Notice from Justin Potter & Alexandria Libraries

March 24, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Kathy Hendrixson, Director of the DeKalb County Public Library System has released the following notice concerning Justin Potter & Alexandria Libraries

“Please know that closing the libraries was not an easy decision, but one that was made to ensure the wellbeing of the community and the library staff during this pandemic.”

“We want to continue to serve the community as long as possible with the following services:

“Wi-Fi will be available outside the buildings as usual.”

“The Tennessee READS Digital Downloads is available at all times for audiobooks, ebooks and other online materials by going to the link on our website at dekalblibraries.net. You need an active library card for use. There are special options on the READS site for those they do not have library cards. The Tennessee Electronic Library (TEL) is also available.”

“You can renew and reserve materials by logging into your account on our website or calling the library at 615-597-4359 Monday through Friday from 8:30 am until 5:00 pm. If you reserve an item we will call you and assign a time for curb side pickup during our revised hours at Justin Potter Library. All items can be returned in our outside book drops. Fines will be waived during the time the libraries are closed for this situation. Please check us out on Facebook for more information.”

“Thank you for your understanding during this health crisis in our country. We can get through this difficult time if we all work together, stay calm, keep informed and be respectful of each other,” said Hendrixson

March 24, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Don’t be alarmed if you see the Tennessee National Guard at the DeKalb County Health Department this week.

The reason for the visit is to assist the local health department staff in expediting services including testing due to COVID-19.

“The DeKalb Health Department has put in a request along with several other rural county health departments to get some assistance from the state and the Tennessee National Guard. They are looking at sending a couple of medics to each of the rural health departments needing assistance so they can increase their testing times. They are working out the logistics of that right now so hopefully we will have some additional personnel to help increase testing times,” said DeKalb Emergency Management Agency Director Charlie Parker.

However Parker stressed that the request for extra help came before it was known that DeKalb County has a confirmed case of the Coronavirus.

“This request was made last week trying to ramp up more personnel. The Tennessee National Guard has medical personnel and they are trying to distribute them around to several of the local counties,” Parker continued.

Keep on mind that not everybody who wants a test will get one.

“There is a screening process. They first recommend that you first go to your primary physician and you will undergo a screening to determine if you meet the criteria. They do swabs and then send them off to a state or private lab for testing but they are not going to test everyone who comes through the door,” added Parker.

Meanwhile the Upper Cumberland Regional Health Office has created an information line for local residents and healthcare providers to call with questions or concerns related to the COVID-19 novel coronavirus.

The information line is 931-646-7586 and is designed to provide callers with trusted information related to COVID-19. Residents with medical questions will be referred to their health care provider.

The information line will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

The Tennessee Department of Health has additional information available at http://www.tn.gov/health/cedep/ncov.html. The CDC has updated information and guidance available online at http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019ncov/index.html.

Symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are a cough, a high temperature and shortness of breath.

Tennesseans are encouraged to take routine precautions used in guarding against respiratory viruses:

*Wash your hands often with soap and water. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.

*Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.

*Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.

*Stay home if you are sick.

*Stay away from people who are sick.

*Flu shots are available for free at your local health department.

Visit the Tennessee Department of Health online at  http://www.tn.gov/health

March 23, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

The Coronavirus threat is fast disrupting daily lives, from school, going out to socialize, and now for workers.

County Mayor Tim Stribling said Monday at least two local industries have shut down temporarily and other plants are cutting back on production.

“SW Manufacturing has shut down for two weeks. Its closed. Tenneco Automotive is closed but has not announced for how long. Star Manufacturing has reduced their work week to four days through the end of April. I made a call to Federal Mogul but have not yet received a response but I think they have had some layoffs. Although they are not automotive related, what is formerly known as Omega Apparel, now 621 Pelham, has closed this week. They may return to work next week,” said County Mayor Stribling.

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