---

Our local newspapers have done the best they can to keep our county informed about a virus that we've had to learn so much about, in such a short amount of time. Whether it be giving a story about the virus's symptoms to interviewing patients who have survived it, we have done all we can to have our readers understand what is going on and how it affects everyone.
The stories, statistics and updates on cancelled event would not have happened without the help of our local health agencies. Those agencies include our local health department, emergency management, first responders and all of those on the front line in our local health clinics and hospitals.
It has not been easy, and there have been tough decisions that have had to be made. While keeping our community informed, workers in healthcare are putting themselves at great risk. They have worked around the clock studying this virus and have put protocols in place that may be seen as inconveniences.
They've been who we've looked to when it came to determining event plannings and cancellations. Any reopening plans in our county have been reviewed carefully and strenuously by our healthcare agencies.
We are in weird times, and it is sometimes hard to know if and when certain events are safe to have, or when it is time to pull the plug. But I know deep down if we didn't have these agencies, we would know much less than we do now.
All I can say to our local health agencies is simply, thank you. We appreciate what you do.