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How Are Escambia County, Pensacola Preparing For Coronavirus? Top Officials Explain.
March 13, 2020
So far, there have been no confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) found in Escambia County, but agencies are in full preparation mode.
An Escambia County Commission meeting was paused Thursday for a 24-minute press conference to update the media on what steps are being taken in Escambia County.
County Administrator Janice Gilley said dealing with a pandemic is different that dealing with the aftermath of hurricanes and other issues that the county has dealt with in the past.
“There may be people walking around in our community that we don’t yet have already contracted the virus; that’s what makes it a little different. When we have the other things, we do see damage to infrastructure, tangible things we know how to prepare for, respond and recover,” Gilley said. “I do think this is something that is going to change on an hour by hour basis.”
“If you are a praying person, I think you should pray for our community,” Gilley added. “I think you should pray for any community or particularly for the state of Florida and the country so that we don’t necessarily have an expansion of this disease to the extent that we have issues that shut down all of the operations and things like that.”
Dr. John Lanza, director of the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County, provided an update to the commission, but his superiors did not allow him to participate in the health conference. He said any question would have to go to his public information staff, which would in turn send the question to Tallahassee for an answer.
“We do not have any cases in Escambia County,” Emergency Manager Eric Gilmore said. “If we did start to have transmission, then you would see the activation of the EOC (Emergency Operations Center) to a Level 2. We would take direction under the Department of Health. They are the lead agency.”
A coronavirus case was found last week in Santa Rosa County. The 71-year old man was transported to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola where he later died, one of two deaths to date in Florida.
Escambia County and the City of Pensacola followed a state recommendation and announced that all public-permitted events with more than 500 people expected are canceled until at least March 30. This does not include school, churches or other private events.
“If you don’t feel comfortable (attending public events) for reasons of age or a variety of other issues like an immune system deficiency,” Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson said, “…then I would understand you making the decision. That’s really on you. Everybody’s got to be aware of what their own conditions are and what they feel comfortable…It’s going to depend on individuals and their immune system.”
Interim Public Safety Director John Dosh said 911 operators are asking key questions of callers — not only about their symptoms and condition but also about travel. That, he said, allows first responders to be aware of any high risk activities so the first responders can take the appropriate action to protect themselves.
Escambia County School superintendent Malcolm Thomas said the district, at this point, plans to continue with regular face-to-face classes when students return from spring break on March 23. The district announced limits on out of county travel by staff and students, and canceled all field trips.
“We are doing a deep disinfecting and sanitizing of all of our vehicles every night,” ECAT Director Tonya Ellis said. “We have increased the comprehensive level of that cleaning, which includes commercial grade, hospital grade disinfectant for all of our buses.”
Director of Facilities Management Cassie Boatwrite Fsaid the county is continually working to sanitize facilities.
At the Escambia County Jail, Director Rich Powell said visitations are already conducted remotely. “We deal with health concerns on a continuous basis. The virus change anything particular that we are doing knowing that people are in close proximity. We are in a continuous state of cleaning in the jail.”
The Pensacola International Airport remains open and is fully operational, and has increased the frequency that points touched by the public are cleaned. Hand sanitizer stations are also located throughout the terminal.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
11 Responses to “How Are Escambia County, Pensacola Preparing For Coronavirus? Top Officials Explain.”
@JustSaying…I could not of said it better! Ditto!!
Anyone else question why Dr. Lanza, head of the Florida Health Department for our county, wasn’t allowed to attend this meeting? Ms. Gilley’s statement certainly doesn’t inspire confidence. From this article it appears all they know is what we already know. Where’s the real info, like where to get tested? As of last night three local facilities were still each pointing to one other as the place to contact.
To all of you: Praying is just what is needed! And some common sense and compassion for each other. This is something that is worldwide and at a magnitude that most people have not seen in our lifetimes! It’s easy for everyone to sit home and criticize decisions, when the truth is, it is a day by day situation. What we ALL need to do is see if you have a neighbor or friend that needs anything. The elderly are really upset about this, so reach out to a neighbor, see what you can do to help! Some are even afraid to go get their groceries now. Help instead of hinder!
