SOUTHAVEN, Miss — UPDATE 3/20/2020 - (SOUTHAVEN NEWS RELEASE) - "Due to continuous re-evaluations to minimize the risk of spread of the COVID-19 Virus, Southaven City Hall will amend business procedures immediately to stop in-person transactions and traffic flow inside the building until further notice.
All services will remain available by alternate means. The drive-through window and dropboxes at the north entrance will accept payments and any other documents. All departments may be reached by phone at 662.280.CITY (2489) or website at www.southaven.org which also includes email addresses for all department heads. Video teleconferencing options will also be available as an alternative to in-person meetings.
We appreciate everyone’s cooperation to minimize risks and protect the health and safety of all citizens."
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An update to our Covid-19 Risk Management Plan…
It’s imperative that we all come together as a team now to minimize the risk of this virus to all of us! So many have already pulled together and taken significant risk-management actions in our cities, county, schools, churches, hospitals, businesses, and homes. I’ve never had any doubt that Southaven and all of Desoto County would rise to the occasion and do our part to protect our way of life! I thank you and commend you already for an excellent job.
I will always talk straight with you and need to call attention to a serious concern. While most in our community have done what I knew they would in following the advice of public health experts, we still have some that are taking the risk of mass gatherings entirely too lightly. We will get through this, but need everyone to take this matter seriously to keep the statistics on our side. Now is the critical time to limit gatherings of people and practice a strategy of statistics which has proven to control pandemics similar to this in the past. You can still live your life and do business, but just make adjustments and do it wisely. We truly are in this together and everyone’s behavior affects all of us.
The United States Surgeon General continues to stress the importance of the significant difference we can make in just a few weeks in flattening the risk curve of a pandemic over-run of our healthcare facilities. The sacrifices we make now will help us all return to the normal lives we love sooner.
Will you be a good teammate?
Will you make a temporary sacrifice to protect the lives of our immuno-deficient and elderly citizens that we love so much?
Will you consider the needs of your fellow man in everything you do?
Will you join me in checking priorities?
Tough times truly do not last, but tough people do!
-Southaven Mayor Darren Musselwhite
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3/13/2020 - The City of Southaven is suspending all Park and Recreational events until April 1st, due to coronavirus concerns.
Below is a news release sent out by city leaders.
“Obviously, our world and our city are facing many unknowns at this time regarding this disease. As we listen to experienced and credentialed doctors express varying opinions, it makes it challenging for all of us to accurately gauge our risk. As I’ve stated, it is critical that we not panic, however, we must prepare and implement risk-minimization practices until we know the severity of this threat. One of the key recommendations of the CDC and Mississippi State Department of Health (links below) is to practice social distancing. As a city, it is crucial for us to heed the advice of these organizations and both practice and promote this risk-minimization action.
Until APRIL 1, all City of Southaven Park and Recreational events will be suspended. This includes tournaments, recreational games, and all other organized gatherings. Facilities will remain open for individual use. The Municipal Court will remain open with amended procedures to protect high-risk persons. All other City functions will not change. Again, this is simply to minimize risks associated with gatherings and practice social distancing.
It’s important to note that the City does not make decisions for schools, churches, other governmental entities, or private businesses located in our city, but encourages all to consider the recommendations of the MSDH and CDC.
We understand the inconvenience and frustration of the unknowns at this point, but must err on the side of caution and public safety until we have a better assessment of the real dangers posed to us by this disease.
We will continue to evaluate all facts and provide corresponding updates."
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Coronavirus in Context:
The symptoms of coronavirus are similar to the flu or a bad cold. Symptoms include a fever, cough and shortness of breath, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Most healthy people will have mild symptoms. A study of more than 72,000 patients by the Centers for Disease Control in China showed 80-percent of the cases there were mild.
But infections can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death, according to the World Health Organization. Older people with underlying health conditions are most at risk.
The CDC believes symptoms may appear anywhere from two to 14 days after being exposed.
Lower your risk
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- If you are 60 or over and have an underlying health condition such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes or respiratory illnesses like asthma or COPD, the World Health Organization advises you to try to avoid crowds or places where you might interact with people who are sick.