Washing Your Hands of COVID-19

The Del Webb residential community in Huntley has a history of enduring not only medical crises, but wars and recessions. They are survivors and they lead the way in presenting a tough exterior for whatever comes into focus from the media spotlight. Now the focus is on coronavirus, known as COVID-19 and what is called the protocol of social distancing.

While medical researchers are working on vaccines for COVID-19, medical administrators recognize our most vulnerable as seniors and health compromised individuals, health care workers, and first responders. The researchers are working on a quicker turnaround process of testing for coronavirus. To protect the elderly and others with chronic health problems, Dr. Laura Buthod, medical advisor for the McHenry County Department of Health suggests that anyone in McHenry County with cold symptoms should assume they have COVID-19.

“That means staying home and monitoring your symptoms. Stay away from other people. Get rest and stay hydrated. Wash your hands and clean all common surfaces often,” Buthod said. She noted that if symptoms worsen, “call a healthcare provider. They will direct you where you should be evaluated and decide if testing is needed.”

We have in the past relied on the medical community to come through as they had for such diseases as cancer and diabetes. They are at the forefront of work on Alzheimer’s Disease and now coronavirus.

Sun Day is focusing attention on the Del Webb residential community in Huntley and how Huntley Police and Fire Protection are working within the community in connection with COVID-19. Sun Day is also looking at Northwestern Medicine for its impact on Del Webb. Dr. Irfan Hafiz, infectious disease specialist and chief medical officer at Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital said Northwestern Medicine is prepared.

“When it comes to a pandemic, the public’s role becomes more important than ever. Community members who help us slow the spread of COVID-19 will give us a chance to provide more patients the highest level of care over time. If hospitals have a sudden influx of patients who need critical care, it will be much more difficult to guarantee the resources available for every patient,” Hafiz said. Northwestern Medicine recommends older adults who experience symptoms of COVID-19 call (312)-47-COVID, Northwestern Medicine’s hotline for virus-related questions. The staff will ask a series of questions and help a person understand what they should do next. “During this time of social distancing, continue with daily activities that boost your immunity. Exercise, eat well, and communicate with your network of friends through phone, social media, or letters. It’s a great time to take up a new hobby. This isn’t a time for worry, it’s a time for improving your overall health and wellness,” Hafiz said.

Just as Northwestern Medicine is rescheduling some elective surgeries and updating the visitor policies to reduce the number of people who enter their hospitals, Huntley Police are taking direction from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Illinois Department of Public Health. Besides social distancing and frequent hand washing, Huntley Police suggest limiting travel. Deputy Chief Michael Klunk notes that the Huntley Police Department is fully staffed and ready to answer the needs of the Huntley community.

“We’ve taken steps to reduce the threat of contagion by using telephone reporting, social media dissemination of information, and keeping patrol officers readily available for in-progress and emergency situations,” Klunk said.

At Del Webb, some residents may require non-emergency help and should call (847) 515-5311 and assistance can be provided in several ways. If seniors have trouble keeping enough food in their home, the deputy chief has a few suggestions. “Several food delivery companies are available to Huntley residents for Jewel, Walmart, and restaurants within the area. While dining inside restaurants was prohibited as of March 17, several carry out options have been available. Additionally, almost all neighborhoods within Del Webb,Sun City belong to Neighborhood Watch groups. These groups are a great way to network and help each other meet needs within the Sun City community,” Klunk said. Remember that 9-1-1 is always the procedure for emergencies. Non-emergency calls and inquiries can be called in to (847) 515-5311. Klunk wants to make sure residents at Del Webb and throughout Huntley know the law enforcement functions and responsibilities have not changed due to the current pandemic. “While service calls may be handled differently, depending on the severity of the issue, the basic protection and 24 hour service remains. The Huntley Police Department has the added responsibility to help pass the message of the current conditions of the community and provide guidance to those that may not be able to receive timely updates by other means. The vast majority of information is relayed by traditional media (such as Sun Day) and by social media,” Klunk said.

The Huntley Fire Protection District seconds the Police Department on 9-1-1 calls.

“If it is a true emergency, calling 9-1-1 is the right thing to do…but please do not call 9-1-1 for flu like symptoms, call your physician and consult with them in regards to your symptoms,” Lieutenant Eric Bentley, director of Life Safety said. Examples of non-emergency calls include but are not limited to: theft reports, damage to property, and fraud. At Del Webb, the Huntley Fire Protection District says what qualifies for higher risk are people with serious chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease.

The Huntley village staff continues updating what is a fluid situation. The managerial staff says it has plans in place for a smooth running of village services, especially in the event of staff shortages. Hand sanitizing stations are at the municipal complex and the building maintenance crews continue cleaning and sanitizing areas that are frequently touched. If you have a water and sewer bill payment, you can go online for the payment program, the automated bill payment program, or by cash or check in the drop box. The drop box is at the front of the Municipal Complex.

The reality of coronavirus has taken time to settle into our psyche. State and local health officials told us we shouldn’t shake hands or that we should remain a comfortable distance from others. This was just the start of a change in our behavior. Seeing the results of “panic shopping” certainly opened our eyes. Didn’t take long to hammer home the idea that some individuals took more supplies than they truly needed which left less for others at least until store managers posted signs, “one package of toilet paper per customer.”

Just as Facebook can be used to spread panic, Facebook can be a source of inspiration. Underneath one of the not so subtle photos of how we’ve negatively reacted to coronavirus by hoarding toilet paper is a suggestion. Someone suggested that stores could open early for seniors to buy food. Seniors could be the only ones in the store and they wouldn’t have to face the prospect of getting bumped by possibly faster moving people going up and down the aisles. Limiting exposure to someone possibly sneezing or coughing on a senior at the supermarket is a worthy comment. Another Facebook suggestion asks people to help out restaurants and bars closed for dine-in customers, though open for drive-thru or curbside pickup only. Maybe you could buy a few restaurant gift cards. Whether these suggestions are plausible or not, the mere suggestion offers us the good side of humanity…just as we read about the comments of people being pleasant to each other in the current times of uncertainty.

From all the negatives has risen a list of positive aspects on how we are dealing with our daily lives in the face of COVID-19. Several observations were listed and among them is one that can be very good depending of course on a few factors. Families are spending more time together. With the closing of schools, restaurants, movie theaters, etc., families are probably talking more. This can be a good thing. Maybe more accurately, this has the potential of being a good thing. We are focusing on washing our hands thoroughly. Some say 20 seconds of thorough washing is recommended…others say one or two minutes, but the point is that we as a society generally spend very little time protecting ourselves against germs. The best and easiest way is to thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water. We’re more aware of using tissues for sneezing and covering our coughs. We are concerned for our neighbors, friends, and family and show more initiative in reaching out to those considered most vulnerable. When supplies such as food and paper necessities are in short supply, we step back from being the throwaway society we’ve become. We waste a lot less food and we check to make sure family members and friends have enough food and water and other needed products.

Through this whole ordeal, Sun Day wants to recognize the hard work of all the people working at food stores, trying to stay ahead of demand for food and supplies. The truckers that bring in the merchandise in high demand are working around the clock. The workers at service stations are doing a job to keep them open for us to fill our gas tanks if we have to go somewhere. The hospital workers, those dedicated to our medical welfare are working very hard to get us through.

Visit the McHenry County Department of Health at www.mcdh.info, and follow them on Facebook and Twitter for more information about coronavirus and how you can protect yourself and your family.

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