Janice Gilley: If you pray, pray “so that we don’t necessarily have an expansion of this disease to the extent that we have issues that shut down all of the operations and things like that.”
In other words, pray that inconvenient closures and disruptions do not occur, and things like that?
Given that the real issue here is to restrict or prevent the spread of a virus to vulnerable community populations, especially the seniors and those with compromised immune systems, while a vaccine is being developed over the next year or two, it’s difficult to imagine a public official making such a statement.
Such disruptions and inconveniences are already occurring, everywhere. And they are not necessarily a bad thing if the true interest is in protecting as many of the vulnerable citizens of our community, as possible.
The statement is rooted in “prosperity gospel” beliefs, and Is yet another example of the falsehood of “alternative facts”. Public officials and public statements need to simply be factual, avoiding unsupported opinion and locally popular religious statements that cause people to skirt around and soft peddle the situation… and things like that.
So let me get this straight, the head of Escambia County Health Dept. Dr Lanza can’t answer any questions with out going through Tallahassee???? That is about useless. He should be the very one person to be addressing questions. He is the head physician of the Escambia County Health Dept. If he is on that tight of a chain, things need to change in Tallahassee. These other people would be ones answering questions if this were a natural disaster like a hurricane. Very disappointed in the local health dept. And oh, that is just a technicality that the Santa Rosa patient that died did not live in Escambia County. If he flew home from his trip chances are he landed in Pensacola. And if he didn’t, he was still transported to Escambia County. This like a bad version of Dumb and Dumber. And waiting until it became a Pandemic before having a press conference with the Media. Not good. Just my two cents worth.
I like and respect Ms. Gilley, but “praying” ain’t what is needed.
There is a protocol for pandemics, and those are what need to be followed, not wishing upon a star.
Get real–wash you hands, don’t participate in mass gatherings, avoid touching face, nose, eyes.
Use a tissue or your elbow when you cough or sneeze–throw the tissue away and wash your hands, again! If you experience flu-like symptoms or shortness of breath, call your healthcare provider or emergency room BEFORE showing up.
And for what it’s worth–leave some toilet paper for your neighbor…
I believe that this virus situation has been blown out of proportion. Take similar precautions to what a sensible person might take if the flu was going around.
I echo Citizen’s comments: I teach. I have yet to receive anything remotely resembling disinfectant for my classroom. I do have hand sanitizer, provided by a thoughtful parent at the beginning of the year. I AM THE ONE who sanitizes my classroom daily with disinfectant purchased out of my own pocket and the paper towels I use as well.
At the very least, provide us what we need to keep our rooms clean. The custodial staff works hard here, but to do it properly, everybody needs to pitch in: Students, Staff and Custodial Staff.
Just my two cents worth.
Maybe there has not been any virus found in Escambia county because no one has bothered to test anyone for it. Hard to find the Coronavirus if your not looking for it!
Why hasn’t Malcolm Thomas said that this is also being done at Escambia County Schools….
“We are doing a deep disinfecting and sanitizing of all of our vehicles every night,” ECAT Director Tonya Ellis said.
“We have increased the comprehensive level of that cleaning, which includes commercial grade, hospital grade disinfectant for all of our buses.”
…. because it’s not being done and has never been done.
More often than not there is no hand soap in the restrooms and there certainly isn’t any hand sanitizer or disinfectant spray that has ever been provided by the school district.
Every parent with a student in Escambia County should be asking Malcolm Thomas daily why this is the case?
Great steps but there are additional items yet to be discussed:
1. At the jail, all visitations are being conducted remotely but what about the new inmates that are arrested daily and placed into general population?
2. Our first responders are still making direct contact with all people of the community. EMS and Law Enforcement are in direct contact, not always in the most pleasurable circumstances.
3. Pubicly held events but what about the upcoming Spring Break events at Pensacola Beach and Perdido?