services and social distancing should be practiced;
- When in public individuals must practice social distancing of at least six feet from others;
- Businesses and entities that provide other essential services must implement rules that help facilitate social distancing of at least six feet;
- Individuals should limit outdoor recreational activities to non-contact and avoid activities where they come in close contact with other people;
- Individuals should limit use of public transportation to when absolutely necessary and should limit potential exposure by spacing out at least six feet from other riders;
- Sick individuals should not leave their home unless to receive medical care and only after a telehealth visit to determine if leaving the home is in the best interest of their health;
- Young people should also practice social distancing and avoid contact with vulnerable populations; and
- Use precautionary sanitizer practices such as using isopropyl alcohol wipes.
Here’s a quick synopsis of some of the Governors orders from earlier this week.
- Bars and restaurants are closed, but takeout can be ordered during the period of closure.
- Casinos, gyms, theaters, retail shopping malls, amusement parks and bowling alleys are closed until further notice.
- All barbershops, hair salons, tattoo or piercing salons, nail salons, hair removal services and related personal care services will be closed to the public effective Saturday, March 21 at 8:00PM.
- 100% of the workforce must stay home beginning Sunday, March 22 at 8PM, excluding essential services,
- All non-essential gatherings of individuals of any size for any reason are temporarily banned.
- Department of Motor Vehicles offices are temporarily closed for in-office visits. Online transactions, including for license renewals, are still be available. License and permit expirations will be extended.
- Matilda’s Law, named for the Governor’s mother, has been enacted to protect New Yorkers age 70+ and those with compromised immune systems – these individuals must:
- Remain indoors
- Can go outside for solitary exercise
- Pre-screen all visitors by taking their temperature
- Wear a mask in the company of others
- Stay at least 6 feet from others
- Do not take public transportation unless urgent and absolutely necessary
- Testing is free for all eligible New Yorkers as ordered by a health care provider.
Food Security
FoodTown: FoodTown has set up special hours (7 to 8 am) for seniors and patrons with immunodeficiencies. The FoodTown messages are on our website HERE.
Food Pantry: Thanks to all of you, the Family-to-Family GoFundMe site has raised over $30,000 in just 5 days (the original goal was $20,000) - this is truly remarkable and heart warming and a testament to how amazing our Village is! The money will go to support our Hastings-on-Hudson neighbors struggling to put food on their tables during this crisis. Donations will: 1. Provide $50 gift cards (to cover one week’s worth of lunch and snack items) to 50 Hastings school children currently receiving free or reduced-price lunches; 2. Keep the Hastings Food Pantry shelves stocked with food items, cleaning products, personal hygiene products, paper goods, diapers etc.; and 3. Provide $25 gift cards to families in need and seniors for perishable foods not available at the pantry. Please continue to give generously!
Local Food Businesses: On Monday, all restaurants, cafes and bars in New York were ordered temporarily to suspend dining on site. Many of our food and beverage related businesses switched to take-out and delivery only. A detailed list of the status of each was compiled by our Downtown Advocate and can be found HERE.
Farmers Market: The Governor designated farmers markets as essential retail businesses since they are a crucial part of the food supply chain. We authorized our Farmers Market to operate today but under a strict set of rules – the market was outside in the large commuter lot, the vendor tents were spread far apart, people signed up for specific time slots and lined up to go in behind chalk lines 6 feet apart, a limited number of people were allowed in at a time and everyone made their visits quick (see HERE). It was a huge success and arguably more healthy than shopping in a crowded supermarket, thanks to Pascale and the board of the Farmers Market.
Local Hospitals
Several people reported success in getting tested at St. John’s Riverside Hospital using their special hotline: 914-964-4706.
Acts of Kindness #7:
I have two acts of kindness for today that are both about being good neighbors:
“A year or so ago my immediate neighbors created a micro text group to look after the needs of a elderly man who lived near us. Over the last year these 6 or 7 families have discovered the many benefits of maintaining this micro group. If anybody needs anything we are there for each other.... and in close proximity.”
and
“I got an extraordinary email from a neighbor offering help with getting groceries, picking up prescriptions, etc. What was extraordinary is that she sent it to 91 people! Many responded by offering the same help. I immediately felt less alone and more aware of the power of our wonderful community. In the NY Times last week, David Brooks said epidemics can bring out the worst in people. Not true around here.”
