The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Henry County starts coronavirus committee as state gets first cases
Leaders try to assure residents plan exists if an infection arises.
Henry County leaders Tuesday announced the south metro community was putting together a coronavirus committee to address issues with one voice should an infection be diagnosed in their area.
The county, which did not have any cases as of Tuesday afternoon, said the move was not to cause panic, but to assure residents that it has a plan should an infec- tion arise.
“By starting the preparation now, we will be ready for it,” Henry County Assistant Manager Brad Johnson told an assembled group of leaders, including the mayors of Stockbridge and Hamp- ton; County Commission Chairwoman June Wood; and members of law enforcement, Henry Schools and health officials.
The move comes a day after Gov. Brian Kemp announced two cases of the coronavirus in Fulton
County, the state’s first. It also follows a growing number of Atlanta organizations, including MARTA, that have announced efforts to minimize any role they could have in spreading the virus, such as suspending international business trips and using anti-bacterial soaps to clean up any bodily fluids left on the city’s subway.
Dr. Olugbenga Obasanjo, director of public health for
District 4, which includes Henry County, told Henry leaders to follow measures set up by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, such as washing hands thoroughly, wiping down surfaces in public buildings and making sure people who are sick stay home.
He also encouraged the county to have plans that fit specific demographics such as schools and jails instead of trying a one-size-fits-all approach.
J.D. Hardin, a spokesman for Henry Schools, said the district received a few calls on Tuesday from parents worried about the virus after the Fulton cases were announced, but had no problems overall.
Others said they were concerned that misinformation could spread if the county did not speak with a unified voice, but Johnson said that could be avoided if Henry appointed one person to be in charge of messaging.
For County Manager Cheri Hobson-Matthews, launching the coronavirus committee makes a simple statement: “Let’s not panic about what’s going on; let’s be prepared,” she said.