Quarantine Guidance Update

One vaccine is now being distributed and a second is nearing approval, but it’s important to continue washing hands, watching your distance and wearing masks.
On December 8, 2020, in response to CDC’s amended options for quarantine for those who have been exposed to COVID-19, the Platte County Health Department revised its guidance.  The revised guidance provides a shorter quarantine option of ten days, while continuing to recommend a quarantine period of 14 days. CDC continues to state that their recommendation is a quarantine period of 14 days. However, after review of the ongoing high community prevalence of COVID-19 in Platte County and the fact that there is not sufficient testing capacity available, we support the following quarantine guidelines as outlined by the CDC:

• The preferred length of quarantine remains 14 days after exposure.
• Based on the December 2, 2020 CDC update, as a close contact, you may end your quarantine after 10 days IF you have NO SYMPTOMS.
•You must continue to wear your mask and monitor for symptoms daily for the full 14-day time period following your exposure.
• If at any time during that 14-day timeframe you develop symptoms of COVID-19, please isolate and get tested as soon as possible.
• Masking and symptom monitoring for full 14 days are required even if you are able to end the quarantine early based on this new option.
• If you are unable to wear a mask (in general or for a particular activity), you would need to complete the 14-day quarantine or avoid any activities for which you cannot wear a mask until the end of your 14 day quarantine.
The Platte County Health Department does not support a test out option for release from quarantine in 7 days at this time, due to the high community prevalence and the additional strain on community testing.

The Platte County Health Department urges those who have been exposed to COVID-19 to stay home, and follow this guidance for testing:

• If you are without symptoms you should wait for at least 7 days to be tested.
• If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms get tested as soon as possible.
 

One More Step in Washington Street Project

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  News

Missouri launches new statewide transportation resource guide to expand COVID-19 vaccine access
“Get a Ride” is a comprehensive resource of transportation platforms across each region

The Missouri Department of Transportation will soon begin work on replacing the current Route FF Bridge in Platte County. The bridge, which was built in 1963, is 2.1 miles west of Parkville, MO and 0.1 miles east of Union Chapel Rd. 
Crews will close the Route FF Bridge beginning Monday, April 12. It will remain closed until Friday, August 6 for demolition and bridge reconstruction work. Motorists will be detoured onto Route 45. Detour signs and message boards will be in place to direct motorists. All work is weather dependent.

The Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), with the support of the Missouri Advisory Committee on Equitable COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution, launched a new statewide transportation guide to help address and eliminate barriers to COVID-19 vaccine access. “Get a Ride” can be found at MOStopsCovid.com/ride.
 In this area , we have these providers: OATS Transit, Platte County Seniors Fund. 
“Get a Ride” is now embedded throughout every aspect of the state’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout infrastructure including the state’s COVID-19 hotline, MOstopsCovid.com, and through Missouri’s Regional Implementation Teams. The resources can be customized by location (region and county) for each vaccine event and site.

American Red Cross seeks volunteers for disaster support, blood drives  

For all of our news in full, please see this week's print and/or e-edition of the Weston Chronicle

The crew for Utilities Solutions finished up work on Washington Street Monday, having replaced a manhole, the sewer line in the 600 block and lines from each of the houses back to the sidewalks. 
The crew found pipes that had been abandoned, sewer pipes of all ages, from leaky Orangeburg to clay pipe to PVC. At one house, the old Orangeburg pipe came out of the house, and instead of heading south to join the main line going with the flow, it had been installed heading north, joining against the flow. 
An asphalt company was expected Tuesday, but by noon had not arrived. The last step in the process is milling the street and putting down asphalt. When that is finished, Washington Street can be reopened.

Weston • Platte County • Missouri

Crews set to begin bridge replacement at Route FF Bridge 
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Mr. Singleton held a piece of the Orangeburg sewer line the crew found coming out of some of the oldest houses in this section of Washington Street. The pipe is made of wood pulp and sealed with liquified coal tar pitch. It tends to fail after 30 years, and was taken out of production in 1974.

As we head into spring severe weather, the American Red Cross of Missouri and Arkansas has an urgent need for additional volunteers who can assist virtually and in person for disaster response. Volunteers are also needed to support blood drives and transport blood to hospitals. 
HOW TO HELP You can help ensure that families don’t face emergencies alone — especially during a pandemic:
 DONATE: Support our Disaster Relief efforts at redcross.org/GivingDay. A gift of any size makes a difference to provide shelter, food, relief items, emotional support and other assistance. Your donation will be part of our annual Giving Day on March 24 to aid families in need across the country.
 
VOLUNTEER: Visit redcross.org/VolunteerToday for most-needed positions and local opportunities.

 GIVE BLOOD: If you’re healthy and feeling well, make an appointment at RedCrossBlood.org. Your donation can make a lifesaving difference for a patient in need. As a thank you, those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma on March 15-26 will receive a Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.
 LEARN LIFESAVING SKILLS: Take a class in skills like CPR and first aid to help in an emergency at redcross.org/TakeAClass. Online options include our Psychological First Aid for COVID-19 course, which covers how to manage stress and support yourself and others.
Volunteers make up at least 90-percent of the Red Cross workforce and hold positions at all levels throughout the organization including leadership roles.  To sign up for an upcoming virtual informational session, go to www.redcross.org/ARCVolunteerFair.  
Upcoming virtual sessions:
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Thursday, April 1, 12 p.m.
Tuesday, April 6, 4 p.m.
Thursday, April 15, 12 p.m.
Tuesday, April 20, 4 p.m.
Thursday, April 29, 12 p.m.