Virus is causing uncertainty all across the United States
Much like everyone else, area elected officials are worried about Corona-virus (COVID-19).
On Friday, March 6, Highland Falls Mayor Joe D’Onofrio participated in a conference call with the county’s Department of Emergency Services and Health Department, as well as Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus.
“Basically they told us this is a very fluid situation, changing not just daily, but hourly,” D’Onofrio said.
D’Onofrio said that in addition to talking about basic prevention methods, the conference call taught him several things.
“Orange Regional Medical Center and Montifiore St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospitals have been designated as the hospitals to be used for persons with Coronavirus,” he said. He also said the county has given out over 20,000 masks to health care agencies and workers to use.
But, he said county officials urged anyone who thinks they might have been exposed to or have early symptoms of the virus to stay home and call their own doctors office before calling an ambulance or going to the emergency room, so that hospitals are not overrun, and the virus is not spread.
D’Onofrio added that municipal leaders like him were encouraged to do extra cleaning of their public buildings (“which we have been doing”).
“We were also urged to not panic, but keep on our radar big events in our futures,” the mayor said.
At last Monday’s Village Board meeting, D’Onofrio said he had no major advice to offer community residents beyond what they have seen on the news: “All I can do is remind people to number one, wash their hands; number two maintain social distance; number three, don’t touch your face; and number four, cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough.”
He noted that he, too, is in the “higher risk” group because of his age, so he’s very aware of the fear that can come from constant media coverage of the virus.
“If anyone, particularly our seniors, need someone to talk to to help settle their fears, or if they need other assistance, call me at Village Hall,” he said, noting the number is 446-3400.
School Districts Act, React
Local school district officials are handling the fallout from the virus on an “hour by hour basis,” Highland Falls-Fort Montgomery Central School District Super-intendent Dr. Frank Sheboy said.
Parents of students in the Cornwall Central School District received a letter last week telling them their children’s Spring Break will be extended an additional four days.
“Due to this public health concern and in an effort to be proactive in minimizing the impact to our community upon return of spring break travelers, the Cornwall Central School District will use the four remaining emergency closing days (i.e., Snow Days) on April 14, 15, 16 and 17.”
The Cornwall students last day of school will be Friday, April 5, and they’ll return to school on Monday, April 20.
The HF-FMCSD does not have an extended spring break (as of Tuesday, March 10), but is already urging families which are travelling over break to make sure to notify school officials of travel plans if they are planning to travel to “an affected area”, as determined by the CDC.
In its letter to families, the CCSD said officials are “strongly encouraging” families to complete a county health department form if they are traveling outside the United States, to a non-affected area or within the United States to a highly-populated area (i.e., amusement parks, etc.).
“In having information on other travel, it will help us in preparing for the return of students who traveled to areas that may later be identified as an affected area,” the Cornwall letter said.
Both school districts are working with the Orange County Health Department to ensure the safety of their students and staff. In the HF-FMCSD, Sheboy aid additional cleaning supplies and equipment have been purchased and are on hand, and schools are being disinfected on a routine basis. They are also, as is the CCSD, continuing to reinforce prevention measures in the schools, like hand washing and staying home when sick.
“As of now,” Sheboy said in a letter home on March 9, “we do not plan to cancel any large gatherings like athletic contests or play performances. That being said, we will remain responsive to the guidance we receive from our governmental public health partners, and we will continue to meet regularly in order to monitor our responses. We are prepared to implement public health recommendations as required.”
