Local Physician Says Community Acting Responsibly to COVID-19 Threat

March 20, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

The COVID-19 Coronavirus has forced big changes within the past week and at least one local physician is happy to see the community response to the pandemic threat.

“I applaud everybody who has been responsible because what we are doing is protecting the older and more vulnerable population,” said Dr. Hugh Don Cripps in a WJLE Radio program this week.

https://www.wjle.com/corona-virus-interview/

Although DeKalb County still has no confirmed case of the disease among the local population, schools have closed and so have libraries, senior citizen centers, and other public facilities. Community events and meetings have been canceled. Local government officials have locked their doors although they continue to carry on business inside over the phone and online with the public. Local nursing home and assisted living centers are restricting public visitation. The hospital and local clinics are screening visitors and patients. And many DeKalb County businesses are cutting their hours of operation while some local restaurants are restricting customers to drive through or takeout orders.

(For more information about COVID-19 click the link below)

https://www.cdc.gov/media/dpk/diseases-and-conditions/coronavirus/coronavirus-2020.html

Dr. Cripps said he is pleased to see the community act responsibly and would like to see more churches respond in the same way.

“I think It is responsible not to gather in groups of over 10 and I believe public gatherings should also include churches. I think it is irresponsible to invite older people to come together in churches when we could do the Lord’s work a lot better if we would get out and do shopping for older people including grandparents. I think that is doing God’s work also. That may not be accepted well by some people but that is what I feel in my heart and feel I need to say,” said Dr. Cripps.

While people of all ages could get or spread the disease, it is the elderly who are most vulnerable.

“Twenty year olds are not going to die with this disease. It’s going to be a grandmother, great grandmother, or your parents. A hug from a grandchild is a wonderful thing for a grandparent but it may be the very thing that kills them so I think it is responsible to close down visitation to nursing homes (NHC Health Care Center) and assisted living places (Webb House Retirement Center) which they have done. It should be pretty well a lock down. We have all seen on TV where people (at similar facilities) are visiting at the telephone and through a window with their grandparents,” said Dr. Cripps.

Meanwhile, Dr. Cripps has some advice on what you can do at your home or business to prevent the spread of infectious diseases including COVID-19.

“The flu virus is droplet contamination and that is mostly the way this (COVID-19) is also passed on to recipients but the difference between this and the flu virus is that it can be on fomites, inanimate objects. It could be on door knobs, table tops, etc. especially the more slick something is like glass or plastic. For more porous items like clothing, the virus absorbs into the threads and fibers. It wicks the moisture out and dries quickly so it’s not very likely you will get it from clothing even though it may be contaminated. Harvard and the Centers for Disease Control did an evaluation and their joint recommendation was that we not consider clothing. Even contamination gowns are probably safe in a matter of hours. One study showed that on fomites if it is copper covered it probably doesn’t last but four hours even if you don’t wipe it down. On cardboard it’s about a day. Metal and plastic anywhere from two to three days. But if you wipe it down with your favorite agent like Chlorox or Lysol which are two good products and if you wipe it down frequently and let it dry, the surface is clear. We should all do that in our homes. Wipe down counters frequently and things we touch like door knobs especially after going to the bathroom,”Dr. Cripps said.

March 20, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

The band “Rosewood” will be featured on WJLE’s “Jammin’ at the 428” today (Friday).

The program will air at 8:30 a.m. following the “Old Time Country Community Radio Show”.

Jim Hicks, the host of the show, will interview band members and DeKalb County High School students Kayson Johnson and Caleb Wood. He will also play some of their music.

“These are two talented young men with some great music. My oldest son Mike Hicks did drum work on the two songs featured in today’s program. Talking with Kayson and Caleb took me back to my high school years. I love their music and I told them they are going to make the school and community proud. I hope the listeners will enjoy today’s show,” said Hicks.

(To hear this show click the link below or click the dropdown box under the “Community” section of the WJLE homepage near the top and look for “Jammin’ at the 428”).

Jammin at the 428 March 20

Meanwhile, if you are a local artist, Hicks would like to possibly schedule you on the show.

“We are always looking for people who have recorded their own music to come and do a show with us. Please call at 615-215-9090 or stop by the studio on East Broad Street and talk with Rick Scruggs. We would love to have you on the show,” said Hicks.

March 20, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING CANCELED
The county commission meeting scheduled for Monday March 23 is canceled. By limiting potential exposure to the coronavirus, experts say it will slow its spread.

COURTHOUSE AND OFFICES IN COUNTY COMPLEX CLOSED TO IN-PERSON BUSINESS 

The DeKalb County Government continues to monitor developments and updates from federal and state public health officials related to the coronavirus. Beginning Friday March 20th, the DeKalb County Courthouse and the main entrance of the County Complex County Offices will be locked in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Employees are still reporting to work but residents who need to do business with them are urged to call first. Signage is posted on doors with phone number of each office for people to call. They will inform you how your business will be handled. The County Clerk’s drive thru window is open.

DEKALB COUNTY ELECTION COMMISSION OFFICE OPEN

The DeKalb County Election Office is open to receive and issue candidate petitions.
However, candidates and potential candidates should call the office in advance to make arrangements for someone to give them access to the building. The election office phone number is 615-597-4146. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The qualifying deadline for the August election is NOON April 2.

MIKE FOSTER MULTI PURPOSE CENTER CLOSED UNTIL APRIL 4TH
The Mike Foster Multipurpose Center is closed through Saturday April 4th. This will include the exercise room. If you have rented a room, you can reschedule or request a refund.

