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From YouTube: Public Health Precautions
Description
Mayor Walsh and public health officials discuss steps being taken for a safe and effective response, if needed, to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (nCoV). There is no confirmed case in the City of Boston at this time.
This press conference begins at the 8:40 mark.
A
Thank
you.
Thank
you
very
much
for
being
here
today
this
afternoon,
I'm
joined
by
leaders
of
the
Boston
Public
Health
community,
as
well
as
the
Boston
City
Council
I'll,
just
introduce
a
few
people
that
are
here
with
us,
so
you'll
know
really
near
as
interim
director
of
the
Boston
Public
Health
Commission,
dr.
Jennifer
Lowe
medical
director
at
the
Public
Health
Commission
who'll,
speak
in
a
few
minutes:
mari
martinez,
chief
of
health
Human
Services
Jimmy,
Huli,
chief
of
Boston
EMS,
dr.
A
Sophia
Dyer
from
the
medical
director
of
the
Boston
EMS,
we're
also
joined
by
city,
councilors,
Braden
and
city
councilor,
nice
rossabi,
George
who's
with
us
today.
We're
gonna
do
is
just
have
a
few
words
here
and
then
we'll
open
up
for
questions
afterwards,
too.
We
also
have
other
members,
sorry
other
members
of
the
Boston
Public
Health
Commission
that
are
here
with
us
today,
but
for
the
press.
What
we'll
do
is
we
will
we'll
go
through
our
presentation
and
then,
after
that,
we'll
take
questions.
A
I
want
to
just
first
express
my
deepest
sympathies
for
anyone,
who's
been
impacted
by
the
corona
virus
throughout
the
world.
It's
a
serious
issue
and
in
Boston
we
want
to
send
love
and
support
to
the
cities
that
are
being
hit
the
hardest.
As
we
can
see,
we
see
on
the
news
as
of
right
now
there
are
no
confirmed
cases
in
Boston.
That
being
said,
we
are
making
sure
that
we
take
every
single
precaution
to
keep
our
city
safe
and
healthy
public
health
agencies
trained
to
respond
to
infectious
diseases.
A
We're
constantly
assessing
potential
threats
and
we'll
be
ready
in
the
case
of
a
virus
does
appear
so
it
doesn't
spread.
The
Boston
Public
Health
Commission
in
our
office
of
helping
Human
Services
are
working
extremely
close
together.
The
Boston
Public
Health
Commission
has
set
up
an
internal
incident
command
system
to
help
partners
at
state
and
local
and
federal
levels
to
communicate
and
coordinate
any
efforts
that
are
happening
here
in
the
Commonwealth.
A
That
will
continue
to
be
a
resource
for
healthcare
providers
and
as
well
as
community
partners
in
this
time,
we're
especially
grateful
to
have
the
best
hospitals
in
the
world
right
here
in
the
city
of
Boston.
We're
in
that,
we
are
in
the
best
position
to
respond
if
the
virus
does
spread
to
the
United
States.
Everyone
has
a
role
to
play
in
keeping
our
communities
healthy.
I
want
to
remind
everyone
that
the
city
of
Boston,
the
City
of
Boston,
to
respond
safe,
we're
in
the
heart
of
flu
season.
A
It's
always
important
to
exercise
caution
and
some
of
the
things
that
people
kind
of
take
for
granted.
I,
don't
think
of.
We
want
people
to
constantly
make
sure
they're
washing
their
hands
cover
your
mouth
when
you're,
coughing
or
sneezing.
If
you
feel
sick
and
it's
something
that
affects
you,
the
best
bets
to
stay
home
and
take
the
day
off
and
in
treat
treat
that
treat
the
common
cold
just
in
case
and
wanna
make
sure
you
keep
people
safe.
We
also
want
to
aim
what
the
same
with
schools
for
our
school
a
child.
A
A
Boston
is
certainly
a
city
with
a
big
heart,
which
means
that
we're
always
looking
out
for
our
neighbors
and
people
who
need
something
that
we
take
pride
in
I
want
to
again
just
think
this
first
responders
and
health
professionals
in
our
city
every
single
day.
All
you
want
they're
working
to
prepare
for
any
challenges
that
come
their
way.
We
thank
them
for
their
service
to
our
city,
for
helping
to
keep
Boston
strong
and
the
the
main
reason
between
about
today
is
to
make
sure
that
we
get
as
much
information
out
about
the
corona
virus.
