The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Health

Health News 06/03/2020

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COVID-19 testing sites
The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County is working with community partners to provide COVID-19 testing throughout Pasco County, according to a news release.

Those interested should call the facility prior to going in for testing to ensure they meet any guidelines required by the partner.

This is the current list of testing sites in Pasco County, in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area:

  • CVS Pharmacy, 2322 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Lutz: (813) 949-3641
  • Florida Medical Urgent Care, 2352 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Suite 101, Wesley Chapel: (813) 929-3600
  • Florida Medical Urgent Care, 38021 Market Square, Zephyrhills: (813) 715-0374
  • Premier, 14027 Fifth St., Dade City: (352) 518-2000
  • Premier, 38724 Mudcat Grant Blvd., Dade City: (352) 518-2000
  • Premier, 2114 Seven Springs Blvd., Trinity: (352) 518-2000
  • Med Express, 22945 State Road 54, Lutz: (813) 909-9099
  • AdventHealth, 1127 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Wesley Chapel: (813) 973-2889
  • Doctor’s Urgent Care, 13256 Gunn Highway, Odessa: (813) 290-0023

Assisted Living agreement
Hillsborough County has entered into an agreement with an assisted living facility to serve as a transition unit, which sets aside 60 transitional beds for senior care facility residents who were hospitalized with COVID-19, but who now do not require hospitalization.

The facility, The Inn at University Village, will serve as a transitional unit between the hospital and its senior care community for those patients while they await final clearance to return to their previous residence.

Patients are expected to be moved from hospitals to the facility, where they will temporarily reside in a separate wing specifically designed for COVID-19 patient.

The initiative is one of several being undertaken by a senior care facility rapid response task force formed by Hillsborough County, the City of Tampa, the Florida Department of Health-Hillsborough County, the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, and four hospital systems: Tampa General Hospital, BayCare, AdventHealth, and HCA Healthcare-West Florida Division.

Hand-washing, the correct way
The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County urges members of the public to follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and practice proper hand hygiene, to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The CDC recommends practicing everyday preventive actions like social distancing (at least 6 feet), wearing a cloth face covering when you are out in public, and washing your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

An alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol also can be used, but not as a substitute for cleaning hands with soap and water.

Five steps to wash hands the right way:

  • Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap and apply soap.
  • Lather hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of hands, between fingers and under nails.
  • Scrub hands for last least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end, twice.
  • Rinse hands well under clean, running water.
  • Dry our hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

Moffitt cancer center coming to Wesley Chapel

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Construction on a $44 million outpatient cancer treatment center in Wesley Chapel is nearing completion.

The three-story, approximately 100,000-square-foot medical building is expected to open on schedule in late fall.

A new Moffit cancer outpatient treatment center is under construction at AdventHealth Wesley Chapel. (Courtesy of AdventHealth)

The new center is part of the AdventHealth Wesley Chapel campus, at 2600 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.

A medical partnership between Moffitt Cancer Center and AdventHealth was announced last year, and construction on the outpatient center began in May 2019.

The new outpatient center will provide area cancer patients with up-to-date, cutting-edge medical and radiation oncology services.

There will be four operating rooms, 20 exam rooms, 22 infusion stations and two linear accelerators.

Cancer patients who are in remission or are post-treatment will have access to screenings and survivorship programs.

“The goal is to stop people from driving so far and bring treatment to where they live,” said Ashley Jeffery, AdventHealth’s manager of corporate communications for the West Florida Division.

Moffit Cancer Center, in Tampa, is recognized as a top-tier cancer hospital. It is one of only 50 with a designation from the National Cancer Institute as a Comprehensive Cancer Center.

AdventHealth, formerly Florida Hospital, is a faith-based, nonprofit hospital with several locations in Pasco County.

In a news release announcing the partnership with Moffitt, Mike Schultz, president and chief operating officer of AdventHealth West Florida Division, said, “Our partnership allows us to strengthen our network of care by expanding the type of health care services we can provide to our communities and gives cancer patients greater access to the country’s leading-edge research, clinical trials and cancer treatments at Moffitt.”

AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, which opened on Oct. 1, 2012, wasn’t even three years old when it announced a $78 million expansion, which included additional emergency rooms, inpatient rooms, surgical suites and related surgical services, Heart Catheterization Lab, recovery/observation rooms and shelled space for future growth.

The hospital also added Inspiration Place in 2018, which is a women’s center in an adjacent building on its campus.

