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OBSERVATIONS
March 31, 2020 |
 |
 Wingate Lassiter |
The public needs more information
about the coronavirus threat locally
About the only thing we're getting from Johnston County authorities are updates on the number of cases.
Perhaps the biggest unanswered question is how are Johnston County residents contracting the coronavirus? It's somewhat reassuring to learn about suspected sources --- such as close contact with someone known to be infected, or travel from places experiencing large outbreaks.
What's more important is to know just now is how many of our cases are attributed to what the health folks are calling "community spread" --- meaning the virus could be all around us and we don't know who the carriers are. That's the kind of warning that gives credence to the Governor's Stay At Home Order.
How many of our cases are requiring hospitalization? That's a number included in the state's reporting for all of North Carolina, so I assume the total includes data from Johnston County.
And how many coronavirus tests have been completed here? Again, the statewide report is giving us a number (currently 23,106) but the County of Johnston is not.
Please give us "the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth." The uncertainties surrounding this pandemic is what makes us anxious. A shortage of reliable information invites scary rumors often unfounded.
We're encouraged to get outside and exercise,
but play it safe by following the rules of the road
As I walk or bike around Smithfield, I notice some folks weren't taught, as I was, some basic rules of the road for safe navigation:
No. 1 --- Pedestrians, walk or jog on the left side of the street, facing traffic.
That way you can get out of the way if an ongoing motorist isn't paying attention to your presence. If you're on the right, you're not in position to take evasive action. (That rule should also apply to parents walking beside young children who may be on small bikes or tricycles.)
No. 2 --- Ride your bicycle on the right side of the street as other vehicles.
And stay as far to the right as you can, giving motorists plenty of room to pass. Also, by riding on the right you won't be sneaking up on unsuspecting pedestrians going your way --- if they're abiding by Rule No. 1, that is.
No. 3 --- Motorists, please use your turn signals! Those of us who walk or bike Smithfield's streets would really like to know your intentions as we strive to safely navigate those intersections.
No. 4 --- On greenway trails, everyone should stay on the right --- whether on foot or bicycle. Bike riders should pass on the left, after alerting pedestrians that you're coming up behind them. Same thing for joggers passing walkers.
Oh, I guess there's one more rule to follow while you're out and about these days:
Maintain social distancing!
That's one rule we hope to discard sooner rather than later.
More on "Smithfield Heritage Comfort Foods"
Two readers have added favorite foods from their past to Ken Langston's offering of "Smithfield Heritage Comfort Foods" in the March 27th edition of the Sun....
From Paul Hulth:
•
Mrs. Sellers's buttermilk pie.
• Massengill's BBQ chicken sauce.
• Creech's Pharmacy orangeade.
• Massengill's BBQ chicken sauce.
• Creech's Pharmacy orangeade.
From Gordon Woodruff:
• Short's hot dogs.
•
Green Hornet Grill cheeseburgers.
•
Howell Theatre freshly popped popcorn (still warm).
• Nelson's hamburger steak with gravy.
• Nelson's hamburger steak with gravy.
•
Carolina Packers red hot dogs (raw).
• Brown's barbecue.
• Homecoming Sunday buffet lines.
He adds a comment to his list:
"Interestingly, I would not eat any of these now, even it I could. How times change!"
• Brown's barbecue.
• Homecoming Sunday buffet lines.
He adds a comment to his list:
"Interestingly, I would not eat any of these now, even it I could. How times change!"
Ken
Langston's opening list from last Friday's edition:
• Mrs. Carroll's peanut-butter bars from the Smithfield School cafeteria.
• Mrs. Carroll's peanut-butter bars from the Smithfield School cafeteria.
•
Batt Johnson's barbecue chicken and hushpuppies.
•
Fred's hot-dog chili recipe.
•
Chocolate pie from the Town and Country Restaurant.
•
Fried chicken from Peterson's Grocery.
•
Mrs. Sellers's french-fried onion rings from the In and
Out Grill.
•
Chili from Thornton's Grill in Four Oaks.
Still room for more....
And does anyone have pictures of any of the delicacies mentioned above?
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