Local officials held a news conference Monday morning regarding efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19.
City and county government has restricted in-person access to many offices and are directing citizens to conduct business on the phone and online when possible. The City of Hopkinsville drive thru lane also remains open to submit correspondence.
Hopkinsville Mayor Wendell Lynch says he acknowledges the changes could create an inconvenience, but the steps are necessary to prevent services from possibly being completely stopped later.
Christian County Emergency Management Director Randy Graham says this is uncharted territory and it’s unknown how long life will be disrupted in many ways.
He echoed the sentiments of Christian County Judge-Executive Steve Tribble, Oak Grove Mayor Theresa Jarvis and other saying the communities are working together and that everyone will make it through this pandemic together.
While some believe the response by local, state and federal officials is an over-reaction, Public Health Director Kayla Bebout says she’d rather take too many steps to protect the public now than look back later and see things that could have been done to save lives.
She says it’s unknown exactly how many COVID-19 tests are available in the county at this time, but they are working with the hospital, other agencies and medical offices to make more testing, masks and equipment possible.
Bebout says it’s important for citizens to practice the three c’s—be calm, be clean and be cooperative. She also advises folks to stay home from work when they are sick.
Leaders of Hopkinsville Electric System and the Hopkinsville Water Environment Authority say they will try to work with their customers facing their utilities being cut off, noting these are tough times when many may be temporarily losing work hours.
Christian County has not had any confirmed cases of COVID-19.
Watch the entire conference below:
https://www.facebook.com/CityofHopkinsville/videos/750052298735765/UzpfSTEwOTAyOTc0NTc5NzY5NDozMTA2NTEzMzc2MDQ5MzAx/
Move the video forward to 13:30 for start of conference.