DEKALB COUNTY SCHOOLS CLOSED THROUGH FRIDAY, APRIL 3
DeKalb County Schools are closed through Friday, April 3 due to the coronavirus threat. All planned school related trips, extracurricular activities, and sporting events are also canceled during this time.

DEKALB COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM CLOSED
The DeKalb County Library System is closed until further notice, and as deemed appropriate by local, and federal health agencies. For more information check out the library facebook page or call 615-597-4359. Library patrons may still take advantage of the Tennessee Regional eBook and Audiobook Download System (R.E.A.D.S.) from home using their own devices for digital book checkouts.

COUNTY CLERK ENCOURAGES PUBLIC USE OF DRIVE-THROUGH WINDOW FOR SERVICES

DeKalb County Clerk James L. (Jimmy) Poss reminds patrons that all of its transactions in the County Clerk’s Office will be completed by the drive-thru service beginning today (Friday, March 20).
“As a precaution against the spread of the coronavirus, we are offering online and drive-thru service for the safety of our customers and employees, based on recommendations from the CDC and the Tennessee Department of Health. We recommend utilizing online services available at www.tncountyclerk.com whenever possible. While DeKalb County Clerk’s office is implementing the CDC’s recommended social distancing practices, we are still committed to serving you. Full staff will continue working normal business hours providing services for both businesses and citizens. In-person services are currently Not available. Please contact our office for assistance. Our phone number is 615-597-5177. We apologize for the inconvenience during this time. Office Hours are Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays 8:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.

DEKALB SENIOR CENTER CLOSED

The DeKalb Senior Center is closed to the public thru Friday April 3. If you need assistance, call 615-597-7575 and leave a message.

ALEXANDRIA SENIOR CENTER TO BE CLOSED MARCH 23 TO APRIL 6
The Alexandria Senior Center will be closed March 23 to April 6.

SMITHVILLE CITY HALL BUILDING CLOSED BUT DRIVE-THROUGH WINDOW OPEN
Although Smithville residents will not experience an interruption of city services, they will have to do city hall business at the drive-through window through the end of the month. The Smithville City Hall building is closed to the public for in-person visits or any business transactions through March 31. This will apply to the city hall offices of the mayor, city administrator, public works, police, tax, or water and sewer department. City officials will still be working normal business hours but if you have a need you will have to call city hall at 615-597-4745 or the police department at 615-597-8210 or you may stop by the drive through window to speak to a city employee. Payments may also be made at the drive through window, by phone, at the city hall night depository, or online at www.smithvillecityhall.com.

CIRCUIT COURT CLERK ENCOURAGES PUBLIC USE OF ONLINE SERVICES

DeKalb County Circuit Court Clerk Susan Martin is asking that anyone having business with her office please call 615-597-5711 or conduct business online if possible. Customers can do certain business and make payments via the DeKalb County Circuit Court Clerk website by clicking the link below and following the prompts. http://www.dekalbtennessee.com/circuitcourtclerk.html

COURTS CLOSED TO IN-PERSON PROCEEDINGS

By order of Tennessee Supreme Court Ruling, In Person Court Proceedings have been temporarily suspended until March 31, 2020. Due to this order In—Person court proceedings and hearings scheduled for this timeframe that are not of an emergent or immediate nature will not be held until after March 31, 2020. If you have an attorney – you should contact your attorney to potentially reschedule your court date. This suspension applies to all DeKalb County Courts including General Sessions, Circuit, Chancery, Criminal, Child Support, DCS, Juvenile Court, and the City of Smithville Municipal Court. All persons summoned for the new Grand Jury and term of court March 30 are not to report that day but will need to call 615-597-5711 extension 6 for further jury information after 5 p.m. March 31.

DEKALB SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT RESTRICTING PUBLIC ACCESS

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office is restricting public access to the facility until further notice due to the threat of the coronavirus. “Our number one priority is to prevent possible exposure to staff as well as inmates therefore we have placed the sheriff’s office and jail on a soft lock down which means that the general public will not be able to enter the facility. The front door to the lobby will be locked. Anyone in need of an officer or services such as a warrant must press a button at the front door which will ring for a correctional officer who will meet you at the door to offer assistance,” said Sheriff Patrick Ray.
For all non-emergency issues please call 615-597-4935. “Tuesday night church services and family visitations with inmates at the jail will be prohibited except for online visitations and the inmate roadside litter pickup program will be suspended until the threat subsides,” said Sheriff Ray. “Offenders brought into the jail will undergo established protocols during this time and rather than an in court appearance, video conferences will be arranged for defendants needing an immediate hearing before a judge for certain matters such as bond conditions, etc.,” he added.

OTHER CANCELLATIONS

*Keltonburg United Methodist Church has cancelled all services through April 5th.

*The New Union The Baptist Church in the Belk Community has cancelled all services for this week (March 22) and next week (March 29th).

*The Covenant Baptist Church has cancelled services for Sunday morning and night (March 22) and Wednesday night (March 25)

*New Hope The Baptist Church of White County is cancelling services for the next two weeks including the April 11 singing.

*Temple Independent Missionary Baptist Church is cancelling services until further notice

*Mount Pisgah Free Will Baptist Church is cancelling all services until April 5

*The Smithville Church of God has canceled all midweek services and Sunday services through March 29. They will be having a Facebook LIVE stream service available on Sundays at 11 a.m.

*The Smithville AG will not be holding any services or events at their physical location through April 4th.

*The child abuse prevention event on Friday, March 27th at the health department has been canceled.

*The Father-Daughter Dance to benefit Habitat for Humanity April 4th has been canceled. It will be rescheduled later in the year

*The Harlem Wizards fundraising basketball game to benefit the DeKalb Middle School Junior BETA Club set for April 9th has been cancelled.

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