A
I
know
that
in
some
cases
the
the
news
have
been
reporting
it
and
it's
been
worldwide
and
it's
been
kind
of
a
sensational
story.
You
know
we
want
to
do
get
some
of
the
facts
out
here
in
the
city
of
Boston
to
make
sure
people
feel
safe
and
as
moving
forward.
So
without
further
ado,
I'm
going
to
hand
you
off
to
dr.
Jennifer
Lowe,
the
medical
director
of
the
Boston
Public,
Health,
Commission,
who's,
going
to
say
a
few
words
and
then
after
dr.
B
Think
you're
on
for
being
here,
first
of
all,
I
just
want
to
reiterate
what
the
mayor
said
right
now,
we
have
no
confirmed
cases
of
a
2019
novel
coronavirus
in
the
city
of
Boston
and
the
risk
to
the
general
public
is
low.
And
again,
as
I
mentioned,
we
bphc
Boston
Public
Health
Commission
is
setting
up
an
internal
command
internal
incident
command
to
ensure
that
we
have
the
best
coordination,
collaboration
and
communication
across
all
of
our
partners.
B
We've
activated
the
BPHC
incident
command
plan
to
coordinate
the
response
through
this
incident
command
will
track
and
compile
all
the
latest
information
and
reports
from
all
the
agencies
regarding
any
concerns
about
the
novel
coronavirus
and
will
serve
as
a
resource
for
providers
and
partners.
By
sharing
these
situation,
reports
of
the
information
that
we
collect
within
bphc
is
with
and
with
all
of
our
partners.
B
B
There's
ongoing
communication
between
bphc
our
partners
from
CDC
the
Massachusetts
Department
of
Public
Health
and
massport,
which
runs
Logan
Airport
bphc,
is
working
with
Logan
on
safety
protocols
for
passengers
and
staff
that
go
to
the
airport
on
regular
basis.
The
Commission
is
prepared
to
support
any
evaluation
or
treatment
of
suspected
cases
or
significant
contact
to
these
cases.
B
Bphc
has
also
proactively
been
advising
our
key
partners
and
collaborators:
the
medical
Intelligence
Center
and
the
infectious
disease
Bureau
at
BPHC,
distributed
advisories
to
the
public
health
and
health
care
providers
to
universities
and
the
public
safety
community.
These
advisories
include
best
practices
for
clinical
evaluation,
diagnosis
and
testing
for
this
virus.
A
PhD
is
infectious
disease
bureau
also
hosted
a
number
an
informational
session
for
university
health
centers
in
the
area.
B
Bphc
is
working
to
keep
the
public
informed
by
creating
and
disseminating
educational
materials,
posting
them
on
our
web
site,
sharing
them
with
social
media.
All
this
information
is
available
through
3-1-1
and
the
mayor's
health
line.
We
have
also
been
sharing
it
with
our
partners
at
well
as
well,
and
you
can
always
reach
out
to
six
one,
seven,
five,
three,
four
five,
six
one.
B
One
with
any
questions
again,
I
just
want
to
reiterate
what
the
mayor
said
about
the
signs
and
symptoms
of
corona
virus,
it's
very
similar
to
the
flu,
and
we
are
at
the
heart
in
the
heart
of
flu
season,
so
fever,
coughing
or
shortness
of
breath.
Those
are
the
symptoms
that
are
described
with
relationship
to
corona
virus.
Those
are
the
same
symptoms
that
she
would
have
with
a
flu.
B
So
your
best
bet
right
now
is
to
protect
yourself
against
the
flu
and
all
viruses
that
that
were
subjected
with
this
turning
30
this
time
of
the
year
again,
wash
your
hands
cover
your
mouth
when
you
cough
or
sneeze
stay
home,
if
you're,
sick
and
just
take
care
of
yourselves
on
a
regular
basis,
I'm
gonna
introduce
you
fully
now.
Thank
you.
C
So
Boston
EMS
is
in
close
coordination
with
the
city
and
state
partners,
including
our
public
health,
health
care
and
public
safety
partners.
They
are
the
first
responders
who
could
be
called
upon
on
marijuana
calls
we've
learned
so
much
from
previous
infectious
diseases.
We
rely
on
the
expertise
of
the
CDC
to
guide
us
in
our
best
practices.
