With schools closed and events canceled across Georgia and the nation, White County public safety officials continue to urge calm.
White County Public Safety Directory David Murphy issued a press release Friday with a message (in all caps) from the county’s Pandemic Task Force: “PREPARE DON’T PANIC.”
As of Friday, March 13, the majority of Georgia’s confirmed COVID-19 cases remained in the north central and northwest part of the state around Cobb County. And while there are no reported cases in Northeast Georgia, local schools and colleges followed Governor Brian Kemp’s urging to close in an effort to limit the spread of the virus.
White County Schools and Truett McConnell University will be closed starting Monday, March 16. In addition, White County Government will be closing the Senior Citizens Center, White County Library Cleveland Branch and the Parks & Recreation facilities beginning Monday morning. “These closings are, again, in an abundance of caution to help prevent the spread of this virus and protect those persons most vulnerable to the disease,” Murphy says.
White County Commissioner Travis Turner wants to assure residents that the county is prepared to deal with the pandemic if necessary.
He says the county’s emergency management team is meeting regularly and its Pandemic Response Plan in place.
“By having these plans in place for the last several years, it helps us to be better prepared when these situations arise,” says Turner. He adds, “I would like to personally encourage our community to prepare and not give into panic but to also use common sense measures regarding you and your family’s health and well-being.”
You can now access timely information about COVID-19-related news In White County online at www.whitecounty.net.
For the latest statewide information on the virus, visit the Georgia Department of Public Health website.
READ Murphy’s & Tanner’s full statements here