Published May 27, 2020

Seminar offers advice on coping amid pandemic

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Jesse Varnadoe mostly has kept an optimistic outlook, despite stay-at-home orders and quarantine protocols.

It hasn’t been easy, though.

Besides claiming lives and flattening the economy, the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in a range of reactions — including loneliness, isolation, cabin fever and other responses.

Pasco-Hernando State College organized a virtual summit on helping others cope through the coronavirus disease-201 (COVID-19) pandemic, as it relates to loneliness and self-isolation during quarantine.

“Being stuck in the house, not being able to go anywhere — I started to get in a funk almost,” said Varnadoe, a student at Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC).

To stave off negative moods, the student said he tries to “make every day mean something.”

Even simple routines help, he said, such as folding laundry or hanging clothes. Staying in regular communication with friends and family helps, too.

His advice to others?

“Every day, make sure that you have something that you want to accomplish, even if it’s not much, and it’ll keep you on the right track, it’ll keep you moving, it’ll help you to not become depressed,” Varnadoe said.

He was one of several speakers on a virtual panel discussion organized by PHSC and designed to offer ways to help people cope through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speakers at the May 11 virtual summit included students, behavioral health experts and representatives from the college.

Panelist Rod Cunningham underscored the vulnerability of people in isolation.

Cunningham, who is the community outreach director with the Drug Enforcement Agency, observed that even vicious criminals are found lying in the fetal position when retrieved from solitary confinement.

“Men are not made to be alone,” Cunningham said.

He advised people to schedule social distancing activities that simply make them “feel better,” whether it’s gardening, reading, playing video games, or even perusing social media.

“It’s important to understand yourself and start to pull your plan together,” Cunningham said.

Panelist Harold Jackson suggested one way to lighten things up is to take a humorous look at certain aspects of the pandemic.

For instance, he joked: “If you need a 144 rolls of toilet paper, you probably needed to see a doctor before COVID-19 hit.”

“There are aspects of this thing that we can laugh about, because we’re not laughing a lot today,” said Jackson, who is a community relations liaison with Tampa Family Health Centers.

This illustration, created at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reveals ultrastructural morphology exhibited by coronaviruses. (Courtesy of the CDC)

He also suggested that people draw on whatever faith-based experiences or readings they have, “to move forward through (the pandemic).”

Dr. Joe Bohn, a professor at the University of South Florida College of Public Health, recommended using the new-found personal downtime to pick up a new skill or hobby.

He is following his own advice by taking online dance classes.

Amidst the pandemic, it’s been therapeutic, he said.

He’s also passed along what he’s learned about dancing to other professors and students.

“It’s helped them, given them an outlet,” he said. “I think it’s one of these things of having something to do every day.”

Some panelists from the college also offered suggestions on what the college can do to help support PHSC’s large student body during this pandemic.

Dr. Eddie Williams said many students are facing financial issues, technological issues and increased bouts of anxiety.

The assistant professor, who works in human services, called upon faculty and staff to be proactive in “letting students know the resources that are out there.”

He noted it is particularly important to do that because some students are reluctant to ask.
He said he’s personally been reaching out to struggling students who haven’t been quite as active in virtual classes. He think that’s something that more instructors should do.

Even a simple phone call can set them back on the right track, he said.

“They get very surprised and happy, and they feel supported, usually by me just calling,” he said. “I let them know to communicate with me. Let them know what’s out there and let them know you’re supporting them.”

Dr. Micheal Jones, a psychology professor at the college and the men’s basketball coach said faculty must take a leadership role.

During times of crisis, he said, “it’s our due diligence to reach out to the students.”

He advocates for more robust mental health support groups and services on campus, because he believes there will be an influx of students facing issues with anxiety and depression come fall.

“We just have to be prepared to be able to service these students with the issues that they’re dealing with, especially coming back from this pandemic,” Jones said.

“I think this is one of the things that students never really thought could happen, but it happened, so we’ve got to find a way to support them and keep them enrolled, and keep them positive,” he said.

Published May 27, 2020

Health News 05/27/2020

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Dr. Nabeel Hamoui peers into a console used for robotic surgery. (Courtesy of Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point)

First robotic prostatectomy
Dr. Nabeel Hamoui performed the first robotic prostatectomy at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point, utilizing Intuitive Surgical’s advanced, four-arm robotic technology.

“Use of the robot allows for better visualization of the anatomy, improved ability to spare nerves responsible for erections, and improved continence compared to open surgery,” Dr. Hamoui said, in a news release.

