UPDATE, 5 p.m. Friday:

Message from the Brown County Commissioners:

“Beginning Monday, March 16, 2020 – Access to most County Government Buildings will be Limited.  Citizens and residents who have business with County Offices are requested to call ahead, and see if arrangements can be made to handle the request electronically.

*The Brown County Courts, and associated offices will continue to remain open, as required by law. 

The health and well-being of our county employees is vital to our continued operations. While there are currently no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Brown County, the County’s  goal is to manage precautions ahead of any confirmed cases.

During a public health event it is imperative that public service employees remain available to the public and take appropriate precautions to mitigate exposure.

County Departments and County Boards will adjust non-essential in-person meetings to virtual meetings where reasonable and appropriate for a limited duration.

Public Meetings will be postponed unless absolutely necessary, for the duration of the event.

This policy will be evaluated, as needed.

Protocol for Buildings, Meetings, and Travel

Buildings: The custodial team will be completing extra cleaning in each office including the doors, railings and other surfaces around the buildings.   We are encouraging that everyone uses disinfecting wipes periodically during the day, wiping off surfaces, phones, keyboards, desktops, counters anything one may touch. 

We are temporarily suspending our pets in the workplace policy,  other than animals that are a part of specific operations. (police dogs)

Meetings: The Public Access Councilor has advised the county any meetings that can be postponed do so. When there is a meeting social distancing should be practiced.  This distancing is by literally distancing chairs and people.  He has also stated when a meeting is going to have more than 250 in attendance to cancel the meeting.

Travel: During the COVID-19 outbreak the Commissioners have been advised to limit travel to only essential meetings. Any meetings out of state or to any effected county within Indiana should be reported to the Human Resource Department.”

UPDATE, 10:30 a.m. Friday:

Brown County Schools will be on an extended spring break. Message to parents from Superintendent Laura Hammack:

“Beginning at 6:00 pm today, Brown County Schools, including the Brown County Career Resource Center, will be completely shut down until March 22.  All students and staff are restricted from accessing the buildings with the exception of the Superintendent and the Director of Maintenance.  The rationale for the complete shutdown is to allow the virus, if present, the opportunity to die on hard surfaces.

Additionally, Brown County Schools, including the Brown County Career Resource Center, will be closed from March 23 – April 6.  We intend to use 10 of the 20 days given to us by the Governor during this two-week timeframe; therefore, there will be no eLearning during this time.  This action is being deployed because of our sincere concerns regarding travel of families and staff during Spring Break.  This action translates into a self-quarantine of 14 days.

We intend to establish a daily system for the delivery of meals beginning the week of March 23rd to families at home by using school buses.  The schedule is not yet determined at this time; however, we will share it with our families as soon as it is established.

All Spring Athletics and other extra-curricular programming are paused at this time.  There will be no practices or events until we are able to return to school. We have every intention of still holding the Spring season of athletics if the IHSAA permits this action and we are returned to school.

School cancellation will be reviewed every day based on information that we are given from the State Department of Health.  There is a possibility that we will need to extend this closure beyond April 6.  We will keep you posted throughout the upcoming closure so that you can make ongoing plans for childcare.

These are unprecedented times where unprecedented decisions are being made.   Our hearts break for the events and activities that will have to be canceled and will make every effort to reschedule.  Additionally, as educators, it is very difficult to comprehend such a large amount of educational time being lost.

Unfortunately, there are simply too many unknowns at this point to be decisive in long-term planning.   We will make the best decisions that we know to make today and will keep you informed throughout these extraordinarily challenging times.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me with questions.

812-988-6601 X1101

[email protected]”

UPDATE, 9:33 a.m. Friday:

From the Cordry-Sweetwater Conservancy District:

“Effective today, the office lobby of the CSCD is closed to the public for an undetermined period of time. The office is open and staffed to assist customers during our normal business hours by phone and email. Please use either night drop box 24/7 or make credit card payments via phone or our website as an alternative method of payment for utility bills. If you need to drop of applications to Nick, Building Compliance Officer, you can drop those in the drop box as well. Work orders for the maintenance crew can be called in as well or use the customer portal for requests. The Health and Safety of our Employees and Community is very important to us. Also, Boat decal renewal sales will begin as soon as the office reopens. You can call ahead and have your decals ready for you when you arrive at the office if all boats being renewed are the same as last season. This will help speed up the process when you arrive. We apologize for any inconvenience. This is a health and safety precaution, due to the impending COVID-19.”

