Cheryl Alexander, administrator with the Daviess County Health Department, discussed the mass vaccination plan the county has in place, during the most recent meeting of the Local Emergency Planning Commission.
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“The county has always had a public health emergency plan,” Alexander says. “In the vaccination plan we have set up ‘points of dispensation’ or PODS. Those might be drive-through clinics or it might be located inside somewhere. The plan tells us things like how many we have on staff — medical staff, intake staff, and security staff. It tells us how many shots we can give per hour, along with other useful information.”
Alexander also discussed the COVID-19 vaccine that is supposed to be available to first responders in December. She explains that among first responders are doctors and nurses in any situation, and anyone who responds to the home, such as fire, ambulance, and police.
The vaccine will be available to the community at a later date, probably around April 2021.
The board also discussed the “long term care facility testing plan and protocol.”
Alexander gave a report on COVID-19 in Daviess County: Cases since July – 250; Active – 108; Recovered – 142; and deaths – 5. She reported many of the schools have written plans in place about when to close their schools. Some schools will be doing rapid testing in the schools, but only of teachers who are symptomatic. She presented the hazmat plan for the health department.
Jim Ruse, Daviess County Presiding Commissioner, reported all CARES Act money (grants) must be finalized in December; so far they have given $640,000 in CARES Act grants to the community.
David Roll, director of Daviess County Emergency Management Agency, reported his mass fatality group met early in October in St. Joseph and examined the mass fatality trailer that contains a deployable tent that holds 24 bodies. The tent can be set up as a temporary morgue near a funeral home, morgue, health care facility, or onsite at a disaster.
The group has developed a strike team to assist with North Missouri jurisdictions.
Deanna Lewis, administrator at the Active Aging Resource Center, reported some senior citizens have been hearing a scam. Someone is calling posing as a contact tracer and will ask for social security and Medicare numbers. She has tried to educate everyone that the health department does not ask for any of that information. Daviess County Sheriff-Elect Larry Adams said he can present a program at the Active Aging Resource Center about scams from the Division of Aging.
Reverend Robert Nelson reported the Ministerial Alliance cancelled the traditional Thanksgiving service they have every year, which brings in a lot of extra funding for the group. They are currently without funding. They put an ad in the paper for donations. Ministerial Alliance helps those in need of paying utility bills and with basic needs. He said all churches are trying to do social distancing and more cleaning. He spoke about his experience with COVID-19.
Sheriff-Elect Adams reported business as usual with the sheriff’s department but is concerned about the mental health crisis in our area. His staff is doing mental health and substance abuse trainings.
David Roll gave the treasurer report. The Mi Mexico bill from last January’s annual meeting was the only bill and was accepted by the board.
Roll reported no response about the CEPF grant yet from MERC. Bill Brinton reported many of the grant meetings have been on hold due to COVID-19. He reported the mobile weather station is on hold due to funding. He will send out information as it comes in about refresher SEMA and FEMA courses as well as courses available to use the hazmat kits.
Roll would like to go to the surplus building in Jefferson City to purchase some waterproof boxes at two for $30. The board voted in favor of the purchase. Roll also wants to pick up MREs at the same location and bottled water at a total cost around $240. The board carried a motion to purchase the items.
Bill Brinton discussed and showed pictures of the new hazmat building in St. Joseph and the old building that was destroyed in 18 seconds by a straight wind in June 2020.
There has been no news on the mitigation plan for Daviess County at this time.
Discussion was held about the 2020 election and the possibility of unrest. Larry Adams reported one deputy would be assigned to cover polling locations in case any issues/unrest occurred, along with regular daily staffing. Alexander discussed the policy for those isolated or quarantined who wanted to vote on election day.
Daniel and Connie Plemons, guests, reported they are trainers for CERT and they have done trainings with SEMA and FEMA. They were just visiting as they are concerned about the safety and well being of the community.
David Roll discussed the need for a quick budget meeting in December so he can finalize the FY2021 budget. The LEPC board will do a Zoom meeting on Dec. 16 at 12 noon.
The annual meeting is at noon on Jan. 27, 2021, at Dockery Park with lunch provided by LEPC from Mi Mexico.
The above are the unapproved minutes of the Oct. 30 meeting of the LEPC. Those in attendance who were not mentioned above include David Cox, commissioner; Wayne Uthe, commissioner; Lance Rains, Gallatin City Administrator; Lorne Demke and Allison Ward, guests.