In
the
past,
Boston
EMS
has
successfully
stood
up,
heightened
awareness
monitoring
in
response
postures
facades,
MERS,
h1n1
flu,
as
well
as
some
other
emerging
infectious
diseases.
C
We've
taken
the
necessary
steps
to
be
prepared
for
a
safe
and
effective
response,
and
this
includes
having
adequate
personal,
protective
equipment
for
our
crews
and
procedures
to
disinfect
our
equipment
and
amulets
'as,
so
they
can
be
safely
back
in
the
services
services.
Nobody
has
to
worry
about
any
kind
of
cross-contamination
or
infection.
We
have
long-standing
standardized
infection,
control
procedures
that
have
served
as
well
and
from
all
the
research
and
the
guidance,
the
procedures
that
we
have,
the
disinfectant
solutions
that
we
use
are
adequate
to
cover
this
situation.
C
That
could
be
suggested
to
that
we've
added
in
questioning
specifically
about
travel
history
to
wuhan,
respiratory
illness
or
fever,
and
if
that
is
the
case,
we
enter
that
make
sure
we
pass
it
on
to
the
crews,
and
we
would
you
know,
be
alerting
the
hospitals
if
we're
taking
anybody
who,
we
believe
has
to
be
placed
into
isolation,
the
most
highly
skilled,
clinicians,
their
practice,
trained
and
equipped
for
infectious
disease
prevention
and
control,
and
you
know
to
be
to
beat
the
same
problem
as
everybody
else
again.
We
our
flu
season.
C
So
if
we
do
get
calls
for
people
with
fever,
respiratory,
yes,
it
could
be
something
new
and
novel,
but
it
no
more
likely
would
be
the
flu.
That's
that's
among
us,
and
but
that
doesn't
mean
we
shouldn't
worry.
We
still
want
people
to
take
care.
Take
care
of
themselves,
isn't
too
late
to
get
vaccinated
for
the
flu.
You
know
flu
itself
kills
I,
don't
know
what
a
number
of
Americans
every
year,
particularly
people,
who
are
maybe
older,
have
some
other
chronic
diseases
or
immunocompromised
or
some
of
the
very
young.
C
Our
number-one
thing
to
protect
our
personnel
is
still
hand-washing
flu
vaccine
and
wiping
down
the
interior
of
our
equipment
and
truck
after
every
single
call,
so
that
we
don't
spread
it
among
ourselves
or
the
public,
and
so
following
those
procedures
at
home
will
serve
you
well.
If
you
have
any
questions-
and
you
have
somebody
at
home
who
gets
to
feel
ill
is
a
question
of
whether
you
should
go
to
the
doctor
or
maybe
need
a
prescription
for
something
call.
You
doctor.
C
C
It's
actually
it's
not
as
rare
as
that.
One
might
think.
We've
done
it
during
either
certain
potential
breaks
so
back
when
people
were
talking
about
a
bolo
back
around
2014
or
whatever
yeah.
It's
it's
more
about
to
facilitate
the
sharing
information
among
departments
among
hospitals,
community
health
centers,
because
we
want
to
see
what
what
are
they
seeing.
What's?
What's
South
Col
see
and
what's
demek
seeing
so
we
can
immediately
share
information,
but
we
use
it
for
big
events.
Also
like
the
marathon,
we
use
it
for
a
foot
July.
We
used
it
for
first
night.
C
D
B
So
we
are
continually
monitoring
the
situation.
Our
communicable
disease
control
division
has
taken
many
calls.
They
continue
to
take
calls
and
inquiries
about
this
from
our
hospitals,
health
providers
and
the
general
public,
and
at
this
point
in
time
there
have
been
no
inquiries
that
fit
the
criteria
from
the
CDC
that
make
us
concerned
about
the
corona
virus.
You
know
the
CDC
is
continuously
updating
their
website
as
well
and
and
we're
working
with
them
to
keep
abreast
of
any
changes
in
screening
protocols.
D
D
B
B
A
B
So
at
this
point
in
time,
if
you're
in
the
city
of
Boston
and
you're
concerned
about
a
potential
case,
we
ask
you
to
reach
out
to
the
Boston
Public
Health
Commission.
We
can
share
that
phone
number
with
you
as
well.
If
you
are
outside
of
Boston,
you
can
reach
out
to
Massachusetts
Department
of
Public
Health.
We
will
talk,
you
will
talk
to
our
public
health
staff
and
they
will
discuss
the
criteria
and
see
if
you're
at
risk.
