STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Talk of the coronavirus becoming an issue for Staten Islanders has turned from hypothetical situations to preparation, as the virus continues to spread and the number of confirmed infected patients rises.
Public schools across the borough are sending home letters with students, advising parents of precautions and best practices for stay safe and germ free.
Families with pre-scheduled vacations are discussing cancelling travel plans.
Some airlines have gone as far as contacting those with already-booked flights to offer refunds and travel vouchers should they chose to cancel their plans out of fear.
Pregnant women and those with compromised immune systems who are more susceptible to illness have been staying indoors and avoiding crowded places.
There have been no confirmed cases in New York City yet, however, the city Department of Health announced on Twitter Thursday night it was investigating one person who reported symptoms after traveling to Italy.
Hours later, city Health Commissioner Oxiris Barbot announced the investigation of a second person.
The federal government expanded its criteria to test for #COVID19 to include Iran, Italy, Japan and South Korea. As a result, we have now identified another person in New York City to test for the virus. https://t.co/HaRFxUSvmu
— Commissioner Oxiris Barbot (@NYCHealthCommr) February 27, 2020
“Viruses don’t respect our borders and this broader definition will help us cast a wider net to detect the virus,” Barbot tweeted, adding the federal government expanded its testing criteria to Iran, Italy, Japan and South Korea.
Because of the expansion, Barbot said, it’s expected that the number of cases in New York under investigation is expected to grow.
Closest to New York City is Long Island, where there are 108 individuals in voluntary isolation, according to news reports.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said current global circumstances suggest it is likely that the coronavirus will cause a pandemic.
HOW YOU CAN PREPARE FOR A PANDEMIC
Households should have at least a two week supply of food and water for each member of the family.
The Department of Homeland Security also recommends having any necessary prescription drugs, as well as nonprescription drugs and health supplies like pain relievers, stomach remedies, fluids with electrolytes, cough and cold medicine and vitamins.
Each family member should also have electronic and physical copies of health and pharmacy records.
Preparations should also include a conversation about who and where a family member will be cared for in the event they contract the illness and are in need of care.
FACEMASKS AREN’T NECESSARY FOR HEALTHY PEOPLE
The CDC said people who are not sick do not need to wear a face mask.
“You should only wear a face mask if a healthcare professional recommends it. A face mask should be used by people who have COVID-19 and are showing symptoms. This is to protect others from the risk of getting infected,” the CDC said on its website.
The CDC said certain types of facial hair can prevent a face mask from working properly and released out an infographic showing which styles are safe and which could prevent the mask from being effective.
BEST PRACTICES FOR PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF GERMS
The CDC said the best way to prevent the spread of a virus and prevent illness is to avoid exposure to the virus.
Best practices to prevent the spread of respiratory illness include:
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and dispose of the tissue afterwards
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
- Wash hands often and properly with soap and water
- Disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects
- If you think you might be sick stay home and limit interaction with others