Latest Updates

Mar 17

Written by:
3/17/2020 12:15 PM 

Hello NERO leader,

Please share this update with your NERO group members. THANK YOU for all you do for your neighborhood!

I want to let you know that the Vashon Emergency Operations Center (EOC) team and VashonBePrepared are currently activated to support Vashon during the COVID-19 pandemic, under the direction of Incident Commander VIFR Chief Krimmert. 

Activities include: sharing reliable information with the community, supporting island medical providers, facilitating groups that are organizing to support the community, and looking for ways to help island businesses weather the economic impacts of the pandemic. 

Team members are also communicating to King County Emergency Management with daily situation reports, so the county can more accurately include Vashon’s needs when communicating with Washington state agencies. We are following all guidelines for safety, including holding our meetings via phone and video, not in person.

Stay informed

Sign up for VoV alerts from the island’s Emergency Alert system: http://www.voiceofvashon.org/alerts

Follow VashonBePrepared’s COVID-19 web page: http://vashonbeprepared.org/covid-19

Check out WA Dept of Health https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/Coronavirus, PHSKC https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health.aspx and PublicHealthInsider.com for updated and accurate information. Washington's Governor Inslee is also publishing frequent updates on his website https://www.governor.wa.gov/

Avoid sharing misinformation. https://www.kuow.org/stories/help-fight-the-infodemic-don-t-repeat-a-coronavirus-lie

 

Individual

Self-isolate, as if you may already have the virus, to help flatten the curve https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/world/corona-simulator/

This will save lives by slowing the spread of infection, and spreading out the burden on healthcare, so that everyone who needs acute care can access it.

If you have symptoms, CALL your doctor. Don’t just automatically go to urgent care. For most people, the illness has been mild. Calling ahead will help conserve healthcare capacity because emergency rooms, the two island clinics, Vashon Island Fire & Rescue and MedicOne may get overwhelmed as the rate of infection grows.

Take care of mental health too. Here’s some good advice from UW Counseling Center  https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/uw-s3-cdn/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2020/03/10140856/Coping-with-COVID-19-Related-Stress5.pdf

 

Household

Stock up for 2 weeks of food, medicines, and other needs. Pretend that a major snowstorm is on the way http://vashonbeprepared.org/Are-You-Ready/Residents/Checklists

Remember the needs of children, pets, elders, and those with chronic conditions or special diets. Include broths, electrolyte drinks, a fever thermometer, and NSAIDS such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) to reduce fever, in case you or a household member becomes ill. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/high-risk-complications.html

 

Neighborhood

Take to heart the VashonBePrepared motto: "Neighbors Helping Neighbors."

Check on your neighbors, by phone or at a physical distance of at least 6 feet.

If you’re able and willing, offer to do supply runs for high-risk neighbors, so they can stay safer at home. Arrange to leave items outside their door, so you can avoid in-person hand-offs.

Update your contacts list with neighbors’ info, to allow for a phone tree, email group, or a Facebook group.

Update your contact info with me, if it has changed since your NERO formed.

Community

Consider volunteering - the need for volunteers is growing. Most opportunities will be teleconferenced, to reduce the spread of the virus. Specific tasks will be identified in the coming days and weeks. Email volunteer@vashonbeprepared.org to let us know any skills you’d like to use, and your areas of possible interest.

Send me your ideas and questions - we’re all learning.

 

Thanks

Vicky

Vicky de Monterey Richoux

Vashon Maury NERO Coordinator

nero@vashonbeprepared.org

President, VashonBePrepared

EOC Logistics Section Chief

650/273-2140 cell