From the Department of Health: Caring for Loved Ones

The Washington State Department of Health provided the following information today regarding COVID-19 and caring for your loved ones.

*COVID-19 Update, March 27, 2020*

Good evening! The state Department of Health wants to keep you as informed as

possible about continuing developments surrounding COVID-19, as well as to provide

guidance and resources you can share with employees, clients, or customers.

*Caring for loved ones*

Many of us are worried about or trying to take care of loved ones who are at higher

risk for getting very sick from COVID-19. Today we released guidance for taking care

of someone who is at high risk or is already sick with respiratory illness. If you

are caring for someone who is well now, but at higher risk of getting very sick from

COVID-19, there are some steps you can take now.

1. Contact their healthcare provider to ask about getting extra necessary medications to have on hand in case you and your loved one need to stay home for a prolonged period of time. If you cannot get extra medications, consider using mail-order for medications. Ensure you have enough medical supplies (oxygen, incontinence, dialysis, wound care) and create a back-up plan for getting more.

2. Make sure your loved one has non-perishable food items on hand.

3. Determine who can care for your loved one if you become sick. Stay in touch with others by phone or email. You may need to ask for help from friends, family, neighbors, community health workers, etc. Create an emergency contact list.

We have also included in this guidance practical strategies to reduce your risk of

getting sick while caring for someone even if you don't have access to standard

personal protective equipment (masks, gloves, gown). These strategies are not as good

as using the standard equipment, but they may help to reduce your risk of getting

sick, and are better than nothing. This guidance is available on the WA Department

of Health website

https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/NovelCoronavirusOutbreak2020/HealthEducation in 26 languages (under Information for families caregiving for loved ones).

*Numbers*

We've had so many tests reported lately, it slowed down our reporting!

Keep checking our website for updates. Our most recent numbers show that 52,738

people in Washington have been tested for COVID-19. Of those, 3,723 people or about

7% have tested positive for COVID-19, and 175 have died of the disease.

*Practice compassion.*

Check in on someone you know who is balancing care of an

inter-generational household. How could you help?

Stay home and stay healthy!

*Department of Health call center:* 1-800-525-0127,6 a.m. to 10 p.m, seven days a week

Pandemic or no pandemic, we are here for you.

West Mason Fire is a primarily volunteer district. We each have our own reasons for volunteering, but regardless of the reason, it all comes down to you - the citizens we serve. You are our neighbors, our families, our friends.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought on many changes and plenty of uncertainty. One thing that hasn't changed is our commitment to serve you. We are here for you and your loved ones no matter the time of day, weather, or pandemic situation.

Mason County's COVID-19 Response update for today, March 25, 2020 is included below. The best sources of accurate information regarding the pandemic can be found at:

- Mason County's website: http://www.co.mason.wa.us/COVID-19/index.php

- WA State Dept of Health: www.doh.wa.gov

- CDC: www.cdc.gov

- Mason County Public Health Information Line: 360-427-9670 x 599

- State Coronavirus Website: https://coronavirus.wa.gov

If you are home with your children or grandchildren, now is a great time to involve them in fire safety activities. Check your smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, and fire extinguishers. Help your children draw your home fire escape plan including a meeting location. Then, test out the plan with a fire drill. Here's some guidance from the NFPA for creating a fire escape plan: https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Staying-safe/Preparedness/Escape-planning

It's also a great time to start thinking about wildfire prevention. We've only had a handful of days with sunshine this year, but wildfire season will be here before we know it. Smokeybear.com has some excellent learning resources for children (K-middle school) to learn about preventing wildfires, fire science, and the history of smokey bear, including resources for educators. For older children and adults, NFPA’s Wildfire Division provides information, knowledge, and tools to reduce the risk of wildfires: https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Fire-causes-and-risks/Wildfire

Wishing you all the best!

More Flooding Expected: What you need to know

Announcement from Mason County All Hazard News 1/29/2020:

"REMINDER:

Mason County Emergency Management wishes to remind the upper Skokomish Valley residents that the evacuation route using Green Diamond 800 Road is not available and will remain closed due to landslide damage. We suggest sheltering in place or remain vigilant to the river levels and leave the area prior to the closing of the Skokomish Valley Road. Emergency services personnel WILL have access to the upper valley area.

Please use the following website to keep up on the Skokomish River water levels:

https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=sew&gage=srpw1

If you have not already signed up for Mason County's emergency alerting system (AlertSense), you can at:

https://public.alertsense.com/SignUp/?regionid=1187 "

If you are active on Facebook, Mason County All Hazard News is a centralized page to receive updates on hazardous conditions throughout the county.

West Mason Fire cares about your safety. Please remember to not drive through flooded roadways or past "road closure" signs. Stay safe and dry!