A message from the Dubois County Health Officer

49 Comments

1. Tell people they can’t do something makes them want to do it more.

   1. Just because you want to do something doesn’t mean you have to. It’s a choice you make! If you are a responsible, mature, unselfish adult you make the right choice. If not, well, you know who you are.

      1. Thank you Anne. I agree.

      2. Agreed

   2. That is how a child behaves. Can’t we all be adults?

2. Thank you Dr Waflart. I don’t know you, but your words are so critical for everyone to heed. People are being duped, by everyone from the president to pastors to friends and neighbors who truly don’t understand science and common sense. Until it hits home, until a family member contracts the virus, until someone they know dies….we can’t wait until. We don’t have the time or luxury of until. Stop being selfish. Your actions will ultimately decides who lives and who dies.

   1. I would like to know if its OK to mow your yard and cook out side ??

3. Dr. Waflart,

   Thank you so very much for your knowledge, experience, time, kindness, and service to not only our community, but also to those surrounding. Folks need to take note and listen to Dr. Waflart’s recommendations. I know it is frustrating, but all of us have to do our part. Think of all of the sacrifices our ancestors made. At least we can social distance as we have far more ways to keep ourselves busy and occupied. The longer people don’t follow the directions, the longer this virus will be here and more lives will be lost. The longer this virus continues, the greater and greater the financial impact on everyone. So, to those of you who are doing your part I thank you very much. To those of you that continue to not social distance, then don’t be vocal when someone you know and love contracts the virus, and possibly loses the battle.

   Be responsible – all of us – including adults.

   Kim Anderson Elliott

   1. What about factories social distancing is not practice in our work place.

4. Orange County in had golf scramble today with bunch of ppl ! So ppl are taking this as a joke I feel like

   1. No they did NOT HAVE A GOLF SCRAMBLE. Each guy was in a different cart, unless they live in the same home. Yes people played golf. But know what you are talking about before making accusations that are false. Just because someone put it on Facebook doesn’t mean it is real. Good day.

5. What may i ask has the president done to NOT support the american people thru this crisis?…truly why do u hafta make this political….he has tried his best along with his team to try n kick this crisis n the rearend.please…stop the political crap. Its just not the time nor the place. Lets all pull together n stop the punchbagging.

   1. Susan Blount,
      Here are some reasons trump is not supporting the American people. And yes it’s very political, can you deal with that? And yes I’m going to tell you why trump is hurting us a lot now.

      Cut the programs for pandemic response. Remember those tax cuts for big corporations? Well that money was taken away from somewhere right?

      “The Trump administration, with John Bolton newly at the helm of the White House National Security Council, began dismantling the team in charge of pandemic response, firing its leadership and disbanding the team in spring 2018.”

      Did a terrible job testing people. I heard trump on tv say he didn’t want people tested because he said that would make the numbers go up. what a child-like and selfish thing to do.

      “The first sign of a massive failure came with testing. South Korea, which has been widely praised for its response to coronavirus, tested more than 66,000 people within a week of the first community transmission within its borders. By comparison, the US took roughly three weeks to complete that many tests — in a country that is much more populous and, now, is on track to have a much worse outbreak than South Korea and other nations.”

      he called it a hoax. He said it would “go away” based on a hunch. And he blames Obama. and he does not take responsibility.

      “When Bolton became Trump’s national security adviser in 2018, he quickly moved to disband the White House National Security Council’s Directorate for Global Health Security and Biodefense, which President Barack Obama set up after the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak to lead federal coordination and preparation for disease outbreaks.”

      Years from now the Corona outbreak is going to be studied and trump is going to be seen as a textbook case of what NOT to do in a pandemic.

      Can I ask why you voted for trump?

      1. Jeff you are 100% right on

      2. In addition the CDC has stated that the slow initial response was due to them

      3. I guess you didn’t look at what the Democrats said back in January and February?

6. I work at Jasper Rubber and I has to carpool to get to work or I will lose my job because my job is essential

   1. Elliot,
      Your job at Jasper Rubber is not essential. Especially in the short term. Did they tell you that it’s essential? If they did there could be some government officials knocking on Jasper Rubber’s door after this is all over in 18 months.

