Looking for health policy leadership? Choose a nurse
Gov. Brian Kemp is facing many challenges, with a surging pandemic and its economic devastation at the top of the list.
The arduous process of choosing hundreds of appointees to staff state agencies to manage these crises, is on-going. As president of the Georgia Association of Nurse Anesthetists, I would entreat Gov. Kemp to consider appointing nurses to move our state forward and help keep our residents safe.
I applaud Gov. Kemp for his appointment of a Certified Registered Nurse
Anesthetist to the Georgia COVID Task Force at the outset of this pandemic, but there is still much to be done. Nurses are well prepared and highly capable of taking on these duties.
This year has cast a light on the value of the nursing profession as never before. Nurses—including CRNAS and other advanced practice nurses — walked resolutely into danger to care for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Among one of the nation’s most trusted professions for 19 years running, according to Gallup, CRNAS, APRNS, and nurses continue to serve as frontline soldiers battling this unprecedented public health crisis. Despite shortages of equipment and staff, nurses are innovating and finding the best way to manage the sickest patients. As they often are throughout their careers, during the pandemic nurses are called upon to be a lifeline to patients and families at the worst time of their lives. Too often, they are there to care for and comfort patients at the end of their lives.
Amid heartbreak, personal sacrifice, and health risks to themselves and their families, nurses continue to bring knowledge and perspective to this ongoing pandemic that few others can claim. Nurses know what works and what doesn’t. They’ve been there and done that, and they can offer solutions to the seemingly intractable public health and societal problems America faces.
Listen to them. Hear them. Bring them into the decision-making process.
America’s nurses offer invaluable insight and experience in issues throughout the healthcare spectrum, and our governmental institutions need every bit of their expertise.
Nurses practice in every conceivable setting, caring for every patient population, throughout our healthcare system. They are caregivers, decision makers, innovators, educators, researchers, counselors, administrators, and business owners.
Nurses see firsthand the results of racism and inequality, poverty, violence, substance abuse, unequal education, and inadequate mental healthcare. When it comes to tackling these issues, nurses bring intimate knowledge and problemsolving experience, as well as the will and dedication to serve their country and fellow citizens.
I ask Gov. Kemp, why not look among the backbone of America’s healthcare system? Why not choose members of America’s most trusted profession? If you are looking for America’s best and brightest to serve at your side, choose a nurse.
WEDNESDAY
The American Red Cross is holding a blood drive from 3 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 10, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1941 Shorter Ave. To schedule an appointment please go to WWW. REDCROSSBLOOD.ORG and enter code: WPC. The Red Cross is testing blood, platelet & plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies.
THURSDAY
The Rome Chapter of The Compassionate Friends will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, at Life Church, 19 John Davenport Drive. This is a support group for those who have lost their child, grandchild or sibling. For more information call Deeann at 706-936-9021 or Sandra at 706-506-6108.
The Animal Rescue Foundation of Rome/ Floyd will hold its annual Spayghetti dinner fundraiser from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18 at the Rome Senior Center on Riverside Parkway. Cost: $15 per person, $25 per couple, $5 ages 3-10. Tickets available at Peggy’s Backyard, Wet Petz, Sue’s Barber Shop and at the door. Social distancing will be observed.
Keep Rome-floyd Beautiful will celebrate Arbor Day with a public event set for 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 19, at Tolbert Park, 300 Charlton St. For more information visit Keepromefloydbeautiful.org.
TRED is celebrating the GE Trails 4th birthday with a casual trail walk at 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, at Garrard Park, 1935 Redmond Circle. Java Joy coffee, cupcakes and snacks will be served. The event is free but donations will be accepted. For more information, contact Julie at 706-8448509.
Friends of the Library Silent Auction
through
The
UPCOMING
is
accepting bids
March 1 at 4 p.m. There are five showcases at the library, 205 Riverside Parkway, with a special focus on history books and memorabilia. For a complete list, check the library website, www.shrls.org/romefriendsof-the-library.
ONGOING
The Alanon support group meets at Westminster Church, 1941 Shorter Ave., at noon each Wednesday. Everyone is invited to come.
The Our Lady of the Three Rivers Chapter of the Society of Mary meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, 42 Ash St. For more information
call 706-506-1241.
VFW Post 4911 at 2632 Cedartown Highway hosts Bingo every Friday night. You do not have to be a member to play. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., the kitchen opens at 6 p.m., and the games begin at 7:30 p.m. Cash prizes.
The NWGA Center for Independent Living holds a COVID-19 Peer Support call every Monday at 2 p.m. via the Zoom website and by phone. For the link and password, or if you need assistance, contact Christina Holtzclaw at 628-246-1825 or choltzclaw@nwgacil.org.
American Legion Post 136 from Lindale meets the fourth Monday of the month at 6 p.m. in the VFW post at 2642 Cedartown Highway. Masks are required.
DAV Chapter 95 meets the fourth Monday of the month at 6 p.m. at VFW Post 4911 on Cedartown Highway. Face masks are required. For more information or assistance in filing VA claims, contact Chapter Commander Art Cook at 334-208-2736.
Pisgah Baptist Church,
5603 Alabama Highway, has Sunday School at 9:45 a.m. and Sunday worship at 10:50 a.m. On Wednesdays they offer 8:30 a.m. prayers and 7 p.m. Bible study and a youth meeting.
