Letter to the Editor / SCREENING FOR THE CORONAVIRUS

By Roger C. Kostmayer

There is broad public concern, nationally and locally, about the rapidly expanding coronavirus disease.  In part, this concern was caused by inept, inaccurate and what appeared to be self-serving political announcements.  In spite of the rapidly spreading and unchecked worldwide disease (in 60 countries just since January 15), the facts show there is no cause for panic.  Unless you are elderly, pregnant, medically frail or in a nursing home, you are in the 98% who are safe by using common sense prevention and mitigation practices.

Every community should be preparing for and anticipating protective actions, and Key West has been monitoring the situation since January.  Our primary vulnerability is tourists, guests and travelers who may be infected and not know it. Unfortunately, the government, scientists and the medical community haven’t yet solved some of the basic issues, like:  quick, available and accurate diagnostic tools – instead of just taking people’s temperature; an antidote to cure or prevent the disease; adequate respirators to meet the projected demand.

The huge cruise ships that arrive in Key West daily, and off-load thousands of travelers from all over the world, should be our major concern.  I’ve been told the screening of ship passengers and employees begins at booking and continues until disembarkation, but it’s not clear how effective this is, and it’s only the Coast Guard Commander who has the authority to restrict a vessel from docking.  Unless the cruise ships and the Commander convince us that they are conducting fool proof screening with military precision, why would we risk allowing cruise ships and passengers to keep doing business as usual?

Of course there would be an economic price to be paid by both the cruise ships and KW, but this is about doing the right things to protect the health and lives of everyone on the island.  So, wash your hands carefully for 2 minutes, follow the publicly announced protocols, and suspend cruise ship visits unless or until we confirm their screening process will protect us.

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