As I read these snippets, it reminded me that many of us are living far away from our families and we rely heavily on our friends and neighbors for comfort and support. Thanks to all of you for nurturing connection and kindness.
Important Stuff From Prior Messages
As per my last message, everything from here down is a repeat from a prior message but I am including it because it contains important information and so you have everything in one place.
Symptoms, Testing and Isolation/Quarantine
Symptoms: The typical symptoms of Covid-19 are fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue. If you have these symptoms stay home (avoid public places and public transportation), separate yourself from others (use a separate bedroom and bathroom, eat separately, have your linens washed frequently), 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:
Symptoms: The typical symptoms of Covid-19 are fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue. If you have these symptoms stay home (avoid public places and public transportation), separate yourself from others (use a separate bedroom and bathroom, eat separately, have your linens washed frequently), 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
- You can also call our police department 914-478-2344 - they have been fielding calls from residents and will know where to send you
Testing: Some residents have called to say that they or their loved ones have symptoms that appear to be similar to those of Covid-19 but they have been unable to get a test. The County has provided guidance on when testing protocols kick in HERE. Until more tests become available tests will be provided to: people who were in close proximity to a person who has been diagnosed with Covid-19 (same office, classroom etc.); people who have come back from a hot spot and have developed symptoms; or people who have been quarantined and developed symptoms. As more tests become available the categories of qualified persons should broaden. Many hospitals and private practices are getting access to Covid-19 testing and there are now more than 28 NYS authorized labs. Currently testing is available at:
- State public health lab
- NYC public health lab
- Labcorb and Northwell labs (more private labs soon)
- New Rochelle mobile testing site. Patients must call ahead to make an appointment: 888-364-3065. Priority is given to New Rochelle residents and vulnerable populations, like senior citizens and people with underlying respiratory issues.
Isolation and Quarantine Protocols:
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.
As per the State’s/County’s quarantine protocol, the point of a “self-quarantine” is to avoid mixing with other people. If you are being asked to work from home please don’t refer to that as “self-quarantine” as it will confuse others. If you are not clear what protocols you and your family 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.
WHO Message: Test, Isolate and Contact Trace
The urgent message from the World Health Organization (WHO) is that while social distancing is incredibly important, the most critical thing is to test and isolate people who have become infected, and then to contact trace. “Contact tracing” means tracing back your contacts over the past 14 days to establish exposure. If you suspect an infection in your family do what the families of the first people infected in our Village have done: immediately self-quarantine and begin the process of “contact tracing”. Please don’t wait to be told to self-quarantine as it may take time to test and notify you of what you need to do. And please do start contact tracing (which means tracing back your contacts over the past 14 days) so that when you are eventually tested, if you test positive, you have the necessary information readily available. If you have been quarantined please, please, please follow the directions you were given – we are all counting on you!
Finally, and of course this is entirely voluntary, please notify our First Responders so they are properly protected when they come to provide assistance. We have been informed that an entire Fire Department in New York City is in quarantine because the members were not properly informed prior to assisting a resident who was infected. We simply cannot afford to have that happen to our Fire/EMS team. We have established a confidential hotline phone 914-231-8988 and email hohquarantine@hastingsgov.org so residents who are affected can notify Police Chief David Dosin and Fire Chief John Lindner of their condition.
Additional Resources:
The core advice for individual citizens remains the same as summarized on the County site HERE – washing your hand is still the single most important thing you can do!
The CDC site is constantly being updated so check back in for guidance related to 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, homeless shelters and large gatherings. There is also advice for travellers.
You can see past Mayor’s Messages HERE, the Village website Covid-19 page HERE, and messages from the Schools HERE.
See also:
Feel free to reach out to me if you have specific questions, concerns or stories to share: mayor@hastingsgov.org
Sincerely,
Nicola Armacost
Mayor