March 18, 2020 Issue, Page 3 of 10

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Page 3 The Elk City News, Elk City, Oklahoma ‘Wednesday, March 18, 2020 to navigate through this by Coronavirus email. Elk City EMS medical of- He said precautions were any means. So I think it'll be ficer Kyle Chervenka said taken Friday in getting interesting how it plays out. first responders are keep- ready for the show and pa- I think it’s a 9/11 situation ing tabs on state and CDC Continued from page 1. everyone who contracts holding school after spring trons were encouraged to be in which our world is going guidelines and monitoring tioned earlier, we receive coronavirus will need hospi- break. diligent about washing their to probably going to look a the coronavirus situation to direction from the State De- talization, as the coronavirus “T think there’s some real hands and using hand sani- little different on the other see how it progresses. First partment of Health and ulti- would mostly affect those guidance coming out right tizer at the event. side of this.” responders have to be edu- mately the CDC on whether people who are older and now,” he said, as he looked “Today, our custodians City cated on knowing the right or not these individuals have other existing condi- at some information from have been here disinfect- Elk City City Manager questions to ask patients should go through that test- tions who will need hospital the Centers for Disease Con- ing solid surfaces includ- Lee Litterell said in an email who are ill. ing pathway.” care. trol and Prevention. “I think ing seats within the theater, Monday morning that the “CDC has guidelines for He said Thrusday it People who have no insur- there’s some real good infor- bathrooms and_ backstage city is “is seriously evalu- who should be suspected of wouldn’t be until the end of ance should seek medical mation that’s going to come areas,” Ediger said in the ating the coronavirus and last week or this week be- care from the hospital if they out hopefully on the other Friday email. “We will have our response at this time as having high probability of hand sanitizer on site for a community. We would having it and who shouldn’t, fore any facilities in West- think they were exposed or side of it that will be less so you kind of follow those ern Oklahoma have any type meet criteria, if they havepanic and more calculated workers and volunteers and encourage citizens to uti- VIP patrons who will be do- lize caution and follow the questions to see if they’ve of capability to test onsite. no other pathway for care, decision making. Hopefully ing a meet and greet after recommendations of the been exposed to someone GPRMC does have the abil- Lively said. by Friday, we can sort that ity to send off samples, and “That will help in the be- out. Spring break couldn’t the show and will encour- CDC.” He said, in response who traveled.” he said. it’s a 24- to 48-hour turn- ginning to get that person in have come at a better time.” age folks to not shake hands. to a question, that the city’s Once coronavirus _ be- around time now. the right place without put- Garrison said he could not One other minor but proac- emergency — management comes more of a problem out “But no facility has the speculate on events several ting any other individuals tive precaution we plan to plan does have procedures here — again no confirmed ability to test it locally and at risk throughout that pro- weeks in the future, such as implement tonight that is not that allow more stringent re- cases have been found here get any type of point of care cess,” he said. graduation. He hopes by Fri- usual is that tickets will be strictions if warranted. — dispatchers will start ask- or on the spot testing re- Lively should every action day he has some information not be handled between pa- Elk City Mayor Nick Ar- ing questions relative to CO- sults,” he said. taken going forward should the district can base its deci- trons and volunteers; patrons cher talked to the Elk City VID-19 when they receive a The hospital is prepared be measured and injected sions on and then go from will simply show the ushers Rotary Club Thursday and 9-1-1 call, so responders will to take coronavirus patients with intelligence, common there. The CDC released their ticket and the usher will said city officials have been know pertinent information from Oklahoma City or any sense and a fact-based ap- information Sunday recom- then escort the patron to his in contact with emergency before they arrive on scene, other place, he said. proach to how people seek mending that gatherings fea- or her seat.” management personnel with Chervenka said. “We always make sure we care and to not only ensure turing 50 or more people be Garrison said Elk City the state, county and CDC Elk City EMS Medical Di- have a plan for capacity and people maintain their health canceled or postponed for schools are in the same boat about protocols. No public rector Dennis Friesen said capability,” he said, adding and that of the community the next eight weeks. as everyone. gatherings had been can- “T've been doing this 31 celed here yet, and he said first responders recognize those are the two big tag but also “that if we are ex- The Chad Prather comedy words when hospitals look posed, we don’t go about in concert was held on district years, and I’ve seen various any decision to cancel any that the most susceptible at receiving patients from such a nature that we expose property last Friday, at the types of crisis and this is a event would be made among group are elderly people and other areas. “We are pre- a significant amount of peo- Kelli O’Hara Center of Per- new level of crisis that I’ve many leaders in the city, in- the places where they live — pared for that just as if we ple in our region.” forming Arts, but Garrison ever seen where [people] are cluding school and city lead- the four nursing centers in were prepared for any type Schools said the concert is a commu- calling off national events,” ers and other affected par- town. First responders will of outbreak that should hit Elk City and Merritt nity offering, as the Pioneer he said. “So, most definitely, ties. take special precautions to this community or this re- schools closed on Friday. Center is a joint city-school it’s a challenge, it’s not easy Elk City EMS protect senior centers. gion locally.” Elk City Superintendent entity. People should know what the symptoms are for coro- navirus as opposed to sea- Rick Garrison said he met with campus principals on Friday to discuss how the Justin Ediger, Elk City High School choir co-di- rector and Pioneer Center Health department sonal flu or allergies. [Please coronavirus crisis could af- director, said after he con- see graphic