Health dept., city, town and county officials ask residents to work to slow spread
The Dubois County Health Department in conjunction with local city and county officials want to inform all citizens of Dubois County that we are in a need of everyone’s assistance to bring the number of positive cases down.
Due to the number of positive cases on the rise in our county the State Department of Health has now placed us under code ORANGE, which correlates to “Medium to High Community Spread”.
This is a huge concern to us and should be to all Dubois County citizens. While some of the reasons for this increase can be attributed to moving to Stage 5, this is not believed to be the full explanation. The health department continues to get complaints and concerns from our local citizens that people are not wearing masks or not wearing them properly and are not practicing physical distancing.
The State of Indiana is still under a mask mandate Executive Order 20-37. Please remember masks are worn to protect those around you by minimizing your droplet spread. Wear a mask and urge your friends and family to do same.
We have been asking Dubois County citizens to be responsible and follow the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and the Indiana State Department of Health since the beginning of the pandemic. It is now more important than ever as we are very close to being placed in code RED. If that happens, the State of Indiana may request local authorities to take action in our county and we will risk falling back to an earlier stage. We do not want this to happen so please do your part to help stop the spread of this virus.
Again, we are appealing to everyone and asking you to follow the guidelines now. Please do what’s right, wear your mask, practice physical distancing, stay home if you are ill, and avoid crowded gatherings.
Dr. Theodore Waflart, Dubois County Health Officer
Shawn Werner, Administrative Director
Dr. Stan Tretter, Memorial Hospital
Chad Blessinger, President of Commissioner
Nick Hostetter, Commissioner
Elmer Brames, Commissioner
Mayor Dean Vonderheide, City of Jasper
Mayor Denny Spinner, City of Huntingburg
Ken Sicard, Town of Ferdinand
Tom Thacker, Town of Holland
Bret Eckert, Town of Birdseye
I for one wear my mask every where I go. My husband has a serious heart condition. I have been in several stores that have the mask required signs if the door, once inside several not wearing them. Can the businesses be made to enforce the mask. If not. Take the sign down. Thank you.
Enforcement of the mask mandate would help. I’ve been to sporting events where signs are posted of the requirements, but no one is enforcing them. In some cases less than 20% are wearing them. Are officials afraid to enforce it. More county residents have died from this, yet we’re not enforcing it like we are other violations producing lot less death. Why is that??
Our sheriff said from the beginning his department would not enforce the mask mandate.
The police departments can’t enforce it because it is not a law.
Why don’t the stores get fined? You hear about head coaches in sports getting fined for not wearing it properly. If they can get fined, so should stores. Once they start losing money, I think they will enforce it better.
It is worth noting that Dubois County has also spiked back up in terms of positive cases per capita over a 7-day period. We are now the 3rd highest county in the State of Indiana:
Posey County – 543 (cases per 1,000)
Ohio County – 374 (“)
Dubois County – 358 (“)
Vanderburgh – 353 (“)
I try to wear a mask 24/7.
First offense: Warning
Second: Fine up to $1000
Third: Infraction and Fine up to $2500
Fourth: Misdemeanor, possible jail and fine up to $5000
Fifth: Felony, jail and fine up to $10,000
We have already lost 22 residents; presumably young with no co-morbidities. Based on current death rate we are looking at over 730-750 total deaths. We have to learn to obey orders from experts who know more than we.
We also need a phone number to report violators, and maybe a Covid-19 Volunteer Enforcement Watch Group.
How about a Geheime Staatspolizei to watch out for offenders too?
Buddy, YOU SAID IT! Thank you. Some SICK stuff from the BOZ.
In reference to the 22 deaths – “presumably young with no co-morbidities” – ??? What’s all that about, when it’s already been known/stated by local authorities and others (families/friends of the decedents) that at least some if not most have been older and with health issues??? (which is also the way this virus has been known to work almost from the beginning – that those older and infirm bear the brunt/worst of it.
Who knew Dubois County had so many brilliant farceurs.
Got “farceurs,” but had to look up Geheime Staatspolizei. Drastic, but if we had kids rat on their families perhaps that would suffice.
Probably demented, slow-witted ignoramus, mentally challenged, but only sick of the hysteria.
Where do they give us age and co-morbidities for Dubois County?