Actions of Kent against Coronavirus

The word pandemic was always a word not to be taken lightly. The world has experienced past pandemics: H1N1, Spanish Flu, Ebola, etc., but this new disease is getting more attention than the others. Coronavirus AKA COVID-19 is spreading all over the globe with no real end in sight. In Kent, Ohio, businesses were shut down, Kent State University moved to remote instruction and a stay at home order was put into effect for the state all in an effort to combat this virus.

Tom Wilke, Economic Development Director for the city of Kent, says this virus has affected the city in more ways than one.

“It’s been well documented it’s been devastating for small businesses,” Wilke said. “The day you shut your doors is the day you lose all your revenue. The larger businesses had to do the same thing if they weren’t considered essential. They had to out their employees on furlough and only a few can work from home and keep key parts of the business going.”

Wilke explained when a crisis hits, you have to make adjustments to the city’s budget.

“Anytime you have a significant change or drop in revenue, you have to make a corresponding drop in your expenses,” he said.

The Kent police department has been impacted by this virus. Lt. Michael Lewis, head of the task force for the city, said the department has had to make changes to address the city.

“One thing we have done differently is how we are addressing calls for service,” Lewis said. “We are not meeting in person with anyone who makes a police report, so when someone makes that report, we make a determination of whether or not a person to person visit is necessary.”

Lewis said despite this, the department is still going to respond to all calls that require a police presence.

“We are still responding to all calls that require a police officer presence, so any calls in progress, any acts of violence, anything that requires an officer presence we are still devoting those services to that,” he said.

The reaction to the virus spreads beyond the police; it leads to the city office. Joan Seidel, Kent City Health Commissioner, said despite H1N1 and Ebola, nobody was prepared for COVID-19.

“We certainly had plans in place and had practical experience with the H1N1 and Ebola pandemics, there was no healthcare facility or organization that was prepared to take on COVID-19,” she said.

Seidel explained actions taken against the virus with partnerships from other organizations.

“We are working together with the Ohio Department of Health, Portage County EMA, Portage County and Summit County, NECO region, Akron Regional Hospital Association, UH Portage Medical Center, local agencies like Mental Health and Recovery Board, and Kent State University to coordinate plans, strengthen relationships, bridge gaps and provide for the needs of our population, she said.

“We are focusing on vulnerable populations, the safety of our first responders, as well as the health and safety of our community.”

Seidel also said how some policies in place today can be used for future needs.

“Kent City has some very forward-thinking policies in place already that could easily be adapted for future needs,” she said. “It would depend on the needs of a future pandemic and what resources we have. The Ohio Revised Code sets the parameters for actions the Health Department is allowed to take and codes in the city also help direct our actions.”

Seidel explained what could have happened if all the actions were not implemented.

“We could have had a surge in our healthcare organizations that would have overburdened their ability to care for the patients,” she said. “This could have led to increased morbidity and mortality which could have affected our economy even more intensely than what we are experiencing now.

In all of these changes, nobody knows when the coronavirus will end.

“I can hardly guess, but I think the soonest we can get an all-clear order is June 1st, potentially into late June or July,” Wilke said.

“I wish I would know. It really can’t get back to normal soon enough for all of us,” Lewis said.

“We have no idea when things will be what we consider normal again,” Seidel said. “I think we will all be forever impacted from this experience, and hopefully, we will end up stronger and better for all we have encountered and responded to. We are already thinking about recovery or de-escalation. There is no set date for these activities to begin, but we will follow the Governor’s directives and slowly walk back the interventions we have put into place so that all we did will not be undone.”

If you are wondering what Kent has done to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, visit https://t.co/44BMtq9wjL

— Zach McKnight (@ZachMcKnight8) April 14, 2020