Hand Sanitizer Added to Escambia County's Public Health Campaign

Hand Sanitizer Added to Escambia County's Public Health Campaign: Mask Up, Escambia!

Published Jul 28, 2020

Beginning Wednesday, July 29, Escambia County is now offering 10,000 bottles of hand sanitizer in addition to face masks as part of the public health campaign, "Mask Up, Escambia!" The campaign, which began July 1, is focused on informing residents and visitors that masks are recommended by the CDC to protect others. In addition to a 2 ounce hand sanitizer bottle, the public may continue to pick up a free mask while supplies last. The county offered 27,000 free masks to residents throughout the public health campaign and still has supply at the following locations:

Libraries Monday through Friday, 2 to 6 p.m.

• Pensacola Library
• 239 N. Spring St.
• Pensacola, FL 32502
• 850-436-5060
• Tryon Branch Library
• 1200 Langley Ave.
• Pensacola, FL 32504
• 850-471-6980
• Century Branch Library
• 7991 N. Century Blvd.
• Century, FL 32535
• 850-256-6217
• Genealogy Branch Library
• 5740 N. Ninth Ave.
• Pensacola, FL 32504
• 850-494-7373
• Molino Branch Library
• 6450-A Highway 95A
• Molino, FL 32577
• 850-435-1760
• Southwest Branch Library
• 12248 Gulf Beach Highway
• Pensacola, FL 32507
• 850-453-7780
• Westside Branch Library
• 1301 W. Gregory St.
• Pensacola, FL 32502
• 850-595-1047
• Escambia County Extension, 8 a.m.to 5 p.m., 3740 Stefani Road
• Brownsville Community Center, 8 a.m.to 5 p.m., 3200 W. De Soto St.
• Ebonwood Community Center, 8 a.m.to 5 p.m., 3511 W. Scott St.
• Pensacola Beach, Tower 4 at Casino Beach or ask a lifeguard

"Escambia County is pleased to be able to offer free hand sanitizer in addition to a free mask for the public during this unprecedented time," said Emergency Manager Eric Gilmore. "Unfortunately, it sounds like COVID-19 is not going away anytime soon we are urging the public to continue to focus on staying clean to stay healthy. The county has supplies, and we are doing everything in our power to encourage the public to 'Mask Up' and stay clean." 

The campaign includes messaging to avoid the "Three C's":

1. Closed spaces - with poor ventilation
2. Crowded places - with many people nearby
3. Close-contact settings - such as close- range conversations

The risk of COVID-19 clusters is particularly high when the "Three C's overlap."

In addition to the "Three C's":

• It is recommended to wear your mask to protect yourself and those around you.
• Clean items used by multiple people with disinfectant.
• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Stay home if you are sick or have symptoms.

As a reminder, the best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:  

Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when physical distancing is not possible

• The Florida Department of Health Public Health Advisory recommends all individuals in Florida should wear masks in any setting where physical distancing is not possible, unless any of the following apply:
  • A child is under two years of age;
  • An individual has one or more medical conditions or disabilities that prevent wearing a face covering;
  • An individual is obtaining a service involving the nose or face for which temporary removal of the face covering is necessary to perform the service;
  • An individual works in a profession where use of a face covering will not be compatible with the duties of the profession; or
  • An individual is engaged in outdoor work or recreation with appropriate physical distancing in place.
  • All individuals over the age of 65 and all individuals of any age with high-risk health conditions should limit personal interactions outside of the home and take all measures to limit the risk of exposure to COVID-19.
  • All individuals should refrain from participation in social or recreational gatherings of more than 10 people. For all gatherings of fewer than 10 people, individuals should practice physical distancing by maintaining a distance of at least six feet from each other and wearing a face covering.

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.
• 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.

Avoid close contact

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick, even inside your home. If possible, maintain 6 feet between the person who is sick and other household members.
• Put distance between yourself and other people outside of your home.
  • 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.

Cover coughs and sneezes

• If you are around others and do not have on your cloth face covering, remember to always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow and do not spit.
• Throw used tissues in the trash.
• Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Clean and disinfect

• Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
• If surfaces are dirty, clean them. Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
• Then, use a household disinfectant. Most common EPA-registered household disinfectantswill work.

Monitor your health

• Be alert for symptoms. Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.
  • Especially important if you are running essential errands, going into the office or workplace, and in settings where it may be difficult to keep a physical distance of 6 feet.
• Take your temperature if symptoms develop.
  • Don’t take your temperature within 30 minutes of exercising or after taking medications that could lower your temperature, like acetaminophen.
• Follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop.

If you believe you may have been exposed to COVID-19, please contact the FDOH Call Center at 866-779-6121, or FDOH-Escambia’s number, 850-595-6500, prior to traveling to any physician’s office, emergency department, hospital, or urgent care center, to ensure proper protective measures are taken to prevent further risk of spread to others. If possible, also review your signs, symptoms and travel history with your physician over the phone. Your physician will evaluate you for other possible causes of respiratory illness and also contact the health department to access COVID-19 testing. If you are without health insurance or a health care provider, please contact the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County so the health department can coordinate your medical evaluation and testing. Most people with confirmed COVID-19 infection reportedly have mild to moderate respiratory illness and can be managed at home in coordination with their health care provider and local health department. Persons with severe illness may be hospitalized. For updates and additional information, visit Florida Department of Health in Escambia County.

The Escambia County Joint Information Center provides daily updates Monday through Friday via news releases which are then posted to our social media channels @BeReadyEscambia on Twitter and Escambia County Emergency Management on Facebook. Please visit the Escambia County COVID-19 web page at https://myescambia.com/covid-19 for additional information.