      1. Jasper Rubber’s management is merciless. I am super glad I don’t work there anymore; they will do whatever they can to stay open and keep making money, danger to the workforce be damned.

         Best Chairs is hiring, by the way. The pay’s better, the benefits are better, and they shut down paid for all next week.

      2. Jasper rubber still essential. Apparently making rubber seals for ammo boxes for the military makes us essential. Even tho only a few people are even needed to make those parts. We’re never going to shut down . They found a loophole. They’re gunna run with it.

      3. Masterbrand is not following cdc guidelines either!

7. Thanks Doc for your educated anaylis and recommendations. Hopefully more people will begin to take this seriously. It is astonishing to see and hear the amount of people that apparently have their heads stuck in places that makes it difficult to walk? Terise hit it on the proberbial nose when she said that it will take a death in someone’s family before some people finally get it. Hindsight can be so graphically vivid, eh? We all simply have to do our job as citizens and stand up for what should be recognized as a clear and present danger to our city, county, state and country. Criticize those adults who blatenly refuse to follow the guidelines of our leaders….and educate the rest whenever possible. If we don’t….I don’t think you want to hear what could very well come next…..If you don’t know….perhaps you should refer to some history.

8. I usually stay away from most people anyway. People are just not nice anymore. I would rather be left alone permanently.

   1. Neal,
      I know how you feel. But there are many good people in this world. You sound like one of those good people to me!

9. Masterbrand cabinets is still open. We have a meeting tomorrow to discuss what the company has decided on us working.

10. We were told that our jobs were “essential” at Jasper Rubber. We were also told that we would need a medical statement from a Dr saying that we were at “high risk,” or that we or an immediate family member had the virus if we wanted to quarantine. The letter also stated that this may continue for a few months, but Jasper Rubber would remain open and operational. Now, please tell me once again how you care for your employees. It’s all about the $$ with Jasper Rubber. Unbelievable!!

11. Why is Kimball Electronics not offering paid time off work if that worker is at risk with underlining illness and has young children who have underlining illness ? Kimball is saying they are essential which they are making masks but at the risk of some emplyees.

12. As of now, the CDC is reporting over 130,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus across the U.S. and more than 2,000 deaths. There are over 33,000 cases in New York alone. The numbers keep rising all over the country daily, and every single state in the union has reported confirmed cases, now.

    Most communities likely started out like ours: one or two cases. Manageable. No need to panic. Then the numbers increased exponentially. Based on what we’re seeing everywhere else, it’s not a matter of “if” Dubois County starts seeing more cases, but rather “when.”

    This is not a joke, not a hoax, not the flu, not something that is going to one day “magically disappear.” It’s a devastating health crisis that is targeting the elderly, those with underlying health issues, children, and even seemingly healthy individuals. The first confirmed infant death from coronavirus was reported earlier today. Healthcare workers and law enforcement are falling prey to it across the country due to lack of protective equipment. Unlike flu, where large segments of the population have built up a natural immunity over time, or have been given flu shots to help prevent respiratory illness or mitigate the seriousness of it, there is no vaccine or cure for Covid-19 right now. People have had mild cases and have recovered, but thousands have not been so lucky. These are not just statistics; these are real people with families and friends who loved them and never thought something like this could possibly happen.

    Certain news outlets are minimizing the seriousness of this pandemic. The president says we should all get back to work and fill the churches on Easter. This is creating a false sense of security in communities like ours that have not yet felt the full brunt of this highly infectious disease, and it could needlessly put others (and ourselves) at risk and cost lives. We cannot be complacent; we cannot think “it won’t happen here.” It’s happening here, all over the State of Indiana, all over the United States, all over the world.

    We all need to take this very seriously and do our part to practice social distancing **now** so that it is second nature by the time Covid-19 becomes more wide-spread here.

    Stay safe.

