Families urged to stay home, don’t panic

By Melinda L. Lucas

City, school, and county officials are on the front lines of the worldwide coronavirus surge as they carefully but quickly navigate state and federal recommendations to rein in the “beast” before it grows to the proportions that it has in other countries.

In addition to Albany’s school closure for a minimum 14-day period and Moran ISD’s shutdown at least through April 3, local mayor pro tem Susan Montgomery has taken steps to try to protect local citizens, particularly those susceptible to becoming critically ill.

Emergency management coordinators for the city, Carrie Holson, and for the county, sheriff Ed Miller, are also actively pursuing ways to safeguard local citizens.

Even with the threat of a suspected case in the immediate area, county judge Robert Skelton urged everyone to “remain vigilant and do not panic.”

Montgomery’s advice was similar, even as she declared a public emergency on Tuesday morning in order for the city to be able to procure state and federal assistance if needed.

“Our first concern is the well-being of Albany citizens and to stay proactive in staying ahead of the circumstances,” Montgomery said. “The City of Albany will continue to provide updates as the situation changes.”

Holson stressed that the emergency declaration is not intended to create fear or panic among citizens.

“During emergency situations, the State of Texas requires certain documentation to be in place to ensure state assistance, resources, and future reimbursements,” said Holson. “Declaring a state of emergency now will ‘facilitate and expedite the procurement, use, and deployment of resources,’ such as Personal Protective Equipment for our local healthcare providers.”

Montgomery asked that all sources of information about coronavirus and its effects be verified before they are passed on, especially on social media, where rumors are running rampant.

In fact, the only real effects of the pandemic locally as of Wednesday morning seemed to be the ongoing “panic buying” of toilet paper and a few other staples, a practice that reportedly started in China weeks ago and has spread across the globe.

With U.S. citizens actually being encouraged by the government to buy enough groceries to last 14 days if necessary, toilet paper seems to have taken on a life of its own, flying off the shelves almost as soon as it is restocked.

Brookshire’s director Curt Manning assured customers earlier this week that his company’s trucks are making deliveries regularly, including toilet paper, milk, and meat. He suggested that customers take what they need, but not stockpile items, so that other local citizens will be able to buy those items when they need to resupply.

“I’m not aware of any shortage unless it’s being caused by panic buying,” said Manning.

Shackelford County Hospital District administrator Jera Fairley concurred that social media is not the place to get information, especially medical.

“Myths have been abundant,” Fairley said. “The best places for correct COVID-19 information are the websites for the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Texas DSHS. Go there if you want it to be accurate.”

Fairley said that new policies are in place at the hospital district’s clinic, with the front door locked at all times, and patients required to call ahead to be let in.

ResourceCare has a similar protocol, asking patients to call ahead if they are experiencing fever or symptoms of respiratory illness.

Montgomery asked that any group meetings be limited to 50 or less, and she urged citizens to stay at home when they can.

“This is an ever-changing situation, but the ability of Texans to respond in logical, proactive ways is nothing new – it’s who we are,” said sheriff Miller in a recent statement. “Remain calm and take preventative measures. This will be over soon.”