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Top Springfield Health Official Says 'Decisive Action' Is Planned To Mitigate Coronavirus Threat

Springfield Commissioner of Health and Human Services Helen Caulton-Harris and Mayor Domenic Sarno held an info session about the coronavirus at the Hungry Hill Senior Center.
WAMC

     Officials in the largest city in western Massachusetts are taking what they describe as a “measured response” to the coronavirus. 

     Earlier this week, at the first in a scheduled series of informational meetings targeted to seniors, Springfield Health and Human Services Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris said people should not fear the coronavirus.

  " In the city of Springfield we are trying not to overreact, but we are taking decisive action," said Caulton-Harris.

    People over 60, a population considered at risk for becoming seriously ill if they contract the virus, should take precautions, Caulton-Harris said.  Her recommendations: frequent and proper hand washing, avoid public transportation, keep a distance of six-feet, or so, from others at social gatherings, and stay home if you are sick.

   " We are giving very prescriptive information that applies to seniors," said Caulton-Harris.

   As to whether to attend events, Caulton-Harris said it comes down to “common sense and good judgement.”  The same advice she said she gives to the many people who have called her office wanting to know if they should cancel a scheduled gathering.

   " I've asked them to look at the geographics and the demographics of who may be coming to their events." said Caulton-Harris.

  With no confirmed, or suspected, cases of Covid-19 in Springfield, the city is going ahead with several traditional St. Patrick’s Day events next week including lunches for seniors, a mass, and an Irish flag raising at the City Hall esplanade.

  It is a fine line when it comes to protecting seniors from a potentially harmful virus and putting them in social isolation, according to Sandy Federico, the city’s Director of Elder Affairs.

  She said all scheduled activities, including daily luncheons, are still being held at the city’s Raymond Jordan Senior Center.

"We have not curtailed our activities, and that is not to say it may not change," said Federico. She said the center will follow the guidence of public health officials and "use common sense along the way."

  There are more frequent cleanings of the center’s program areas and restrooms, according to Federico.

   At the meeting this week at the Hungry Hill Senior Center, people asked a lot of questions including is it safe to go to the casino?  What about the supermarket?  Should a younger family member still take a planned flight to Florida?

   Elizabeth Golon said the session was “informative” but not completely reassuring.

   " It is always on the news and it doesn't stop, so I don't think I can really be put at ease,"  said Golon.

         Mayor Domenic Sarno has announced he will hold a series of “situational updates” with city department heads and local health care providers to inform the public about the latest steps being taken.

  The first of these is scheduled for Monday, March 16 at 10:15 a.m.

         

  

  

  

The record-setting tenure of Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno. The 2011 tornado and its recovery that remade the largest city in Western Massachusetts. The fallout from the deadly COVID outbreak at the Holyoke Soldiers Home. Those are just a few of the thousands and thousands of stories WAMC’s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill has covered for WAMC in his nearly 17 years with the station.
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