    1. Very well thought out summary Sandra. The next two weeks will be crucial in keeping down the spread.

       During his press briefing this evening, Trump finally admitted the pandemic was real and a serious situation. He spoke about seeing black bags coming out of Elmhurst hospital in NYC.
       “I’ve been watching that for the last week on television,” he said. “Body bags all over, in hallways. I’ve been watching them bring in trailer trucks – freezer trucks, they’re freezer trucks, because they can’t handle the bodies, there are so many of them. This is essentially in my community, in Queens, Queens, New York,” he continued. “I’ve seen things that I’ve never seen before.”
       He added, “When I see the trucks pull up, to take out bodies — I mean, these are trucks as long as the rose garden and they are pulling up to take out bodies and you look inside and you see the black body bags? What’s in there? It is Elmhurst hospital. Must be supplies. It is not supplies. It’s people!”
       Trump also said “I had a friend who went to a hospital the other day. He’s a little older, and he’s heavy, but he’s a tough person. He went to the hospital. A day later he’s in a coma. I said how is he doing? Sir, he’s in a coma, he’s unconscious. He’s not doing well. The speed and the viciousness, especially if it gets the right person, it’s horrible. It’s really horrible,”

       So now it’s hit home. It’s become personal for Trump. A friend in the hospital, and witnessing the aftermath of death on TV. Black body bags that greatly disturbed him.
       It’s now all too real for him and he can’t make light of the situation any more and continue to ignore the pleadings of doctors and scientists and ordinary Americans. Let’s hope he truly has turned a corner and keeps his promises to the country.

13. Furniture factories are not essential neither ,explain that one . People are so confused now I see why?

14. Cabinets aren’t essential right now either

    1. Kitchen and bathroom cabinets are not essential at this point. Everyone’s health is more important than cabinets. Why are office staff working from home? Are they more important than the manufacturing employees? Just wondering…

15. I personally think it’s airborne. The CDC is very very vague on what they know, but the virus has now been around for 7 months so they should know. The CDC has also done very little to help hospitals and give guidance. I think they know there is little they can do but slow the spread so it’s more manageable, but until really humid air comes in this will continue to spread. Independent labs have for the virus to survive in aerosol for up to 4 hours suspended in 60% relative humidity , it can survive on cardboard for 24 hours, plastic and metals for days.

    1. I thought it was Airborne to it is spreading way too fast

    2. I think you are right as well. Several reports I’ve read over the past couple days say the virus can live up to 3 days on metal surfaces and up to 2 hours in enclosed air. Think of all the metal surfaces you might touch at work or the grocery store, and even worse the particles suspended in air in those enclosed buildings.

       Please everyone just stay home. Go outside but away from other people to get fresh air. If you are an essential worker, wear a face covering and gloves at all times.

       https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/04/coronavirus-pandemic-airborne-go-outside-masks/609235/

       https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2020/04/the-debate-over-masks/609391/

       https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/02/health/aerosol-coronavirus-spread-white-house-letter/index.html

16. Stop making this a political issue. It’s a life threatening medical issue.
    These comments should tell us people are confused and I believe it’s due to the public getting a double message. Could this be the reason so many people are out and about?
    We were told to stay at home, an order by the Governor. The exception was employees of essential businesses could go to work, grocery stores, gas stations, laundry mats, doctors offices, and others. We’re told we can exercise, but we must practice social distancing and stay 6 feet apart. Restaurants must close with the exception of delivery and curbside pickup. State Parks are open with certain activities allowed.
    In the comments, several people mentioned still working in factories. How do you practice social distancing while working in a factory?
    How is it essential for people who are ordered by the Governor to stay home to be picking up food from a Restaurant or for the employees to be delivering it?
    How is a golf outing essential when you’re ordered to stay home? It shouldn’t matter if everyone is in a different golf cart! Your not going to get the entire 2020 Senior class from Southern Indiana to believe you practiced social distancing, I don’t believe it.
    Dubois county (I don’t remember the sponsor of this run?) still plans to have their 5k walk/run in April. They plan on doing it virtual. There will be people walking/running together. If social distancing isn’t practiced now, it won’t be practiced at this virtual event.
    Your supposed to be the adults, be responsible, and stay home.
    I can understand now why everyone is confused. I can understand now why everyone thinks this is a joke. Can you?
    Will it take Dubois county being struck violently by the Coronavirus before everyone sees this is no joke?

