by David Miller, Editor and Publisher
I visited the Loveland Safety Center yesterday to discuss some ideas I had about preparations the community might make to alleviate the spread of Coronavirus COVID-19 if the virus comes to Ohio. We also discussed ways to ensure that the public would have faith that public officials have prepared, have plans in place, and are on top of the current situation. I also wanted to make sure that lines of communication between the Department and Loveland Magazine remain open and clear.
I know I was personally satisfied when I saw how quickly and immediately Loveland/Symmes Township Assistant Fire Chief Tom Turner pulled up “Bookmarks” on the Department’s computer with links to the Center for Disease Control, the Ohio Department of Health, and County Departments of Health. Tom knew where to immediately find the latest information and talked about how often each day he is visiting the sites for the most current and accurate information.
Deputy Fire Chief Mike Books was also in the meeting with a wealth of information about the planning and preparedness of the Department.
One of the things Books asked if Loveland Magazine would do for them was to remind the community about their Senior Med Programs so that those who might be most vulnerable if Coronavirus COVID-19 hits Loveland, our “Seniors”, would be adequately protected and cared for. The Department wants to be ahead of the curve in protecting them.
Seniors especially may already have compromised immune systems from medical treatment such as chemotherapy and they are encouraged to sign up for the free Senior Med Program.
The Senior Med Program has been in place for a long time, however, the Department wants to ensure that word of the program is publicized and promoted so the “Seniors” and friends and family of “Seniors” as possible – know about it. That’s where you, the friends and family of “Seniors” play a much-needed role at this time. Books and Turner emphasized that this is needed protection during every flu season, not just now when people have concerns about Coronavirus COVID-19.
Tell your “Senior” about the program and get them enrolled immediately. It’s a FREE program offered to Seniors.
Your “Senior” may need help from a son or daughter getting them signed-up.
Our area religious congregations are always especially good caretakers for Seniors. Please tell those caregivers about the free Senior Med Program.
The Department also has a similar program called Pedi Med Program to ensure the safety of our “special needs” children in the area. Read about it HERE. The Pedi Med Program gathers information from parents of any medical conditions that may be encountered either at school or while at home. This information is collected and entered into a database kept in emergency vehicles, accessed only by Fire department personnel, and with Northeast Communications (911). Each child is assigned an individual number that corresponds with their medical history, and the information can be reviewed by responding emergency personnel.
Thank you, Tom and Mike, for sharing your valuable time.
The Senior Med Program
