Dear Environmental Health colleagues,

I am writing this note in a difficult time for all of us.  We are facing a defining challenge for all of popus, but also with a sense of great purpose for those of us who have worked to improve general civic readiness for our climate destiny, chemical and biological hazard assessment capacity, and evidenced-based public health research.  This work is carried out in the public sector, the intersectional social and environmental change movements, academic departments, and always in community-based  campaigns and organizations.   

At this moment we also happen to possess the “gift” of having worried about these things, abstract threats, for a long time now (many of us).  it’s easy to become dissipated and isolated by this or any crisis. We protect ourselves and those we care about.  But we also have a role to play in helping people who need assistance and guidance and mostly emotional support and hope right about now.  This is FDR’s fear.  It is no different.  Simple positive action and hope is what we have as our shield.  

So I want to make sure that we stay ready to help each other and to share good ideas and resources.  I know we all rely on the HMCC regional planning efforts.  EH-oriented specialists, whatever their title or credential, are interested in the larger system of the environment as an frame, not just human response and illness.  

I would like this to serve as a place to share ideas, resources and successes in limiting behavior and practice in order to limit the presence of 2019-nCoV on high-touch fomites and surfaces.  These next several posts reflect my biggest concerns and current resources and approaches.  Please share and take as you wish.  Sam