What About Masks to Protect Against Coronavirus

In every image we see of people in countries suffering active community transmission, they are wearing masks.  So, I contacted a community colleague, Kevin McCulley, a public health professional, for some direction.  His comments and suggested links are below:

Expect masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE) to be unavailable, until manufacturing is spooled up. Remember that even if masks become available, many manufacturers are limiting distribution to healthcare partners and first responders only.

Businesses Taking Action

Some businesses are taking measure of the Coronavirus and creating plans to minimize possible impact on business, customers and employees.

Below is a public letter from Eric Smidt, Owner and Founder of Harbor Freight Tools.

“As communities begin to feel the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19), I want to share with you the steps we’re taking at Harbor Freight Tools to help protect the health and safety of our customers and associates, which is always our top priority.

COVID-19 Air Travel Information

The airline industry is under great pressure to meet the essential travel needs of Americans while not contributing to the transmission of the Coronavirus

This is not a promo for United Airlines, but it may be helpful if you are traveling. All airlines, I am certain are following these standards. Reprinted from UAL announcement.

“Our teams are in daily contact with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), federal agencies and other global health organizations to share the most up-to-the-minute information to ensure the actions we're taking are comprehensive and appropriate.

The Coronavirus - What We Can Do

Along with our annual flu, we are hearing a great deal about the Coronavirus (COVID-19). It has surfaced in the US and is expected to occur in all states.

What should we do now in our homes, schools and workplaces to stay healthy?

Basic Hygiene is essential and is something we can control.  Be strict about following these suggestions to prevent transmission:

Your Emergency Kits Revisited

The new preparedness standard is 120-hours.  Initially 72-hour kits were the recommendation.  Then the last few years it became a more realistic 96-hours.  At present, professional responders strongly recommend each person/family needs to be prepared to meet their essential needs for a minimum of 5 days and 5 nights.  We are told not to expect outside help reaching our communities in a major disaster for 120-hours.  They know this from reviewing the aftermath of many national major disasters.

How to revamp 96-hour emergency kits?  Add an additional day of water, food and medications to your Emergency Kits for each member of your household.

Don’t Take Your Water Heater for Granted

Do you know anyone who has had to redo their basements because of flooding caused by a failed water heater?  I know two families in the midst of the painful steps of recovering from this household disaster.  Let’s learn from their experience.

Because most water heaters are often tucked away in the basement, garage or an outside closet, we forget about them as long as we have sufficient hot water at command.

When did you last inspect your water heater?  It should be done annually.  As time pushes against the suggested life of this appliance, inspect more frequently.  If you are beyond the common life span (usually 7 years), pay attention.

Consider having a trusted plumbing professional do that inspection --- not every vulnerability is visible to the untrained eye.  For example, a failing temperature or pressure relief valve (that helps prevent a water heater burst) could fail.

120 Hour 5 Day Plan

For many decades the professionals urged us to prepare a 72-hour emergency kit in a backpack, for each member of our household. 

Five years ago, when the Salt Lake City S.A.F.E. Neighborhoods catastrophic disaster program was expanded to include all of Salt Lake County, we began educating everyone to refresh, update and expand their 72-hour kits into a supply of essentials that would serve each family member for 96-hours – that’s 4 days and 4 nights.