UPDATE, 8:47 a.m. Friday:

• Elevated cleaning measures
• Reminders for staff and patrons of proper hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette
• Covering coughs and sneezes with something other than your hand
• Washing hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth
• Routine wiping and disinfecting of frequently touched surfaces
• Staff are encouraged to stay home if they are ill or have a fever
• Please note that the Library is unable to comprehensively sanitize every single item that is checked out from its branches (books, movies, etc.), and as such, patrons are advised to wash their hands after handling materials and avoid touching their faces.

UPDATE, 5:25 p.m. Thursday:

Message from Brown County Music Center:

“In light of today’s order from Governor Holcomb, we will be postponing the following shows at this time: Warrant on Saturday, March 14 and Carrot Top on Thursday, March 19.

UPDATE, 5:13 p.m. Thursday:

Message to Brown County Schools parents from Superintendent Laura Hammack:

“The Governor of the State of Indiana recently made an announcement regarding new steps to protect the public from COVID-19.

Based on this information, Brown County Schools will remain in session until we are notified that there is a confirmed positive test of a student or staff member or if there is evidence of community spread of the virus.  If this takes place, we will close school for an unidentified amount of time.  The amount of time for closure will be dependent on guidance that we receive from the Indiana State Department of Health.

The Governor announced that school districts will be provided with a 20-day waiver of the required 180 instructional days, if needed, for the remainder of this academic year.  This means that if we need to close school for an extended period of time, we will not need to make up those 20 days.

The Governor also issued in his statement that schools need to follow guidelines for non-essential gatherings including extra-curricular and co-curricular activities.  To that end, the following procedures are in place:

1.  All extra-curricular and co-curricular games, competitions, programs, events, performances, banquets, and matches will be postponed.  We will do our best to reschedule or provide an alternate format; however, it is possible that events will be canceled altogether.

2.  The schools will not host any outside organizations during the school day or outside school hours.

3.  School teams, clubs, activities, and events will be allowed to practice or convene after school hours.

4.  Visitors/guests to all of our schools will be limited to immediate household members during regular school day hours.  Outside agencies such as Foster Grandparents and other community groups will not be permitted inside the schools.

As you know, we are scheduled for Spring Break during the week of March 16-20.  If we do not have any positive cases of the virus present over the break, our plan is to return to class on March 23rd, as scheduled.  Clearly, this plan may change over the next few days.

We want all of our parents/guardians to know that we completely respect any decision that you make if you decide to keep your child at home if school is still in session.  Our schools are prepared to send assignments home or post them electronically so your child can remain connected.  We will count your child as absent because we are required to under educational law; however, we will not pursue any traditional absence action with our Prosecutor’s office.

If we end up having to close school because a student or staff member has tested positive, our initial plans are to use the Governor’s waiver of 20 days.   That means that we would not need to deploy eLearning during that time.

Should we need to deploy eLearning after the 20 days granted in this waiver, we are planning to establish technology pick-up stations for any students who do not have access to an electronic device at home.  Additionally, we are planning for delivery of meals should an extended closure take place.

Spring Break presents another layer of concern for our school district.  With many of our students and staff traveling, we have to be extra cautious regarding re-entry of students and staff who have traveled.  Our local health Director stated that anyone who travels on a cruise over Spring Break will need to self-quarantine after return for 14 days.

It is extremely important that all of our community members follow this guidance:

If you are sick with COVID-19 or suspect you are infected with the virus:

• Stay home unless you need to seek medical care.
• Avoid public areas and public transportation
• Stay away from others as much as possible, especially people who are the most at risk such as  older adults with multiple medical problems and those with a weakened immune system
• Don’t shake hands
• Seek prompt medical attention if your illness is worsening such as difficulty breathing and call  your doctor or healthcare facility before you seek care.

