To the editor:

We would like to thank all the emergency, fire and law enforcement personnel, local government officials and judiciary who are gearing up very rapidly and efficiently to help protect and assist all Brown County residents during this difficult time. This is a mammoth undertaking and everyone in the community needs to do their part by keeping up-to-date with the latest news and directives, staying a safe minimum distance away from others, seeking medical help when needed, requesting food assistance or other help quickly, etc.

Special thanks also to the Board of County Commissioners who have rapidly adapted their meeting procedures in line with Governor Holcomb’s orders, to ensure the public has access to meeting discussions in real time, and to The Democrat for helping with this initiative. The first board meeting held in the new medium (Facebook Live) on March 18 can be viewed online by anyone, anytime.

The EOC and new COAD, under the guidance of the EMA, Susan Armstrong, and Public Health Preparedness Coordinator Corey Frost, will play a pivotal role as the county’s guiding lanterns in its local response to the pandemic. We wish them well, and safe passage, as they light the way.

We pray that all our families, friends and neighbors in Brown County and elsewhere will come through safe and well on the other side of this unexpected novel pandemic. Let us stay calm and rise, with the best qualities we can muster from within our hearts and souls, to overcome the new challenges confronting us, our country and the world.

Don and Dianne Barriger, Hartsville, formerly of Brown County

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