Help is coming; remain patient

With the novel coronavirus spreading rapidly throughout Ohio and Lorain County nearing an unprecedented Level 4 purple alert, the state’s most serious classification for exposure, Gov. Mike DeWine’s statewide curfew order is appropriate at this time.

DeWine’s 21-day curfew order went into effect Nov. 19.

Ohioans should remain at their residences between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.

DeWine believes this effort will slow down the community spread of COVID-19.

If people don’t follow the safety protocols for the next three weeks, and the spread continues to wreak havoc on communities, DeWine could seek more extreme measures to fight the virus.

Lorain County remains at a Level 3 red alert, but it’s on a state watch list.

The Level 4 purple alert is defined by the Ohio Department of Health’s Public Health Advisory System as a public emergency with the potential for severe exposure and spread.

Individuals residing in purple alert areas are advised to only leave home for supplies and services.

Lake and Montgomery counties also are under the purple alert threat, meeting several indicators of Level 4.

Franklin County currently is the only county in the state with the highest COVID-19 Level 4 threat designation.

As governor, DeWine’s task is to protect Ohioans and he deserves credit for trying to accomplish that.

But, it’s mind boggling that some people are not taking this as seriously as they should.

If they did, the virus would not spread so rapidly.

Some people are not wearing masks, social distancing at least six feet from others and washing their hands and are attending events where there are multiple individuals not following the safety protocols.

DeWine must employ everything he has at his expense to protect Ohioans.

With holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s approaching, this is not the time for people to let their guards down.

Families and friends getting together during these days can lead to dire consequences because of the potential of being super spreader events, which we don’t need.

Health officials have expressed their concerns and are pleading with the public to do their part in helping to control the spread of the virus.

Even Ohio’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff is urging Ohioans to come together and do their part in containing the virus.

Vanderhoff said the threat posed to Ohio cannot be overstated and the actions of residents will be the determining factor of what the future looks like.

With the rising COVID-19 cases in the past couple of weeks in Lorain County, some government offices, school districts, medical centers, nonprofits have decided to alter schedules by limiting hours and even not allowing people inside their buildings.

Beginning Nov. 23, Lorain Municipal Court is eliminating most in-person court hearings.

Court officials will reschedule all pending criminal and traffic cases and staff will send a notice to each defendant advising of the new court date and the manner in which the case will be heard.

Lorain High School postponed all contact sport contests through Nov. 23, including girls basketball games against Sandusky and Avon Lake.

Elyria Schools students will have virtual classes after Thanksgiving until the end of January.

Clearview Schools has chosen to transition to complete virtual learning for the rest of the semester.

The announcement comes after Durling Middle School went remote due to lack of substitutes and an increase of staff contracting the virus.

The Lorain County JVS returned to fully remote instruction beginning Nov. 16.

Although the JVS has not seen large numbers of active virus cases in its facility, or active spread, officials want to take proactive steps to help stop the spread of this virus and that means limiting inperson interactions and group settings.

These are all good steps to help control the spread, people banding together to help others.

Officials are just asking people to be patient and be protective of one another until there is a vaccine.

Lorain County Public Health reported Nov. 19 that the county has 5,020 confirmed cases and 88 deaths.

Unfortunately, due to a high volume of cases, the health department will not update data until the caseload decreases.

Lorain County Public Health Commissioner Dave Covell did say on Nov. 18, that the county has had more than 944 COVID-19 cases in the past week and that hospitals are filling up.

But what is promising is that several institutions in Lorain County are taking a proactive approach to slow the spread.

People must remain vigilant and patient, and in a few months, this pandemic will be history.