March Madness Fremont 2020

    Here in my hometown of Fremont, we are in the middle of our own March Madness.  Last March it was the floods - this March it is the Corona Virus.  Unfortunately, a woman participated in a special Olympics event at our local YMCA at the end of February.  
    She had returned from a trip to England just days before playing in the basketball tournament.  She came in contact with players on her team and on other teams.  She came in contact with coaches, referees and other staff members in charge of the event.  A few days later, she became ill and visited her physician.  It is my understanding that she was told to return home.
    Eventually she was taken to the hospital when her breathing became labored.  There she tested positive for the virus and was moved to a containment unit at UNMC, but not before exposing several health professionals to the illness.
     I feel sorry for this woman and her family, as I feel terribly sorry for all of those stricken with this virus around the world.  It is unfortunate that this exposure happened, but I do believe it was inevitable.   
     Our local government and school officials acted quickly to minimize the risk of further exposure.  Midland University students who volunteered for the sporting event have been asked to self quarantine and students are completing classwork online.  
     A scheduled spring break for local schools was started earlier than planned.  The local library and senior center were closed for cleaning.  Local nursing homes and assisted living centers are closed to visitors as a precaution.  
    Spectators at the special Olympic event have been asked to self quarantine for 14 days.  Hopefully these safety measures will reduce the amount of new cases, but it is hard to predict how successful any precautions will be - time will tell.
    Around the country, more cases are being reported.  Testing is still an issue.  Although there have been assurances that test kits will be available, testing has not been available to all who need it.  
​     While I am disappointed at the Federal response to this health emergency, I am confident that local officials are acting in the best interest of the people they serve. 
     It is up to each of us to take responsibility for our own health.  Educate yourself and pay attention to the scientists.  Washing your hands often, drinking lots of water, coughing into your elbow, staying away from large crowds, staying home if you are sick, choosing not to fly... those are decisions that you make given the most current information possible.  
    This particular virus is a nasty one.  It is easy to spread.  It has shown itself to be deadly to the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions.  Protect yourself and your loved ones.   As my friend Dean Jacobs recently stated on Facebook (I am paraphrasing) "We got through the floods last year Fremont, we will get through this"...  yes we will!