By Joan Sinclair Petzen
As the days grow shorter, temperatures drop, and we are spending more time inside, positive cases of COVID-19 are rising in our region just like we are seeing on the nightly news across the country. With the pandemic ongoing for 8 months now, people are getting tired of the changes required in our daily lives to reduce the spread of this virus. We are also receiving many mixed messages through the media. Practices proven to reduce the spread like social distancing of at least 6 feet, wearing face coverings, frequent hand washing, sanitizing surfaces and staying home when you are sick must be continued to keep your workforce healthy and ready to come to work each day to keep farms operating smoothly.
COVID-19 Positive Tests Increasing Locally
During the month of October 2,787 new positive cases have been confirmed in the region. That is the highest regional total of new positive cases in any month, in the NWNY Region, since the beginning of the pandemic and 2.6 times as many case as reported for the month of September. The table below shows the number of positive cases identified each month by county in our region since the onset of testing in mid-March. It is important to note that cases are rising at more rapid rate rate in many of the more rural counties in the region recently.
Be Aware of Ventilation Changes
In the farm community, as colder weather approaches, shop doors start to be closed; milking center and livestock barn curtains or windows begin being closed. Reduced ventilation of our “inside places” could make transmission of viruses like COVID-19 easier. It is an important time to remind family and employees working around the farm to use the Centers for Disease Control recommended measures mentioned above.
Pro-Dairy’s Peter Wright tells us how “Ventilation and filtration provided by heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems can reduce airborne concentration of the virus that causes COVID-19 (and the flu virus), which can reduce risk of transmission through air in enclosed work and break areas of a dairy farm,” in a recently published article “HEPA Filters for Farms?”.
Sanitizing and Disinfecting
Frequently touched surfaces like doorknobs, rest room facilities, computer keyboards, light switches, and shared tools should be sanitized before and after each person uses them. This habit pertains to large equipment like tractors and skid-loaders often used by multiple people throughout the day. Have a supply of disinfectant wipes or spray available right in the machine to make it easy for people to quickly practice good sanitation.
Flu Shots
The New York State Department of Health (NYS DOH) stresses the importance of flu shots. “An annual flu vaccine is recommended for almost everyone 6 months and older. It is one of the best ways to reduce flu illnesses, hospitalizations, and death from flu. This fall and winter, the flu virus and the virus that causes COVID-19 may both be spreading. For that reason, getting a flu shot will be more important than ever to help people stay healthy and to ease the burden on our health care system. Getting a flu shot now is more important than ever because doctors don’t know what the risk is of having both flu and COVID-19 at the same time.” NYS DOH directs people to use “Flu Vaccine Finder”:
- To locate pharmacies and clinics offering flu vaccine near you visit the HealthMap Vaccine Finder, or
- For information about flu vaccine clinics in your county, contact your local health department.
Care for Your People
Take time to remind family members and employees of what we can all do to stay healthy through the fall and winter. You would not ask your livestock to go through the winter without protection of vaccines and a well-ventilated environment. Nor would most leave valuable equipment sitting outside without protection. The people on farms are our most valuable resource. Take the lead in reminding them of habits needed to keep us all healthy through this pandemic!
