Brindisi hosts teleconference during self-imposed quarantine
(Submitted Photo)
NEW YORK - Congressman Anthony Brindisi held a phone conference with medical professionals and members of the public Thursday night.
The conference allowed members of the public to ask questions, and gave the professionals the opportunity to speak on their plans to battle the coronavirus.
SUNY Upstate Medical University Infectious Disease Division Chief Stephen Thomas, Rome Memorial Hospital Chief Medical Officer Andrew Bushnell, and Deputy District Director for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Syracuse District Office Daniel Rickman were main speakers on the teleconference.
According to Brindisi, the conference was called to help alleviate anxiety and answer questions the public has about the coronavirus and what the government is doing to combat it.
“I understand how scary this is and how desperate you are for answers,” said Brindisi. “That’s why we’re holding this event tonight.”
“We want you to have answers to your questions, and to provide the information you need to protect yourself and your family, and give you the confidence that officials are doing everything we can to help keep our community safe.”
Brindisi said now is the time for diligence, while health officials do their jobs, we all have a duty to do our part to help slow the spread of the virus.
“The president signed the families first coronavirus response act, this bill was supported by republicans and democrats, and it will make sure we have free coronavirus testing, establish paid emergency leave, and gives critical emergency dollars to the counties across our district,” he said. “Now is the time for diligence, even those who are young and healthy have to keep in mind the elderly and people with underlying health issues.”
Brindisi also discussed his own health, and self-imposed quarantine following an interaction with a congressman who was later confirmed to have the coronavirus. Brindisi said he is currently in good health and has no symptoms of the virus.
He added that his office will remain open for phone calls, and that he continues to work from his home during his quarantine.
As part of the teleconference, Bushnell discussed the length of time that the coronavirus will continue to affect everyday life. Bushnell said it was unlikely that things were going to reach their worst within four weeks or less.
“I don’t think we’re going to see this peak in four weeks, I think it’s going to take much longer,” said Bushnell. “The stories from Italy are grim, and make us understand that if we don’t do something to slow down this process we will have a problem.”
One suggestion he had was to try and limit those who come to the hospital and the doctor’s office to those who are truly in need.
The other speaker, Thomas, was asked about when and where testing would be available for Upstate New Yorkers. He responded that there was a significant demand for tests but a limited supply, which means doctors will have to pick and choose who they want to test.
“A test is used to support decision making,” said Thomas. “In most cases we will try to make a determination without giving a test, and save the tests for the at-risk population.”
Thomas said those who believe they are infected with COVID-19 should call their medical providers and determine if they are in a position where they would need to go to the hospital.
“There are lots of other viruses that have similar symptoms,” said Thomas. “We’re trying to take a really strict social distancing posture, and keep people quarantined at home.”
Thomas added that based on his opinion and animal tests that have been done, people should have immunity to the virus once they’ve beaten it - at least for a short period of time.
Some of the main concerns raised by callers included elderly individuals working in fields where they are likely going to come in contact with those who are infected with the coronavirus.
One man named Roy, who is 70 years old and from Endicott, said he works as a taxi driver for medicaid recipients, after telling officials he cleans his vehicle after every patient, they responded that he needed to get out of that field of work.
Bushnell told Roy “You’re at an increased risk, you should probably consider if you are going to continue to do this line of work while this disease is going around.”
He warned that there is a large chance Roy could become infected if he were to transport a person who has the virus, regardless of how well Roy cleans his vehicle.
Thomas told Roy, “I would recommend that you no longer do that line of work.”
By the end of the conference, the speakers agreed that one major need is blood for the American Red Cross.
Those who have additional questions for Brindisi’s Office are recommended to reach out to his Utica office at (315) 732-0713 for more information.
The conference allowed members of the public to ask questions, and gave the professionals the opportunity to speak on their plans to battle the coronavirus.
SUNY Upstate Medical University Infectious Disease Division Chief Stephen Thomas, Rome Memorial Hospital Chief Medical Officer Andrew Bushnell, and Deputy District Director for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Syracuse District Office Daniel Rickman were main speakers on the teleconference.
According to Brindisi, the conference was called to help alleviate anxiety and answer questions the public has about the coronavirus and what the government is doing to combat it.
“I understand how scary this is and how desperate you are for answers,” said Brindisi. “That’s why we’re holding this event tonight.”
“We want you to have answers to your questions, and to provide the information you need to protect yourself and your family, and give you the confidence that officials are doing everything we can to help keep our community safe.”
Brindisi said now is the time for diligence, while health officials do their jobs, we all have a duty to do our part to help slow the spread of the virus.
“The president signed the families first coronavirus response act, this bill was supported by republicans and democrats, and it will make sure we have free coronavirus testing, establish paid emergency leave, and gives critical emergency dollars to the counties across our district,” he said. “Now is the time for diligence, even those who are young and healthy have to keep in mind the elderly and people with underlying health issues.”
Brindisi also discussed his own health, and self-imposed quarantine following an interaction with a congressman who was later confirmed to have the coronavirus. Brindisi said he is currently in good health and has no symptoms of the virus.
He added that his office will remain open for phone calls, and that he continues to work from his home during his quarantine.
As part of the teleconference, Bushnell discussed the length of time that the coronavirus will continue to affect everyday life. Bushnell said it was unlikely that things were going to reach their worst within four weeks or less.
“I don’t think we’re going to see this peak in four weeks, I think it’s going to take much longer,” said Bushnell. “The stories from Italy are grim, and make us understand that if we don’t do something to slow down this process we will have a problem.”
One suggestion he had was to try and limit those who come to the hospital and the doctor’s office to those who are truly in need.
The other speaker, Thomas, was asked about when and where testing would be available for Upstate New Yorkers. He responded that there was a significant demand for tests but a limited supply, which means doctors will have to pick and choose who they want to test.
“A test is used to support decision making,” said Thomas. “In most cases we will try to make a determination without giving a test, and save the tests for the at-risk population.”
Thomas said those who believe they are infected with COVID-19 should call their medical providers and determine if they are in a position where they would need to go to the hospital.
“There are lots of other viruses that have similar symptoms,” said Thomas. “We’re trying to take a really strict social distancing posture, and keep people quarantined at home.”
Thomas added that based on his opinion and animal tests that have been done, people should have immunity to the virus once they’ve beaten it - at least for a short period of time.
Some of the main concerns raised by callers included elderly individuals working in fields where they are likely going to come in contact with those who are infected with the coronavirus.
One man named Roy, who is 70 years old and from Endicott, said he works as a taxi driver for medicaid recipients, after telling officials he cleans his vehicle after every patient, they responded that he needed to get out of that field of work.
Bushnell told Roy “You’re at an increased risk, you should probably consider if you are going to continue to do this line of work while this disease is going around.”
He warned that there is a large chance Roy could become infected if he were to transport a person who has the virus, regardless of how well Roy cleans his vehicle.
Thomas told Roy, “I would recommend that you no longer do that line of work.”
By the end of the conference, the speakers agreed that one major need is blood for the American Red Cross.
Those who have additional questions for Brindisi’s Office are recommended to reach out to his Utica office at (315) 732-0713 for more information.
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