We aren’t going anywhere.
In the face of trying times, it has always been the policy of men and women in the newspaper business that our job is even more important than under normal circumstances. Our responsibility to our readers doesn’t waiver in times of war, economic unrest, or even in the midst of a multi-national pandemic.
The coronavirus outbreak that has captured headlines locally and nationally came to Macon County officially on Monday with the announcement that a positive test was performed on a patient, who is being quarantined currently.
The Macon County Public Health department is working with local healthcare providers as well as state and federal agencies to log, track and treat any and all potential cases of coronavirus within the county and across the state.
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper closed all schools from March 16-30 and issued an executive order cancelling all mass gatherings with a crowd of more than 100 people.
The Town of Highlands issued a list of closures on Monday that includes the Rec Center and Town Hall. Hudson Library, along with all libraries in the Fontana Regional Library system, is also closed for the next two weeks.
The coronavirus outbreak is a constantly evolving situation that will undoubtedly feature more closures, cancellations, postponements and detours of normal daily life before it subsides.
The Center for Disease Control is recommending that all citizens wash their hands regularly, cover all coughs and sneezes with a tissue, stay home if feeling sick, and practice social distancing – avoiding large public gatherings and maintaining a distance of six feet between people if possible.
Local businesses will need local patrons now more than ever since the tourism season is likely to lag behind past years due to travel restrictions and coronavirus concerns. As a town, we need to support each other through what are already difficult times along an uncertain path forward.
With accurate information at a premium, The Highlander staff will be here to bring it to you.