Do not panic over coronavirus

The coronavirus has made its impact felt in Gonzales.

On Sunday, the city of Gonzales declared a state of emergency in an attempt to contain the coronavirus pandemic. On Monday, the county followed suit. The Gonzales school system has agreed to close its doors for another week after spring break and will not reopen until at least March 27. Public gatherings are to be 50 people or less. The only exception to the order is for churches, but they are to enforce social distancing during their service.

It is our opinion that the city, school system and county have made the right call in trying to flatten the curve of the spread of the virus. Safety is paramount, and we think taking an aggressive approach to the problem is a correct path to go down. We understand there are inconveniences, but if we can prevent the spread of it in our community, we are all further ahead. Practicing caution is prudent and still allows the business community to function. The city has put itself under a state of emergency until April 9 when the council meets again. They will then reassess what further actions need to be taken or if they can pull back on the state of emergency.

We urge all citizens to do what they can and help out during this unprecedented time in our history. Here are some things we can all do to help prevent the spread of this highly contagious virus. 

Wash your hands with soap and water for more than 20 seconds many times daily. Sanitize and disinfect surfaces you touch daily, including all doorknobs and common areas. Practice social distancing by staying at least six feet away from others. Cough or sneeze into your sleeve or a tissue. Immediately throw the tissue into the trash and then wash your hands. Never touch your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. Do not shake hands or hug until the pandemic is over. Drink lots of water. Exercise. If caring for someone who is sick, take measures to protect yourself. If you are not feeling well, call a medical provider first before immediately going to the emergency room.

But most of all, do not panic! Take preventive measures but by all means avoid panic. Do not hoard. We are all in this together and only together can we put this pandemic behind us and move on with our lives. It is up to each and every one of us to stay calm, be diligent, practice good hygiene and be sensible. Together we will flatten the curve and overcome coronavirus.