“We are in uncharted territory,” said commissioner Jerry Daniels to close Tuesday’s meeting, echoing a sentiment that hung over the entire proceeding, not to mention neatly summarizes how most residents are feeling these days.
However, given Gov. Laura Kelly’s executive “stay-at-home” order to stem the COVID-19 pandemic, Allen County commissioners said there was little more that the county could do at this stage.
“[For the most part,] I think the Governor’s directive took care of any further action from any county,” said Daniels.
“We hope everyone respects that, and tries to stay home,” he added.
When the Sheriff and commissioners were asked about enforcing the governor’s declaration, they also emphasized that this would not curtail peoples’ freedom in any overarching or draconian manner.
“Obviously, if someone’s having a 50-person party, we’ll have them disperse,” said Sheriff Bryan Murphy. But beyond that, he and the commission urged common sense and respect for recommendations from the health department and various agencies.
In terms of the county’s response in the advent of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Allen County, commissioner Bruce Symes said: “We are very very adequately equipped.”
“If and when we did get an active case [of COVID-19] in Allen County,” added Symes, “something that has given me confidence throughout this is that the agencies that are involved … they’ve got protocols, and they are right on top of it.”
If there happened to be a local outbreak of COVID-19 in connection with an Allen County entity, such as what is currently occurring at a Burlington nursing home, Daniels said, “I think we’d have to consider doing whatever they needed.”
“If there’s something we can do, I [hope] they’ll come talk to us.”
Daniels also pointed to a statute whereby if a local outbreak occurred, the county, cities and health department are prepared to work in tandem to reach a solution.
“Most of the day, every day,” commissioners said they were working behind the scenes to address the pandemic and keep Allen countians safe.
AS PART of addressing the pandemic, commissioners voted to continue keeping the courthouse closed until April 19, in accordance with Gov. Kelly’s stay-at-home order.
However, they gave county departments the green light to continue making one-on-one appointments with residents, as long as they are absolutely necessary.
“That was what I envisioned from the get-go,” said commissioner Symes.
“If somebody needs to meet with any of our offices here, they call and say ‘I’ll meet you at [whatever time].’ You let them in, go into the office and do the business that’s needed.”
