Sick? Please don't ride Metro

Here is an oped I wrote for the Washington Post's local opinion section. The reality is that we live in an urban environment and with both seasonal flu and H1N1, we not only need to take our own personal precautions, but also be aware that our ills can be passed along to others.

Cough, cough? Hint, hint: Stay away from Metro.

By Daniel F. Drummond
Fairfax City
Sunday, October 25, 2009

Are you making Metro sick -- and causing delays for your fellow passengers? If you are getting on trains or buses while sniffling, sneezing or coughing, you could be.

The trains, buses and stations that thousands of us pass through every day are a big science experiment. We're all trading germs as we travel to and fro. It's like going into the hospital; riding on Metro could be hazardous to your health.

And with flu season about to blow wide open -- not to mention H1N1 hanging over our heads -- the transit system is undoubtedly about to get sicker.

This isn't me saying this. It's Metro itself. It has made umpteen public service announcements in recent weeks. A special section of its Web site also has lots of good information about protecting yourself from H1N1, the seasonal flu and germs in general.

What's missing is a stricter policy -- and an aggressive public education campaign -- sending the message that commuters and employees alike should stay home if they even think they might be sick.

The logic is simple: Railcars or buses are petri dishes. Icky molecules and microbes float in the air and rest on everything we touch -- rails, seats, poles. When sick people come into the system, they make others sick. Policymakers, me included, have a responsibility to protect the public's health. Dissuading people from coming into the station may sound draconian, but let's think of the consequences of not doing so in terms of headlines: "Thousands of Metro riders sick from swine flu outbreak" or "Metro system shut down due to quarantine."

This last may seem extreme, but minor versions of such a disruption occur regularly. According to Metro, trains are stopped more than 200 times a year because someone on board is sick.

I can recall countless times when a train I was on stopped for 10 to 15 minutes to attend to a sick rider. Recently, I was riding the Orange Line into Washington during the morning rush. First, the train stopped for almost 20 minutes, then we had to get off the train. Another 10-minute wait ensued. Why? There was a sick passenger on the train ahead of the one I was riding.

The solutions are good old common sense:

-- Metro should strengthen its current policy and bar sick rail and bus operators and station workers from coming to work.

-- Metro needs to bring its Web site focused on seasonal flu and H1N1 to life and launch a public education campaign to encourage ailing riders not to ride Metro. This should include large permanent displays in stations, in railcars and buses, and at bus stops.

-- Metro should work with the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and local governments to educate employers and workers about the advantages of teleworking or, better yet, simply not working while sick.

-- Nonflammable hand sanitizer dispensers should be placed at all stations and on buses and railcars.

I know my suggestions aren't a cure-all, but pursuing them would move us toward a healthier Metro. They amount to an aggressive approach to the public health challenge of keeping people well while keeping our transit system, our economy -- and our lives -- moving forward.

And maybe we'll all feel a little less miserable when the "sick season" bears down on us.

The writer is a member of the Fairfax City Council who serves on the board of directors for the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and the Transportation Planning Board.

Get H1N1 Vaccine at Fairfax Health Centers

Here's a press release from Fairfax County on H1N1 vaccine availability through the County Health Centers.

H1N1 Vaccination Clinic to Open at

Fairfax County Government Center

October 24, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a flu vaccine as the single best way to protect against influenza illness, including the 2009 H1N1 Influenza virus (sometimes called “swine flu”). The Fairfax County Health Department will open a mass vaccination clinic on Saturday, October 24 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center (12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA 22035).

Due to delays in the production of 2009 H1N1 vaccine, the Fairfax County Health Department has developed a mass vaccination plan that matches the limited supply of vaccine currently available, which is significantly less than anticipated. The health department currently does not have enough vaccine available to hold the vaccination clinics that were scheduled to be held in ten Fairfax County Public Schools on October 24 and 25.

Instead, approximately 10,000 doses of 2009 H1N1 vaccine will be available on October 24. Based on the quantity of vaccine available, and in an effort to vaccinate those at high risk of influenza-related complications, the clinic will be open to all children 6 months to 36 months of age and pregnant women. Children in this age range and pregnant women are among the target groups identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine when it first becomes available. The vaccine is voluntary and will be offered on a walk-in basis, free of charge. Seasonal flu vaccine will not be available at these clinics.

A child’s parent or legal guardian must sign a consent form before the child can be vaccinated. An adult 18 years or older must accompany children under the age of 18 to the vaccination site. Consent forms are available online and in the Health Department’s five district offices and three Community Health Care Network sites. Parents are encouraged to print the form and fill it out before visiting the vaccination site on October 24, if possible. Consent forms will be available at the vaccination site.

* Consent Forms (English and Spanish):

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/flu/h1n1-vaccine-distribution.htm

Depending on availability, both the nasal spray and “flu shot” forms of the 2009 H1N1 vaccine will be offered. The 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine has been carefully tested and proved to be both safe and effective. Vaccine Information Statements (VIS) for the 2009 H1N1 vaccine are posted online and available at health department locations. Parents are encouraged to read both statements to educate themselves about the vaccine choices prior to October 24 to allow for ample time to review the information.

