CHALLENGES ALL AROUND . . . schools & businesses deal with quarantines & virus positives

by Kris Richards

Exposed quarantine has not been anyone’s friend, and it is getting worse as cases grow in Washington County.

The Washington County Health Department continues to battle the information system and the virus. They have worked diligently seven days a week with lots and lots of overtime. Extra staff has been added - “Tracers” - to help contact people who have been directly exposed to someone who has tested positive.

Shawnee Douglas, W.C. Health Department, has reported that most people are understanding and some are just tired and frustrated, with everyone being in that mind set to some degree. Mrs. Douglas said, “This has been such a long year, and a long test for all of us. We do our best, we’re all human, and everyone is having a hard time with all of this. We need everyone to remember their friends, family and neighbors during all of this. Call and check on others. And, probably still the most basic and important things are hand washing and sanitizing, giving people space (the 6’ social distancing) and staying away from others if you feel sick.”

There have been many catch phrases and even just single words that have developed new meaning and importance through all the pandemic. Who would have thought that ‘Mask’, ‘Quarantined’, ‘Virus’ and even ‘Positive & Negative’ would have taken on the common use and recognition they now get in conversation.

Numbers have climbed in Washington County, in step with the rest of the State and Country, with 264 active cases as of Monday, Nov. 16th. The W.C. Health Department reported 1500 positive Covid-19 Cases; with 90 cases associated with congregate settings (nursing homes, assisted care facilities, etc.) and now 21 associated deaths. The report this past Monday also showed 96 cases requiring hospitalization.

Hind sight is always perfect, and there will be a lot of individuals with ‘we should have done this’ and ‘we could have done that’ as this pandemic goes on. From a business and social stand point, we closed early in the Spring when the numbers first blew up and that time wore on everyone and we didn’t have the cases in our rural setting. We were all alarmed, cautious and willing to stay ‘home’ for the most part; now, we have the cases, the illness and the numbers and most all are just ‘worn out’ from the mental challenges of the day to day worry and requirements.

My thought, personally, is ‘I don’t want to get anyone sick’ so I have tried to keep my distance and be cautious. At the same time, our business requires a weekly publication and is dated for Thursday each week of the year. At ‘The I-J’ we have been quarantined but are ‘essential’ so we are working. The front door has been locked for three week, more or less and is as I write this. We have had two cases in our office, via employees, and those cases did not come one from the other, but both were from outside sources.

The fight to stay healthy is almost made impossible just by our ‘human condition’. Going to the store, going to church, maybe getting something to eat, attending a school event or community function. These are all things that we do. It is our natural calling to be around and with other people. My biggest concern has been for the people that were on the verge of being alone when this all started. How are they now?

The schools have been dealing with the quarantines and the positives just like all of us. The issues they have had are if a student tests positive, then direct exposure means this many more students are out for quarantine. The State of Missouri just released new guidelines for masks being worn and the consideration of ‘direct contact’. If students and staff are wearing masks, and a ‘neighbor’ tests positive, it will not require the mandatory quarantine as before.

Potosi’s R-3 School District put out a letter on Friday, Nov. 13th to announce the interruption of ‘face to face’ instruction. The notice explains the District will be off campus from Monday, Nov. 23rd through Friday, Dec. 4th for virtual instruction.

Richwoods School had started school with a mix of virtual and in person and had gone to virtual by Nov. 12th. The Wildcats are set to return to in person education on Monday, Dec. 7th.

St. Joachim School had been out on break from class participation. The last announcement was for students to be back in class before Thanksgiving break.

Kingston K-14 School has gone to a mandated mask requirement for students and staff. This decision followed the new guidelines released by the State of Missouri.

Valley of Caledonia had been on break a few weeks back due to quarantines and were back in class prior to Thanksgiving break.

In closing, do what you can to stay healthy. Stay healthy and promote good health around you. If you’re sick with some of the symptoms, find out if you need tested for the virus. If you’re positive be courteous enough to your fellow man to stay home, keep your distance and stop the spread. Wash your hands, use hand sanitizer and be cautious.

I know these are easy to say, and we all run into situations throughout the day that challenge us. Good luck, and God Bless. And, thank you for all you do.

Happy Thanksgiving, however you celebrate it this year!