More information may be found at the ISDH website at https://on.in.gov/COVID19 and the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

We are still processing the scale of this news.  We feel a massive responsibility to stay open for as long as we are able so our families can prepare for a potential closure of significant length.  Clearly, this is an unprecedented time and we apologize for the many inconveniences.  We are here to help navigate those issues.

Please understand – this will be messy. We promise that we are doing our very best for our community with the information that we know at this moment in time. As the situation evolves, and we expect it will, we will continue to modify our plans based on the best evidence.

For now, we will plan to see our students and staff tomorrow and we will keep our community posted as plans evolve throughout the break. If we are made aware of any positive cases in Brown County between now and tomorrow morning, I will be in touch.”

UPDATE, 4:45 p.m. Thursday:

Gov. Eric Holcomb this afternoon said that schools will be offered a 20-day waiver of the 180-day requirement, and banned gatherings of more than 250 people.

Indiana had 12 positive cases of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, including three in Johnson County, as of Thursday afternoon, according to the Indiana State Department of Health.

“This is a time when we must do all we can to reduce the spread of COVID-19, protect our most vulnerable populations and reduce their potential to acquire or spread this virus,” Holcomb said in a news release. “While some actions are drastic, now, not later, is the time to act.”

The state will offer school corporations a 20-day waiver of the required 180 instructional days to use as needed for the rest of the school year. The waived days do not need to be used consecutively and can be leveraged as needed, according to the news release from the governor’s office. Waiver applications will be available today, the news release said.

Non-essential gatherings must be limited to no more than 250 people, according to the news release. This includes any event or gathering of people who are in one room or a single space at the same time, including cafeterias, churches, stadiums, meeting and conference rooms, and auditoriums, the news release said.

State officials are encouraging seniors with known underlying health issues such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes or chronic respiratory disease to limit their public exposure and have food delivered, according to the news release.

“I fully expect there will be additional actions warranted in the coming days,” Holcomb said in the news release. “Just as we have since the beginning of the year, we are working with partners at all levels to secure all necessary resources for any escalation of this virus.”

ORIGINAL POST Thursday afternoon:

Effective today, Nashville Town Hall will be closed to the public and all meetings that had been scheduled are off “indefinitely” to help combat the spread of the COVID-19 “coronavirus.”

This decision follows other Indiana local governments’ moves within the last 24 hours. Bloomington leaders reduced large in-person government meetings and postponed others, and the city was rescheduling a couple of summits or awards ceremonies planned for March, according to the Herald-Times.

This afternoon, Brown County Water Utility also closed its lobby to the public “for an undetermined amount of time” as a precaution. Payments can still be made by drive-up, at the night depository or over the phone. “The health and safety of our employees and community we serve is very important to us,” the utility said in a press release. “We apologize for any inconvenience.”

“Social distancing,” along with proper hand-washing and staying home when you feel ill, are some of the precautions that the Centers for Disease Control is recommending to halt the spread of the virus.

As of March 11, 12 positive cases had been confirmed in Indiana out of 64 total tests: three in Johnson County, which borders Brown County to the north; two in Hendricks County; two in Marion County; and one each in Boone, Howard, Noble, Adams and St. Joseph counties.

The ISDH updates a website every day at 10 a.m. that shows the reach of the virus in Indiana: https://on.in.gov/COVID19.

Here’s the press release from the town, issued just after noon today:

“The Town of Nashville, Indiana, is joining peer municipalities across the state of Indiana in closing Town government facilities and limiting or postponing all Town board and commission meetings indefinitely in an effort to combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Nashville Town Council President Jane Gore issued a directive to Town elected officials and staff on Thursday morning that outlines the plans the Town will be taking to protect the health of all Nashville residents and visitors.
The plan includes:
• The closure of the Town Hall to the public starting at noon on Thursday, March 12, 2020, for a period to be determined at a later date,
• Limiting the March 19, 2020, Town Council agenda to the approval of the monthly claims as required by state statute
• The postponement of all Town board and commission meetings for an indefinite period.
Town and Municipal Utility staff will be on site during regular business hours to answer phone calls and customers can drop off payments at the Town Hall utility payment drop box 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
To date, no cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Nashville or Brown County, but Town elected officials believe it is in the best interest of town staff and residents to take these proactive measures.
Town officials encourage all residents and visitors to continue to follow the recommendations and directives that have been issued by the Brown County Emergency Management Agency, Brown County Health Department, Indiana Department of Health and CDC.”

