Mock exercises are needed to save lives

BOUQUETS >> To Lorain County Community College and Lorain County Public Health for hosting a mock exercise July 11-12 of a real-life emergency involving the exposure of anthrax. The event at LCCC was conducted to prepare folks for real-life emergencies and for them to learn what treatment is available.

Erin Murphy, Lorain County Public Health program manager, said the scenario was of a mass of people at a concert who inhaled anthrax through an HVAC system.

Anthrax is an infectious disease that’s caused by bacteria.

Inhaling that bacteria can cause cold symptoms, then lead to severe breathing problems, and if not properly treated, can be fatal.

In the next five years, every health department in the region will have to conduct similar exercises to get prepared in a case of an emergency.

Murphy said, “The reason these are important is because we know that we have to practice things to be good at them.”

We applaud LCCC and County Public Health for being proactive and for preparing residents, but we hope it’s never needed.

BOUQUETS » To El Centro de Servicios Sociales Inc., 2800 Pearl Ave. in Lorain, for receiving the Helen Rodríguez-Trías Health Award for its commitment to advancing health equity and improving the health and well-being of Latinos through innovative strategies and practices.

Rodríguez-Trías was a pediatrician, educator and women’s rights activist and first Latina president of the American Public Health Association.

UnidosUS, the nation’s largest Latino advocacy organization, presented the award to El Centro, which also came with a $5,000 prize.

Victor Leandry, executive director of El Centro, said, “It is a humbling experience to receive the Helen RodríguezTrías Award, especially during UnidosUS’s 50th anniversary conference in Washington, D.C. “I’m blessed to have a team of staff that are dedicated, passionate and driven by El Centro’s mission.”

We congratulate El Centro for the well-deserving honor.

BRICKBATS » To the person responsible for harboring more than 20 dogs in an unsanitary Lorain house that Lorain police and dog warden had to remove July 17.

Police said an anonymous citizen walked past the residence in the 1700 block of East 28th Street, heard the dogs barking and could smell the strong scent of dog urine and feces.

Lorain police Officer Rick Broz, who handles animal cases for the Police Department, said he and another officer checked out the house and verified the tipster’s complaint. They received a warrant to go inside and found the dogs.

A Morning Journal reporter was invited to enter the house which had cages lining the walls with barking dogs, an overwhelming stench, no sign of ventilation and no electricity.

Broz said, “The conditions inside are inhumane.”

Denise Willis, a humane officer with the Friendship APL, said the house was used as a makeshift kennel, but it is not up to code.

The person responsible must be punished. This is unacceptable and authorities must act to prevent this from happening again.

BRICKBATS » To John M. Abraham, the 71-year-old Elyria man police say struck an Elyria city employee with his vehicle and drove off July 14 during the Kerstetter 5K race.

Abraham is facing charges of felonious assault, stopping after an accident and willful disregard for the safety of persons after he allegedly struck the 47-year-old Elyria man with his 2002 silver Toyota Highlander.

Police said the incident occurred at 8:17 a.m. at the intersection of Broad Street and Washington Avenue.

The employee, who was blocking westbound traffic on Broad for the race, told Abraham — as he approached the intersection — to redirect his vehicle, but Abraham refused and continued forward, striking the victim.

The employee stepped to the side preventing a more serious incident. He was treated on scene by LifeCare with minor injuries.

A short time later, Abraham was caught after driving north on Washington by a U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officer, who was stationed at Washington and Depot Street for the race.

Abraham stopped, but only after the officer pointed his gun at him. Police arrived and arrested Abraham.

Abraham is innocent until proven guilty. It’s very fortunate no one was seriously hurt or killed in this incident.