Letter from Mayor Regarding COVID-19

Posted on March 10, 2020


Dear Colma residents and businesses owners,

As mentioned, the Town of Colma continues to closely monitor the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), which is causing an outbreak of respiratory illness throughout the world. The Town is coordinating with the San Mateo County Health Department and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to obtain the most current guidance related to COVID-19. The CDC is the lead agency within the United States Government tasked with responding to the outbreak of respiratory illness caused by COVID-19.

San Mateo County Health recently issued a statement strongly advising all non-essential gatherings should be canceled, postponed, or done remotely. While there is no definition of “non-essential” or “gathering,” it is our duty as a Town to ensure that our residents, and those that visit our Town, remain safe during uncertain times. To view the latest San Mateo County Health statement, go to www.smchealth.org/coronavirus.

As a Town, and out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to cancel a few upcoming senior programs through March 31, 2020, including:

  • The St Patrick’s Day Luncheon at the Colma Community Center scheduled for March 18
  • Pizza and Puzzles scheduled for March 16 & 23
  • Creekside Villas Activities scheduled for March 25

I want to assure all residents and business owners that the Town is fully prepared to respond should a case arise in Colma. In addition to our local preparedness efforts, the County of San Mateo and its Office of Emergency Services (OES) are coordinating their actions with the San Mateo County Health Department, the California Office of Emergency Services, and the CDC.

The County of San Mateo has opened a call center for residents with non-medical questions about COVID-19. Simply call 211 from your phone to be directed to this line.

Help prevent the spread of COVID-19:

While the immediate risk of this new virus to the American public is believed to be low at this time, everyone can do their part to remain healthy and prevent this virus from spreading. The CDC is recommending preparedness, not panic. We encourage everyone to take common-sense precautions to prevent the spread of all infectious diseases, including common illnesses like colds and flu.

  • Stop shaking hands
  • Avoid close contact with sick people.
  • Avoid touching your face, particularly your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible.
  • Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze.
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs.
  • Check out the following information on handwashing and hygiene:
  • If you feel sick with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, and have traveled to China, Italy, or Iran, or were in close contact with someone with COVID-19 in the 14 days before you began to feel sick, seek medical care. Before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room, call ahead and tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms.

Although no confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the Town of Colma, please keep in mind that we are still in the middle of peak flu season.

Sincerely,

 

John Irish Goodwin

Mayor of Colma

Letter from Mayor – PDF

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