Commissioner Paris gives COVID-19 update, courthouse case
News July 21, 2020
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – As cases rise in Union, Sole Commissioner Lamar Paris commented on the difficulties of the ever-changing pandemic protocols during the July County Commission Meeting.
“We’re finding more and more people in the community are starting to test positive. It’s not an epidemic state yet, but it’s enough that we’re all concerned about it. We had someone in the courthouse this week test positive…We’re hoping this trend we’re seeing nationally, especially the Southeast doesn’t jump up and bite Union County,” Sole Commissioner Lamar Paris stated.
The county’s trying to do everything possible to combat the virus. All courthouse employees started wearing masks when it reopened to the public to try and prevent virus spread. When a potential courthouse exposure happened in April, Paris closed the courthouse for a day to professionally clean the building. ServPro performed the service.
Union County Courthouse closed for a thorough cleaning in April.
This time around, the courthouse isn’t closing, but the health department is currently conducting contact tracing to locate any potential cases. Individual offices will receive a thorough cleaning if necessary.
CDC guidance about disinfecting offices cited that coronaviruses die on surfaces in a matter of hours or days. To safely remove COVID-19 from a surface, first clean the area with soap and water, then an EPA-approved spray on the surface. If an EPA-approved disinfectant is unavailable, 1/3 cup of bleach added to one gallon of water, or a 70 percent alcohol solution will disinfect a surface. Bleach can’t be mixed with other cleaning and disinfection products together. The effectiveness of bleach solutions lasts for up to 24 hours.
Information about COVID-19 currently claimed that it was detected in the air up to three hours later, and plastic, metal, and glass between three to seven days.
“We understand that we all we’re facing no one is going to agree with all our decisions,” Paris said before urging people to reach out via email, phone, text, or Facebook.
Read the article “What does it take to clean a courthouse?”
“The nearly five months of COVID have been the most difficult time in my 20 years of being a commissioner. Almost every day, it’s another decision that must be made, and almost all decisions related to COVID do not have any precedent to go by,” confessed Paris.
The courthouse began requiring face masks after a judicial order came down from the Supreme Court of Georgia in mid-July. Anyone who enters must cover their face, social distance, and receive a temperature check. Paris confirmed this practice would apply to early voting as well.
“It’s not to be mean. It’s not to be overly powerful. It’s mainly to look after your health and those who work here’s health,” added Paris.
While Paris admitted to not agreeing with all of Gov. Brian Kemp’s decision, he continued that the gov. had the toughest job in the state at the moment. Paris recommended that everyone wear a mask in public to protect themselves and others.
Everyone in attendance wore a face mask and had their temperature checked upon entering the building.
“It really takes the pressure off of employees at grocery stores, Walmart, Home Depot, and other businesses when you wear your mask in,” Paris explained. “They won’t say anything to it, but it’s a relief to them.”
As of July 21, the Georgia Department of Public Health listed 144 COVID-19 cases in Union County and five deaths.
https://youtu.be/bJABMF0Jokc?t=3198
State of the county following COVID-19 shutdowns
Community, Health May 27, 2020
UNION COUNTY, Ga – Sole Commissioner Lamar Paris gave a brief update on how Union County is faring while many residents try to find a sense of normalcy.
Over the course of approximately one month, Union County’s cases grew by 20. Out of the 43, only eleven of those patients needed hospitalization and one death. Union General Hospital had one active patient as of May 22. Previously, multiple beds were occupied by COVID-19 patients.
“We’re very fortunate up here,” stated Paris. “The fact that we’ve only got one in the hospital is a great sign. Does that mean we’re only going to have one? No. Does it mean we’re out of the woods yet? No. But we feel that what we have done in the county is very preventative.”
The commissioner added that those over 65 and with preexisting conditions are still under the Gov. Kemp’s stay at home order until June 13.
“We just have to remember that this thing still is serious. My concern going forward is people are going to – like me, like all of us – are just tired of it. Just like wearing [masks] or not wearing [it],” expressed Paris.
He wanted everyone to continue to be cautious and follow social distancing. He did encourage masks wearing in public areas and to use common sense to try and flatten the curve.
“Employees at those stores are the ones who really notice it. They feel like if you don’t wear one, then you’re not concerned about protecting them,” said Paris.
Whether or not to open the Meeks Park pool is currently being debated because current COVID-19 protocols limit use to 50 people at one time. Also, all chairs must be disinfected each time the person using one leaves the facility. If the county decides to open, it might have to hire someone to sanitize all surfaces in and around the pool.
“It’s not only what you’re going to do and how you’re going to do it, but it’s what’s the governor’s going to do. Is he going to loosen the guidelines or tighten the guidelines?” Paris commented on the rapidly evolving situation.
On a positive note, county sales tax revenue for April is slightly up from the same time last year. However, this isn’t expected to last. Also, the state still must unveil its 14 percent budget cuts, which will affect some areas of the county.
The city of Blairsville reported tax revenue numbers similar to last year as well. Currently, COVID-19 hasn’t significantly impacted the city’s budget, but again these numbers could change as the year progresses.
Across the board, it’s too early to determine the financial impact of COVID-19.