On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being "not worried" and 10 being "extremely worried," Alexandria residents said their level of concern about the novel coronavirus COVID-19 ranges from 0 to 11.
How worried should Northern Virginians be about getting sick? Unfortunately, it depends on who you ask.
The World Health Organization has declared this a pandemic and the stock market has taken investors on a wild ride the past two weeks. President Donald J. Trump has tried to downplay worries and has repeatedly declared the United States is ready for the challenge, but Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health, has sounded a much more dire alarm.
Gov. Ralph Northam on Thursday declared a state of emergency in Virginia to deal with the growing outbreak.
Here in Alexandria, local officials have put a focus on preparedness, encouraging residents to wash their hands frequently for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. In a webinar Thursday evening, Dr. Stephen Haering, director of the Alexandria Dept. of Health, said he wants people to be "in the middle" regarding their level of concern. People should be prepared for a disruption to their normal routine and be washing their hands frequently, but not truly panicking about the virus.
The City of Alexandria, the Alexandria Health Department, Inova Health System and Alexandria City Public Schools will hold an online virtual information session on Thursday, March 12 from 8 to 9 p.m. to provide information and answer questions about the COVID-19 coronavirus.
Here's some of what Alexandria residents said on the Alexandria Living Magazine Facebook page about why they are -- or are not -- concerned along with their 1 to 10 rating:
"10. If you read about what’s happening in Italy and you see the administrations sluggish and ineffective actions, we will soon be in a crisis. We need much more testing available NOW if we’re going to slow this thing down. Please, everyone, social distancing now is key." - E. Kress
"0 until I hear that there are more than the one presumptive case in the City. Practice good hygiene and be aware of your surroundings if you go out in public." - S. Satterfield
"It was a 2 until last weekend, now it’s a 10." - M. Fannon
"I’m concerned that more fear than necessary is being spread. It’s killing small business, investments and quality of life." - L. Floryancic
"Worried about [the] elderly. Worried about Ffx, Alexandria & Mt. Vernon hospitals being able to cope & having enough ventilators. Worried that health care workers don't have what they need to keep themselves safe. Wish we knew more about how they are amping up & what their status is. I hope folks are getting the message that we are all in this together & that we all need to follow directions of CDC to spread out this epidemic so as to not overwhelm the medical system. Like so many others, if my elderly mother gets this, then so will I for sure since I'll be caring for her —but my primary concern is for her to be comfortable." - B. Buchanan
"Just a 1. Wash your hands and stop listening to Facebook." - Z. Tobler
