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COVID-19 Questions

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1. What are the symptoms and complications that COVID-19 can cause?

Current symptoms reported for patients with COVID-19 have included mild to severe respiratory illness with fever¹, cough, and difficulty breathing. Read about COVID-19 Symptoms.

2. How does the COVID-19 virus spread?

This virus was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. The first infections were linked to a live animal market, but the virus is now spreading from person-to-person. It’s important to note that person-to-person spread can happen on a continuum. Some viruses are highly contagious (like measles), while other viruses are less so.

The virus that causes COVID-19 seems to be spreading easily and sustainably in the community (“community spread”) in some affected geographic areas. Community spread means people have been infected with the virus in an area, including some who are not sure how or where they became infected.

Learn what is known about the spread of newly emerged coronaviruses.

Last updated March 23, 2020    | Source:     CDC links to external site 

3. What steps can my family take to reduce our risk of getting COVID-19?

Practice everyday preventive actions to help reduce your risk of getting sick and remind everyone in your home to do the same. These actions are especially important for older adults and people who have severe chronic medical conditions.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue and throw the tissue in the trash.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects (e.g., tables, countertops, light switches, doorknobs, and cabinet handles).

Last updated March 20, 2020    | Source:     CDC links to external site 

4. How can my family and I prepare for COVID-19?

Create a household plan of action to help protect your health and the health of those you care about in the event of an outbreak of COVID-19 in your community:

• Talk with the people who need to be included in your plan, and discuss what to do if a COVID-19 outbreak occurs in your community.
• Plan ways to care for those who might be at greater risk for serious complications, particularly older adults and those with severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease.     
  • Make sure they have access to several weeks of medications and supplies in case you need to stay home for prolonged periods of time.
• Get to know your neighbors and find out if your neighborhood has a website or social media page to stay connected.
• Create a list of local organizations that you and your household can contact in the event you need access to information, healthcare services, support, and resources.
• Create an emergency contact list of family, friends, neighbors, carpool drivers, health care providers, teachers, employers, the local public health department, and other community resources.

Last updated March 20, 2020    | Source:     CDC links to external site 

5. How can I pay my water bill if I can't get inside City Hall?

Customer Service employees will be available to still answer phones, process drop box items, and answer e-mails during this time. There are also multiple ways to pay your utility bill online or virtually through your banking institution. 

Payments can be made in multiple ways including:

-Mailing your payment to PO Box 1270, Cocoa, FL 32923-1270 (Do not mail cash payments.)

-Arrange for online payment through your banking institution

-Place your check/money order payment in the secure drop box on the south side of Cocoa City Hall, 65 Stone St.

-Online Bill Pay with a credit card or online check, www.CocoaFL.org (Fees do apply through our online bill processor First Billing.) 

-Automatic Debit Agreement Form(Completed form and all needed attachments can be e-mailed to customerservice@CocoaFL.org, mailed to Water Customer Service at 65 Stone St., Cocoa, FL 32922, or dropped in the secure drop box on the south side of City Hall.)

-Calling the automated phone system at (321) 433-8400 (Fees do apply.)

6. How can I pay my water bill if I am a cash only account and cannot get inside City Hall?

Cash payments for utility bills can be dropped in the secure drop box on the south side of Cocoa City Hall. Please make sure any payment is enclosed inside an envelope with your address or account number clearly written on the envelope. No receipts will be provided. Also change will not be provided. Any overages will be posted to the account. 

7. How can I still participate in the Council Meetings without being able to be there in person?

There are multiple ways that you can participate in the Cocoa City Council Meetings without having to attend in person, including: 

• Link to the online agenda for the Cocoa City Council Meeting. Ecomments will be accepted up until 30 minutes prior to the scheduled meeting.
• Link to the City of Cocoa, Florida Youtube Channel where the Cocoa City Council Meetings are live streamed.
• E-mail meeting@cocoafl.org to submit comments for the Cocoa City Council Meetings.

8. Will there be any considerations for food stamp requirements?

The State is working on a disaster SNAP program that will help residents who need to apply for assistance with food during this public health emergency. As directed by Governor Ron DeSantis on March 27, the Department of Children and Families has submitted a federal waiver to temporarily increase all Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients’ benefit amounts to the maximum monthly allotment based on household size for the months of March and April. Clients can expect to receive their additional March funds as early as April 3, Updates have been posted on the website regarding SNAP benefits.

• To apply for food assistance (SNAP), cash assistance (TANF) or Medicaid, individuals should go to https://www.myflorida.com/accessflorida/.
• Clients logging in to the ACCESS Self-Service Portal should go to https://www.myflorida.com/accessflorida/.
• Customers are required to complete an interview to receive benefits. Customers should call 1-866-762-2237 or 850-300-4323 (TTY 1-800-955-8771) to complete an interview telephonically.
• Customers can order an EBT card, get information about EBT transactions, or report an EBT card as lost or stolen at https://www.myflorida.com/accessflorida/ or by calling 1-888-356-3281.
• If you have trouble understanding English or need help communicating with the Department of Children and Families, Economic Self-Sufficiency Program, please call 1-866-762-2237 or 850-300-4323.
• If you are an individual with a disability and need help with the application process or other ACCESS services, please find the region point of contact listed at the following website: https://www.myflfamilies.com/about/additional-services-offices/office-civil-rights/individual-disability.
• Online Purchasing Pilot: On April 14, the Florida Department of Children and Families announced Florida will pilot a program for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to purchase groceries online with the use of an EBT card. SNAP participants are automatically eligible to participate in this program and do not need to apply. In coordination with federal, state, and local partners will ensure Floridians can access nutritious food while also practicing social distancing and self-quarantining to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The pilot program will begin with an initial launch on April 16, expanding statewide on April 21.

