Cedar Key Mayor Heath Davis, Vice-Mayor Sue Colson, and Emergency Management Director Robert Robinson met approximately 70 area residents at the Cedar Key Community Center yesterday, Tuesday, March 10, at 5 pm to share information about COVID-19.

Mayor Davis made clear that the city has no stance on City events presently, quelling the idea that upcoming events had been or will be canceled. He explained that should the need occur, clear, timely information would emanate from the city. The city’s protocol, much as with hurricane preparedness, is to follow Levy County Emergency Management planning and logistics.  

Director Robinson explained that he is in contact with Levy Emergency Management daily, often several times a day. After reading a host of information on the virus and having dealt with emergencies and sick people for many years, Robinson said, his best advice is to “Do what your mama always told you to do: stay home when you’re sick; wash your hands; cough into your arm; and don’t touch your face.”  

Robinson also advised leaving a bottle of hand sanitizer in the car to use after pumping gas or leaving a place where other people have been handling things. Robinson keeps the prophylactic in all emergency vehicles. Should sanitizer not be available, Robinson explained that audience members can make their own using alcohol.

Robinson stressed not panicking and using common sense. Should one experience a fever, cough, and shortness of breath, it is time to telephone a doctor. He also offered three websites that residents should consult:

Vice-Mayor Sue Colson, a registered nurse, added to Robinson’s words demonstrating that the proper washing of hands requires twenty to thirty seconds, the same amount of time it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song slowly and twice. She also advised everyone to have a thermometer in their home to monitor their temperature. 

Colson also spoke to business owners who can help visitors and employees feel safer and more comfortable. She suggested talking with employees about disinfecting surfaces, changing bedding, and taking care of themselves with frequent washing. She urged owners to take care of each other, their employees, and their guests.

Audience input was most valuable. Resident Dr. Mike Pfaller reminded the audience that the incidence of the virus will increase as more people are tested. He said, “expect that.” He advised remaining aware and echoed Robinson’s non-panic message. He further reminded the audience that the “test is not immunity”; instead, it is a reading of one’s health at the moment one is tested. When asked, Pfaller responded that the virus can last a few minutes to nine hours.

According to the Journal of Clinical Microbiology, Michael A. Pfaller “is an accomplished physician, educator, and researcher in the areas of antifungal agents and resistance, epidemiology of bacterial and fungal infections, and the role of the clinical microbiology laboratory in hospital infection control.”   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3553891/

Several handouts from Florida Health and the Centers for Disease Control were offered to the audience.

******