Here’s Brown County Water Utility’s message:

“Starting Thursday, March 12, 2020, the Office Lobby is Closed to the Public for an undetermined period of time.  The Office is Open & Staffed to assist customers during our normal business hours by phone and email.  The Drive-up is Open for other transactions.  Please use our Night Depository 24/7, Make credit card payment Online or by Phone toll-free 844-286-1786, as an alternative method of payment.  The Health & Safety of our Employees and Community we serve is very important to us.  We apologize for any inconvenience. This is a health & safety precaution, due to the impending COVID-19.”

Other restrictions or schedule changes

• The Brown County Board of Health meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 17 has been canceled “as a public health preventative measure and the increased risk of COVID-19 (coronavirus) infections in the United States,” according to Brown County Health Officer Dr. Norman Oestrike. The next board meeting will be May 19.
• CarDon & Associates, which operates Brown County Health & Living Community, is limiting all outside visitors “with the exception of rare circumstances, such as immediate family members in end-of-life situations or when it is medically necessary for our resident.” Any immediate family members who do enter in those situations, as well as staff members, will be screened for illness. “There are no known cases of COVID-19 in any of our communities,” CarDon reported.

Susan Armstrong, director of the Brown County Emergency Management Agency, is coordinating the county’s response along with other partners in government and emergency services. The Democrat asked her a few questions this afternoon:

What steps has county government taken to prepare?

“We have prescreenings being done at the 911 level, so anyone that calls 911 is being prescreened, and if they get a positive screen, it just means they meet all the CDC criteria; it doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re positive for coronavirus, it just means they have a temperature, flu-like symptoms, traveled out of the country. Right now, the CDC says that’s the criteria. If they have a positive screen, EMS and first responders will be treating that with the appropriate PPE (personal protective equipment). We’re actually meeting right now with EMS providers from CRH, we’re going to be meeting with both law enforcement agencies later today and hopefully fire chiefs tomorrow … so that we can get everybody doing exactly the same thing. We don’t want there to be panic, but we want everybody to take it seriously. Wash your hands, clean, (use) social distancing if possible. … We do have a continuity of operational government, or COG plan. We are working on updating that’s just to make sure that the government continues to run smoothly even if this comes into Brown County. If we start getting people that get sick, we have plans in place to make sure everything continues to run.

Are there any restrictions in place for county government buildings?

There are no restrictions on county office buildings. There’s no restrictions other than what we would tell you with the normal flu. If you are actively sick, we hope that you won’t come into places like that. We hope that you would take care of yourself and not come in. If you’re sick, please stay home. If it’s something that you can do by email or by phone rather than coming in, just keep your exposure at a minimum.

What about large gathering spaces, like the music center? Do they have autonomy to make decisions about their events?

They have their own autonomy. We treat them much like we would treat the Brown County Playhouse or any other place that has large gatherings of people. The CDC is cautious right now with, if you can avoid that, avoid that, but they’re not ordering people to cancel and we’re not going to order people to cancel right now. We don’t even have a presumptive positive here, not in Brown County. I know the CDC recently, just today, released guidance for large gatherings.

This is one of those things you really don’t ever want to see it happen but … our responders and our planning process here in Brown County are pretty solid. … Whatever we can do to keep it from spreading, we’re definitely going to do that.

If someone was adamant about getting tested for the virus, is there anywhere in the county that a person could do that?

No. They would first have to call their primary health care provider or call the hospital of their choice and find out what they want them to do. We do not do any diagnosing here at the EMS base. We do not want people walking into the EMS base thinking that we can diagnose them with coronavirus. … (Brown County Public Health Preparedness Coordinator) Corey Frost is coordinating with (local doctor’s offices). … He’s in conversation with them about what’s going on and where we are.

This story will be updated.