Although 2020 is almost over, our battle against Covid-19 is not. In March and April, the virus scared us. Through the summer it was a nuisance, and this fall it has exploded in numbers this community has not yet seen. We are all frustrated and weary as we shatter daily records of confirmed positives over and over.
For nearly a year, local leaders have advised the people of our community to listen to the medical experts, and do their part to slow the spread of Covid-19. The Perry County Commission does not need to enact a mask mandate or order our area non-essential businesses to shutter their doors in order to accomplish this. We need only to rely on the hardworking caring people of this community to use good judgement, and do the right thing without forced mandates and county-wide orders. We are strongly urging the people of our town to follow CDC guidelines and the recommendations developed by the Perry County Health Department to keep themselves and their loved ones safe and free of disease. We implore our citizens to maintain social distance, frequently wash their hands and to wear a mask while in the presence of others. And most importantly, we remind you to stay home if you’re sick.
Perry County is the midst of a major Covid-19 outbreak, and the local medical system is dangerously close to being overloaded. Our regional medical professionals are struggling to meet the demands of caring for those sick with Covid-19, and other non-covid related illness. Perry County Memorial Hospital has been operating at near capacity for several weeks, as are hospitals all across this state and country. Exhausted doctors and nurses are pleading for our community’s cooperation as they do their best to operate under these taxing circumstances. Until we have a vaccine, we must learn to live with Covid-19. It is not going away, and we must do our part to flatten the curve, just as we did in March. We must not be complacent. We are asking everyone in Perry County to step up and do their part this holiday season. Find a way to gather safely, while continuing to protect the most vulnerable of our population. Have a happy Thanksgiving, and a Merry Christmas. May God bless and protect us all.
Presiding Commissioner Mike Sauer
District One Commissioner Jay Wengert
District Two Commissioner Jim Sutterer