Monday evening officials from first responders to school officials met at the Marion County school board office to discuss plans for the coronavirus response.
The meeting was conducted by Marion County Emergency Management Director Aaron Greer. Those in attendance at the more than hour-long meeting included county supervisors, Columbia Fire Chief Jeff McKenize, Lt. Davey Bass with the Columbia Police Department, schools superintendents Wendy Bracey and Jason Harris, Columbia Academy Headmaster Angie Burkett, Marion General Hospital Administrator Alaina Cedillo, Kevin Heurtin from AAA ambulance service and several volunteer fire department members.
“Correct information is the key to avoid panic and fear,” Greer said. "Most important thing is to wash your hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. If you have any symptoms, just stay home."
Cedillo said, “In addition to hand washing, don’t touch your face, one of those things we all have a tendency to do. As for alcohol sanitizer, it needs to be at least 60% alcohol. If it is less than 60%, it is not effective.”
Greer told the first responders to not be part of the problem and expose the firefighters and others to the virus. He said if they feel they have been exposed to self-quarantine and let someone know.
Heurtin with AAA said the ambulance service's dispatchers have a certain criteria they have to follow. If it is determined to be a COVID-19 case, first responders needs to stop responding. A paramedic will go into the house and examine the patient and determine if the patient is going to the hospital. This way, according to Heurtin, only one person will potentially be exposed to it.
The recommendation was made by Heurtin that if a person is calling 911 for respiratory issues for first responders not to respond; however, AAA will still come with an ambulance. He said for first responders to continue to answer calls involving heart problems, vehicle wrecks and anything else not respiratory related. First responders will be notified by AAA if they are needed on a respiratory call.
The discussion turned to the local schools. Bracey and Harris collectively decided that no decision would be made about any further school closures until Friday. Both public school districts are on spring break this week. Burkett advised Columbia Academy was going on a week by week basis; it has already extended its spring break into this week.
“Miss Bracey and I said we would wait until Friday because it changes every hour,” Harris said.
Harris said once school starts, there will be no visitors allowed and all deliveries will be screened. He also said his teachers had to report if they were going out of town during spring break. If students went out of town, they will be required to be quarantined for 14 days as a precaution.
Greer asked them about gatherings such as lunches and breaks. Bracey said they are working on that.
Greer also said the local governments need to determine who are essential personnel and that some may need to go home. He further said some courthouses throughout the state have already been closed except for some of the clerks.
Cole Robbins, chief of the Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department, stressed the importance of limiting exposure and not overrunning the health care facilities.
Cedillo recommends maintaining six feet distance between people.
District 1 Constable Krae Morgan said the best thing might be to put a sign on the door with a phone number and have people just call and take care of everything by phone to avoid any face to face transactions.
Cedillo said right now there is no treatment for the virus, so if the patient does not have a critical or a severe case, most likely the patients will be sent home for self-quarantine and self-monitoring.
Greer made the recommendation for the group to meet at least once a week for the time being.
