WASHINGTON CO. JUDGE DECLARES SEVEN-DAY LOCAL DISASTER
Washington County Judge John Durrenberger has declared a local state of disaster, due to the public health emergency of COVID-19.
At an emergency meeting of Washington County Commissioners this (Thursday) morning, Durrenberger said he signed the declaration Wednesday afternoon, and that it will be in effect for seven days.
Durrenberger said the main emphasis of this declaration is to stress to the public that there is a strong concern about the virus, and to strongly discourage large gatherings of ten or more people. He stressed this declaration does not shut down any person’s business, as that decision will be left up to the business owner.
Durrenberger said there are several pieces to making a decision like this, and that he feels the county needs to take its time to make an informed one.
Commissioner Joy Fuchs echoed Durrenberger, saying local officials need to confer with State Representative Ben Leman and State Senator Lois Kolkhorst—who is the Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services—before making any big decisions.
Washington County Chamber of Commerce President Wende Ragonis told commissioners she believes they will do what is best for the county, and asked that they be mindful of the small businesses in the area and the impact any prospective decisions will have on them.
Commissioner Kirk Hanath said all local officials need to work together and make the decision that is best for Washington County.
This disruption should not last more than two weeks. Any longer will plunge us into a Mad Max world–rioting, stealing, fighting for food. This is unprecedented for a virus that has a kill rate less than most flu seasons. The government is disrupting people’s lives and livelihoods. It will kill small businesses. Is this the plan? We have already been hurt severely since the Antique show closed. This is a huge over-reaction on the part of the government –national, state and local. Not even in Texas did such a shutdown occur during the Spanish flu in 1918-19.
I’d rather be broke than dead. I’m willingly taking leave from work because i work in a high traffic gas station. I don’t want to bring anything home to my kids or husband. My income is very important for our household, but so is our health. We have to get ahead of this virus before it gets bad; like China and Italy.
Obviously you have not looked at the statistics, or you don’t care about others. This is 10 times deadlier than the flu case per death ratio. Your antique show will go on in the future, but some people’s lives will not. Let’s not just think about ourselves. Do what the government and CDC recommend. If it saves one life, then it will be worth it. Who knows it could be that one family member of yours it saves. All people think about anymore is money, or themselves. Money is not everything compared to a life. Be considerate for our kids and elderly. They need all of us to pitch in and do our part during this hard time.
DONT BE IGNORANT. TAKE PRECAUTIONS. THIS THING IS SERIOUS. IF YOU DONT BELIEVE IT LISTEN TO THE NEWS AND WATCH WHATS GOING ON IN THE WORLD. IT COULD HAPPEN HERE ALSO IF YOU STAY IGNORANT AND DONT TAKE PRECAUTIONS. IF YOU THINK ITS NOT THAT BAD ASK THE DEAD. THIER DEATH IS REAL.
Don’t we want to be ahead of the curve and not wait until more people show signs of this virus to make decisions?