Fetch Your News Interviews Pickens Commission Chair on COVID-19 Response
FYNTV, News March 25, 2020
JASPER, Ga. – Fetch Your News CEO Brian Pritchard held an interview with Pickens County Commission chair Rob Jones regarding the county’s response of COVID-19 on Wednesday, March 25, 2020.
Jones started off by stating that this ordinance was an 11 page document, intended mostly as a reminder to get people to understand how serious the virus is.
He states that not included in the shutdown are things such as grocery stores, drug stores, healthcare services, gas stations, drive thrus at banks, building supplies, auto parts, restaurants for takeout or curbside, liquor stores, etc.
The ordinance is available through Tuesday, April 7, 2020, and is planned to go void unless the health system of Pickens an Georgia directs them to do something else at that time.
Why liquor stores?
Jones says that this is because withdrawals may occur in certain individuals who have become dependent on alcohol, and that hospitals would further take a hit if those individuals were unable to obtain their alcohol.
Groups of 10 or more aren’t allowed while the ordinance is in place.
Even outside government agencies such as the road department have been split into smaller groups to aid in stopping the spread of the virus.
Jones says this ordinance encourages people to stay home, but, isn’t mandatory, as asked by Pritchard during the interview. Jones says that they understand people must go out to the grocery store, visit the bank, etc.
When asked whether or not Jones knows if those who are listed as infected in the county are from Pickens, he responded that they are residences of the county, but that one of the individuals is in a hospital south of the county, with another self-quarantined in their home, though he’s currently unaware of the status of the other two.
A video of the entire interview may be viewed below!:
Gov. Kemp, Officials Confirm Two Cases of COVID-19 in Georgia
Health March 4, 2020
Atlanta, GA – This evening, Governor Brian Kemp, Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) Commissioner Kathleen Toomey, M.D., and state officials confirmed Georgia’s first cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) involving two residents of Fulton County who live in the same household. One recently returned from Italy. Both have mild symptoms; they are isolated at home with other relatives to keep the illness from spreading.
DPH is working to identify any contacts who may have been exposed while the individuals were infectious. People who are identified as having been exposed will be contacted directly by a DPH epidemiologist and monitored for fever and respiratory symptoms.
Earlier this evening, Governor Kemp spoke with Vice President Mike Pence about the two confirmed cases. The Governor’s Coronavirus Task Force was briefed via conference call at roughly 9:30 p.m. At 10 p.m., Governor Kemp held a press conference at the Georgia State Capitol with Dr. Toomey, State Epidemiologist Cherie Drenzek, Adjutant General Tom Carden, Georgia Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Director Homer Bryson, and Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John King.
“Our team has been working around the clock to prepare for any scenario. Already, state health officials have established contact with these individuals to gather more information, monitor their condition, and determine any exposure,” said Governor Kemp. “They are confident that our efforts to prepare for this moment have enabled us to manage these cases appropriately and minimize any risks moving forward. We remain in constant communication with our partners at all levels of government, and we will continue to update members of the public as information becomes available.”
“We knew that Georgia would likely have confirmed cases of COVID-19, and we planned for it. The immediate risk of COVID-19 to the general public, however, remains low at this time,” said Kathleen E. Toomey, M.D., M.P.H, DPH commissioner. “I cannot emphasize enough the need for all Georgians to follow the simple precautions that DPH always urges to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses.”
COVID-19 spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms appear within two to 14 days after exposure and include fever, cough, runny nose, and difficulty breathing. Those considered at risk for contracting the virus are individuals with travel to areas where there are ongoing outbreaks of COVID-19 or individuals in close contact with a person infected with COVID-19.
Best Practices
Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
The flu is still widespread and active throughout the state, so if you have not already gotten a flu shot, it is not too late. While the flu shot will not protect against COVID-19, it will prevent serious complications that require hospitalization and prevent overburdening the health care system in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak.
If you have recently traveled to areas where there are ongoing outbreaks of COVID-19 and develop fever with cough and shortness of breath within 14 days of your travel, or if you have had contact with someone who is suspected to have COVID-19, stay home and call your health care provider or local health department right away. Be sure to call before going to a doctor’s office, emergency room, or urgent care center and tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms.
For the updated information about COVID-19 log on to:dph.georgia.gov/novelcoronavirusor cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html. Find answers to frequently asked questions at