Dr. Hamoui will perform minimally invasive, robotic-assisted surgeries including prostate surgeries for cancer and enlarged prostates, kidney cancer, and female pelvis surgeries to treat incontinence.

 

OneBlood tests for antibody
OneBlood, the nonprofit blood center, is testing all donations for the COVID-19 antibody.

The antibody test is authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and will indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to the virus, regardless of whether they ever showed symptoms.

According to OneBlood, convalescent plasma donors have the ability to help critically ill coronavirus patients. The transfused plasma with COVID-19 antibodies into a patient fighting the virus can help boost the patient’s immune system and potentially help with recovery.

OneBlood began collecting and distributing COVID-19 convalescent plasma in April.

The antibody testing also will provide statistical information to public health officials.

COVID-19 antibody testing will be performed in addition to the standard infectious disease testing all blood donations receive.

Donors will be able to see their results approximately 48 hours after donating, by logging into their donor portal at OneBlood.org.

Due to social distancing measures OneBlood has in place, all donors are required to make an appointment online at OneBlood.org or by calling (888) 936-6283.

AdventHealth cites problems with lab; issues apology

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AdventHealth had been providing free testing for coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) at locations in its West Florida Division but discontinued it because of issues with a third-party lab, according to a news release from AdventHealth.

“To meet the unprecedented demand for COVID-19 testing, we rely on nationally accredited third-party labs to assist us. Unfortunately, one of these labs processing a significant number of our public tests has been unable to fulfill its obligation,” the health care provider said, in the release.

“AdventHealth has terminated its contract with this lab, and we share in the disappointment and frustration this situation has created. We are deeply sorry for the inconvenience and uncertainty it has caused.

“This issue impacts more than 8,000 people throughout AdventHealth West Florida Division. “This situation has created unacceptable delays, and we do not have confidence in the reliability of the tests. We are working diligently to notify and appropriately accommodate those who are impacted. They will be receiving a letter from us and may also receive a phone call.

The individuals fall into two categories:

  • Those whose samples were processed, and whose results provided by the lab are not deemed reliable.
  • Those whose samples are at the lab in question and are part of the backlog will not be tested; therefore, no result will be available.

AdventHealth has directed the lab to destroy those samples, in accordance with the law, the release says.

In the case of unreliable results, there were individuals with unreliable positive results, that will require retesting, AdventHealth says.

Also, Individuals with unreliable negative results who are symptomatic need to seek care and may require retesting.

Also, individuals with unreliable negative results who are asymptomatic but request to be retested will be offered testing pending availability, the health care provider adds.

Mike Schulz, president and CEO of AdventHealth West Florida, addressed the issue in a statement:  “It has been a privilege to serve our community during these unprecedented times, and we remain committed to our promise to keep you safe and provide the best care possible.

“We are taking ownership of these issues and are reaching out to the thousands of those who were impacted to help make it easy for them to understand the next step in their care,” he said.

Published May 20, 2020

Health News 05/20/2020

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NOTE: The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County (DOH-Pasco) will be closed in observance of Memorial Day on May 25 and will reopen on May 26. BayCare Health System, DOH-Pasco’s community partner, will temporarily relocate its COVID-19 testing site to 5637 Marine Parkway (at the corner of George St. and Marine Parkway) in New Port Richey from May 26 to May 29, weather permitting.

BayCare has been providing COVID-19 testing at the Gulf High School parking lot since the end of March. This temporary move will allow students and faculty end-of-year access to the building without the concern of proximity to the testing site.

For information, visit FloridaHealth.gov/covid-19, email , or call (866) 779-6121.

Pregnancy centers still open
The Oasis Pregnancy Care Centers are still open, with some creative and temporary changes.

The staff works everyday continuing pregnancy education with clients.

Each week, for a few hours, each center location opens to provide curbside delivery of diapers, wipes, formula and other baby items for those in need.

The centers still offer decision coaching, pregnancy tests, emergency ultrasounds, and more.

In Land O’ Lakes, call (813) 406-4965. In Wesley Chapel, call (813) 618-5037.

For more information, visit OasisPregnancyCenter.org.

Crisis Center funding
The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay is committed to ensuring that the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) community in Hillsborough County has access to crisis intervention, resource information and referrals, suicide prevention, and rape crisis services.

