DAY TWO ENDS …
513 COVID-19 TESTED
May 1, 2020
May 1, 2020
Thursday and Friday, April 30 and May 1, were busy days for many folks in Cedar Key. Truly a community effort, the COVID-19 testing involved many committed, generous, and flexible individuals dedicated to getting some 513 individuals tested. Moreover, they managed to keep people comfortable, shaded from the sun, comfortable in chairs, and less anxious while they waited to be nasally swabbed and bled.
Under the leadership of Dr. Andrew Kane, and Cedar Key's Dr. Bev Ringenberg and nurse Sue Colson, this operation took less than a week to orchestrate. An impressive feat. They would be the first to tell the reader: they had help.
The group that made this experience a flawlessly executed two days of testing deserve recognition. Cedar Key News regrets that not every name is noted.
CEDAR KEY AREA VOLUNTEERS
Ringleader Bev Ringenberg, as she so ably does annually for the Old Florida Festival of the Arts, gathered a consummately able, gracious, accommodating group of assistants.
Ringleader Bev Ringenberg, as she so ably does annually for the Old Florida Festival of the Arts, gathered a consummately able, gracious, accommodating group of assistants.
Eight individuals helped set up the tents on Wednesday evening. Those great •eight folks set the tents up again Thursday morning after the wind and the rain tore down Second Street through the night and early morning hours. And, of course, they were there to remove the tents on Friday afternoon. Joe Hand, Dug Lindhout, and six more were the team.
Twelve "streetwalkers" directed the car and foot traffic around the six-block area. They directed people to lines, adjusted parking spaces as appropriate, helped older folks from cars, replaced older people into cars, answered endless questions, and completed myriad other tasks. Maureen Magee, Robin Gilles, and ten others comprised the team.
Four "superheroes" worked two days of near eight-hour shifts and walked up and down Second Street hundreds of times. They personally escorted 513 persons from short waiting lines and delivered them to triage areas. They ran errands, and solved problems for coordinators Bev Ringenberg and Sue Colson. Nancy Sera, Becky LaFountain, Allison Nelson, and Donna Thalacker comprised the team.
The "police," keeping people from driving down Second Street at State Road 24, were Jim Wortham and Dell Weible.
UF PROFESSIONALS
All medical professionals that the Cedar Key News staff met was extraordinarily personable, engaging, and consummately desirous of making their patients comfortable while enduring testing. Most expressed wishing to return to Cedar Key to visit. Staff wishes they could have met all.
All medical professionals that the Cedar Key News staff met was extraordinarily personable, engaging, and consummately desirous of making their patients comfortable while enduring testing. Most expressed wishing to return to Cedar Key to visit. Staff wishes they could have met all.
Shands Pediatric Anesthesiologist Dr. Taran Sangari provided comforting words and delightful conversation while drawing blood in front of the Island Hotel. Some whose blood he drew asked about his residency which he readily shared. Before one knew it, blood had been drawn.
Having just received her master’s degree in epidemiology, Nana Seneadza asked the many questions on the detailed questionnaire. Some learned that she is West African, and Nana means “Princess” in her native land.
Anesthesiologist Cameron Smith, Dr. Smith, from Ontario, Canada, drew blood in the City Park and worked with medical students Madi Turcotte and Serena Martin, who performed the nasal swab and the questionnaire consult. Smith completed his Acute and Perioperative Pain Medicine here at the University of Florida then joined the staff.
Having just received her master’s degree in epidemiology, Nana Seneadza asked the many questions on the detailed questionnaire. Some learned that she is West African, and Nana means “Princess” in her native land.
Anesthesiologist Cameron Smith, Dr. Smith, from Ontario, Canada, drew blood in the City Park and worked with medical students Madi Turcotte and Serena Martin, who performed the nasal swab and the questionnaire consult. Smith completed his Acute and Perioperative Pain Medicine here at the University of Florida then joined the staff.
CITY STAFF
Working closely with coordinators Ringenberg and Colson were city staff members: Police Chief Virgil Sandlin, Fire Chief and Emergency Operations Director Robert Robinson, Public Works Director Michelle Petersen, City Clerk Crystal Sharp, Receptionist Telicia Winfield, and Building Clerk Jennifer Sylvester. Petersen’s staff James Custer and Brian Hancock were critical to the operation. "Amazing, they were," quipped Ringenberg.
STATIONS
Thanks go to the businesses that provided shelter and shade in front of which the medical stations did their work: the Cedar Key Library, Cedar Key Arts Center, Drummond Community Bank, the old Island Arts, 1842 Daily Grind, Pelican Realty, General Store, Bonish building, Keyhole, Cedar Inn, the Cedar Key Community Garden, old Capital Bank building, and the Island Hotel.
Truly a community effort.
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