By Dale Twing
As a long-time resident of Newaygo County, I love this community and the people who live and work in it. I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to raise a family and earn a livelihood here. Over the many years, I’ve had the privilege of calling so many people my trusted friends. Regardless of background or beliefs, I truly value every single person I’ve come to know. When a virus like COVID-19 threatens the community that I cherish, I feel I have a responsibility to speak up. COVID-19 is a serious threat. Please treat it as such. Back in summer, one of two individuals may get sick from COVID-19. Today, we’re seeing around 30 people get sick every day in Newaygo County. Back in summer, at most one or two people would need to get admitted to the hospital. Today, our hospital is filling up. Patients need to get transferred to other nearby hospitals, and those are filling up too. The data, compiled by District Health Department #10, which includes Newaygo County, paint a worrisome picture. Unless we all get serious and start practicing simple safety behaviors, COVID-19 will sicken more people, overwhelm our health care facilities and put lives at risk. We can all do our part: Wear a mask. Stay six feet apart from other people. Keep gatherings small and outdoors if possible. Wash your hands frequently. Scientists have been studying COVID-19 for a year now. The research keeps giving us the same conclusion: these safety precautions, while inconvenient to some, can reduce disease transmissions. Additionally, President Trump’s own public health experts say wearing a mask correctly can protect others as well as the person wearing it. I haven’t always worn a mask diligently. I will now. If you see me out and about not wearing one or wearing one improperly, please don’t hesitate to remind me. Until we have control of the COVID-19 pandemic, we must all do our part to keep each other safer.
6 Comments
Cristie
11/14/2020 08:54:48 pm
I understand the mask thing very well. I think the major issue is people that stand around and chat. They need to quit doing that. Walking into a place of business, bar, restaurant, with one on and then take it off, is not doing a thing. If they sit there and chat while eating, it is spreading it. Maybe take out would be the best thing at this time. At least for a short period of time. Talking puts it in the air that everybody does breath. Take care people.
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Sally Wagoner
11/15/2020 11:43:55 pm
Thank you Dale Twing for speaking publicly in support of taking Covid 19, and effective preventive measures, seriously.
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Randy Butters
11/16/2020 10:06:04 am
Thanks, Dale! We are all in this together.
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SALLY KANE
11/16/2020 01:16:26 pm
Thank you for speaking out, Dale. You stated it well. I appreciate it when public officials speak and act in the common good, which this certainly is. We ARE in this together.
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Kay Cummings Clouse
11/16/2020 04:35:47 pm
Thank you Dale, for publicly stating what is so important for each person in this county to hear and take to heart! I sincerely hope we can turn this virus around before too many more people die or have to live with lifelong consequences.
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Robin Aslakson
11/19/2020 08:06:29 pm
Dale, thank you taking a brave stand! Wearing a mask is such a small thing to do to save the lives of family, friends, neighbors, and yes, strangers.
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