We now have seven confirmed cases of COVID-19 among Donley County residents. I can assure you that we are not alone. The disease is widespread across the panhandle. Our testing and surveillance serves as a sentinel for the entire region. The observations and guidance I have attempted to provide over the past several weeks is more important now than ever. And it will be necessary for us all to be vigilant in the weeks to come.
We should limit our movements and personal interaction outside the home to only those necessary to obtain or provide essential services or to conduct essential activities as elaborated in Governor Abbott’s Executive Order (GA-14). These restrictions are necessary to reduce the spread of a highly contagious and potentially deadly virus.
Close contact with a person who has a confirmed case of COVID-19 will result in a period of quarantine for 14 days. We must retain the ability to provide essential services and need all to remain healthy and available. We cannot allow this disease to spread to the most vulnerable among us. Protection of the public health and all our citizens is my paramount concern. For this reason I urge all to comply with what should now be very familiar guidance.
Most of the county has done a remarkable job of adapting to a very difficult set of circumstances. But now is the time for all to carefully consider the consequences of unmitigated spread across our county. Now is the time to unite in a concerted effort to stop the spread. We know what we must do. Parents, remind your children. Let us remind each other. Sheriff Blackburn, County Attorney Lambert and I will be certain to remind any who put the public safety at risk.
Donley County has some quite remarkable people. I have come to love this community. I ask that you join me in this effort. Join me in prayer for our community as we trust in His Divine Providence.
John C. Howard, MD
Donley County Judge
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.