Sublette Commissioners hold Special Meeting on COVID-19
Goal is to slow the rate of spread of the disease
by Dawn Ballou, Pinedale Online!
March 13, 2020
The Sublette County Commissioners held a Special Meeting in Pinedale on Friday, March 13th to discuss possible responses to the Covid 19 virus. In attendance were Commissioners Dr. David Burnett, Mack Rawhouser and Doug Vickrey. Commissioner Joel Bousman listened on speaker phone. Commissioner Tom Noble was not present. The packed room included health care providers, staff from Sublette County Public Health, staff from the Sublette Center, staff and board members from the local Clinics and Rural Health Care District, Sublette County Sheriff’s Office personnel, representatives from the local town governments, media, and interested members of the general public.
Commission Chairman Dr. David Burnett said the purpose of the meeting was to discuss preparedness and precautions for the coronavirus epidemic. He said their actions were not about preventing the illness, but slowing down the rate it spreads. He said it was important to do as much as possible to not let our health care system become overwhelmed. He said the Commissioners were going to focus their efforts on making sure the Sublette Center, Rendezvous Pointe and Southwest Sublette County Pioneers Senior Centers have food and supplies available for 2 weeks and more for the needs of the population age 60 and over who depend on their services.
Kay Malkowski recorded the meeting with Facebook Live. The full meeting can be viewed on her Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/kay.malkowski/videos/10222044387560410/UzpfSTEzNDc4MTI0NDE6MTAyMjEwNjc2MDA4NjM1MDg/
Highlights of discussions:
- People over age 65 are more at risk from COVID-19 than young people. The big push now is for "social distancing." Large gatherings are being generally discouraged. Stay away from sick people. If you are sick, stay home. If your child is sick, keep them home. If you feel you need to see a doctor, call the clinic before you go. You will likely go through a screening process, which may take place over the phone or while you are in your car in the parking lot of the clinic and someone will come out and talk to you first. 80-85% of people who get the virus will only be mildly sick. 15-20% might get very ill with respiratory distress.
- Young people will impact the rate of spread of this virus. Even though they may not get very sick, they can spread it to others. This includes very young children through to young adults. Adults should be aware of their young children mixing with vulnerable populations and keep sick children at home and out of social situations where they can spread germs to others. Be cautious of their contact with grandparents and people with compromised health systems.
- With spring break coming and families traveling both nationally and internationally, there is huge concern over people mixing and spreading the disease to others. Young people age 20-30 seem to be well protected from impacts of the disease, but because of their mobility, they are big factors in spreading the contagion to others. Young people are key to slowing down the rate of spread of this disease because they are the big carrier group.
- "Social Distancing" is being encouraged. It is recommended that those people age 65 and older, or with health concerns, practice self-limiting regarding where they choose to go and who they come in contact with over the next several weeks (group meetings, church, restaurants, social gatherings, grocery stores, shopping). The contagious period is from 2-14 days from exposure. The peak of this pandemic may last into May.
- Hand shaking is no longer recommended.
- The Sublette Center in Pinedale has implemented a new policy no longer allowing visitors to the nursing home. Only people who have a medical reason are being allowed in to see residents.
- While there are no restrictions yet on gatherings or the size of group meetings in Sublette County, it is recommended that planners reconsider any recreational and social gatherings that might bring at-risk populations together where they might be exposed to the virus. Some venues, like the school districts, are already restricting group gatherings on the premises, including use of the large auditorium and cancelling school sports and field trips.
- Many people have already come forward and offered to help. If things get worse, a network of volunteers will be needed to help distribute food, supplies and medicines to people who are self-isolating while they are sick, assist those in need, and other tasks beyond the capability of current resources. The Lions Club, local church groups, and others have already stepped forward with offers to help. Anyone who would like to offer their help should contact Angie at Sublette County Public Health to get on a help list that matches their skills and desires. 307-367-2157. Emergency services personnel are putting together needs lists (things like people with medical skills, offering to drive and deliver things, people willing to make phone calls to check on sick people, etc.)
- People are encouraged to get stockpile supplies now of things they might need if they become quarantined for a week or more while ill. Check with your primary health care provider and insurance company to see if you can get a longer supply of essential medications now. Some things have already become in short supply in the local stores and online sources, like toilet paper, rubbing alcohol, some kinds of foods. If you aren’t already "2 weeks ready," as has been encouraged for years now, it is recommended you do what you can to stock up on supplies you need should the situation worsen and you need to isolate yourself or your family for a time.
- Once you have been sick from the virus, and then recovered again and no longer have symptoms, it is assumed you are no longer contagious. Most viruses die out in about 14 days, and also seem to quiet down once the weather starts to warm. This is a new virus, so health officials aren’t certain how it will behave like other versions of cold and flu-like viruses.
- Lots of helpful resources are being put into place to help people with needs get what they need as the community and nation works through this situation. The first point of contact currently is Public Health. This is a dynamic situation with things changing daily. Stay tuned to media sources for current information: Wyoming Public Health/CDC websites, Facebook pages, KPIN 101.1FM Radio, local newspapers. Please be as patient as possible and help out as much as you can to make it easier for everyone.
- Again, mitigation is stressed. The goal is to slow the spread of the disease as much as possible. There is no vaccine yet. There will likely be more cases in Wyoming and it will likely come to Sublette County. Practice social distancing (adults and kids), cover coughs and catch sneezes then wash hands often, clean and disinfect contact surfaces in public areas, stay away from others if you are sick, keep sick children home, do what you can to take care of your own needs and those of vulnerable people in your family and social network, do what you can to help slow the spread of this disease so the emergency health services don’t get overwhelmed.
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