County Taking Steps In Attempt To Remain Open
March 18, 2020 at 4:29 p.m.
County Taking Steps In Attempt To Remain Open
By David [email protected]
At this time, the county is trying to avoid closing down.
But first, he wanted to let local businesses affected by COVID-19 know of potential assistance by the government.
Jackson said he contacted Congressman Jim Banks (IN-3) via text and Banks told him to let people know his office was willing to help. He told Jackson that this was an incredibly fluid situation. The number for businesses to call to start the process to see what assistance may be available to them is 260-702-4750.
So many innocent people are affected, and Banks told Jackson his office is eager to help.
As for the county, Kosciusko officials are encouraging the public to call and email the county offices they may have business with. Jackson said the public should only come into county buildings if absolutely necessary.
“We’re not closing, but we are putting restrictions in place and putting counters out in the hallways,” Jackson said. “We’re trying to avoid shutting down by people only coming in if absolutely necessary.”
Jackson also provided a copy of the letter sent out to county team members.
The letter advises county employees that if they are experiencing a fever of 100.4 or higher or any combination of symptoms (cough, headache, runny nose, chills, sore throat, shortness of breath, vomiting, diarrhea) the day of or prior to the next work day, they should call in sick to keep others healthy.
The letter offers county employees advice on what they can do to help. The advice includes:
• Washing our hands often, using soap and water, for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoiding touching our eyes, nose, mouth or face with unwashed hands and wash them again after you do.
• Avoiding contact with sick people.
• Staying home if we are sick.
• Covering our cough and sneeze with a tissue, then throwing the tissue away immediately and washing our hands. If a tissue is unavailable, using the elbow or our arm, and washing or sanitizing our hands immediately.
• Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched areas and surfaces frequently.
Some restrictions the county is also following, according to the letter from all three county commissioners, includes:
• If you have a fever, cough or feel sick, please call in sick and stay home.
• If you have traveled to a high-risk area, or have been in contact with a known COVID-19 infected person, you should call in sick.
• Practice social distancing. At least 5 feet away from others when at all practical.
• Do all you can to encourage the public to conduct their business by phone or email.
• We will be working with various departments to develop ways to have less in-person interaction with the public, and also more ways to create more distance when interaction is required.
• We encourage you to also take precautions in your off-work hours.
• Spray all touchable surfaces in public areas (hand rails, door handles, etc.) at least two times per day.
• The Kosciusko County Health Department has recently (temporarily) hired an epidemiologist to assist its nursing staff in working with the COVID-19 virus. She is specifically trained in disease investigations, as they relate to public health.
Regarding county meetings, Jackson said they’re trying to eliminate unnecessary ones. When they do have meetings, everyone in attendance is as spread out as possible.
Jackson said all three commissioners want everyone to continue praying for the community, workers and those sick. He cited 2 Chronicles 7:14 as a particular verse that speaks to the current situation. It says, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
“It’s very relevant to our situation right now,” Jackson said.
County hours remain the same, and officials continue to monitor the situation in coordination with county, state and national health officials.
“We’re trying to be smart, be safe,” Jackson said. “We’re trying not to overreact, but there’s a fine line between doing too much and doing too little.”
At this time, the county is trying to avoid closing down.
But first, he wanted to let local businesses affected by COVID-19 know of potential assistance by the government.
Jackson said he contacted Congressman Jim Banks (IN-3) via text and Banks told him to let people know his office was willing to help. He told Jackson that this was an incredibly fluid situation. The number for businesses to call to start the process to see what assistance may be available to them is 260-702-4750.
So many innocent people are affected, and Banks told Jackson his office is eager to help.
As for the county, Kosciusko officials are encouraging the public to call and email the county offices they may have business with. Jackson said the public should only come into county buildings if absolutely necessary.
“We’re not closing, but we are putting restrictions in place and putting counters out in the hallways,” Jackson said. “We’re trying to avoid shutting down by people only coming in if absolutely necessary.”
Jackson also provided a copy of the letter sent out to county team members.
The letter advises county employees that if they are experiencing a fever of 100.4 or higher or any combination of symptoms (cough, headache, runny nose, chills, sore throat, shortness of breath, vomiting, diarrhea) the day of or prior to the next work day, they should call in sick to keep others healthy.
The letter offers county employees advice on what they can do to help. The advice includes:
• Washing our hands often, using soap and water, for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoiding touching our eyes, nose, mouth or face with unwashed hands and wash them again after you do.
• Avoiding contact with sick people.
• Staying home if we are sick.
• Covering our cough and sneeze with a tissue, then throwing the tissue away immediately and washing our hands. If a tissue is unavailable, using the elbow or our arm, and washing or sanitizing our hands immediately.
• Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched areas and surfaces frequently.
Some restrictions the county is also following, according to the letter from all three county commissioners, includes:
• If you have a fever, cough or feel sick, please call in sick and stay home.
• If you have traveled to a high-risk area, or have been in contact with a known COVID-19 infected person, you should call in sick.
• Practice social distancing. At least 5 feet away from others when at all practical.
• Do all you can to encourage the public to conduct their business by phone or email.
• We will be working with various departments to develop ways to have less in-person interaction with the public, and also more ways to create more distance when interaction is required.
• We encourage you to also take precautions in your off-work hours.
• Spray all touchable surfaces in public areas (hand rails, door handles, etc.) at least two times per day.
• The Kosciusko County Health Department has recently (temporarily) hired an epidemiologist to assist its nursing staff in working with the COVID-19 virus. She is specifically trained in disease investigations, as they relate to public health.
Regarding county meetings, Jackson said they’re trying to eliminate unnecessary ones. When they do have meetings, everyone in attendance is as spread out as possible.
Jackson said all three commissioners want everyone to continue praying for the community, workers and those sick. He cited 2 Chronicles 7:14 as a particular verse that speaks to the current situation. It says, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
“It’s very relevant to our situation right now,” Jackson said.
County hours remain the same, and officials continue to monitor the situation in coordination with county, state and national health officials.
“We’re trying to be smart, be safe,” Jackson said. “We’re trying not to overreact, but there’s a fine line between doing too much and doing too little.”
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