* VIS forms for nasal spray and “flu shot” (English and Spanish):

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/flu/h1n1-vaccine-distribution.htm

To assist the public throughout Saturday, Fairfax County will provide real-time information about the availability of vaccine. Residents are encouraged to check one of the following official sources for updated information before leaving for the vaccination site on October 24:

* Fairfax County Web site: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/flu/

* Twitter: http://twitter.com/fairfaxcounty
* Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/fairfaxcounty
* Community Emergency Alert Network (CEAN): https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/cean/

(Sign up for "Government Closing/Delays")

* Fairfax County Cable Channel 16

The delay in distribution of 2009 H1N1 vaccine has impacted the entire nation and has resulted in uneven availability. In the coming weeks, more vaccine is expected to be delivered to health care providers, hospitals, and local health departments. Residents may check with their heath care providers about the availability of 2009 H1N1 vaccine.



The October 24 clinic will not be the only opportunity to receive 2009 H1N1 vaccine. The Fairfax County Health Department is committed to vaccinating target populations as quickly as vaccine becomes available. We continue to work closely with the schools the Health Department serves to plan for vaccinating school-aged children as vaccine becomes available. Depending on the quantities of vaccine available each week, vaccine will be distributed through the Health Department’s district offices or mass vaccination clinics. Updated information about the availability and distribution of 2009 H1N1 vaccine will be posted on the county’s Web site, www.fairfaxcounty.gov/flu. Residents with additional questions about vaccine availability in Fairfax County may call the health department at 703-267-3511.



Consent forms and Vaccine Information Statements (VIS) are also available at:



Fairfax County Health Department District Offices

· 6245 Leesburg Pike, Suite 500, Falls Church, VA 22044 (703-534-8343)

· 1850 Cameron Glen Drive, Suite 100, Reston, VA 20190 (703-481-4242)

· 3750 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax City, VA 22030 (703-246-7100)

· 8350 Richmond Highway, Suite 233, Alexandria, VA 22309 (703-704-5203)

· 8136 Old Keene Mill Road, Suite A100, Springfield, VA 22152 (703-569-1031)



Community Health Care Network (CHCN)

· 6196 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church, VA 22044 (703-237-3446)

· 8350 Richmond Highway, Suite 301, Alexandria, VA 22309 (703-704-5333)

· 11484 Washington Plaza West, Suite 300, Reston, VA 20190 (703-689-2180)



Media Availability



October 24



* 8:00 – 8:30 a.m. Briefing

Fairfax County Government Center

12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA 22035

o Members of the media will be able to view the set-up of the H1N1 vaccination clinic.
o Dr. Gloria Addo-Ayensu, Fairfax County Health Director, will brief members of the media about the clinic.
o Members of the media will have opportunities to cover the vaccination effort



* 5:30 – 6:00 p.m. Briefing

Fairfax County Government Center

12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA 22035

Post-clinic media availability with Dr. Gloria Addo-Ayensu, Fairfax County Health Director

Creating a Sustainable City

The Virginia Municipal League is the association the City of Fairfax belongs to that represents common interests among localities within the Commonwealth.

I'm here representing the City and accepting on its behalf the Go Green award for the City's leadership in environmental sustainability efforts. I'll post a memo on what I learned.

Speaking of sustainability, I'm listening to a presentation by James Johnson of the University of North Carolina, a highly distinguished professor who speaks about how communities can revitalize themselves. His remarks are fascinating. In short, sustainability is about more than the environment. It's about creating sustainability across the spectrum - economic, education, social justice, health care.

And cities need to do more to help create sustainable economies, too, that respond to people who feel like they can't get ahead and are under assault economically. For example, unemployment among white collar workers has gone up more than blue collar jobs. And the number one thing that companies look to when selecting to locate are obesity rankings because it is an indicator of productivity and health care costs.

As you can see, there is a lot to learn that I think will benefit my colleagues and the City. Fortunately, the City of Fairfax many of the things that Dr. Johnson speaks of that help create a "sense of place." But there is always more that can be done, especially as we look to expand our local economy and create opportunities for all citizens.

Fairfax Wins!

Actually the City of Fairfax has won not one, but two very distinguished honors this week.

First we were told that the City's bond rating has been upgraded to AAA, from AA+ status. This is reflective of sound and prudent fiscal management of your tax dollars. It will result in lower borrowing costs (when needed) and help recruit businesses to the City by demonstrating a strong financial jurisdiction in which to do business.

Then we got word that the City is receiving a Go Green Award at this year's Virginia Municipal League annual meeting. The award is given to localities in Virginia that display a commitment to the environment and support innovative "green" initiatives. The City has long been a leader in environmental issues, but have taken it up a notch with the creation of the Environmental Sustainability Committee and increased recycling efforts.

The award will be presented at the VML meeting, which is October 18-20. Yours truly will be there to accept the award on behalf of the City and its citizens.

The Sherwood Community Center - Closer to Reality

Ever since there was a City of Fairfax, there has been a vision for a community center. And we are closer to realizing that dream.

Tomorrow night the City Council will hear about the latest plans for the Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center, including an exciting opportunity for a "Legacy for Parks" program where people can donate and support the Community Center as well as our parks, including funding new equipment and operations.

We are blessed to have wonderful parks that children and adults alike can enjoy. With 10 percent of our City set aside as open space and parks, we are committed to balancing the needs of a growing area with the recognition that our community must take time to exercise, relax and enjoy life.

Our new Community Center is a product of dedication and love for the City of Fairfax. From the generous $5 million gift from the Sherwood Family to City staff's tireless commitment to making the center a reality, we now have an opportunity through the "Legacy for Parks" program to continue the tradition and start new ones.

Click here to read the staff report and see new photos of the community center. And make sure to come to the October 13 City Council meeting at 7 p.m. in City Hall or watch it at www.FairfaxVA.gov or on Channel 12.