below.] They fect instruction. For now, sulted with Prather’s man- Continued from page 1. with others for up to 14 days after going to the bathroom; should also follow guide- the district took action on agement and took into con- ommendations. after travel. If people have before eating; and after lines of good hygiene and restricting activities until sideration that the impact Before one decides to go recently traveled to an area blowing your nose, cough- cleanliness, Lively said. If Sunday. has been minimal in this re- to a doctor’s office, he or she with ongoing spread and ing, or sneezing. Help young people have coronavirus “We've tried to contain gion, the decision was made should call ahead and dis- develops a fever and symp- symptoms, they should do some of our out-of-school to go ahead with the concert cuss symptoms, the health toms of respiratory illness, children do the same. a self-quarantine until they activities and travel over as planned. Health experts department recommends. If such as cough or difficulty 4. Stay away from people contact their health care pro- spring break with our sport- have issued advisories to people are sick with a fever breathing, they can call their who are ill, especially if you health care provider for rec- vider. ing events and activities,” he the public about avoiding or cough and have a higher are 60 and older or have un- crowds and using social ommendations, “It’s best to keep a level said. While students were risk for complications from The release from the derlying health conditions head and seek the appropri- out Friday, bus drivers did distancing measures. Social severe respiratory infections ate treatment,” Lively said. some deep, thorough clean- distancing refers to deliber- health department also said such as diabetes, heart dis- (age 60+, have a chronic “Certainly we are here for ing of buses while school ate action to reduce close if people have recently trav- ease, lung disease or a weak- medical condition or are everyone in need, but we custodians did their own contact with other people to pregnant), they can call their eled to an area with ongoing ened immune system. also don’t want individuals deep cleaning of surfaces prevent community trans- spread and you develop a fe- health care provider and ask 5. Avoid touching your to overrun health care facili- inside the school, such as ta- mission of COVID-19. ver and symptoms of respi- if they need to be evaluated eyes, nose, and mouth with ratory illness, such as cough ties or basic medical care.” bles and other areas that are “Yes, school was can- in person. Other people with or difficulty breathing, they unwashed hands. Part of what the hospital is frequently touched. celed but while a majority mild illness who are con- preparing for is the ability to should call their health care 6. Limit close contact, like The school district will of the Pioneer Center events cerned about their health can triage those individuals who await guidance from the are school related, the facil- provider for recommenda- kissing and sharing cups or call their health care pro- tions. think they have exposed to state, Garrison said. He ex- ity itself is a shared venue vider to discuss COVID-19 utensils, with people who coronavirus, vet those cases pects more information to with the city and with spring Here are 10 ways ways the testing and other possible and have a process to deliver come from the state Super- break being [this] week and public can help during this are sick. reasons for their illness, the crisis: 7, Clean and disinfect care appropriately. intendent Joy Hofmeister on after my visit with Mr Gar- health department said. GPRMC will have enough Friday, and then the district, rison, I felt comfortable that 1. Do not go to the emer- frequently touched objects The health care provider, beds available to meet the with guidance from the state, the event could still be held gency room unless essential. and surfaces using a regular in consultation with public demand of an influx of pa- will make some decision on with some safeguards put Emergency rooms need to be household cleaning spray or health officials, will deter- tients, Lively said. Not able to serve those with the what the district will do on in place,” Ediger said in an mine if the individual meets most critical needs. If you wipe. the proper case definition 8. Cover your cough or have symptoms like cough, Elk City PD arrests that warrants testing. The sneeze with a tissue, then fever or other respiratory testing is coordinated by the problems, contact your regu- throw the tissue in the trash. health care provider. lar doctor first. If you do not have a tissue, If someone has had close 2. Stay home when you are Elk City police made three less proven guilty. motor vehicel while under contact with someone with use your sleeve (not your sick, arrests March 12. Arrests and complaints: the influence of alcohol or COVID-19 during travel, 3. Wash your hands often hands). Healthy individuals All individuals arrested Joseph Martinez, 28, per- other intoxicating substanc- that person should be pre- with soap and water for at do not need masks; they are are presumed innocent un- sons driving or operating a es. (first offense). pared to stay home to self- monitor and avoid contact least 20 seconds, especially reserved for those who are Lamar Williamson, 37, ill to prevent the spread of operate motor vehicel under germs and healthcare work- “ElkCituNews CORONAVIRUS, FLU, COLD OR ALLERGIES? suspension/revocation/can- ers. 9. Face masks should only cellation. Do you have a fever? William Burns, 23, driv- be used by people who show USPS # 173-020 580-225-3000 ing under the influence of NO symptoms of COVID-19 to alcohol or in- help prevent the spread of Is published twice weekly by Beckham County Media, LLC toxicationg the disease to others. The 109 W. Broadway, Elk City, OK 73644-4736 Periodicals Postage Paid at Elk City, OK 73644 substance, purpose of a face mask is to first offens, prevent droplets from sneez- POSTMASTER: Send adress changes to 109 W. Broadway, Elk City, OK 73644 version one ing and coughing from be- Josh Umholtz SUBSCRIPTIONS Publisher coming airborne. Deliverd by mail: and two. Martinez $75/yearly Don Munsch 10. Stay informed. In- ‘$50/six months Editor formation is changing fre- No refunds on subscriptions. Brittany Howell quently. For more informa- Classifieds D’Ann Brasuell These are COMMON SYMPTOMS, which may vary from tion, view the CDC update editor @ ecdailynews.com sports @ ecdailynews.com Graphics Supervisor person to person. Only a doctor can give you a diagnosis. here: _https://www.cde.gov/ ads @ ecdailynews.com Neva Pyatt coronavirus/2019-ncov/ classifieds@ ecdailynews.com Advertising 000 NH summary.html.