17. I am a Healthcare worker in Dubois County as a Home Health Aide and also I am in a high risk category based on my health and age. Practicing ALL the CDC guidelines is the only way to flatten the curve. I see too many people out running around. Parking lot at grocery stores, Wal-Mart and Dollar General are full. People are taking their kids with them shopping for groceries, I have seen this. People in Dubois County are not taking COVID-19 serious enough. Why are Factories like Jasper Rubber, Masterbrand, Kimball still operating? Dubois County will become overwhelmed with COVID-19 if people do not stay sheltered in place! My job is caring for the elderly. Every time I have to go pick up a prescription or groceries for my client I am very concerned! I wear gloves and toss them as I leave the store. I disinfect EVERYTHING! I wear a mask in public! But even taking these precautions I realize I am putting my life and my client’s life at risk when I go anywhere!! I can not stay home because I work in Healthcare. But many others could and should stay home to protect themselves and others! Please close the factories! Please stay home! Please limit grocery runs to once a week! The 3rd of the Month Seniors and people on disability normally go shopping. This concerns me greatly! A family member should step in to help shop for them. The situation in Dubois County will become far, far worse and last longer of action is not taken NOW! Please Stay Home!

    1. I have a feeling it’s far worse in Dubois County than what is being reported I mean you just can’t have 2 or 3 case because one person has contact with more than two or three people just going to the store

18. I feel sorry for these healthcare workers at the hospitals. These people are daughters, sons, fathers, mothers, husbands and wives. They’re risking their lives for us an yet it seems like everyone is on vacation enjoying themselves. Those that were fortunate to get time off work should not take advantage of it. These people who could care less are the same people that will expect these healthcare workers to save their lives. Don’t you get it.. just because the number of cases are low in certain areas DOES NOT MEAN there’s a LOW number! There’s people that have it and don’t realize it and yet they’re spreading to someone who’s about to either be really sick or DEATH! Ask yourself before you risk others lives… Do you REALLY need that item at the store? If you have to think about it, the answer is NO! Stay home!

19. Please lets take this very serious. All factories should be closed! I understand that companies have customers that they are trying to satisfy but companies are not taking care of their workers by staying open. Maintaining customer’s satisfaction is essential to every company but to a a person working for the company, essential is their family and them selfs. If someone gets sick, companies are not paying medical bills.

    1. Agreed. 110%

    2. Agreed. Masterbrand is asking the employees to sign a paper for a voluntary 2 weeks off so thy can’t file the unemployment. They are not gonna shut down

       1. A ‘voluntary” layoff is still a layoff, and signing a paper doesn’t change that. You’ll still qualify for unemployment. As t this point, even if you quit, it’s likely you would qualify. An employer such as this deserves no loyalty or respect.

          “Every Hoosier who has worked and is out of work due to no reason of their own is eligible to apply for their unemployment insurance benefits, even those who have been impacted through a temporary layoff,” Payne said. 

          https://www.indystar.com/story/money/2020/03/25/indiana-unemployment-filings-surge-amid-coronavirus-outbreak/2883417001/

          1. You are absolutely correct

20. The exact words from our Dubois County Health Department Officer says “all businesses must close unless they are “critical” to the needs of the community or nation”. I s as m not understanding the critical need for kitchen cabinets. Someone please explain.

21. I’m sick and tired of these companies thinking that they’re better than anyone else They already got a hell of a tax break which was permanent by the way when Trump came into office and they’re going to get paid for closing down until we can get this virus under control they need to quit being so damn greedy have a little bit of compassion

22. I think the factories that are wanting you to sign that paper for two weeks off so you can’t file for unemployment you should call the government office that is b******* governor’s office I do believe that is illegal

23. I would like to know if its OK to mow your yard and cook out side ??

    1. Yes.

Comments are closed.