COVID-19 Preparedness Statement

Saturday, February 29, 2020

Our team at the Atascocita Fire Department continues to closely monitor the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) nationally and on a state level. Local or community spread is unpredictable at this time, so we want to ensure that our community has good information and is prepared should the situation change. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests now is the time for communities to start preparing. This is not to say that a need to rush out and stockpile supplies is necessary, but a healthy dose of precaution is definitely in order. We want our neighborhoods to stay healthy and be in the know from official sources, like Harris County Public Health (HCPH) and the CDC. Our goal is to provide proactive preparedness information so that our neighbors know they have access to real-time, local information.

Rest assured that your fire department is connected with the agencies that are on the frontline of this situation. We are involved in informational meetings and conference calls daily and stand ready to serve the community of Atascocita.

Below are tips from the CDC that could help residents stay up to date and informed on the latest COVID-19 developments and proactive prevention measures:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, and certainly if your commute includes public transit.
• 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 your hands are visibly dirty.
• Face masks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The purpose of a face mask is to prevent droplets from sneezing and coughing from becoming airborne.

Subscribing to official updates from the CDC is strongly encouraged. Sign up here: www.cdc.gov/Other/emailupdates/

For all official news and updates, please regularly visit the CDC & HCPH websites: www.cdc.gov and http://publichealth.harriscountytx.gov/

Respectfully,

Michael D. Mulligan

Chief of Department

Atascocita Fire Department

Harris County ESD No. 46

O: 281-913-4806

C: 281-731-6896

• COVID-19 Preparedness Statement 030420.docx