Bush Arbor Baptist Church, 3290 Black’s Bluff Road, holds Sunday School at 10 a.m., worship service at 11 a.m. and evening services at 6 p.m. on Sunday. Bible study is at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays. For more information, visit their Facebook page or call 770-885-0779.
St. Andrew’s Anglican Church,
42 Ash St., meets for Holy Communion Sundays at 9:30 a.m. All are welcome. A nursery is provided. For more information call 706-506-1241.
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church
offers Sunday worship at 10 a.m. broadcast on WLAQ radio station as well as Youtube live streaming. Celtic Service is available on St. Peter’s Facebook at 5:30 p.m. each Wednesday. For more information, contact the church office at 706-291-9111 or visit stpetersrome.org.
Covenant Presbyterian Church (EPC), 1645 Cartersville Highway in Rome, holds Sunday School at 10 a.m. followed by an 11 a.m. traditional communion worship service. Social distancing practiced, masks recommended but not required. For further information, visit Covenantrome. org or call 706-767-8373.
A Rome man was being held without bond Monday after he was arrested outside his residence on Maple Avenue on three counts of obstruction and two counts of aggravated stalking, reports stated.
According to Floyd County Jail reports:
Jo’vaun James Campfield, 28, violated a temporary protection order to stay away from a woman twice when he came to the residence on Nov. 22 and Feb. 8. On the latter date, Campfield struck the woman across her face.
During his arrest, Campfield refused to get into the back of the car. He is also charged with misdemeanor simple battery.
Report: Pair caused damage
to gambling machine
Rome police are looking into an incident that occurred at the Berry Food Mart when two people reportedly tried to break into a gambling machine and set the machine on fire.
According to Rome Police Department reports:
At around 2:40 a.m. Saturday, a man and woman came into the store and went to the gambling room. On surveillance footage, the man is blocking the view of the machine while the woman sits in front of it.
The officer said he could not see them tampering with the machine, but while they sat there, the room began to fill with smoke and the woman started waving the smoke away from her face.
The rest of the occupants of the room began watching the two and one person got up to notify the store clerk. While the clerk looked over the machine, the man took merchandise from the shelves and put it in his pockets.
The two caused about $1,500 worth of damage to the machine and stole $20 worth of merchandise.
Report: Items stolen from Caversham Lane work site
About $1,500 worth of building materials was reportedly stolen from a work site on Caversham Lane, reports stated.
According to Rome Police Department reports:
A contractor for Davis Contracting and Development called police
to report the theft. The construction workers left the site around 5 p.m. on Thursday and returned at about 8:30 a.m. the next day to find 20 sheets of plywood, 20 5x6 boards and 40 2x4 boards were missing.
The contractor believes it probably occurred after the rain since there were tire tracks in the mud and muddy tire tracks on the road.
Cash, checkbooks reported
stolen from auto shop
Rome police are looking for a man who reportedly stole $4,700 in cash, three checkbooks and 25 credit cards from Performance Concepts on Shorter Industrial Boulevard.
According to Rome Police Department reports:
The owner caught the man committing the theft on Thursday through surveillance footage showing him reaching over the counter and taking one of the bank bags. While the person had been in the story regularly, the complainant could not immediately identify him.
Olivia Morley, staff writer
Police: Rome probationer had
vape pen, ecstasy
Rome police found a vape pen, a quantity of ecstasy and a small bag of marijuana on a man after a search, reports stated.
According to Floyd County Jail reports:
Justin Charles Spivey, 32, was arrested just after 7 a.m. Friday on two felony counts of possession of a Schedule I controlled substance, a felony probation violation and misdemeanor possession of marijuana.
Rome teen facing Percocet
felony charge
Rome police reportedly found Percocet and marijuana on a young man during a search at a location on East Fourth Avenue.
According to Floyd County jail reports:
Jamon Kentirus Allen, 17, was arrested just after 11 p.m. Friday after officers found two Percocet tablets and less than an ounce of marijuana on him.
Allen is charged with felony possession of a Schedule II controlled substance and the misdemeanors possession of marijuana and drugs not in an original container.
Rome man accused of breaking into home, attacking
woman
A Rome man was arrested on accusations that he entered a residence and attacked the woman living there, reports stated
According to Floyd County jail reports:
David Arious Long, 28, was arrested on Reservoir Street around 7:15 a.m. Saturday, about half an hour after he entered the residence and started choking the female homeowner.
He is charged with felony burglary and aggravated assault.
Escape charge filed against
jail inmate
A man incarcerated at the Floyd County Jail since last August is additionally charged with felony escape. According to jail reports: William Dewayne Vessell, 37, left his cell Friday afternoon and failed to return as instructed.
Vessell is facing a litany of charges, including participation in criminal street gang activity, unlawful acts of violence in a penal institution and possession of methamphetamine.
2 arrested on stalking charges
A Rome man and woman were arrested early Sunday morning when they were caught together in violation of terms of both of their conditional bonds, reports stated.
According to Floyd County Jail reports:
Sterling Rowland Lester, 46, of Rockmart and Angela Sparks Robbins, 44 were arrested Sunday morning at a location on Johns Drive. Both are charged with felony aggravated stalking.
Doug Walker, associate editor