The city of Tulsa has been keeping a list of residents’ requests for new neighborhood or arterial street lights for more than a decade, but a lack of funding has left those areas in the dark.
That’s about to change. Mayor G.T. Bynum and City Councilor Jeannie Cue joined officials from AEP-PSO on Wednesday morning to announce that nearly 100 new LED street lights will be installed across the city.
The lights will be installed in three phases, beginning with 12 locations deemed “ready for installation.” Those locations include three sites each in of City Council Districts 1, 3 and 9 and one site each in Districts 2, 4 and 7.
Phase 2 has 40 locations approved for new lights that are awaiting design. Phase 3 comprises 43 locations that are still under review.
The first new street light was installed Wednesday at the corner of 89th Street and Delaware Avenue, the site of the city’s news conference.
People are also reading…
“This is something we can do that makes it safer for people to walk around town and not feel fearful of being hit by a car or (being) a victim of crime,” Bynum said.
During the 2008 recession, the city imposed a moratorium on new residential street lights because of a lack of funding. The subject reemerged when the city conducted its first Gallup-Tulsa CitiVoice Index survey in 2018.
Bynum said that survey made it clear that Tulsans were concerned about neighborhood lighting.
“Too many Tulsans did not feel safe walking in their neighborhoods, and this was consistent throughout the city. And it was not because of crime issues in those neighborhoods; it was because the neighborhoods were too dark,” Bynum said.
Steve Baker, vice president of distribution for Public Service Company of Oklahoma, said the utility was proud to partner with the city on the lighting program and that the project coincides with the company’s initiative to use LED lights in all new city street lights.
“We look forward to better illuminating neighborhoods and improving public safety,” Baker said.
The city established a scoring system to measure which lights are needed most. Each request is scored based on four weighted indicators: hazards, such as concentration of crime (50%); reliance on alternative modes of transportation (20%); nearby needs, such as grocery stores and schools (20%); and economic conditions (10%).
The oldest recorded request for a street light, at 1307 N. Atlanta Ave., scored as the most urgently needed.
The city has allocated $50,000 for the project to cover ancillary costs related to the installations.
American Electric Power-Public Service Company of Oklahoma pays for the lights and installation. The city is responsible for paying for the electricity to operate them.
All of the new lights are expected to be installed by July 2021.
Residents can request a new street light by calling 311.
Featured video
Let's Talk Town Hall featuring Oklahoma's Economy
COVID-19 basics everyone needs to know as the pandemic continues
COVID-19 basics everyone needs to know as the pandemic continues
How it spreads, who's at risk
Studies have shown many infected people show no symptoms or have symptoms so mild they may go undetected; those people can still transmit COVID-19 to About 20% of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 require hospitalization.
The disease can be fatal, especially for vulnerable populations: those older than 65, living in a nursing home or long-term care facility, and anyone with underlying health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, lung disease or obesity.
Science of virus spread
COVID-19 is spread mainly from person to person via respiratory droplets produced by an infected person. Spread is most likely when people are in close contact, within about 6 feet. A person might also be infected with COVID-19 after touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their face. According to the CDC, evidence suggests the novel coronavirus may remain viable for hours to days on surfaces, though that form of transmission is said to be minor.
Transmission between people more than 6 feet from one another may occur in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces, the CDC says, especially where activities cause heavier breathing, such as singing or exercising.
The infectious period for patients can begin up to 48 hours before symptom onset.
List of symptoms
The CDC recently expanded its list of possible symptoms of COVID-19. The symptoms can appear from two days to two weeks after exposure.
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
This list does not include all possible symptoms and will continue to be updated by the CDC. One symptom not included is "purple toes," which someone may experience with no other symptoms, sometimes several weeks after the acute phase of an infection is over. The coloration and pain is caused by a lack of blood flow to the toes caused by excessive blood clotting, a late-stage concern with COVID-19 infections.
Kinds of testing
Those getting tested may experience different kinds of swabs. The viral test, known as PCR, involves a deep nasal swab that can be painful.
Other tests that require less-invasive swabs may produce results faster, but with less accuracy. These should not be used diagnostically.
It is not yet known whether COVID-19 antibodies can protect someone being infected again or how long protection might last.
The 'serious seven'
The "serious seven" refer to close contact environments where residents should take extra precautions if they choose to attend. The seven are gyms, weddings, house gatherings, bars, funerals, faith-based activities and other small events, according to Tulsa Health Department Director Bruce Dart.
Treatments being investigated
The FDA has allowed for antiviral drug remdesivir, previously tested on humans with Ebola, to treat more severe cases of COVID-19 in adults and children. Safety and effectiveness aside, preliminary studies have shown it can shorten recovery time for some patients.
After previously approving an emergency use authorization, the FDA as of July 1 cautions against use of hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine for COVID-19 outside of the hospital setting or a clinical trial. A review of safety issues includes reports of serious heart rhythm problems and other safety issues, including blood and lymph system disorders, kidney injuries, and liver problems and failure.
Convalescent serum therapy
Some patients are receiving convalescent serum, meaning the antibodies made by people who have recovered after a COVID-19 infection. Antibody-rich blood plasma is being given to severely or critically ill COVID-19 patients, including Ascension St. John, Saint Francis Health System, OSU Center for Health Sciences and Hillcrest HealthCare System in Tulsa.
From June to July, requests for convalescent plasma from the Oklahoma Blood Institute multiplied seven-fold.
Recovery, as defined by CDC
To be considered recovered (without a test), these three things must happen, the CDC advises:
- No fever for at least 72 hours (three full days of normal temperature without the use of medicine)
- Other symptoms improved (no more cough, etc.)
- At least 10 days since symptoms first appeared
