Miami Beach’s new Assistant City Manager, Alina Tejeda Hudak, has been named as the City’s point person on the coronavirus. Hudak has experience in dealing with “acute shocks” having led Miami-Dade County’s response to the Zika emergency. She joined the City just a couple of weeks ago after 35 years with the County.
City Manager Jimmy Morales told the Mayor and Commissioners this week that as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have stated, “It’s not a matter of if, but when, the coronavirus will come to the us.”
In announcing Hudak’s role as the point person, Morales referenced her “experience and strong relationships with the various agencies like the CDC, the Department of Health and the County agencies as well.”
He said he and Hudak are in touch with the Department of Health, the County Mayor’s office, County Emergency Management, the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Director of Miami International Airport, as well as the Greater Miami and the Beaches Hotel Association. At this point, he said, "Everyone is taking the lead of the two critical agencies here which would be the CDC and the Department of Health, much like we did with Zika when it came to any issues about health."
“The fire chiefs of the County including our own fire chief have, over the last couple of weeks, already been talking and preparing a set of protocols” for responding to calls for service that involve individuals with flu-like symptoms, he said.
Regarding Miami Beach Parks and Recreation programs, Morales said, the City is utilizing the Parents Guide put out by Miami-Dade County Public Schools. In addition, he said, “We are ordering liquid hand sanitizer for all our program facilities. We’re ensuring our kids in our programs are washing their hands and we’re certainly sanitizing our toys and equipment in all program facilities.”
Flyers have been provided to employees by Cigna, the City’s insurance carrier, on preventive measures and symptoms. Mayor Dan Gelber sent a mailing to residents on Friday with similar information.
Morales said he anticipates Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Giménez will convene a meeting with all municipalities and the County to discuss preparation and plans.
The CDC information on coronavirus can be found here.
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