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 in teleconferences, 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/…/help-fight-the-infodemic-don-t…
Individual:
Self-isolate, as if you may already have the virus, to help flatten the curve https://www.washingtonpost.com/…/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/…/Coping-with-COVID…
Household:
Stock up for 2 weeks of food and other needs. Pretend that a major snowstorm is on the way http://vashonbeprepared.org/Are-You…/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/…/spec…/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.
Contact us below and we’ll get you the email for volunteering.
