By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Fist bumps have replaced handshakes at some local churches. Stores are seeing hand sanitizer and toilet paper wiped from their shelves. BGSU classes are going on-line, a local polling place has been moved from a nursing home, and events are being canceled – all due to COVID-19.
There are steps that citizens can take to prepare for their lives being temporarily turned upside down by concerns about COVID-19, according to Wood County Emergency Management Agency Director Jeff Klein.
Protective distancing and good cleaning are top at the list of prevention efforts. People are being urged to wash their hands longer, refrain from touching their faces, clean their phones, door handles and keyboards, and not share items like pens.
“Whatever you can do to eliminate using communal things,” Klein said.
Parents should plan ahead for possible school closings, Klein said. Those plans should probably not involve grandparents watching their grandchildren – since kids have the potential to be carriers of the virus, and older people have a greater risk of getting COVID-19.
Families should stock up at least two weeks of food and prescription medications, Klein suggested.
And attendance at events or travel should be weighed carefully, he said.
“Do you really need to go out and do this?” Klein said. “What’s the risk versus the reward?”
Several events are being canceled as a precaution. The Wood County Youth Olympics this weekend has been canceled, as well as a “Career Premiere” event that was planned for today at the county fairgrounds.
The Wood County District Public Library is putting a hold on a number of programs.
Library Director Michael Penrod in a press release stated that: “After consultation with, and guidance from, the Wood County Health Department, WCDPL is cancelling all library programs (story-times, tutoring sessions, book discussions, etc.) and all public reservations of meeting rooms, the Carter House, and other spaces through March 31.”
This applies to events both in Bowling Green and Walbridge. The bookmobile will suspend services until March 31 as well.
In response to coronavirus concerns, the Wood County Board of Elections has changed a voting location in Troy Township – from Otterbein Pemberville to the Pemberville American Legion Hall.
The Wood County Health Department will be supplying hand sanitizer for all of Wood County’s 30 polling locations next Tuesday. The health department has also consulted with the Wood County Board of Elections to provide information on minimizing the spread of germs that cause illnesses.
Since the most at risk for dire consequences from COVID-19 are older adults, the Wood County Committee on Aging is putting in place a plan for modified operations.
If a case of COVID-19 is diagnosed in Wood County, the county health commissioner will immediately notify the Wood County Committee on Aging, according to Executive Director Denise Niese.
If that occurs, all senior centers will close to the general public, and seniors will be asked to “shelter in place.” The home delivered meal program will be expanded to seniors who now come to senior centers for meals.
Staff delivering the meals will be instructed to remain at least six feet away from clients if they need to enter residences during meal delivery.
Locally, many agencies and governmental offices are relying on the recommendations of the Wood County Health Department and Ohio Department of Health.
Bowling Green Fire Division has begun screening patients for signs and symptoms of COVID-19, and asking them about recent travels, Fire Chief Bill Moorman said.
EMS staff members are wearing face masks and gloves – “what we do anyway,” he said. But not some patients are being asked to also don masks.
Renewed focus is being placed on handwashing and disinfecting the ambulances, Moorman said. The fire division has enough face masks, and has stocked up on cleaning supplies, he said.
“We have enough supplies to get us through this,” the chief predicted.
But Moorman knows COVID-19 concerns are evolving quickly.
“We have to evolve with it,” he said. “We’re doing our best to be proactive rather than reactive.”
Bowling Green Police Division is also following public health advice on handwashing.
“It’s just a matter of when it comes,” Police Lt. Dan Mancuso said. “We will defer to the experts.”
Bowling Green City Schools will hold a special meeting Monday at 4:30 p.m., in the administration office, to discuss a plan for the school district.
Local nursing homes are stepping up their disease prevention efforts. At Wood Haven Health Care, several signs are posted reminding staff of safe practices, said Administrator Jeff Orlowski.
“We are doing a lot of education with the staff,” especially about proper handwashing, he said. “We have postings all over the facility.”
Letters have been sent out to family members of Wood Haven residents, asking that anyone ill not visit. All visitors must stop at the front lobby desk to get their temperatures taken. Anyone with a fever is not allowed to stay, Orlowski said.
The Wood County jail is preparing for possible COVID-19 cases, according to Wood County Sheriff Mark Wasylyshyn. Plans are being made for the best way to segregate the inmates.
The jail books about 4,000 inmates a year, with the average stay of six days, the sheriff said.
“There’s a lot of movement,” he said.
Following is information provided by the Wood County Health Department.
What is coronavirus?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in people and many different species of animals, including camels, cattle, cats, and bats. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can infect people and then spread between people. COVID-19 is a novel or new coronavirus believed to have originated in China in 2019.
What are the symptoms and how does it spread?
Reported illnesses have ranged from mild to severe, including death. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure and be similar to influenza, including fever, cough and shortness of breath. Both coronavirus and influenza are spread by close contact between people and droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
What’s the latest information?
Three cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Cuyahoga County, Ohio on March 9. Zero cases have been confirmed in Wood County. Wood County Health Department has been preparing since early January to respond should the illness begin impacting our area.
There will be more cases of COVID-19 in the United States in the coming weeks. Widespread transmission would mean lots of people will need medical care at the same time. Public health and health care systems may become overloaded, with elevated rates of hospitalizations and deaths. Schools, childcare centers, workplaces and other places where people gather may experience more absenteeism.
Am I at risk?
Those at greatest risk for severe illness due to coronavirus are older people and those with other health problems or compromised immune systems. Although younger people may be less likely to experience severe illness, everyone can get sick with COVID-19 and spread the virus to other people.
What should I do?
People can take everyday actions to prevent the spread of illnesses, including COVID-19 and influenza.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your mouth, nose or eyes. Don’t share personal items like water bottles.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with your arm or a tissue.
- Avoid being around people who are sick, and stay home if you are sick.
- Get plenty of sleep and eat well-balanced meals to keep your immune system healthy.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Is there a vaccine for COVID-19?
Many people are working on a vaccine for COVID-19, but one will likely not be available for 12-24 months.
What can I do to prepare?
Follow your county health department’s social media for local updates.
- Teach younger children the importance of handwashing, and practice.
- Make plans for childcare should schools temporarily close.
- Talk to caregivers about backup plans in case they get sick.
- Keep an adequate supply of water, food and pet food in your home.
- If you take prescription medication, contact your health care provider, pharmacist, or insurance provider about keeping an emergency supply at home.
- Meet with family, relatives, friends and neighbors to discuss their needs. Plan ways to care for people at higher risk.
- Keep a working thermometer and respiratory medications like decongestants, expectorants and analgesics (ibuprofen, acetaminophen) on hand.
- Choose a room in your home, and if possible a bathroom, that could be used to separate family members who become sick.
- Be prepared not to attend large events, such as sporting events, conferences and worship services, and to stay away from crowds.
- Be prepared for cancellation or disruptions of public transportation services.
- Get a flu shot this season if you haven’t already. It won’t protect against COVID-19, but it can help protect against flu or lessen symptoms if you get it, lessening the strain on health care facilities.
Is it safe to travel?
Travelers should research their destinations to learn about how COVID-19 may be impacting those areas. Travel is restricted to some countries. People who travel to certain areas could face isolation requirements when they return. For more information, visit CDC’s Travelers’ Health page at www.cdc.gov/travel.
