(From the City of Joplin)During the November 15, 2021 Joplin City Council meeting, City Council chose to end the Response and Recovery Plan developed to address the Coronavirus pandemic. The City Council had lifted all restrictions in May this year and has continued to actively monitor the case numbers, hospitalizations and vaccine availability.
“The closure of the plan was anticipated when a sufficient amount of vaccine supply was available to the community and the numbers of cases had remained level over a period of time,” said Joplin City Manager Nick Edwards.
“As an organization we should be proud of the Joplin Health Department for going through two waves during this time. They adjusted in staffing and operations and worked well with other departments and the public to educate and inform every one of the different phases and steps throughout this pandemic.”
Edwards also noted that the City’s management team provided data and input about their readiness if the community would face similar situation with another pandemic.
“Based on what we know today, we feel prepared as an organization to address a pandemic as we know it today,” he said. “As a community, we learned that connectivity is an important factor for continuity in the workplace, our schools and our homes. This is not a surprise though. The City has just completed a gap analysis that showed as a community we still have work to do in this area.”
Statistical information about cases, hospitalizations, as well as deaths will continue to be posted on the City’s dashboard on its website.
Edwards also noted that the City’s management team provided data and input about their readiness if the community would face similar situation with another pandemic.
“Based on what we know today, we feel prepared as an organization to address a pandemic as we know it today,” he said. “As a community, we learned that connectivity is an important factor for continuity in the workplace, our schools and our homes. This is not a surprise though. The City has just completed a gap analysis that showed as a community we still have work to do in this area.”
Statistical information about cases, hospitalizations, as well as deaths will continue to be posted on the City’s dashboard on its website.
“The dashboard will provide the public communication and we still have tools in our toolbox if we do need to revisit situations relating to Covid,” Edwards said in closing.
City statistics are listed on the COVID-19 dashboard at www.joplinmo.org/coronavirus. The dashboard is a collaborative project of the Joplin Health Department and University of Missouri Extension Office’s “All Things Missouri”. Please note additional area and state statistics are listed on the Missouri Department of Health COVID-19 dashboard. As Joplin Health Department continues to work with residents in our community, they remind everyone of the importance in taking self-care actions to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
If you are fully vaccinated, it is recommended you wear a face mask in crowded public indoor settings due to the current transmission rate in this area. Additionally, wearing a mask or physically distancing may also be required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.
If you haven’t been vaccinated yet, you are encouraged to talk to your health care provider and find a vaccine. COVID-19 vaccines are effective at protecting you from getting sick. Information about the Covid vaccine and locations can be found on the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services website.
Information about the City’s Health Department’s vaccination clinics can be found on the City’s website at www.joplinmo.org/coronavirus or by calling the Health Department at 417-623-6122. The Health Department recently announced an incentive program for vaccinations, offering $50 gift cards for each shot. Please contact the Health Department for questions about this incentive program.
If you have a condition or are taking medications that weaken your immune system, you may NOT be fully protected even if you are fully vaccinated. Talk to your healthcare provider. Even after vaccination, you may need to continue taking all precautions, including social distancing and wearing a face mask in public.
The public is reminded to still watch out for symptoms of COVID-19, especially if you’ve been around someone who is sick. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you should get tested and stay home and away from others. If you are experiencing symptoms, you should contact your health care provider for medical advice before presenting at their office. Testing information, as well as other COVID-related announcements can be found at www.joplinmo.org/coronavirus. More details about coronavirus are also listed at https://www.cdc.gov/ .
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