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Escambia County, Health Department Discuss Coronavirus Preparedness
March 11, 2020
Escambia County Emergency Management and the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County held a joint meeting for community partners to discuss the coronavirus (COVID-19) at the Escambia County Emergency Operations Center.
During his presentation, Dr. John Lanza, director of the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County, addressed preparedness, containment and mitigation strategies for COVID-19. Lanza and Escambia County Emergency Manager Eric Gilmore provided answers to questions from partner organizations.
The media was not invited to the “community partner” meeting; the county provided information for this story and photos to media outlets hours after the meeting concluded.
“We were pleased to see representatives from more than 30 community partner organizations at today’s meeting, and we know these representatives will help disseminate important coronavirus safety information throughout the community,” Gilmore said. “The number one priority is the safety of our community, and we are actively continuing to engage with community partners, media outlets and state and local health officials to ensure proper planning and preventive action is in place.”
Lanza reiterated FDOH’s best method of protection against the virus is to avoid being exposed to this virus, and that it is important for everyone to be play their part in protecting against the spread of influenza, coronavirus, or similar diseases:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash, or cough or sneeze into your sleeve or elbow.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County Coronavirus Call Center is now available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1 (866) 779-6121 or you can email your questions to COVID-19@flhealth.gov.
Pictured top and second below: Dr. John Lanza, director of the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County discusses coronavirus preparedness. Pictured first below; Escambia County Emergency Manager Eric Gilmore. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
6 Responses to “Escambia County, Health Department Discuss Coronavirus Preparedness”
I thought this Coronavirus thing was a Democratic hoax. Yet, Trump just banned European flights, except for the UK (I want to drink what’s in their water).
Julie, many of the answers to your questions are probably here: http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19/
Given that, when the media are excluded from such an event that includes such a profound public concern, rumor and suspicion begin to rise. Not what is needed in an event like this.
And when a county commissioner gets on local TV, tells everyone it was an informative meeting by his call, then eludes to some who may have additional questions as “alarmists”, it can be expected that will only increase rumor and suspicion in the community.
Keep in mind that the county is run almost exclusively by one political party, whose national party has condemned and belittled scientific knowledge and research in favor of “alternative facts”, beliefs, and condemnation of news media that do not actively promote the party line.
This is why free speech and freedom of the press are so vital to our democracy.
Seriously, what is it going to take the community of North West Florida to file a law suit against the Health Department for lack of communication with the public. Why was the media not invited to this little pow wow. And like what kind of bug did they have up their butts last week when they did the news conference about the patient at Baptist Hospital and the officials of Baptist Hospital and the Health Dept just get up and leave without answering even questions that they could have without violating that patients rights, which would have informed the public so they could have self quarantined if they thought they had been in contact with that patient either directly or indirectly. This is ridiculous.
Most of the dead in China were men over 60 who were or are smokers. There are far fewer deaths among women, but also significantly fewer women in China smoke.
Only 2.5% roughly were children.
Also, The obese have higher death rates.
Bad news for Southerners, low income groups, and rural areas where these problems are more prevalent.
Gee society is so dumb now,,,,,
These precautions aren’t new people. All of the things listed above are things one should be doing all the time anyway especially this time of year to keep colds and the flu away. These precautions should be used in your everyday life. As a paramedic I’m assuring you that there are a lot of things going around that you don’t want