United Way Suncoast is providing the nonprofit Crisis Center with $25,000 in emergency funding. The funds are part of a more than $1.2 million in COVID-19 emergency assistance from the United Way Suncoast’s COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund, which is being distributed to human services across the Suncoast, to support housing/shelter, food, child care, financial stability and mental health services.

In addition to intervention, resources and referrals, suicide prevention and rape crisis services, the Crisis Center’s Gateway Services 2-1-1 provides 24/7 on-call support for callers who need help with basis needs, such as housing and food access.

For information, visit CrisisCenter.com.

Pharmacy hours back
As of May 16, Publix stores reopened daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and its pharmacies returned to regular operating hours.

Pharmacy hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. For hours on Saturday and Sunday, visit your locale store’s website.

Pharmacy hours at hospitals will vary by location.

For customer updates, visit Publix.com.

Virtual chat
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Hillsborough and NAMI Pasco will host a lunchtime chat on May 21, May 26 and May 28, at noon, on Facebook or YouTube.

Those that tune in can hear from local business officials, peers and family members on a variety of mental health issues.

For example, the May 14 episode was provided by nationally certified intervention professional Stephen Sundquist on not only addiction but the importance of recovery, too.

YMCA blood drives
The YMCAs of the Tampa Bay area will continue to host blood drives, in partnership with OneBlood.

The Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA and the YMCA of the Suncoast will host blood drives at 11 YMCA locations across Hillsborough, Pinellas and East Pasco counties on May 21 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The East Pasco Family YMCA, in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area, at 37301 Chapel Hill Loop in Zephyrhills, will be one of the donation sites.

All donors will receive a OneBlood T-shirt, and a free wellness checkup including blood pressure, pulse, temperature, iron count and cholesterol screening.

For information and other locations, call (888) 936-6283.

Virtual classes
The Gulfside North AHEC (Area Health Education Center) will host free virtual Tools to Quit classes, covering all forms of tobacco.

The classes will provide information about the effects of tobacco use and the benefits of quitting, and will provide assistance to develop a personal quit plan.

A workbook and materials will be provided, along with nicotine replacement patches, gum or lozenges, if necessary.

The upcoming classes are on May 26 from 10 a.m. to noon; May 27 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.; and, May 29 from noon to 2 p.m.

Preregistration is required by calling (813) 929-1000.

Once registration is received, a ZOOM link will be provided to join the conference via video or audio.

Health News 05/13/2020

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(Courtesy of Pasco Federated Republican Women’s Club)

Thanking front line workers
The Pasco Federated Republican Women’s Club (PFRWC) and the Republican Club of Central Pasco (RCCP) delivered 45 meals to the Medical Center of Trinity under the banner of Pasco FLAG (Pasco Front Line Appreciation Group). The front line heroes dined on food provided by Hungry Harry’s Family BBQ and Benedetto’s Ristorante Italiano. From left: Meg Merritt, founder and treasurer PFRWC; Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey; Sandy Graves, president PFRWC and Pasco County Republican committeewoman; and two Trinity Hospital staff members.

Show solidarity
Join NAMI Pasco (National Alliance on Mental Illness) and NAMI Hillsborough for a quick and easy way to show solidarity for those who are feeling alone.

Wear green on May 15 and, at noon, join NAMI for a quick ZOOM conference. NAMI staff will video record 30-second messages of hope to those dealing with mental health conditions.

The Zoom recordings can then be shared with loved ones and community members.

Visit Zoom (881-9795-4665) and use the password 071608.

Hub of support established
In response to an overwhelming outpouring of support from businesses, community groups and individuals, AdventHealth Foundation West Florida has established a central hub for people who want to support the AdventHealth caregivers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic in our area.

The greatest opportunities for community support are: food for care teams; care packages for caregivers who have been impacted by COVID-19; and, financial donations to support response and relief efforts.

All contributions can be made by visiting AdventHealthFoundationWestFL.com.

AdventHealth also welcomes the community to leave a note of thanks or encouragement for the physicians, nurses and other team members on the front lines. Use #SpreadThanks to post a thank-you note on social media platforms for caregivers to publicly see the outpouring of love and support from the community.

Call to action
Tampa’s Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI) began using its 3D printers to make face shields for front line staff, when the COVID-19 pandemic started to escalate.

The museum’s Chief Operating Officer Rob Lamke saw a Moffitt Cancer Center social media post asking for the community’s support in making masks for team members.

MOSI had purchased the 3D printers eight years ago to help broaden its STEM programming, to allow the museum to demonstrate prototyping and create new interactive displays for visitors.

