In this monthly column, Northside Public Safety Council President David Stacy shares public safety news for Pittsburgh’s Northside.

By David Stacy

Photo courtesy of Atlantic Training via Wikimedia Commons

The New Coronavirus

Northsiders are coming together and sticking together as we practice social distancing from one another and self-isolating by staying home to stop the spread of the new coronavirus.

There is not much to say about this COVID-19 virus as details on it change daily and sometimes hourly, so please stay informed with our local news as well as news abroad and take heed to what our authorities ask us to do and refrain from.

The Northside is renowned for being a neighborly neighborhood and we all look out for one another. Therefore, the very best thing we can do as individuals is to NOT contract this virus so we can help to stop its spread to others.
We ask that you check on your neighbors who are elderly, disabled, and those who do not have the means of transportation to get needed food or pharmaceuticals. A check-up phone call can go a long way for those who are anxious, afraid, or lonely. Always use caution: If you feel sick in any way, stay home and search for
resources that can help to safely assist those you may be concerned for.

First Responders

Please know that our first responders are in full force and always prepared for our emergencies or needs. Note that we as citizens must protect our first responders so that they don’t get sick and quarantined. Do not hesitate to call 911 if you have an emergency. However, if you are sick with flu-like symptoms, let the 911 dispatcher know so they can direct our first responders accordingly.

Giving thanks

The flu is still active in the city of Pittsburgh and allergy season is amongst us, so if you feel symptoms of these illnesses, we encourage you to call or reach out to your doctor before going to the hospital in order to protect yourself and others. If you cannot reach your doctor, you are urged to call 911 for assistance and medical help. We ask for you to remember and appreciate the heroes on the front line who are serving us through this uncertain time: our first responders, healthcare providers and givers, employees of grocery stores, transit systems, pharmacies, delivery drivers, etc. Thank them every opportunity you have.

Remember, fear doesn’t help anything. Staying informed, cautious, and alert can go a long way to keep us all safe.

The Northside Public Safety Council’s (NSPSC) April 2 meeting is canceled and we will resume as normal in May unless otherwise noted. On behalf of NSPSC*, we would like to extend warm regards to you, your family, and your loved ones in this time of unity and space of separation. Please take care and caution.  

David Stacy is the president of the Northside Public Safety Council. (NPSC). Please contact NPSC for more information or details by phone at 412-321-0295 or via email: zone1psc@gmail.com. Regular NPSC meetings are held on the first Thursday of every month starting at 5:30 p.m. Meetings are held at the Manchester Citizens Corporation, 1319 Allegheny Ave., 15233.

*Editor’s note 4/23/2020: In the original print version of this story, NSPSC was referred to as NSCDF. We regret the error.