Update on the Coronavirus COVID-19

Dear Colleagues,

We continue to work with local, state and federal agencies in monitoring the coronavirus (COVID-19). The situation changes daily, and we are committed to providing you with updated and helpful information about the current health status of this disease. This message provides new posters and resources on how the cultural community can assure audiences with reliable information and take proactive steps to help prevent transmission of this virus and any respiratory disease (for example, the flu).

The Office of Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez is continuing to monitor this situation; please visit www.MiamiDade.gov/coronavirus for ongoing updates from Miami-Dade County.

Miami-Dade County

The County, in partnership State Department of Health and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is taking a proactive approach to prepare for possible COVID-19 cases in our community. Particular attention is being paid to ports of entry, airport and seaports, as they receive large numbers of individuals who may have been infected abroad.

Since the County’s cultural community hosts so many individuals at its many facilities and events, we wanted to share with you best practices that have been adopted at our Department’s cultural facilities (i.e., African Heritage Cultural Arts Center, Miami-Dade County Auditorium and South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center) to mitigate the transmission of COVID-19.

Cultural Facilities Check List
Sample Marketing Statement
Arts Ready Alert – South Arts

Please be advised that events and activities at the Department’s facilities are continuing to be presented.

Posting Prevention Signs

You can post signs for your staff and patrons with recommendations to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. The County has developed flyers with tips in English, Spanish and Creole, as well as posters in various sizes.

County Resources

These updated flyers now include the Florida Department of Health hotline and the County’s website for more information.

Best Practices for Preventing Illness

The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus. The virus is thought to spread mainly from close person-to-person and possibly from contact with infected surfaces or objects. The following actions help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
• Stay home when you’re sick (don’t allow sick employees to come to work)
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• 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 objects and surfaces (especially cell phones) using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including the COVID-19. Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of disease to others.

We encourage you to make available hand sanitizer to your employees and patrons and wipe down touchable surfaces often with cleaning spray and wipes.

Symptoms and Follow-up

Symptoms of COVID-19 are like the flu: fever, cough, shortness of breath. At this time, the CDC, believes symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure. If you suspect that an employee or someone at your facility or event is sick, they should be physically moved away from others and return home. From home, they should immediately contact their medical provider or nearest hospital to schedule a visit.

We hope this information helps. We want to remind you that while there is no immediate cause for alarm, this is a good time to implement the preventative habits (frequent hand washing, surface cleaning, no face touching, etc.).

Here are links to the County’s and the CDC’s pages on COVID-19, which have more information:

Ongoing updates from Miami-Dade County:
www.MiamiDade.gov/coronavirus

General information:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Information specifically for employers:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/guidance-business-response.html

Thank you,

Michael Spring

Senior Advisor, Miami-Dade County Office of the Mayor
Director, Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs