Local public officials urge preparation against Coronavirus

(ALBANY, GA)- While it certainly hasn’t hit our area yet, local officials are trying to make sure the public is one step ahead of a possible contamination of the Coronavirus.

Just ask City Commissioner, Jon Howard.

“I’m going to request again from both the City Manager and the Department of Public Health that we don’t wait until the next commission meeting on March 10th. They may need to do PR as soon as possible, to let them know that the virus is spreading…,” says Howard.

Over at the Department of Public Health, they’re urging people to prepare for this much like a normal flu season.

While they don’t want the public to panic, now is a good time to have plans set in place for a worst-case scenario.

Epidemiologist, Jaqueline Jenkins says, ”When people can think about what we can do to plan, and if we have a disruption to our daily routines because of the virus, then have a plan of action for your family, your business, what are your next steps? What would you do if?”

As local leaders look to inform the public about the virus, it can come down to simply staying at home.

”It’s very important that if you’re ill, if you’re symptomatic, stay at home, don’t go to work. And one of the things we should practice is to stay away from those who are symptomatic as much as possible,” says Jenkins

While the disease isn’t in Georgia yet, public leaders and public health officials want to make sure that the public can get informed and voice their concerns now.