Weekly Update - Coronavirus

DATE:         March 16, 2020
TO:             All Personnel at LGA, HPN, ISP, SWF
FROM:       Robert A. Duffy, Federal Security Director: LGA, HPN, ISP, SWF
SUBJECT:  Weekly Update - Coronavirus

       As I write this update, we have now reached the point where the schools throughout our region have been closed along with bars, restaurants, sporting events and many other social activities.  I want to first say “thank you” to all of you for your positive, winning and can-do attitude since the coronavirus concern began over a month ago.  I greatly appreciate you and the work you are doing daily.  Two hours ago I received a phone call from TSA Administrator Pekoske.  Administrator Pekoske was interested in your well-being and sends his personal thanks to all of you at LGA, HPN, ISP and SWF for your continued dedication to the TSA mission and for your perseverance in this challenging time.
       Earlier this afternoon, I listened in to a PANYNJ conference call which featured the Deputy Director of the Department of Public Health for the State of New York.  The following are the highlights of the call.  While some of the information has already been given to you numerous times in the past, it is still relevant and needs to be followed.  Also, please keep in mind that the events concerning the coronavirus are rapidly evolving every day.  This why we are sending information to you daily so you stay informed and we can reduce or eliminate the rumors.

• In the United States, the states of New York, California and Washington have the highest confirmed cases of coronavirus.  West Virginia is the only state without a confirmed case.
• The coronavirus is spread primarily spread through person to person contact.  That is defined as within 6 feet which is why you see and hear so much about maintaining social distance. 
• Elderly people are at the greatest risk and children are impacted by the virus the least.  80% of infected people experience mild symptoms and they fully recover.  Other vulnerable people are those with a compromised immune system from a previous medical condition such as heart or lung disease, diabetes or cancer.  Pregnant women are also at greater risk from coronavirus.
• For the latest information for New York residents, you may call the New York State Department of Health hot line at 1-800-364-3065.  You can also contact the Department of Health web site at www.ny.gov/coronavirus.  The hot line can be used to find a coronavirus test site in New York.
• There are a number of actions being taken to minimize the likelihood of exposure.  They include non-pharmaceutical intervention which includes the closure of large gathering places such as schools, arenas and stadiums, restaurants and bars; basically any location where social distance is less than 6 feet between people. 
• Environmental intervention includes home isolation, good respiratory etiquette by coughing or sneezing into a tissue, handkerchief or your elbow.  Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth and maintain good hand hygiene by washing your hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds or using a hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol based.
• Face masks are not recommended unless a person is infected, in which case the mask can prevent the virus from spreading through coughs and sneezing.  People in the high risk groups may benefit from a mask.
• Clean work areas with a detergent based cleaning product or an EPA-registered disinfectant.  An example would be Clorox or Lysol wipes or isopropyl alcohol found at the checkpoints.  Some products state they are effective against rhinovirus.  They would be very good to use as rhinovirus is a much tougher and resilient virus than coronavirus. 
• Postpone air travel to include domestic air travel, which is of interest to us.
• Clean high contact surfaces on a regular schedule.  Frequently touched surfaces include keyboards, touch screens, examining tables, telephones, desk tops, handles, etc.  The cleaning product should stay on the surface for 5-10 minutes for maximum effectiveness before wiping off.
• The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has a very helpful web site as well:
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

       I also want you to know that if you need any help with scheduling due to the decision to close schools, please talk to your supervisor.  We will do all that we can to help you work through this unexpected change of events.  I have advised all of our leadership at a staff meeting this morning to take good care of all of you in their charge, respond immediately to address your needs to the best of our ability, keep you informed and set you up for success.  We are taking some additional steps to maximize the use of our officers in Screening and keep you healthy.  Some of these actions include:

• Maintaining an ongoing cleaning tempo at all checkpoints and worksites to minimize contamination.
• Maintaining an ample supply of disinfecting supplies and consumables for the checkpoints and workstations.  For those who want to wear a mask, you may, but our order has not yet arrived due to the lack of available supply at the present time.  We have received a total of about 800 masks from JFK and will continue to ask for more until our order arrives.
• We will continue to send out daily information to keep you up to date on the latest developments, and answer any questions you have.
• We will reduce or eliminate ATLAS activities if/when needed to maintain checkpoint screening operations.
• We will reduce or eliminate VIPR operations if/when needed to maintain checkpoint screening operations. 
• We are in constant contact with our stakeholders daily at all four airports.
• We are prepared to reduce the number of open lanes and may consolidate checkpoints if necessary based on staffing and passenger volume. 
• The FSD staff has the ability to work from home, and are alternating between home and office.
• Regulatory TSIs will continue to carry out their inspections in the field, but can write their reports at home.
• We are continuing to train our Terminal B officers for the new equipment and opening of the new Terminal B this spring.
• We have assigned TSMs Rich Mui and Sergio Blanco to focus on the following:

     - Maintaining adequate supplies for our checkpoints and work with Receiving and Distribution to get the supplies where needed. 
 -Liaison with any employee every day who has, or may have been exposed to, the coronavirus and is under quarantine at home to address any needs they have.
- Work on requested schedule changes to help keep our officers coming to work. 
 -Provide answers to questions and address rumors with accurate and timely information.
    
       Please be assured that I care about all of you very much and we are doing all that we can to help you get through this challenging time. We are in uncharted waters as the closest event to this was the government shutdown last year, but this event is affecting far more of the population and appears to be in a position to last longer.  Let us know what we can do for you. 
    
       We are going to be alright because with all of you working together as a team and doing your best every day, there is nothing we can’t overcome.  Thank you for your service and keep up the great work you do every day.


It is my privilege to serve you,

Bob Duffy