Letter from Mayor Kyle R. Hastings
Dear Resident,
We are all aware that the world is dealing with the health crisis known as the Coronavirus. As Mayor, my priorities are the health and safety of our residents and businesses.
I want you to know that the village has a comprehensive emergency response plan. A part of this plan deals with mass vaccinations and a pharmaceutical dispensing plan.
Our police department, in conjunction with the Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park Police Department, and the Cook County Department of
Public Health have developed this plan to ensure our residents readily have access to emergency medications or vaccinations should the need arise.
There are no plans at this time to activate our emergency response plan. However, I believe it is prudent to educate the public with what we do know
about this virus.
Coronaviruses are part of a large family of viruses that are common in people and many animals including cattle, cats, and bats. Rarely, as in this case, can animal coronaviruses infect people. Early on, many of the patients at the epicenter of the outbreak in China had some link to a large live animal market. Later, a growing number of patients who did not have exposure to animals were infected, suggesting person-to-person contact.
Rarely does this virus affect children. Usually it affects the elderly or people with an already weakened immune system. The reported cases have ranged from mild to severe, including death. At this time, most people in the U.S.
have little immediate risk of exposure.
The Center for Disease Control recommends the following precautions tohelp prevent the spread of the virus: covering your coughs or sneezes, washing your hands often, avoid sharing personal household items, and thoroughly cleaning all high touch surfaces such as door knobs, phones, keyboards, etc.
The most common symptoms of the virus are high fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, and runny nose. There is no cure for the virus, so treatments includes resting, drinking plenty of water, taking acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen for pain or fever, and using a clean mist vaporizer. If you believe you have the virus, contact your doctor or seek help at an emergency room. The virus can be diagnosed by taking a sample of respiratory fluids.
Finally, I want to assure all residents that my staff is monitoring the appropriate agencies and will inform you of the progress of monitoring this virus. I would encourage you to monitor the following links for more information as it becomes available: