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Emergency management: We all have a roll in turning back COVID-19 threat


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Dear Editor,

As the Director of Emergency Management in Clay County, I want to assure the public that we have a dedicated team of professionals in place to lead the COVID-19 response in our community. The Division of Emergency Management is working in Unified Command with the Florida Department of Health in Clay County, Board of County Commissioners, and County Manager to share pertinent information, assess critical needs, execute plans, and order supplies to prepare and protect our residents.

However, we need your help to slow the spread of COVID-19. The peak of the outbreak in Florida is likely to arrive mid-April to mid-May. The extent of the impact in Clay County is up to all of us.

What can we learn from counties with high infection rates such as Dade County, Florida? In densely populated areas, maintaining a physical distance of 6 feet from others and avoiding large crowds is difficult. We are fortunate to live where 219,252 residents are distributed over 604 square miles, averaging 363 people per square mile. Dade County is home to 2.7 million people with 1,315 people per square mile. We don’t have the same challenges as more densely populated counties and therefore, have more control over the spread of the virus. *Source (Census.gov/quickfacts)

Maintaining a physical distance from others and washing hands frequently will slow the spread of the virus. In Washington State, health officials report a 20% reduction in hospitalizations for COVID-19 symptoms, which is attributed to physical distancing. The number of deaths is likely to be significantly less if residents continue to practice physical distancing.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are providing the best guidance available to protect our families: stay home if you’re sick; avoid group gatherings; maintain a physical distance of at least six feet from others; wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; avoid touching your face; and disinfect high-touch surfaces. The COVID-19 virus can live for long periods of time on surfaces. We should assume most surfaces could be potentially contaminated and take the needed precautions. We also need to protect our emergency responders by notifying 911 dispatchers about symptoms, recent travel, or contact with a confirmed positive case to ensure appropriate precautions are taken and patients quickly receive needed care at a facility that is prepared to treat them.

If everyone does their part to slow the spread of the virus, we can prevent a surge that could inundate our health care system. By reducing the number of cases active at one time, doctors, hospitals, police, schools, and vaccine-manufacturers will have time to prepare and respond, without becoming overwhelmed. We also need to protect our vulnerable population, the elderly and immunocompromised. Young and healthy people can contract the virus, exhibit mild or no symptoms, and unknowingly transmit it to others who can’t fight it off.

Clay County is the best county in Florida. Our dedicated government officials, police officers, Health Department, firefighters, business owners, and essential service providers are working every day to protect us from COVID-19, but we all need to be partners in prevention. Everyone needs follow the Governor’s Executive Order 20-91 and limit movements and interactions to only those necessary to obtain or provide essential services or conduct essential activities.

We are all first responders in this fight; we stand at the forefront of this health emergency and are trusted to ensure the safety and well-being of our community. We will get through this together and recover faster if we all practice physical distancing and do our best to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Sincerely,

John Ward

Clay County Emergency Management Director