To ensure quality control and to make sure the masks were acceptable for medical use, Lamke said MOSI had the National Institute of Health test and clinically review all the designs.

Jay Wright, Moffitt’s supply chain director, said that the patient-facing clinicians will benefit the most from the face shields.

A closer look at coronavirus statistics in Pasco County

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Pasco County’s percentage of positive coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) cases compares favorably to the state’s percentage of positive cases, according to Mike Napier, health officer for the Florida Department of Health in Pasco County.

Napier’s comments came on April 24, during a town hall virtual meeting hosted by Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey.

Napier said the health department’s epidemiologists work with hospitals, long-term health facilities, urgent care centers, and other medical and testing facilities to identify, monitor and track all positive COVID-19 cases.

Once a positive case is identified, the health department’s epidemiology team contacts the individual and asks about their activities and the people they’ve come in contact with.

“Based on that information, follow-up calls are made to those possible contacts. Information is gathered and recommendations are provided to those individuals, as well.

“A tracking system is used to compile this information and determine trends in our community.

“Normally, this is a 24/7 operation, manned by four staff in the health department.

“However, in the last few weeks, we’ve ramped up and have a total of 25 people working on contact tracing.

“As we know, contact tracing is a huge component in resolving our COVID-19 cases,” Napier said.

“Before we had the self-isolation, you  may have been to a neighborhood barbecue. You may have been to your children’s school event. I may have 40 to 50 people.

“Contact tracing is important.

“We contact our positives within the first 24 to 48 hours of the lab getting back to us. Many times, we’re contacting them before the doctors call them.”

“The amount of work is reduced because of the isolation, and the spread is reduced because of the isolation.”

Napier put Pasco County’s percentage of positive cases at 5% of those tested, compared to the state average of 10%.

“Today (April 24), we’ve had nine positive cases; in the past, we’ve been doing pretty well, with four or five cases,” he said.

Of 229 cases, 174 people have been removed from isolation, he said.

As of April 24, Pasco had its highest daily positive count on the first three days of April. The counts on those days were 15, 12 and 16, respectively.

“For this past week, we’ve averaged five cases, so we’re making progress,” he said.

Early on, most of the county’s cases were related to travel from known hot spots.

Then, the positive cases were from exposure to known cases, with a large percentage being from household contact, such as spouses, children and siblings, he said.

He said the health department provides priority testing, based on first responders and health care workers.

He said BayCare also has stepped up with drive-thru testing at its Gulf Harbor location and now at Gulf High School in New Port Richey.

“BayCare has tested more than 2,000 residents that met the screening criteria. I can’t emphasize the importance of the screening criteria — fever, cough, shortness of breath,” Napier said.

The focus has been on testing people who are symptomatic, he said.

The testing will be provided through the first week of May at Gulf High School, said Napier, who also gave a shout-out to the principal, for accommodating the testing.

“These efforts have allowed us to identify and slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community,” Napier said, adding that social distancing is working to reduce the spread of the potentially deadly virus.

When employers can find ways for employees to work at home, that helps to limit the spread, he said.

“Pasco County, in general terms, has done very well with the COVID response and has seen less cases and less deaths, compared to similar counties,” Napier said.

He attributes some of that to the health department’s efforts to fight back the Hepatitis A problem that has plagued the county for the past year.

He explained: “COVID-19 messaging is similar to Hep A, in that good hygiene is the No. 1 best way to avoid infection.

“Our hospitals, long-term care facilities, community partners and you, our residents of Pasco County, are making a difference and the data shows. Continue to follow CDC guidance, watch for updates for the governor and when Pasco County begins to get back to business, following their guidance,” he said.

“The Department of Health is working with Pasco County to provide data on case counts and other related information, so that they can make informed decisions on opening the county for business,” Napier added.

He also offered these simple reminders: “The basics of infection control continue to be good hand hygiene.

“Remember,” he added, “the best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus.”

Published May 06, 2020

AdventHealth Center Ice is site for free COVID-19 testing

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UPDATE: AdventHealth has discontinued testing at this site.

AdventHealth is offering free coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing at AdventHealth Center Ice, 3173 Cypress Ridge Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

It began on April 29, and will be offered each weekday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., for 30 days.

A doctor’s order is not required, but  AdventHealth is encouraging pre-registration at AdventHealthCoronavirusTesting.com or (866) 694-5503 prior to arrival, according to an AdventHealth news release.