9. Is our water safe to drink?

COVID-19 has not been detected in drinking water supplies. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), conventional water treatment methods that use filtration and disinfection, such as those in most municipal drinking water systems, should remove or inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19. 

The Environmental Protection Agency recommends that Americans continue to use and drink tap water as usual. According to the CDC, washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds helps prevent the spread of COVID-19. Read CDC’s handwashing guidance. 

10. What happens if a Utility Worker at the water plant contracts the virus?

The Utilities Department continues to refine its emergency action plans and continued operations plan as the pandemic evolves. In the event that a worker gets sick, the City of Cocoa has policies in place to quarantine the individual affected. The plant currently runs on shifts and we have sufficient licensed operators to make shift adjustments for workers who become sick and still be able to safely operate the plant. There are a number of treatment processes at the plant from the filters until it hits your tap that provide virus inactivation in accordance with FDEP and EPA guidelines and there is no direct contact with workers after the filters and no ability to contaminate the water. The City has also implemented a few policies during this time to limit interaction with the public in our facilities and to continually sanitize our facilities.

11. Does the City have a contingency fund to help get through this pandemic and continue basic City services?

The City has a stabilization fund for emergency purposes only to ensure City operations continue in times of financial crisis. 

12. How is Cocoa working with other agencies throughout the County and State to make sure services are maintained and information is communicated?

The City of Cocoa is participating on daily calls with the Brevard County Emergency Management team (including the Department of Health) to stay on top of the latest developments regarding COVID-19. We are also working closely as a communications team for the County to ensure information is being disseminated as quickly and efficiently has possible.

13. Does the City of Cocoa have it's own Emergency Manager or do you just coordinate with the County?

The City of Cocoa has it’s own Emergency Operations team that is head up by Fire Chief Jonathan Lamm and includes Directors from each department that are continuously meeting and monitoring this public health emergency. We are also in daily communication with the Brevard County Emergency Management Office.

14. Why haven't you shut down the City?

We are working based on guidelines from the Governor. If there is a requirement from State officials for a mandatory quarantine, we will adhere to those guidelines. At this time we are asking our residents to adhere to the CDC guidelines of self isolation and social distancing.

15. What is the City of Cocoa doing to protect it's employees?

The City of Cocoa has implemented a number of policies to protect our employees and help stop the spread. All facilities are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized throughout the day. All City facilities have been closed to the public to limit the chance for infection. Employees who need to can telework if they have the ability to do so. Certain departments have also implemented shift work to limit the number of employees in the office at a certain time.

16. Should I use soap and water or a hand sanitizer to protect against COVID-19?

Handwashing is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from getting sick. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

Last updated March 20, 2020    | Source:     CDC

17. What cleaning products should I use to protect against COVID-19?

Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks. If surfaces are dirty, clean them using detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection. To disinfect, most common EPA-registered household disinfectants will work. See CDC’s recommendations for household cleaning and disinfection.

Last updated March 20, 2020    | Source:     CDC links to external site 

18. Are children more at risk?

Information about COVID-19 in children is somewhat limited, but the information that is available suggests that healthy children generally have mild symptoms. However, a small percentage of children have been reported to have more severe illness.  Children and adults with serious chronic medical conditions are believed to be at higher risk, as well as older adults. To protect those at higher risk, it’s important that everyone practices healthy hygiene behaviors.

Last updated March 19, 2020    | Source:     CDC

19. How should parents talk to children about COVID-19?

As public conversations around COVID-19 increase, children may worry about themselves, their family, and friends getting ill with COVID-19. Parents play an important role in helping children make sense of what they hear in a way that is honest, accurate, and minimizes anxiety or fear. CDC has created guidance to help adults have conversations with children about COVID-19 and ways they can avoid getting and spreading the disease.

Last updated March 19, 2020    | Source:     CDC

20. Do I need to boil my water?

Boiling your water is not required as a precaution against COVID-19.

21. Can I get COVID-19 from wastewater or sewage?

The World Health Organization (WHO) has indicated that “there is no evidence to date that COVID-19 virus has been transmitted via sewerage systems, with or without wastewater treatment.”

22. Do wastewater treatment plants treat COVID-19?

Yes, wastewater treatment plants treat viruses and other pathogens. Coronavirus, which causes COVID-19, is a type of virus that is particularly susceptible to disinfection. Standard treatment and disinfectant processes at wastewater treatment plants are expected to be effective.

23. Should wastewater workers take extra precautions to protect themselves from the COVID-19 virus?

Wastewater treatment plant operations should ensure workers follow routine practices to prevent exposure to wastewater. These include using engineering and administrative controls, safe work practices, and personal protective equipment normally required for work tasks when handling untreated wastewater. No additional COVID-19–specific protections are recommended for employees involved in wastewater management operations, including those at wastewater treatment facilities.

24. Is it okay to flush disinfecting wipes?

EPA urges Americans to only flush toilet paper. Disinfecting wipes and other items should be properly disposed of in the trash, not the toilet. These wipes and other items do not break down in sewer or septic systems and can damage your home’s internal plumbing as well as local wastewater collection systems. As a result, flushing these wipes can clog your toilet and/or create sewage backups into your home or your neighborhood. Additionally, these wipes can cause significant damage to pipes, pumps, and other wastewater treatment equipment. Sewer backups can be a threat to public health and present a challenge to our water utilities by diverting resources away from the essential work being done to treat and manage our nation’s wastewater. Disinfecting wipes, baby wipes, and paper towels should NEVER be flushed.