When I first wrote about the COVID-19 issue in the March 6 issue, it was a worrisome illness that was happening “over there” — China, Italy, South Korea, Seattle — and not a big concern in Indiana. However, a few weeks later and we are now faced with a national outbreak that threatens to tear the fabric of our already strained society. To date, 39 people have been diagnosed with COVID-19 in Indiana, and 11 in Marion County. On Monday, March 16, the first known death from COVID-19 was recorded in the state — a person in Marion County. Two have died in Indiana as of March 18. By the time you read this, the number is certain to be higher. For up-to-date information about COVID-19 in Indiana, please check the Web site in.gov/coronavirus and sign up for their news alerts.
Last week, I carefully selected stories I thought our readers would enjoy, highlighting events that they could be part of. When we sent it to the press on Wednesday, everything looked a-ok. Then Thursday, March 12 happened and every thing was cancelled. We posted the cancellation notices on our Web site.
Over the St. Patrick’s Day weekend, numerous events and celebrations were cancelled for fear of spreading the virus through the community. The Big Ten Tournament cancelled events. Spring training for Major League Baseball is cancelled. The high school boys and girls basketball tournaments have been cancelled due to schools being closed. Several assisted living facilities and nursing homes in the area are severely restricting visitors. The Indianapolis Public Library is closed through April 5. Indy Parks has closed community centers and programs, except for food programs). Organizations are curtailing activities. Churches are not offering services in person, but many are offering online video services.
On Monday, March 16, Mayor Joe Hogsett and Dr. Virginia Caine of the Marion County Public Health Department issued a series of orders for Marion County prohibiting all public gatherings of 50 or more people; closing Indianapolis bars and nightclubs that do not serve food, as well as movie theaters, entertainment venues, gyms, and fitness facilities. In alignment with Governor Holcomb’s directives, restaurants, bars, and retail food facilities will not be allowed to serve food for dine-in consumption but may continue to offer food for delivery, carry-out, or drive-thru.
On Monday, March 16 Mayor Hogsett issued an executive order declaring a local disaster emergency in Marion County and issuing a watch-level local travel advisory, which advises against travel except when essential, in circumstances such as to and from work, in emergency situations, or to purchase groceries and pick-up prescriptions or food. Marion County’s Emergency Operations Center has also been put into operation with around the clock staffing, convening public health and safety professionals to monitor the developing situation.
Most people are taking active measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19: frequent hand washing, avoiding large crowds, carrying hand sanitizers and wipes, avoiding shaking hands, and other common sense hygiene practices. However, the pandemic is also bringing out the worst in people. Scammers are online selling useless products that claim to kill the virus. People have been advocating dangerous practices to kill the virus, or false information about how dangerous the virus is. Others have begun hoarding sanitizers, toilet paper, hand soap, and more — and selling it online at outrageous prices. Conspiracy theories are running rampant and are being shared through social media. Worst of all, there is the selling of fear and loathing, especially directed at “foreigners” who are being blamed for the outbreak.
The other side of this coin has been seen in the hardest hit locked-down cities of Florence, Milan, and in other countries where travel is severely restricted. Locked in their apartments, residents have taken to their balconies for impromptu bursts of song. In other nations, they have come out to their balconies and front steps to applaud, at a specific time, the efforts of first responders, doctors, nurses, and other professionals who are working hours on end to help. If you have online access, it’s worth searching for these beautiful moments.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) notes that individuals who are at high risk for complications should practice extra hygiene measures, avoid travel, and reduce social contact in large groups. High risk individuals include people over 65 with chronic diseases such as COPD, heart disease, diabetes, or have a suppressed immune system. They suggest stocking up on tissues, over-the-counter medications, and medical supplies.
All of this impacting our neighborhoods, our local businesses, and our families in ways that, a month ago, seemed unimaginable. The Weekly View has, at this writing, NO PLANS TO SUSPEND PUBLICATION. We believe that positive news about our neighborhoods and community are more important now than ever. We will be unable to distribute papers in certain locations that will be closed, like the library or inside a restaurant. Please look for the green boxes outside and continue to patronize our advertisers whenever possible — including our Home Service and Classified folks who are the small business heart and soul of our community. We also have papers available at our office, 195 N. Shortridge Rd., Suite D. If you are unable to come out for a while, we offer subscriptions for only $24 for three months – call us at 317-356-2222 to subscribe an we’ll set you up right away. Like all small businesses in this crisis, we need support as well!
Irvington community leader Dawn Cox Briggs recently posted a message on the Irvington Neighborhood Facebook page that is well worth pondering. In part, she noted that she is worried for the health and safety of those closest to her (including her son who is an EMT), plus all the friends and neighbors being affected by lost wages, missed vacations, and general fear of the coronavirus. She went on to state that she and her family would be practicing “social distancing,” keeping six feet away from others, avoiding crowds, and the like — and possibly missing out.
“I would imagine most of us are facing some undue pressure right now . . . At the end of the day, I hope we collectively lock arms — from 6 feet away — be respectful of our neighbors and help each other through these tough times.”
Jenna Nicole is another Irvingtonian who is doing just that, having created the “Irvington Spinster Supply and Errand Network” (love the name) and organizing block captains for North, South, and Middle Irvington who will be able and willing to check on neighbors via text, phone, or e-mail and helping to connect Irvington residents who cannot leave their homes with errands and other resources. You can connect with them on Facebook through the Irvington Neighbors page. To sign up to be a block captain, please call Dawn Briggs at 317-374-8171.
Other neighborhoods are certain to follow suit in the days to come. If there’s one thing I’ve come to know over the past 15+ years of covering the Indy area, we are at heart a resilient group of people. You may get a note on your door asking if you are okay, or a friendly wave from a neighbor you barely know. There will be many more acts of kindness and generosity of spirit large and small performed in the weeks and months to come. Let’s hope, after the dust of the pandemic settles (and it will eventually settle), that the lesson we take away is how intertwined our lives truly are, and how much we really need each other.
If you would like to share positive stories about people helping people during this difficult time, please contact me at ethel.weeklyview@yahoo.com. If you have a picture, send it along and you may see it in next week’s paper!