There are no out-of-pocket costs for the test, regardless of insurance status. AdventHealth will cover the cost of those who are uninsured, the release says.

The test consists of coughing and spitting into a cup, the release adds.

“Expanding testing is an important and necessary step to help flatten the curve and keep our community safe,” Mike Schultz, president and CEO of AdventHealth West Florida Division, said in the release. “We are investing in these testing sites in strategic community locations to make it convenient and affordable for as many people as possible.”

“Additional testing for COVID-19 is an important part of the plan to reopen our community,”  Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore, added in the news release. “AdventHealth has always been a good community partner, and I appreciate them working closely with Pasco County and the Florida Department of Health on this drive-through COVID-19 testing site for our citizens.”

Anyone who pre-registers will be assigned a designated appointment time. First responders and health care workers who show proper workplace identification will have a designated lane at the test site to shorten wait times for those groups. Test results are available in approximately two days to three days, and will be delivered through the AdventHealth app and the AdventHealth website.

Anyone who is tested will receive a call from an AdventHealth physician or nurse practitioner with their results and any next steps in care, if necessary.

Published May 06, 2020

Staying positive during a pandemic

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It’s no secret that impacts from the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic pose significant challenges.

“What happened to normal? Normal is just gone, right? It’s just gone,” said Paula O’Neil, former clerk and comptroller for Pasco County, and now a private business consultant.

Paula O’Neil offered words of support and encouragement in a Zoom virtual meeting of WOW TOO, a women’s networking group that is part of the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce. (File)

O’Neil’s remarks came during a Zoom meeting of WOW TOO, a women’s networking group that is part of the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce.

She reminded participants about Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs — identified as physiological, safety, love and belonging, esteem, and self-actualization.

Before COVID-19, the women typically were acting at the self-actualization level of the hierarchy, O’Neil said.

“We’re good problem-solvers, we care about people. We care about our community. We look at the facts and we can make good decisions.

“Now, all of a sudden — the world has turned around,” she said. “I’ve never seen anything like this,” she said.

“With COVID-19, there’s a lot of fear of getting the disease. There’s a lot of fear with our economy.

“The biggest problem we have, I think, is uncertainty. Not knowing what’s next.

“The uncertainty — we’ve got to embrace it and see how we can help other people. Because really, you heal yourself by helping other people.

“So, what do we do now? How can we use this situation to help others?”

She reminded the virtual gathering:  “Not everybody has the problem-solving skills that you have.”

No doubt, it’s a challenging time.

“This has been a big shock, in income, obviously,” O’Neil said.

“How do we get people to trust us, to let them come to our business, and let them continue to get back to a normal life?” she asked.

O’Neil then cited the work of Elisabeth Kubler Ross, who defined the five stages of grief. Those stages are denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.

“We are grieving our normal lives. We’re grieving our normal economy. We’re grieving the stock market — when it was high. We’re grieving teachers that can teach our kids, so we don’t have to.

“We’re grieving our jobs. We’re grieving our co-workers. And, we’re grieving those people who are sick and have gone,” O’Neil said.

Initially, O’Neil said, people, including herself, thought: “That’s not going to happen here.”

There’s been anger, too.

“Are we angry that the governor didn’t close the beaches during Spring Break? Are we angry that the president didn’t do things quicker. Are we angry because we just lost our jobs? What are we angry about?” O’Neil asked.

People are asking: “What can we do to try to get back to some normalcy?”

There have been losses, and that’s taking a toll.

“There’s a lot of depression,” O’Neil said. She talked about a client who told O’Neil that suddenly she “would just burst into tears because all of a sudden, no one is coming in her store.

“These are serious things,” the business consultant said.

Eventually, there’s acceptance.

“I think it’s going to be easier for us, once the economy opens back up, our country opens back up,” O’Neil said.

In the meantime, she reminded the women: “There are a lot of blessings in this challenge and nobody can deny that.

“We have time.

“We have time to ride our bikes.

“We have time to play with our kids.

“We’re cooking more.

“We’re working differently and we’re socializing differently.

“The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.

“It’s hard to do that, when you have so many things on your schedule. But, now that your schedule is blank, except for Zoom meetings, you can easily prioritize.

“What things were you doing that were not that important?” she asked.

“Now that you are spending more time with your family — maybe you limit some of those (less important) things, so you can continue to do that (in the future),” O’Neil said.

Published April 29, 2020