{"id":111491,"date":"2020-03-10T10:58:13","date_gmt":"2020-03-10T14:58:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/?p=111491"},"modified":"2020-03-10T10:58:13","modified_gmt":"2020-03-10T14:58:13","slug":"stirpe-prepare-dont-panic-in-face-of-coronavirus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/?p=111491","title":{"rendered":"Stirpe: Prepare, don\u2019t panic, in face of coronavirus"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"
Assemblyman Al Stirpe<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Ever since it was first identified in December, the number\nof 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases has been on the rise; however, while\nthe virus is indeed a serious public health issue, it is important that people\nnot panic. The way we are going to get through this is by taking logical\nprecautions, following the guidance of public health experts and supporting\neach other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The state government is working on measures to contain the\nvirus and limit New Yorkers\u2019 exposure. We just passed a bill delegating $40\nmillion in emergency funding to purchase necessary equipment and supplies, as\nwell as hire and train more health care workers to help combat the virus (Ch.\n23 of 2020). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has also authorized New York\nto test locally for COVID-19, meaning results are now possible within hours.[2]<\/sup><\/a> While my\nAssembly colleagues and I will continue to do our best to protect the health\nand safety of our constituents, I urge New Yorkers to take steps to protect\nthemselves against the virus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Individually, we can all take certain steps to protect\nourselves and our loved ones. The first step is the simplest: wash your hands\nthoroughly and regularly, especially after being in public places. You can\ncertainly use hand sanitizers, but soap and water are just as effective.\nSecond, avoid touching your face, especially mouth and nose, and make sure to\nwash your hands before doing so. You can also prevent the spread of this virus\nby covering coughs and sneezes with tissues and disinfecting frequently touched\nobjects and surfaces. If you have any cold or flu symptoms, stay home and rest.\nIf you develop the symptoms of COVID-19, which include coughing, shortness of\nbreath and a fever, it is important that you call your healthcare provider\nbefore seeking help in person.[3]<\/sup><\/a> They will be\nable to walk you through the proper precautions you can take to help prevent\nthe spread of the virus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is also recommended that you make sure your home is\nwell-stocked with food staples, household cleaning supplies and\nover-the-counter medicine, as well as at least a 30-day supply of any\nprescription medication; however, please resist the urge to stockpile\nunnecessary amounts of items that others may also need. Actions like this\nprevent everyone in our community from taking the necessary basic precautions.\nInstead, touch base with your neighbors and set up a local support network that\ncan share any needed commodities should these become scarce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we all prepare for potential challenges brought on by\nthis virus and the public reaction to it, I believe it is our civic\nresponsibility to help and support each other anyway we can. As your\nrepresentative in Albany, I\u2019ll also continue working to ensure the state is\ndoing everything we can to protect the health of our families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For updates and more information, visit the state Department\nof Health website at ny.gov\/coronavirus<\/a>\nor call the state Novel Coronavirus Hotline at 888.364.3065. Additionally, if\nyou have any questions or concerns about COVID-19, don\u2019t hesitate to contact my\noffice at 315.452.1115 or StirpeA@nyassembly.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> politico.com\/states\/new-york\/city-hall\/story\/2020\/03\/02\/cuomo-de-blasio-urge-calm-in-wake-of-new-yorks-first-confirmed-coronavirus-case-1264696<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> health.ny.gov\/diseases\/communicable\/coronavirus<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Ever since it was first identified in December, the number of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases has been on the rise; however, while the virus is indeed a serious public health issue, it is important that people not panic. The way we are going to get through this is by taking logical precautions, following the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":43068,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[23810,3,8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-111491","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wellbeing","category-local","category-top-story"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/111491","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=111491"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/111491\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/43068"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=111491"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=111491"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=111491"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}