Calls to police officers and firefighters about assaults, crashes and medical emergencies aren’t going away during the coronavirus pandemic, but first responders approaches to them are.
With health officials recommending people use social distancing of 6 feet per person, St. Paul police supervisors are echoing that information to officers.
“If an officer doesn’t have to go into someone’s home to talk to them, they could invite them to come outside, which gives you more space to talk,” said Steve Linders, a St. Paul police spokesman.
Firefighters in St. Paul and elsewhere handle emergency medical calls, so they especially have to be cautious as they come into contact with patients who could have COVID-19.