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COVINGTON, Ky. - The City of Covington activated an ambulance to respond to all runs involving patients who could have COVID-19. Lt. Jimmy Adams is part of the team that will be making those hospital runs. He showed WCPO Nine News the protective gear he wears to the calls.
“At the end of the day, you know, we’re here to do what we do, and that means putting yourself at risk sometimes,” said Lt. Adams.
In the first three hours of the day Tuesday, the crew took two patients showing virus symptoms to the hospital, Covington Fire Chief Mark Pierce said.
“Very, very proud of them. We’ve had a large number of people that have stepped up and said, you know, ‘I will be one of the first ones to ride on this unit.’,” said Chief Pierce.
Lt. Adams spoke to his son through video chat Tuesday. That’s how they spend time together now. He made the decision to isolate himself to protect his family.
“My wife works in the healthcare industry as well. So, we’ve elected that our son is going to stay with his grandparents until this is all over with,” said Lt. Adams.
He says many front liners face this dilemma. So reporter Courtney Francisco called a man who can help, Josiah Myers.
“We’ve got 150 properties in Cleveland, Cincinnati and Columbus,” said Myers
His company, Airriva, is offering its rental vacation properties to healthcare workers who need a place to stay separate from family.
“If you’re concerned about not wanting to spread this or take it back home to your family, if you need places that are clean, free and located centrally to your hospitals, we are here for you,” said Myers.
To contact Airriva, click here.
Chief Pierce says emergency management is finding some units, too.
Lt. Adams has been a firefighter protecting our region for 30 years. Tuesday, he said maybe we can help him, too, by staying inside to slow the virus.
“The sooner everybody does their part, the sooner we get on the other side of this,” said Lt. Adams.
