As we see this Coronavirus erupting nationwide and worldwide, I believe we need to be proactive in our leadership in discussing how we will handle an outbreak locally should we encounter such an event. We should be having discussions with citizens and community partners NOW with respect to how we will handle mass-transit if this virus spreads locally (e.g. staffing if drivers get infected, disinfecting plans of bus surfaces, etc.). We need to discuss preparations and steps we will take at all of our public facilities. We need to socialize our plan and we need to engage our stakeholders publicly on this.
But my biggest concern is what will our plan be for our jail? (We DO NOT have any infections in our jail at present, NO INFECTIONS)
But if we are put in the unfortunate circumstance that we have one or more infections in our jail--then we need to be prepared with a plan of how that will be handled--because that could become a problem of geometric proportion if it occurred. We need to be discussing this now, just as other communities are.
So therefore I have spoken with Janice Gilley this morning and sent her the below request to add an additional item to this week's committee of the whole for the express purpose of discussing our pandemic plan with relevant stakeholders and the general public.
I am not an alarmist, and I am not trying to panic folks--but we need to get ahead of this locally.
Now is the time to show proactive leadership on this topic----not after we have an issue erupt!
My email to staff:
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I am one member of a five person board. The opinions I express on this forum are mine only, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Escambia County Staff, Administrators, Employees, or anyone else associated with Escambia County Florida. I am interested in establishing this blog as a means of additional transparency to the public, outreach to the community, and information dissemination to all who choose to look. Feedback is welcome, but because public participation is equally encouraged, appropriate language and decorum is mandatory. Although this is not my campaign site for re-election--sometimes campaign related information will be discussed, therefore in an abundance of caution I add the following :
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15 comments:
Great proactive leadership. Just like at the meeting last week. Keep it up!
I notice you once again leave out your EMS leadership team. Having JD and Eric there isn’t the same thing. We realize our EMS is poorly led at the moment, but the EMS Chief should be there. After all they are the ones that have to move these patients.
Anonymous 5:13: Did you read the email? I sent it to the administrator and copied selected members of the leadership team. But with it sent to Janice--she will determine who it is from staff that will participate, and I can guarantee with 100% certainty that EMS will be a part of the conversation and present for the discussion. With the Pensacola patient dying, and with another case now identified in Okaloosa--we have got to share our plans for all our facilities with the public to give them a level of comfort that we have a viable plan to keep our employees and the general public safe. From the ambulances and fire trucks and the personnel that man these vehicles, to the Buses and operators of ECAT, to our community centers, libraries, and especially the jail--we have to discuss what will happen if this virus spreads more locally which I do believe it will. And hearing that the virus can last for days, not hours, on surfaces and carriers can be asymptomatic for longer than a week, and knowing this is a community with many that travel--all the ingredients are present for this thing to spread. So I want the administrative staff and directors to discuss all of the above with the board in view of the public at this meeting. Now is the time to be proactive--we certainly do not want to be reactive.
Hopefully all medical protocols are updated. Does Indest have to travel here for the COW? I hope not. Stop the ridiculousness. Escambia doesn't need people in leadership positions running off the dais or afraid to be a public servant in a political atmosphere, including the Administrator. No more blame shift from D2. It's a reflection back on him.
It might be a good time during the harassment policy portion to review the Florida Statutes for medical director and see why the two positions of the jail and EMS were rolled into one and is that a great idea going forward. It's time to eat that "frog" and report whether the DOH investigations were bogus or not and what is the status of the criminal investigation by FDLE. I tend to think mistakes were made but corrected. Own up to it/ and or apologize. We need some maturity in leadership positions.
It's really time to bury the hatchet and stop using public safety as a political football.
Really tired of the PNJ articles. Who ever is fomenting that garbage is not doing the area any favors.
And for sensitive leaders going into the drama blame shift mode--that needs to stop.
Your leadership and courage to cut through the chase is noted Commissioner Bergosh
We really need a well put together TEAM to be ahead of this novel corona virus, not only for the citizens but for the workers as well.
Hopefully billing is straightened out
Protocols are written
People are trained and licensed and ready to do the work necessary to keep ahead of this contagion.
Knowledge, forethought. education and a plan and ability to implement is now.
I don't see how the Administrator can refuse to add this item to the COW.
Brilliant strategy. Great timing.
