“People ought to just, in their minds, [assume] it is already here,” Freestone County Sheriff Jeremy Shipley urges the community concerning COVID-19.
The Freestone County Commissioner’s Court held an emergency meeting on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. to discuss the plan of action going forward with COVID-19.
The meeting took place in the district courtroom with only ten people in attendance, while strictly adhering to the six feet apart social distancing guidelines.
In addition, there was a tele-bridge to allow people to call in and listen to the meeting on their phones.
While there were a few technical difficulties setting up the meeting, everything went well once the problems were corrected.
Freestone County District Attorney Brian Evans started out by discussing Governor Abbott’s Executive Order.
Evans explains that the order “the Governor doesn’t call it a shelter in place, but he has essentially done those same restrictions statewide as what you see these other communities do.”
The County Attorney further explains his belief is that one of the main features of this is closing all non-essential businesses, and that the newest order supersedes all other policies.
Social distancing of at least six feet, less than ten people in any gathering, only going out when needed are some of the main orders still in place.
A link is located on Freestone County’s website home page that lists what is considered an essential business.
Sheriff Shipley talks about how Freestone County is doing really great following the guidelines.
He urges people to follow the CDC recommendations, and to act as if it is already here instead of waiting for a confirmed positive to show up.
Shipley states that people need to protect themselves and protect their families. For example, when you go to the store, only one person is needed to go in.
“I think we are doing pretty good,” Shipley goes on to say, while reminding once again to follow the CDC guidelines through April 30.
The County has been working on acquiring the necessary supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE), but if you, or a business you know of, have some, contact the county.
Freestone County Emergency Management, Monte Atchley, explained that they are trying various routes to find PPE for the Fire Departments and EMS.
Atchley pointed out how, “that is real good thing,” when the local businesses deliver food to the local first responders.
Atchley pointed out how businesses have asked about how their employees can verify that they are coming into the county to work, if asked, the court decided an employee id, company vehicle, letter, and more can be used for verification purposes.
Anything showing a person is an essential employee of an essential business can be shown to verify why they are entering the county.