Coronavirus – and what local communities are doing to be aware

ELLIS COUNTY – While there is something in the news daily about the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), there are ways to make sure you are as safe as you can be here in the United States.

The virus is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. As just about everyone knows it was first found in Wuhan, China where there was a severe outbreak.

Reports still indicate that the virus is not spreading in the United States.

You might be more at risk if you recently traveled to China and even then, it is strongly dependent on exposure.

The first case in the United States was reported on Jan. 21. Since then, there have been 88 cases and six deaths.

Again, that is a small percentage, and practicing proper hygiene is always recommended.

The symptoms are fever, cough and shortness of breath, and many patients have pneumonia in both lungs.

Cities in the area are doing what they can both city-wide and in the school districts to make sure residents are aware of safety precautions.

Trudy Lewis, Hutchins City Administrator said, “The City of Hutchins defers to the Dallas County Health Department, who we contract with for all health-related activities.”

Red Oak ISD is taking that a step further, and Executive Director of Communications Beth Trimble said, “We are working with the health department and also reminding parents that healthy habits normally don’t spread germs.”

Melinda W. Domain, Ed.D., RTSBA, Assistant Superintendent for Student Support, Ferris Independent School District said, “The safety and security of Ferris ISD students and staff is a top priority for the district, and we are taking preventative measures to minimize the risk of illness.

“Every year during cold and flu season, district buildings and school buses are sanitized more frequently, with custodial staff doing extra cleaning of frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs, water fountains and faucets, etc. multiple times per day. On a weekly basis, each campus also performs electrostatic cleaning procedures that are designed to eliminate even more potential contagions. We are currently continuing these processes as an additional layer of precaution against Coronavirus.”

Additionally, the district is in contact and working closely with surrounding school districts in Ellis County, as well as the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Centers for Disease Control.

That ISD is monitoring communications from the Texas Education Agency, UIL, TXDSHS, and CDC for continuing guidance on dealing with this virus.

Should a need arise for the district to take action on any aspect of their health and safety plan, Ferris ISD will inform parents and families through all district communications channels and local media. Nurse Valerie Flores at Ferris Junior High will be happy to answer any parent or community questions regarding the district’s prevention of the virus in their schools, as are Ferris ISD district administrators.

The Ennis Independent School District has also put out a memo stating they are monitoring the situation locally and will partner as necessary with local governments and health care providers to prepare for and respond to any situation. That ISD is also reminding all students and parents to take precautionary measures and practice safe hygiene.

Globally, the world we live is not always as we know in the United States. While in the U.S. we have the luxury of practicing personal hygiene and the right means to do so, as a world traveler I have seen cases in which proper hygiene is not available or practiced. The case in point being China, which I suspect is also how the virus there has gotten so out of hand.

While the Coronavirus does have the ability to become critical, there are many organizations such as the World Health Organization and the Center for Disease Control that are doing all they can to stop the spread.

Speaking at a COVID-19 media briefing, Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the virus is capable of community transmission but can be contained with the right measures.

On Feb. 28, Dr. Ghebreyesus also stated in his daily COVID-19 press briefing there are more than 20 vaccines being developed globally, and several therapeutics are in clinical trials.

“But we don’t need to wait for vaccines and therapeutics,” he said. “There are things every individual can do to protect themselves and others today.”

For more questions, visit the Dallas County Health and Human Service Coronavirus Resources: https://www.dallascounty.org/departments/dchhs/2019-novel-coronavirus.php, State of Texas Department of State Health Services Coronavirus Resources: https://dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/#public, and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention – Coronavirus Resources: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

1. NO HANDSHAKING! Use a fist bump, slight bow, elbow bump, etc.

2. Use ONLY your knuckle to touch light switches, elevator buttons, etc.. Lift the gasoline dispenser with a paper towel or use a disposable glove.

3. Open doors with your closed fist or hip – do not grasp the handle with your hand, unless there is no other way to open the door. Especially important on bathroom and post office/commercial doors.

4. Use disinfectant wipes at the stores when they are available, including wiping the handle and child seat in grocery carts.

5. Wash your hands with soap for 10-20 seconds and/or use a greater than 60-percent alcohol-based hand sanitizer whenever you return home from ANY activity that involves locations where other people have been.

6. Keep a bottle of sanitizer available at each of your home’s entrances. AND in your car for use after getting gas or touching other contaminated objects when you can’t immediately wash your hands.

7. If possible, cough or sneeze into a disposable tissue and discard. Use your elbow only if you have to. The clothing on your elbow will contain infectious virus that can be passed on for up to a week or more!

Have stocked in preparation for the Coronavirus spread to the US:

1. Latex or nitrile latex disposable gloves for use when going shopping, using the gasoline pump, and all other outside activity when you come in contact with contaminated areas. Note: This virus is spread in large droplets by coughing and sneezing. This means that the air will not infect you!

BUT all the surfaces where these droplets land are infectious for about a week on average - everything that is associated with infected people will be contaminated and potentially infectious. The virus is on surfaces and you will not be infected unless your unprotected face is directly coughed or sneezed upon.

This virus only has cell receptors for lung cells (it only infects your lungs). The only way for the virus to infect you is through your nose or mouth via your hands or an infected cough or sneeze onto or into your nose or mouth.

2. Stock up now with disposable surgical masks and use them to prevent you from touching your nose and/or mouth. This is the only way this virus can infect you - it is lung-specific. The mask will not prevent the virus in a direct sneeze from getting into your nose or mouth - it is only to keep you from touching your nose or mouth.

3. Stock up now with hand sanitizers and latex/nitrile gloves for your family. The hand sanitizers must be alcohol-based and greater than 60% alcohol to be effective.

4. Stock up now with zinc lozenges. These lozenges have been proven to be effective in blocking coronavirus (and most other viruses) from multiplying in your throat and nasopharynx. Use as directed several times each day when you begin to feel ANY “cold-like” symptoms beginning. It is best to lie down and let the lozenge dissolve in the back of your throat and nasopharynx.