Thank you for pushing for this, Commissioner Bergosh. Having a plan is not tantamount to being in a panic. Of course some people will try to politicize this also--pay no mind. Many people see that you often take on the burden of big County-wide lifts when something is really needed. I'm not sure why there hasn't been a more visible effort in regard to communicating with the public on this at the County, but Commissioner Barry's suggestion that the communications that higher-ups at the County are getting from DOH be sent along to the public via the list-serve and the Facebook page was also a very good idea. Did that get implemented?
Having almost died from lyme disease, personally I tend to shrug off The Next Pandemic. This one, however, seems different. Anyone who doubts that should call Italy.
One of the best comments on this I've seen was from Chorus Nylander, responding with reason and measure to Andrew McKay's multiple posts downgrading the importance of this strain:
"I respect your opinion and the right to have one so I mean no disrespect. I don't think anyone takes joy in this being a serious virus, I don't think it should be over sensationalized any reporting needs context and perspective but it's dangerous to downplay it as many people are. A man has just died in our own backyard and I am sure folks in China or Italy would not say this is nothing to worry about. Yes the flu is deadly, there is a list of many things that may claim more lives than this but it shouldn't be a competition. One death is one too many. We as a society generally have an understanding of how the flu works. There's a vaccine to take each season. Covid19 is not so well understood. I think it's disingenuous to argue over symantics whether or not it is a pamdemic or whether it will become one while it continues to spread as we speak with no vaccine. People need to pay attention to it because whether warranted or not it's going to have an impact on our lives one way or another. It could be a deadly mistake if the elderly or immunocompromised people just ignore it. Just my opinion."
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=2659039017710979&id=100008147201796
-Melissa Pino
Boy there are dumb people commenting on facebook unfortunately they are voters.
If a case occurs in the jail there will be a huge cost associating with cordon and quarantine for the budget.
Plus concerns about ACLU and the inmates. Deep subject.
With all the litigation how can MD focus? These are related. Checked the escambia court site on the harassment lawsuit.
The dysfunction is troubling.
What about the DOH citations and appeal?
So what's up with this letter from Underhill and running to WEAR again?
Harassment
Is the way he characterized it correct. I don't think so. Vintage Half truths and spin.
1) So some one issued certifications that may not have had their paperwork in order perhaps. Does that mean that's ALL the people alleged to have problems. Or just one and he is exaggerating to get ahead of the story and push a narrative from his D2 email at the county.
2) Does that mean a sole source procurement that hasn't been brought through the following channels is now ok
3) That a commissioner can call out a citizen by name alleging she fights any reform in the county. Defamation
4) That a commissioner can assemble citizens to coerce and extort the taxpayers to fund a Strategic lawsuit against public participation.
5) That he would use that as a means to attempt to make himself a hero and the rest of the board complicit in harassment..
When does it stop with this demented narcissist.
and you just happened to leave out the MD how convenient she should be included in this email chain since it's her license that allows care to be provided by the jail personnel as well you really have no clue as to chain of command do you why is this not a surprise this just speaks of your ill will towards the MD
you should really check out her credentials regarding this matter she's quite the expert but you choose to pick your players like your picking teams for dodgeball.
Undethill’s secretary, Jay U, raised 2k in the race against you. Not so good. Maybe black heart Blix J’Aimee is planning a PAC for him. Maybe she’d get Downs to contribute as penance for his 13 kids comment.
Anonymous 8:45--see my comment above, the one where I mention the fact that I sent this email to the administrator. If she believes it to be necessary, she will have her employee, Dr. Edler, attend the meeting. Anonymous 10:14....LOL. I saw the report, too. And it made me think of the Toronto press conference leading up to McGregor versus Mayweather--when Conor McGregor snatched Mayweather's "money bag" and said "That's It!?" "That's It?!--there's no money in here"!
And about the PAC--remember Jaimee doesn't give to politicians nor does she condone PACs........................(except for some that are not supporting Jeff Bergosh)
Hear tell some one bellowed like a madcow in the bathroom when they didn't get their way Thursday, and that it could be heard through the ventilation system in chambers.
Some of these young punks need to look up the you tube video graduation speech " You're Not Special" Bergosh it may cost you votes to not promise the moon like Owenhill but you are spot on. Even first responders laugh at the ridiculous rhetoric of IAFF.and poke fun at them.
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