The old "Independent State of Dade" spirit reared its defiant head at today's livestreamed 3 p.m. COVID-19 county briefing as County Executive Ted Rumley discussed what Dade could do unilaterally to close down Cloudland Canyon State Park since the state government will not.
Rumley first repeated the unwelcome but not unexpected news he'd announced via a live Facebook session Monday night, that Dade now has its first confirmed case of the deadly coronavirus. The patient is undergoing treatment, and the patient's family is self-quarantining according to recommended guidelines, said Rumley. "They're following everything right down to the T of what they're supposed to be doing," said the county boss.
Rumley read the daily Georgia case numbers, which are mushrooming: up today over 1000, 3817 from Monday's 2809. There had also been 21 deaths in 24 hours from the virus in the state. Fatalities were up to 111 at noon today for Georgia, 2405 in the U.S.A.
The county boss then moved on to the compromise executive order issued by Gov. Brian Kemp Monday to limit visitation at Cloudland Canyon State Park. The governor had taken the step after pleas by the county to shut down the park to keep hordes of tourists from pouring into Dade, as they did last weekend, potentially bringing the virus with them.
Kemp's compromise leaves the park open but limits the number of cars that can enter the park or park by campsites; authorizes the use of state game wardens for crowd control; limits group lodge attendance to 10 at a time; and provides for signs encouraging social distancing. Rumley says that's not enough.
Rumley said the county commission has instructed County Attorney Robin Rogers to look into what Dade can do as a county to shut the park down, or at least to shut it down partially. "Normally we cannot override any state law, but this is an emergency," said Rumley. "We're doing all we can within the law." More on this issue should emerge by the weekend, he said.
As for Dade closing down its own borders, Rumley said he'd had calls suggesting that but: "That's easier said than done." We've got an interstate going through the county and a couple of major state roads, he reminded. "You'd almost have to go into a martial-law-type thing to do that," he said.
Rumley once again encouraged citizens to wash their hands and use disinfectant wipes on gas pumps and grocery store pumps. And don't ignore the guidelines, obey them, he said. Being tough is great, said Rumley, and will help us survive this crisis, but: "Don't be so hard-headed that you don't follow directions."
Dr. Jan Harris, superintendent of schools said the system had delivered 28,624 school meals to kids out of class because of the pandemic but announced changes planned to the lunch delivery program effective Wednesday. "We want to practice more safety," she said. From now on parents and kids are asked to put out a receptacle--a box, child's wagon, sheet of newspaper, something--and then stay on their driveway or porch so the driver can see they're there. Then, instead of delivering the meals into the kids' hands, the driver will place them into the receptacle.
Same deal for pickup. If parents go through the drive-through at Davis or Dade Elementary to pick up meals rather than have them delivered, they are now asked to pop the trunk or open the back door, and cafeteria will put the food down there.
The super said she'd heard from parents that "there's a lot of stress going on with this home schooling." One mother had told her: "Pray like you've never prayed before because I may run away and not come back." Thus Dr. H is sending out a survey to gauge how the schools can help ease parents' pain. "We're going to figure all this out," she said.
Dr. Harris said that next week is spring break, which means no school lunches, but Dade First and all the local churches and civic agencies have that covered. Meals will be distributed April 6 and 8 from 3-6 p.m. at Dade High School. More details will no doubt emerge about this program in days to come via the livestreamed daily briefings. In that regard, the super thanked the county boss and Trenton mayor for their excellent communicaiton during this crisis. "By the authority vested in me, I declare Mr. Rumley and Alex Case get an A-plus," said Dr. H.
The always chic super, one of Dade's leading fashion icons, did not explain today's eye-catching ensemble, which appeared to consist of rubbery black overalls surmounting a latex whole-body covering that extended to her fingertips.
Alex Case said his emergency services department is working on how to recoup Dade's costs in dealing with the crisis from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He assured all that those close to Dade's one diagnosed COVID-19 case are self-isolating and alerting people they may themselves have been in contact with. He reminded all to be away of their own state of health and what may be affecting it: "Rain, hot, cold--common cold," he said. "Please monitor yourself."
Tammy Franklin of Dade Public Health went over the process begun when a COVID-19 case is diagnosed locally: The state epidemiologist is alerted and in turn calls the affected health district. In Dade's case, that's in Rome, and: "At this point, they're totally overwhelmed." But it is then the health department's job to notify the sick person and that person's close contacts who may be infected. It has to be a close contact. they will make phone calls to them. "They're delayed at this point," she said.
But once the notification is accomplished, the person and the contacts are advised to self-monitor their symptoms, which usually appear within about 14 days. They are told to keep away from other family members as well as from the public at large and if they begin to have the symptoms--high fever and dry cough--to call their doctor first, or if they have no doctor, the COVID-19 hotline, (844) 442-2681. "Make sure you don't just show up at the doctor," she said.
Ms. Franklin repeated the daily prevention advice: Wash hands, don't touch face, stay away from other people. "This germ cannot move itself," she said. People may not have symptoms but can still be contagious. Don't visit anybody or allow others to visit you. "Stay with the people you live with," said Ms. Franklin. If you wear protective gloves, change them or sanitize them often.
And on the subject of gloves, the ever-helpful Sgt. Chad Payne, speaking for the Dade County Sheriff's Office, demonstrated how to take gloves off without contaminating the hands they are meant to protect.
Boss Rumley closed the session with a mention of nonessential businesses that have elected to stay open during the general lockdown. "We'll address that Thursday night," he said.
Dade's regular April meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. this Thursday, April 2, but there will be nothing regular about it. Rumley said it will be a brief but necessary meeting. Citizens, usually encouraged to attend, during this strange time are urged to stay home and participate via livestraming.
Meanwhile, there will be livestreamed briefings at 3 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. Readers can be alerted of county livestreams by "liking" the Dade County Ga. Facebook page.
