By Linda Dillman
Staff Writer
As the nation wrestles with illness, closures and changes in the daily life of its citizens due to the coronavirus or COVID-19, local emergency services such as the Madison Township Fire Department are also feeling the impact.
During the March 10 Madison Township trustees’ meeting, Fire Chief Derek Robinson said the coronavirus is taking up a lot of his department’s time.
“We had a meeting with the health department and our four area hospitals,” said Robinson. “Word is they’ll (cases of the virus) continue to come out. As a fire department, we are prepared. Use good, safe sanitizing actions for preparing yourself. If you have any questions, call our department.”
In response to the coronavirus outbreak, the township’s 2020 Egg Hunt at Sedalia Elementary school on April 11 was cancelled.
In a public notice, the township said it is following guidance from the Franklin County Public Health department, Ohio Department of Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and offers the following tips for residents.
The signs and symptoms of COVID-19 may appear two to 14 days after exposure and include fever, cough and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. If you experience any of these symptoms and are in contact with healthcare, law enforcement or EMS professionals, please advise them before they approach or interact with you.
Prevention is key and includes: washing hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds; when soap and water handwashing is not available, use hand sanitizer containing at least 60 percent alcohol; avoid touching your eyes, nose mouth and face and avoid close contact with individuals who are sick.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or the inside of your elbow when coughing or sneezing; stay home when sick; clean and sanitize surfaces frequently touched or handled and avoid attending large gatherings of people when able.
For information, call the Ohio Department of Health 24/7 hotline at 1-833-427-5634.
Other Madison Township news
•Trustee Michele Reynolds reported on the first meeting of the township’s Citizen Action Committee and said there are 17 residents participating on the committee.
•Public Works Superintendent Dave Watkins presented information on his department and the proposed Permissive Motor Vehicle Tax.
“The meeting went well,” reported Watkins. “I described how our department works, what our outlook is and the money we need for improvements. We have a lot of work to do.”
•Madison Township Administrator Susan Brobst reported on an agreement with a realtor to sell five township-owned vacant lots, which the trustees approved during legislative action.
“Everyone seemed interested in moving ahead with the realtor concept,” said Brobst, who told the trustees the realtor will receive a small fee for selling each property. We’re looking forward to getting them off the township has-to-mow list. We’re excited to get things moving. For any of the properties, they’ll (potential buyer) contact the realtor, who has all the information from the landbank.”
The trustees will have final say on the selling price.
