It may be surprising to learn that in February 2019, national and international health agencies were aware of the coronavirus now known as COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at that time noted it was “an emerging, rapidly evolving situation.” However, the disease was not then and still is not well-understood. By January 31, 2020, the CDC was reporting “…this is a public health emergency of international concern.” This week, the World Health Organization (WHO) stated, “It is now at the highest level of alert… it can go in any direction.”
So what are local agencies doing at this point? They are actively solidifying their plans and their teams, checking supplies, reaching out to civilian medical volunteers, and striving to ensure that first responders have what they need to not only do their job but assist the public.
Old Rochester Regional School District Superintendent Douglas White said in a letter to parents on February 28, “…The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is providing daily updates and recommendations.” Parents were encouraged to visit the CDC website www.cdc.gov. The letter also stated, “…while this is a public health concern, the CDC continues to report that the immediate risk to the general public remains low.” The letter goes on to urge good hygiene practices, with number one “hand washing” and number two “don’t touch your face” and, of course, keeping sick students home. That letter is available on the school district website, www.oldrochester.org.
The Wanderer also reached out to Karen Walega, Board of Health Director for Marion and Health Director for Rochester. She said that local teams, which include not only schools and public health officials but fire and police departments, are all gearing up.
“We had a table-top exercise with all Tri-Town entities on February 11,” Walega said. Sandwich Fire Chief John Burke conducted the exercise, which gave the attendees the opportunity to share ideas and best practices for various emergency scenarios. “We are dusting off our plans,” Walega stated, “…getting feedback on plans, making improvements, making sure we have our volunteers ready, checking supply inventories.” It would be a multi-layered response, she said.
Dr. Dani Hackner, physician-in-chief for Southcoast Health System which operates Tobey, St. Luke’s, and Charlton hospitals, told the Wanderer, “Travel is a personal decision,” but he urged serious consideration before embarking on any unnecessary travel. “There are no restrictions other than those posted by the CDC,” regarding travel out of the country, he noted, but when asked if he would suggest suspending all travel he said, “I’d avoid any nonessential travel at this point.”
“It’s a challenging situation,” Hackner said, given that the COVID-19 symptoms are akin to any flu more commonly known, symptoms such as fever, coughing, sneezing, chills, headache lasting for a few days. But he said there was increasing “goodwill” between national and international agencies with accompanying good collaboration which will help with containment. “We are preparing for the worst and hoping for the best,” he said.
Hackner said the steps to follow if feeling sick is to first and foremost call the doctor. “They’ll know whether you should come into the office and be seen.” He emphasized the importance of staying home before seeking medical treatment unless symptoms were more than normal flu-like symptoms. If the doctor does elect to have a patient seen in the office, “…by calling ahead they can be prepared for your arrival.” And what was the doctor’s advice for protecting oneself against infection, “…handwashing for a full 30 seconds and not touching your face.” Hackner reiterated what news outlets have been reporting: there is no treatment, no medications, only standard management of the disease should someone become ill.
Kathleen Downey, Marion’s Public Health Nurse, agreed that the disease is not well understood at this time, meaning, “People could be walking around with it, pass it on and never have symptoms themselves.” She said she is advising everyone to “not shake hands” or “hug” when greeting one another. “People are going to have to take personal responsibility,” she stated. Regarding any emergency situation she said, “We should all be able to take care of ourselves in our homes for at least two weeks.” This means having enough food and other essential materials at the ready in the event personal confinement is required. Downey stressed this point, saying, “If someone is ill they should isolate themselves from others, (and) stay home.”
Downey said sourcing critical gear for first responders and those working directly with the sick is paramount. “There aren’t enough N-95 respirators right now.” And while the message seems to be escalating in its urgency, Downey said she wanted people to feel empowered by stocking up on food and other essentials in the event they have to isolate themselves for a period of time.
It is a cautionary story for sure. “Not everyone will get better, (and) not everyone will get sick. There wouldn’t be enough beds locally if there are many cases needing medical support services; we just don’t know right now what all that would look like,” Downey said of widespread infection.
Mattapoisett’s Public Health Nurse, Amanda Stone, added her voice, saying, “The most timely information is on the CDC website.” She said that, given the rapidly changing status of COVID-19, the CDC is the best place for people to get information. Those people who do not have internet access may call her directly at 508-758-4100.
“People need to know that prevention is the most important thing… social distancing 3-6 feet… not hugging… handwashing. It seems simple but it’s critical,” Stone said. Yet the same hygiene practices are employed for any communicable disease, she explained.
Regarding the workforce, Stone said, “We need employers to support employees who are sick and staying home, letting them work from home if possible.”
Travelers can access specific travel-related information from the CDC, Stone added, by visiting wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel.
The wearing of masks for those who are not sick is not necessary, Stone stated. She said that unless someone is ill or in a clinical environment, the wearing of masks by healthy persons will not help them. Masks help to contain the spread of disease from those already sick, she explained.
Back at the CDC, they are reporting, “…we are operationalizing all pandemic preparedness and response plans… on multiple fronts, including assisting communities to respond to local transmissions.” Their guidance also includes halting all non-essential travel to China and 46 other countries.
Everyone we spoke to for this report agreed that this was likely just the beginning. The World Health Organization has reported 2,900 deaths globally with 85,000 reported cases of COVID-19. On March 1, the first cases were reported in Rhode Island.
Mattapoisett Public Health Nurse, Marion, and Rochester Public Health Departments, Marion Public Health Nurse, Southcoast Health Systems
By Marilou Newell