Disaster Preparedness Tips:
- Type of disasters that can occur
- How to respond to those types of disaster?
- What programs available in your community to help when disaster strike?
- Know the evacuation route and location
- Identify shelters near to you – do they fit your needs?
- Complete the evacuation checklist
- How much money/funds would you need?
Assemble an emergency kit – keep supplies in an easy to carry kit that you can use at home or take with you in the case you have to evacuate.
- Food:
- One gallon of water per person per day
- Nonperishable, easy to prepare food items (3-day supply for evacuation and 2 week supply for home).
- Hygiene and Personal Care items
- First Aid Kit and Medical Items – if you are taking medication make sure to have a 7-day supply in hand.
- Batteries, flashlights, and battery operated radio
- Important documents
- Family and emergency contact information
- Make sure you maintain you plan and kit updated!
Common Disasters Across the United States:
Miami Dade Resources and Services:
COVID-19 Tips and Resources:
What is a novel coronavirus? - A novel coronavirus is a new coronavirus that has not been previously identified. The virus causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is not the same as the coronaviruses that commonly circulate among humans and cause mild illness, like the common cold.
How does the Virus Spread? - The virus that causes COVID-19 most commonly spreads between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet, or 2 arm lengths).
It spreads through respiratory droplets or small particles, such as those in aerosols, produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, sings, talks, or breathes.
These particles can be inhaled into the nose, mouth, airways, and lungs and cause infection. This is thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
Droplets can also land on surfaces and objects and be transferred by touch. A person may get COVID-19 by touching the surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes. Spread from touching surfaces is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
It is possible that COVID-19 may spread through the droplets and airborne particles that are formed when a person who has COVID-19 coughs, sneezes, sings, talks, or breathes. There is growing evidence that droplets and airborne particles can remain suspended in the air and be breathed in by others, and travel distances beyond 6 feet (for example, during choir practice, in restaurants, or in fitness classes). In general, indoor environments without good ventilation increase this risk.
COVID-19 seems to be spreading easily and sustainably in the community (“community spread”) in many affected geographic areas. Community spread means people have been infected with the virus in an area, including some who are not sure how or where they became infected.
What is community spread? - Community spread means people have been infected with the virus in an area, including some who are not sure how or where they became infected. Each health department determines community spread differently based on local conditions. For information on community spread in your area, please visit: http://miamidade.floridahealth.gov/
How can I protect myself and others?
- Wear a mask over your nose and mouth:
- Masks help prevent you from getting or spreading the virus.
- You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.
- Everyone should wear a mask in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
- Masks should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
- Do NOT use a mask meant for a healthcare worker. Currently, surgical masks and N95 respirators are critical supplies that should be reserved for healthcare workers and other first responders.
- Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The mask is not a substitute for social distancing.
- To find more mask wearing information please click HERE
- Stay 6 feet away from others:
- Inside your home: Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- If possible, maintain 6 feet between the person who is sick and other household members.
- Outside your home: Put 6 feet of distance between yourself and people who don’t live in your household.
- Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread virus.
- Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people.
- Keeping distance from others is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
- Wash your hands often:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- It’s especially important to wash:
- Before eating or preparing food
- Before touching your face
- After using the restroom
- After leaving a public place
- After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
- After handling your mask
- After changing a diaper
- After caring for someone sick
- After touching animals or pets
- If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Food Assistance and Food Distribution Events Locator:
Miami Dade County Food Assistance: https://www.miamidade.gov/global/initiatives/coronavirus/assistance/food.page
Feeding South Florida – Drive Thru Food Distribution Sites: https://feedingsouthflorida.org/distribution_locator/
Farm Share – Food Distribution Events: https://www.farmshare.org/fooddistributions
FreeFood.org – database of all the food pantries and food banks in Florida: https://www.freefood.org/s/florida
Miami Dade County COVID-19 Testing and Vaccination Sites Finder:
Testing Sites Finder: https://www.miamidade.gov/global/initiatives/coronavirus/testing-locations.page
Vaccination Sites Finder: https://www.miamidade.gov/global/initiatives/coronavirus/vaccine/county-locations.page
COVID-19 Vaccine General Information
Find information for COVID-19 vaccination administration, storage and handing, reporting, and patient education for each specific vaccine. Please use the following links to access the information:
For more information regarding the COVID-19 Vaccine please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html
For specific information about the different vaccines please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines.html
COVID-19 Vaccine - Miami Dade County:
Miami-Dade County is coordinating closely with hospital and healthcare partners, the Florida Department of Health, municipalities, and private partners to vaccinate members of the community against the coronavirus (COVID-19) as quickly and efficiently as possible.
To learn more about the vaccination program in Miami Dade County please visit: https://www.miamidade.gov/global/initiatives/coronavirus/vaccine/county-locations.page
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has authorized booster shots for Pfizer BioNTech vaccine recipients aged 65 years and older, adults 18+ who have underlying conditions or who work or live-in high-risk settings and who have completed their initial series at least 6 months ago. For additional information on booster shot eligibility please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html
Champlain Towers - Surfside:
Miami Dade Emergency Page: www.miamidade.gov/emergency provides information in response to the Champlain Towers building collapse.
www.SurfsideReuinite.com contains a variety of Hotlines that provide mental health services a counseling.
Florida Blue Free Bilingual Grief Counseling helpline: 1-833-848-1762
The State of Florida Champlain Towers Hotel Helpline: 1-833-930-3701