Dear Colleagues,
We have received a number of inquiries and understand the public concern about the Coronavirus. This message is intended to provide you with helpful information about the current health status of this disease. It also provides tips on how the cultural community can both assure audiences with reliable information and help work to prevent transmission of this virus and any respiratory disease (for example, the flu).
Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez and representatives from the Florida Department of Health had a meeting this week that provided the sources for this information.
Florida and Miami-Dade County
The good news is that, as of today, there are no confirmed cases of the Coronavirus in the State of Florida. The County, in partnership State Department of Health and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is taking a proactive approach to prepare for possible Coronavirus cases. Particular attention is being paid to ports of entry, airport and seaports, as they receive large numbers of individuals who may have been infected abroad. Since the County’s cultural community hosts so many individuals at its many facilities and events, we wanted to share with you best practices to avoid and address transmission of the Coronavirus.
Posting Helpful Signs Regarding Prevention
You can post signs reminding your staff and patrons on tips to prevent the spread of Coronavirus. The CDC has developed tips in English and Spanish.
CDC flyers (especially, the “Stop the Spread of Germs” posters) in English and Spanish that you can post can be found at:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/communication/factsheets.html
Best Practices for Preventing Illness
The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus. The virus is thought to spread mainly from close person-to-person and possibly from contact with infected surfaces or objects. The following actions help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases:
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
• Stay home when you’re sick (don’t allow sick employees to come to work)
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces (especially cell phones) using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including the Coronavirus. Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of Coronavirus to help prevent the spread of disease to others.
We encourage you to make available hand sanitizer to your employees and patrons and wipe down touchable surfaces often with cleaning spray and wipes.
Symptoms and Follow-up
Symptoms of the Coronavirus are like the flu: fever, cough, shortness of breath. At this time, the CDC, believes symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure. If you suspect that an employee or someone at your facility or event is sick, they should be physically moved away from others and return home. From home, they should immediately contact their medical provider or nearest hospital to schedule a visit.
We hope this information helps. We want to remind you that there is no immediate cause for alarm, but now is a good time to begin implementing the good preventative habits (frequent hand washing, surface cleaning, no face touching, etc.).
Here are links to the County’s and the CDC’s pages on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), which have more information:
Ongoing updates from Miami-Dade County:
www.MiamiDade.gov and click on “Coronavirus”
General information:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Information specifically for employers:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/guidance-business-response.html
Michael Spring
Senior Advisor to Miami-Dade County Office of the Mayor and
Director, Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs