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COVID-19 (Cornavirus)

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1. I think I have COVID-19, what should I do?

Symptoms	Action
Flu-like symptoms Low-grade fever	Call your doctor or other medical facilities. Follow their directions.
High-grade fever Difficulty breathing Chest pains Other life-threatening signs and symptoms	Call 9-1-1

Please remember that emergency responders can not diagnose in the field. All individuals arriving at the ER are treated first - on the severity of their symptoms and second - on the order of arrival.

2. What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Symptoms of COVID-19 may appear 2-14 days after exposure, range from mild to severe, and include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of Breath

3. Where can I go to be tested?

• If you are a close contact of someone with COVID-19 or you are a resident in a community where there is ongoing spread of COVID-19 and develop symptoms of COVID-19, call your healthcare provider and tell them about your symptoms and your exposure. They will decide whether you need to be tested, but keep in mind that there is no treatment for COVID-19 and people who are mildly ill may be able to isolate and care for themselves at home (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/testing.html).
• Currently, some medical centers/hospitals are putting in place temporary testing facilities. Please consult with your physician for further information.

4. How does COVID-19 spread?

Current understanding about how COVID-19 spreads is largely based on what is known about similar coronaviruses. The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person. COVID-19 can spread:

• Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
• Via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes (droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs).

A person may get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their mouth, nose or eyes. Surface or object exposure is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

5. How can I help protect myself?

There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19, so the best way to protect yourself from illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus. Everyday preventative actions can help mitigate the spread of respiratory viruses including:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• 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 such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, etc. daily using regular household cleaning sprays or wipes according to the label instructions.
• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • 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 hands are visibly dirty.
• Community-based interventions such as social distancing and creating employee plans to work remotely can help slow the spread of COVID-19.

6. Should I wear a facemask?

Not everyone needs to wear a facemask, but there are some individuals that should. Follow the CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask:

• CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
• Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).

7. What should I do If I get sick with COVID-19?

If you are sick with COVID-19 or suspect you are infected with the virus, follow the steps below to prevent the disease from spreading to people in your home and community:

• Stay home except to get medical care.
• Separate yourself from other people and animals in your home.
• Call ahead before visiting your doctor.
• Wear a face mask when you are around other people or pets and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes.
• Clean your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid sharing personal household items.
• Clean all ‘high-touch’ surfaces daily.
• Monitor your symptoms and if placed under active monitoring or facilitated self-monitoring, follow instructions provided by the local health department.

8. Are the Executive Orders issued by Governor Greg Abbott and County Judge Chris Hill consistent with the local state of disaster issued by Mayor George Fuller?

Yes. Please see the Third Revised Declaration of Disaster for Public Health Emergency signed 03/25/2020.

9. Are there exemptions from the mandated gathering limits?

• Refer to the Essential Services section of outlined in Shelter in Place Ordinance webpage and the Mayor’s Third Revised Declaration of Local Disaster for Public Health Emergency 03-25-2020.
• In all such settings, the city recommends following social distancing recommendations and personal hygiene measures such as hand sanitizer and tissues should be provided when possible.

10. How will adherence to the Shelter in Place Ordinance be enforced?

Various departments, such as Code Services of the City of McKinney will respond to complaints regarding declaration compliance. The McKinney Police Officers will not contact community members solely on the basis of determining whether or not their travel is in violation of the Mayor’s Emergency Declaration and Shelter in Place order. Community members are encouraged to voluntarily comply with the Mayor’s order.

For more information on compliance and penalties, refer to Mayor’s Third Revised Declaration of Local Disaster for Public Health Emergency 03-25-2020.

11. If I want to report a violation of the Shelter in Place Ordinance, whom should I call?

• To report a complaint between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., please contact Code Services at 972-547-7400
• To report a complaint after regular business hours, please contact the non-emergency public safety line at 972-547-2700.

12. Why is the City Council meeting still on when there are gathering restrictions, aren’t we setting an example?

To maintain a continuity of government operations, the McKinney City Council and its necessary attendees shall be exempt from this restriction for scheduled public meetings, whether a regular, work session, special or emergency meeting.

13. What is the City of McKinney doing to prepare for COVID-19?

The city is participating on daily conference calls with the Texas Department of State Health Services, disseminating current information and guidance to internal and external stakeholders, and communicating with local partners including Collin County Health Care Services and McKinney ISD. City departments are proactively reviewing protocols and personnel are participating in webcasts conducted by health experts and attending regional meetings and trainings regarding COVID-19. McKinney Fire/EMS is coordinating EMS efforts with Medical Control and local healthcare facilities.  The city is analyzing and modeling various scenarios with internal departments and partner agencies fostering proactive discussions and strengthening response plans.

14. What cleaning measures does the City of McKinney take for COVID-19?

The City of McKinney uses commercial-grade cleaners and sanitizers at its facilities that meet or exceed the CDC’s recommended guidelines and are proven at killing COVID-19. All high-touch surfaces in heavily trafficked areas of our facilities are routinely cleaned and disinfected.

15. I want to donate goods to help my community, where do I start?

If you want to help out the community by donating food, toiletries and other supplies, contact Volunteer McKinney. 

During this time, Volunteer McKinney is coordinating services for non-profits in the city. Volunteer McKinney will send you and your gifts to where hey are needed most right now.

Ph: 903-253-6746

Email: edie@volunteermckinney.org

Website: https://volunteermckinney.org/

16. I think my business falls into an essential category by definition but I’m not sure if it’s safe for me to stay open. What should I consider?

If your business is considered essential by definition, to stay open you must be able to follow approved social distancing guidelines as outlined in Section 8.

17. What qualifies as a sanitation station?

A sanitation station should include resources that allow patrons to sanitize their hands and/or shopping carts/baskets prior to being served. Resources can include, but aren’t limited to, a handwashing station, hand sanitizer, diluted household bleach solutions, alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol, and most common EPA-registered household disinfectants should be effective.

18. Does the City’s Shelter in Place Ordinance conflict with the County’s order?

No. The County’s Order does not address shelter in place or conflict with McKinney’s Shelter in Place Ordinance. Consequently, the McKinney shelter in place provisions should be followed within the city. See Section 10 of the McKinney Shelter in Place Ordinance.