The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1228200
A-10 Local Wednesday, April 1, 2020 The Press-Dispatch www.UebelhorGM.com Jasper • 1-800-937-8721 CHEVROLET Blustery day, perfect for kites Sunday was warm and windy, a perfect combination for flying kites. Gabby Col- lins and her brother, Tyler Collins, were out with their kites in Petersburg. Gab- by tries to get hers airborne, while Tyler tries to keep his under control and out of nearby trees. Sunday's wind and sun fol- lowed strong storms that came through the area, dropping about an inch of rain Saturday night. Spring is upon us The saying goes "April flowers bring May showers." But in this case, March showers and warm temperatures brought beautiful blooms on this Magnolia tree in Petersburg on Goodlet St. near the elementary school. After today's cold spell, with highs in the mid-50s, temperatures are supposed to be in the 60s or 70s for the next several days. "Start by calling your per- sonal health care providers," said Gladish of being tested. Most of the testing cen- ters at hospitals require a doctor's order to be tested or seen. She said the cen- ters then will do protocol and decide whether a person should be tested. She said Daviess Community Hospi- tal's center doesn't require a doctor's order, however, peo- ple will not automatically be tested there. The Daviess Community Center in Washington is be- ing managed by Pike Coun- ty native Andrew Houchin. He said Monday, they have rapid testing for strep and flu, and can get those re- sults back while a patient waits. However, the COV- ID-19 tests must be sent off to a lab and results are not immediately available. Dr. Box, on Tuesday, said there are no rapid tests for COVID-19 in Indiana. The shortest response time on the testing is 24 hours. "A lot of people get frus- trated with that because they can't get tested. They have to remember, this is so widespread, they just don't have enough tests yet. There is no treatment for it. The treatment is going home and getting rest, fluid and man- aging their temperature. If they get more symptoms and become short of breath, and have a persistently high temperature, then that is when they need to go to the emergency room, but they want you to call before you go," said Gladish. She said if someone does test positive or has mild symptoms, they should im- mediately self-isolate for at least seven days past the symptoms diminishing and at least 72 hours past the last fever. She added people need to adhere to Governor Hol- comb's order to stay away from other people. "Only go out for essential activi- ties. Just have one person go into the grocery store. If you can do online order- ing and pickup, definitely do that. Churches are not sup- posed to be having in-per- son gatherings. All should be online or virtual services. One church did people gath- ering in the parking lot and staying in their cars. They are getting really creative on how to meet the governor's guidelines," said Gladish. She said volunteers have agreed to help elderly or people in risk categories to get their groceries. "This if for people who can't do it on their own and truly, truly need help." Anyone in need of this service can call the health department at 812- 354-8797 for more informa- tion about it. Petersburg Police Chief and Pike County Prosecu- tor Darrin McDonald both urged people to not gather or get out. Baumgart thanks area businesses and citizens for their cooperation. "These are trying times for all of us and we must continue to pro- tect ourselves and our com- munity, by keeping distance from our neighbors, friends and loved ones. This will aid in reducing the spread of the Coronavirus and over- whelming the health care system. This is a task we as humans are not used to do- ing. Finding emotional sup- port and safety in groups helps when in stressful sit- uations. Remember, there are other ways to commu- nicate, through Facebook, phone calls, video calls and other means." "Our churches in the city have come up with some great ideas to reach their flocks, through live streaming, web casting, ra- dio broadcasting and other means." "It is so important that gathering with groups re- mains illegal until this virus is defeated and the Governor has rescinded the Executive Order 20 -08 (Stay-at-Home Order), which makes gath- ering a violation of the law and with good reason. Our elderly and persons with medical issues will have great and grave risk to the virus. These are our moth- ers, fathers and grandpar- ents," said Baumgart. "As parents we are tasked with teaching our children how to develop into adults and become responsible for not only their future, but the future of our community. By sitting down with them and telling them what is going on in the world and updat- ing them, it will help keep them in the house and stay- ing away from their friends. Please ensure your children are not going out and meet- ing with their friends and other family members." "In closing, thank you for your part in this fight against the Coronavirus and keeping our city as safe as possible. Keep your kids informed and stay at home," said Baumgart. McDonald said it is a very uncomfortable position to be in. He asked people to volun- teer to not gather. "We don't want to be in the position to have to enforce this. We have enough to deal with, without having to do this." GOVERNMENT MEETINGS: Pike County Commission- ers will have their Monday, April 6 meeting via a phone conference. It starts at 8:30 a.m. Members of the public that want to attend may call 812-354-8448 for conference participation. The number of phone con- ference participants is lim- ited to conferencing limita- tions. The Petersburg City Council's scheduled meet- ing for 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 6 has been cancelled. CANCELLATIONS The community Good Fri- day and Easter Sunday Sun- rise Services at Hornady Park have been cancelled. COVID-19 EFFECTS ON FUNERALS Even funerals are being affected by COVID-19. Nick Henson, of Harris Funeral Home, said they have had to make changes to how they conduct funer- als and graveside ceremo- nies. He said the funeral is limited to immediate fami- ly only. They can only have 10 people in the building at once and they have to have a funeral director present. "We are keeping our per- sonnel to the minimum so more family members can attend." He said visitation is al- so limited. Again, they are still only allowing close fam- ily and friends. "We are try- ing to keep it to a maximum of 20 to 25 people. We let six or seven people in at a time. When they leave, we go in and try to sanitize and dis- infect the building, and then let another six or seven in. It has been a big change from what we are used to," said Henson. "So far, we have been ex- tremely lucky, people have being very understanding. We are committed to the family and safety, while be- ing committed to giving them a service as close to normal as possible, but the state doesn't leave us many options," said Henson. Continued from page 1 COVID-19 Area road restrictions in Pike and Martin Co. Highway 257 will have two lane closures as crews work on bridge projects starting Monday, March 30. The Indiana Depart- ment of Transportation an- nounced the lane closures on State Road 257 in Pike County due to weather re- lated project complications. Earlier this month, IN- DOT Contractors began working on the bridge spanning the White River on S.R. 257 between Wash- ington and Otwell. Due to heavy rains and flooding, this project has temporari- ly halted until the flood wa- ters recede. Because of this, two more bridge projects asso- ciated with this project will be moved up in the project timeline. Beginning on or around Monday, March 30, contractors will close one lane of the S.R. 257 bridge spanning Flat Creek near Velpen and the S.R. 257 bridge spanning the Patoka River near Pikeville. Work will be going on simulta- neously on each bridge as crews work to patch and re- pave. Work is expected to last until the end of April depending upon weather conditions. During the project, one lane will remain open at all times. Traffic will be controlled by a temporary signal. The lane closures will be in place around the clock. INDOT urges driv- ers to slow down and stay alert near crews. The Indiana Department of Transportation announc- es lane closures for pave- ment operations on U.S. 50 between Shoals and Bed- ford. Beginning on or around Friday, April 10, contrac- tors will close a lane of U.S. 50 from U.S. 150 in Shoals to State Road 37 in Bedford for a pavement patch and re- habilitation project. During this operation, workers will patch areas of pavement and then mill and resur- face the road. Lane closures are ex- pected to be in place for about 10 hours per day. During that time, traffic will be restricted to one 12-foot lane controlled by flagging operations. Loads wider than 12-feet should seek an alternate route us- ing the nearest state-main- tained routes. Work is expected to last until the beginning of Ju- ly depending upon weath- er conditions. INDOT urg- es drivers to slow down and stay alert near crews.