
Ed. Note: NBC Washington reported: “2nd DC Firefighter Positive for Coronavirus, As Many as 100 Quarantined: Sources”.
Regarding the police – “Metropolitan Police Department Operational Adjustments During COVID-19”.
“Dear PoPville,
My cousin is a dc firefighter (I know we’re not supposed to start stories with that rn but it’s true!). Last few days have been hearing horror stories about all the non-emergency calls they’re still getting. Thankfully at the end of last week DCFEMS received protective gear + new protocols.
But… been spinning my wheels for how to help get out the message that we need to protect our first responders by not sending them into homes with potential CoVid19. We need to do this by not allowing non-emergency calls (ones with mild symptoms and not life threatening) to be answered by DCFEMS, possibly exposing entire firehouses and extra families to this virus. Can the city/mayor find a way to direct people’s 911 calls with flu-like symptoms elsewhere? Believe Uber is offering vouchers + there’s a nurse line to call for advice. How can we administer some sort of penalty for arriving at the home of someone who is not in fact experiencing life-threatening symptoms? (more…)