PORT ORCHARD – Mayor Rob Putaansuu released today a message to residents of the city concerning rapidly evolving developments on the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
The mayor’s message preceded a declaration by the city that an emergency exists in the City of Port Orchard. The 90-day proclamation of emergency was issued at 1 p.m. Monday. It cited declarations on the federal level by President Trump, Gov. Inslee at the state level and by the Kitsap Public Health District.
Here is Putaansuu’s message:
As your Mayor, I’m here to provide leadership to you and the employees of our City who provide necessary services to our Community. Unfortunately, in our recent past, we’ve experienced a tornado and a snowstorm that shuttered our community, but we’ve also witnessed unparalleled compassion and consideration for our neighbors in need when these events unfolded. I’m confident that this event will be no different.
These are unprecedented times and the information changes on the hour. I wish I had all the answers, but I know the answers differ slightly for each of us. We must remain calm and make decisions based on facts from credible sources like the Kitsap Public Health District, Washington State Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Links to all these organizations and facts sheet for what to do if you or someone you know is exposed to the virus can be found at the City of Port Orchard’s website. To keep informed, I encourage everyone to sign up for email bulletins from the Kitsap Public Health District at Kitsappublichealth.org.
With the information we know today, practicing social distancing to prevent and at least slow the spread of the virus is prudent. Social distancing is a non-pharmaceutical intervention (NPI) whereby people reduce their risk of contact with infected individuals by:
Creating and using ways to increase the distance between people in settings where people commonly come into close contact (within 6 feet) with others. Avoid gatherings of people where close contact with others is a natural . Everyone should practice the following healthy habits and NPI’s to prevent the spread of COVID-19:
- Wash your hands often.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with an elbow or tissue.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Clean and disinfect frequently used objects and surfaces.
- Stay home when you’re sick and avoid close contact with others.
Please help us by not spreading the virus to City Hall by utilizing the resources found in our City of Port Orchard Preventive Measures, which can be found on our website on the COVID-19 information page.
We want to be here to assist you but can’t perform our mission if we become ill, too. COVID-19 will have physical, social, emotional and economic impacts to our community, but I also know that in time life as we know it will return to normal.
Take care, stay healthy, but most of all, protect and care for the ones you love.
Sincerely
Rob Putaansuu
Port Orchard Mayor
