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NJ Congressional Delegation request support for First Responders to fight COVID-19
Dear Mr. President:
As members of New Jersey’s Congressional Delegation, we write to request your support for our state’s first responders as we fight the novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19. New Jersey’s brave career law enforcement officers, fire departments, and other first responders are facing serious challenges due to the spread of COVID-19. Many towns in our state also rely on some or all-volunteer fire departments, ambulance corps, and Emergency Medical Services (EMS)/rescue personnel, which also require critical assistance to avoid staffing and equipment shortages during this unprecedented crisis.
NJ FMBA Peer Support Team Response to COVID-19
Dear NJ FMBA Member,
In light of the recent events in our country, around the world and now in our own back yard with COVID-19 and the recent Pandemic as well as the STAY AT HOME Executive Order by Governor Murphy, the FMBA clinical team would like to extend all of our thoughts and prayers to you and your families. We realize that we are in unchartered waters and stressful times. The enemy we are fighting cannot be seen and we are taking extraordinary measures to protect our citizens, members and our families. During such times, there is a significant amount of fear and worry surrounding the Coronavirus or COVID-19. Primarily because of the unknown factors associated with this virus. High levels of anxiety are not uncommon during periods of uncertainty. It is essential that you control what you can and stay grounded in reality based on facts and real evidence not fear. Reassurance is an important antidote to fear and uncertainty. Knowing that we will get through these challenging times stronger than before is the true definition of Resilience.
Contact information for NJ FMBA Representatives
In an effort to increase the lines of communication to our members during these trying times, please find the contact information below for our District Vice Presidents and Local 500 President:
Northern District: Kyle Hughes [email protected]
Central District: Tim Duetsch [email protected]
Southern District: Mike Feaster [email protected]
Local 500: [email protected]
Any questions, concerns or comments please direct them to the appropriate contact above and the information will be disseminated through the proper channels.
NJ FMBA COVID-19 Update
The virus causes a cough and fever in the majority of symptomatic cases. These are very broad symptoms and overlap with many other illnesses including influenza (we are in the midst of a comparatively heavy flu season).
The virus can kill some individuals. Though we do not know all the facts, it appears that older populations and those with other diseases such as coronary artery disease and diabetes are affected more severely by the virus.
There are currently no medications or vaccines for this virus. The only tools we have to control spread are old fashioned public health measures such as isolation, quarantine, and social distancing.
What we think that we know:
The maximum incubation period is estimated to be 14 days. This is extrapolated from other corona viruses. The majority of individuals studied closely have come down with symptoms within 5-6 days of exposure.
The disease appears to spread more commonly among close contacts (e.g. families). There are, however, documented cases of transmission in relatively limited settings (e.g. giving a ride to another individual).
The disease does not appear to make children particularly ill. There is currently only one pediatric death in the world that has been attributed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to this disease. Once more testing is done, we may establish that children are a component of the transmission chain but appear to have relatively mild expression of illness.
COVID-19 Operational Update Some with minimal symptoms appear to have a high viral load in their body, which may mean they are still capable of transmitting the disease.