B
If
we
are,
if
you
are
at
risk,
we
will
connect
you
with
DPH
and
ensure
that
the
patient
is
properly
tested
and
specimens
can
be
sent
to
CDC.
So
we
really
request
that
you
go
through
us
because,
as
as
we've
discussed
this
a
lot
of
these
concerned
people,
they
may
have
nothing
to
do
with
the
novel
coronavirus.
So
we
really
encourage
you
to
reach
out
to
bphc
or
our
partners
at
DPH
and
facilitate
that
that
testing
process,
and
if
we
have
any
cases,
then
we
will
share
that
for
the
public
when
we
have
them.
D
B
Specifically
around
the
testing
and
confirmation
of
novel
coronavirus,
I
think
she
fully
also
mentioned
that
if
you're,
sick
and
you're
concerned,
then
you
can
reach
out
to
your
health
care
provider
as
you
would
for
any
other
condition,
concern
or
condition.
But
if
you
have
specific
questions
about
the
corona
virus,
you
can
reach
out
to
be
pH,
D
or
D
pH,
to
clarify
questions.
B
Cdc
put
out
very
specific
recommendations,
which
are
you
have
been
in
Wuhan
City
in
the
last
14
days,
or
you
have
interacted
with
someone
who
is
known
to
test
positive
for
corona
virus
and
have
symptoms
of
fever,
coughing
shortness
of
breath.
So
a
number
of
people
call
and
say:
I
was
I,
have
the
fever
right
now
and
I
was
in
Wuhan
a
month
ago
or
I
was
in
China
last
week
and
I
have
a
fever
again
we
right
now.
B
So,
usually,
people
with
the
flu
virus,
the
the
risk
is
highest
for
young
children,
young
individuals,
and/or
older
adults
or
those
with
immunocompromised
conditions,
the
corona
virus.
At
this
point
in
time
it
has
acted.
Similarly,
some
of
the
deaths
that
have
occurred
are
in
older
individuals.
So
from
what
we
know,
there
is
a
similar
risk.
However,
it
is
a
virus
and
is
that's
ever
more.
Information
is
becoming
available.
So
at
this
point
in
time,
I
can
say
that
they're
similar,
but
we'll
have
more
information
as
it
comes
from
CDC.
B
B
A
But
if
you
have
flu-like
symptoms
and
you're,
not
sure
you're
always
best
not
to
sit
back
and
google
it
and
see
you
know.
What
is
this.
Your
best
bet
is
to
contact
your
primary
care
physician,
because
your
doctor
will
know
or
the
nurse
practitioner
somebody
will
know
whether
or
not
you
should
come
in
for
four
four
treatments
and
also
I
know
if
it's
too
late
to
get
flu
shots,
but
flu
shots
are
also
really
important.
A
If
you
don't
have
a
flu
shot
itself,
or
we
had
a
day
here
in
City
Hall
a
few
months
ago,
that
hundreds
of
people
got
a
flu
shot,
so
I
would
suggest
if
you
feel
some
people
just
say
against
them,
but
I
get
a
flu
shot
every
year.
I
think
it's
important
to
get
that
shot
as
well.
You're
talking
with
someone
yeah
horrible
situation
over
weekend,
young
person,
all
young
people
involves
all
of
juveniles.
I
can't
get
too
much
into
the
details.
The
Commissioner
is
working
on
it,
but
certainly
it's
not
the
way.
A
My
heart
goes
out
to
the
families
involved
in
the
situation.
A
young
person
lost
his
life.
You
know
it's
just
a
really
tough
situation,
and
you
know
we're
not
sure
that
the
motive
is
what's
going
on
here,
but
certainly
any
time
we
see
this.
We
want
to.
We
make
sure
that
our
public
safety
office
Street
worker
program,
our
schools,
are
paying
a
little
attention
to
see.
A
What's
going
on
to
make
sure
that,
first
of
all,
there's
no
no
no
kind
of
a
backlash
from
it,
but
number
two
which
is
number
one
is
to
reach
out
these
young
people
about
how
valuable
life
is.
A
tough
situation
I'll
face
sad
situation,
yeah
I
can't
get
too
much
into
it.
Don't
believe
was
getting
related.
But
again
the
commissioner
is
still
an
investigation.
They're
working
with
the
I
believe
the
district
attorney's
office
and
trying
to
get
the
facts
and
the
fact
that
the
juveniles
is
for
anything.