A couple of weeks ago, we asked the Georgia Department of Health (GDPH) for backtracking information on positive cases of COVID-19 in our community.
The GDPH would not give us this information. So, we took the question to our Congressman – U.S. Rep. Doug Collins – whose staff directed us back to GDPH, as that department was in charge of handling news relating to the health crisis.
At the time we were asking for the backtracking information, we had just a few cases in our community.
However, now with basically everything shut down, our local cases are still rising. Habersham County has 21 cases confirmed among its residents as of noon Tuesday, and it is hard to believe many of those folks got it from a large gathering, at least in this county, where we have been doing a solid job of obeying CDC guidelines.
We will not be able to track where the virus came from to reach our community, so we need to focus on the bigger picture of where it is going instead.
We must slow the spread by wearing a mask in crowded areas like the grocery market and other big box stores. We must keep washing our hands and practicing good judgment and common sense like not touching our face and taking our shoes off when entering our home.
We got through Easter without seeing our families and gathering with our church congregations.
We have no idea when the pandemic will end, but we do know we have not reached our peak date yet. Estimates for that range between 10-15 days away yet.
That matches up with the onset phase of this virus we have heard so much about.
Habersham County, we must continue to abide with the shelter-in-place executive order from Gov. Brian Kemp. We should also do all we can to protect ourselves and others when we have to go in public places for essential items like groceries and medications.
Not abiding by the executive order is irresponsible by endangering the lives of other in our community and further tasking our local medical professionals.
Let’s pledge to continue to be responsible during this pandemic and correct those in our sphere of influence who are not.
Together, we will get through this.