To our Meadows and Cooper Spur Mt. Resort families,
On Friday the Oregon Health Authority confirmed Oregon’s first, presumptive case of novel coronavirus, COVID-19. Here's a link to that announcement.
In anticipation of the virus being found in Oregon, we at Meadows and Cooper Spur have been reviewing CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) and WHO (World Health Organization) recommendations both preventive and responsive actions. You may have noticed the posters and messaging on our resort TVs detailing these precautions the past few weeks (read the poster above). We have ordered free standing hand sanitizer stations that you will soon find at different locations in our lodge in addition to the stations we’ve always provided. We are supplementing our regular lodge sanitizing performed by our janitorial team with increased wiping down of surfaces with disinfectant, particularly in high traffic areas.
According to health professionals, the virus is transmitted through sneezes, coughs, and contaminated surfaces. Symptoms can include fever, cough, and shortness of breath and can last 14 days after exposure. To our guests and team members alike, if you experience any of these symptoms, please seek medical attention. If you’re feeling sick you shouldn’t come to the resort and risk spreading the coronavirus (or any other sickness) to others.
We're not trying to scare you away. In fact, being outdoors on the side of a mountain schussing down your favorite run might be the best thing for you, considering you're probably wearing a face mask, goggles and gloves. But we take our guidance from the WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus from his opening remarks at yesterday’s media briefing.
“Our greatest enemy right now is not the virus itself. It’s fear, rumors and stigma. Together, we are powerful. Containment starts with you.” -- WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Here are some basic things WHO says we all should know:
- As we keep saying, clean your hands regularly! Wash your hands vigorously for 20 seconds with soap and water, or with an alcohol-based hand rub. Touching your face after touching contaminated surfaces or sick people is one of the ways the virus can be transmitted. By cleaning your hands, you can reduce your risk.
- Clean surfaces regularly with disinfectant – for example door knobs, light switches, keyboards/touch screens, kitchen benches and work desks.
- Educate yourself about COVID-19. Make sure your information comes from reliable sources – your local or national public health agency, the WHO website, or your local health professional. Everyone should know the symptoms – for most people, it starts with a fever and a dry cough, not a runny nose. Most people will have mild disease and get better without needing any special care.
- If you cough or sneeze, do it into your sleeve, or use a tissue. Dispose of the tissue immediately into a closed rubbish bin, and then clean your hands and sleeve.
- For everyone, if you feel unwell, stay at home and call your doctor or local health professional. He or she will ask some questions about your symptoms, where you have been and who you have had contact with. This will help to make sure you get the right advice, are directed to the right health facility, and will prevent you from infecting others.
- If you are sick, stay at home, and eat and sleep separately from your family, use different utensils and cutlery to eat.
- If you develop shortness of breath, call your doctor and seek care immediately.
- If you are over 60 years old, or if you have an underlying condition like cardiovascular disease, a respiratory condition or diabetes, you have a higher risk of developing severe disease. You may wish to take extra precautions to avoid crowded areas, or places where you might interact with people who are sick.
- It’s normal and understandable to feel anxious, especially if you live in a country or community that has been affected. Find out what you can do in your community. Discuss how to stay safe with your workplace, school or place of worship.
And we would like to add, your place of recreation. Stay informed. Stay healthy. We’ll see you soon at Your Mountain Home.