Be vigilant with holiday gatherings

To the editor:

After eight months, the fight against the novel coronavirus continues throughout the country, the state of Indiana and here in Jay County.

Our region is now seeing substantial community spread of COVID-19.

This spread is putting greater pressure on our hospitals, providers and other healthcare workers, and increasing the threat of COVID-19 impacting those who are at higher risk of severe illness. 

IU Health Jay is seeing more COVID-positive patients than at any time throughout the pandemic so far. Healthcare teams are working around the clock to care for the influx of patients, and they continue to need your support. We understand that this is going on longer than hoped and anticipated, and that you may be growing weary of the guidelines and procedures put in place to mitigate the spread, but we need everyone to be vigilant. We continue to encourage wearing masks, washing hands, social distancing and avoiding large gatherings.

As we move into the holiday season, and families and friends look to gather to celebrate, it is important that we adhere to these measures and the most recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. There are ways to still celebrate, and activities that can be safe and fun alternatives during this unprecedented time. The CDC guidance in regard to the upcoming holidays and some fun and safe alternatives can be found online at cdc.gov/coronavirus.

Please do your part to help keep the community safe and help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Jon Vanator, IU Health Jay president

Dr. Jerry Whetzel, IU Health Jay provider and Jay County health officer

Heath Butz, Jay County Health Department administrator