COVID-19 Just Hit The Peterborough Fire Department

Sadly, I suppose you can add this to the list of first responders working selflessly on the front lines that are being hit by COVID-19. WMUR is reporting that four members of the Peterborough Fire Department have tested positive for Coronavirus, and due to exposure, they have caused a dozen people associated with them to quarantine.

Peterborough Fire Chief Ed Walker told MUR that the first positive test came back on Thursday, and after looking at the schedule for that day, anyone exposed to that firefighter was told to quarantine as well.

Of the four positive firefighters, two said they feel fine while the other two said they're going through some of the symptoms related to COVID, according to the news station.

Honestly, I'm surprised this hasn't happened sooner. And not just to the Peterborough Fire Department, but every fire and police department across the country.

Think about Laconia Bike Week, though. Sure, there were fewer bikes and people there than normal, but you still have a ton of people gathered together for an event, which means you have police, fire, and EMT's on hand for safety measures -- how no one came out of that with a positive test (at least, that I've heard of and researched) is a bit mind-boggling. Awesome, don't get me wrong, but mind-boggling.

This really just goes to show that we have to be extra careful when it comes to COVID. No matter the precautions you take, the threat to come down with it and pass it along is still there.

Chief Walker told WMUR that they have a regular sanitation rotation that includes wiping down surfaces and using a fogger to sanitize other high-traffic areas and surfaces. So, it's not like they're being careless -- it just happens.

He said he believes that the firefighter contracted outside of the station and brought it in, despite the precautions they've all been taking in and out of the fire house.

Look, I'm not going to preach to you. I'd be lying if I said I wore a mask inside my house or didn't have guests over. Just be careful, keep being cautious, and look out for each other. The effect hits everyone different -- for some people, it feels like a common cold. For others, unfortunately, they lose their lives. We WILL get through this and some sort of normalcy WILL come back. We just have to work together to make sure it does.

So, like the G.O.A.T. likes to say -- LFG! We got this!