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OBSERVATIONS
October 22, 2020 |
 |
 Wingate Lassiter |
Are we letting our guard down when
it comes to combatting COVID-19?
It appears most folks are
heeding the common-sense medical advice that wearing
masks in public places and avoiding crowds of people are
crucial if we're to stop the spread of coronavirus and
make things safe for a resumption of normal community
life and commerce.
But apparently there's enough
carelessness out there that Johnston has made the
state's list of counties that need to do better when it
comes to controlling this unchecked infection.
The N.C. Department of Health
and Human Services and the N.C. Department of Public
Safety sent a letter this week to local officials in 39
counties, including Johnston, that met at least one of
three metrics: (a) 300 or more new COVID-19 cases over
the past 14 days (Johnston added 548 October 7-21); (b)
a rate of cases greater than 50 per 10,000 residents
(Johnston has registered about 255 cases per 10,000
since mid-March); (c) one of the state's three most
populous counties (Johnston ranks 12th, according to
2019 Census estimates).
In the letter, state
officials ask county and municipal governments to
consider:
• Adopting an ordinance that imposes a civil penalty for
violating COVID-19 executive orders.
• Issuing a local Emergency Proclamation "setting higher
standards to address the COVID-19 pandemic."
• Supporting the local health director "to issue and
enforce an order against entities whose actions...
present an imminent hazard to your community."
At this point, it appears
Johnston's political leaders aren't included to do
anything beyond Governor Roy Cooper's executive orders
limiting the size of gatherings in public places
(without requiring strict enforcement of those
measures).
And so we may expect the
recent spike in coronavirus cases to continue into the
winter months ahead. Just because neither you nor those
around you have been infected so far doesn't make you
immune. An uncontrolled virus that can turn deadly at
any age is not worth defiant risk-taking in the name of
personal liberty.
Governor Cooper summed it up pretty well this week with this observation: "Hopefully, getting past this election will help us come together on this."
THOUGHTS FROM A READER
Who will be Smithfield's next planter of big trees?
From a blog by Chris
Johnson posted on social media:A few days ago, while walking through the historic Brooklyn neighborhood on a cool fall evening, I passed one of our few remaining Water Oaks that line South Fourth Street. As I looked at the massive root structure and majestic trunk and limbs, I reflected on how amazing it would be if the tree could talk and tell of all the things that has happened during its lifetime....
I was not fortunate to grow up in Smithfield but blessed enough to marry someone who was, and today I call it my home. During the late 1980s while in college and visiting my soon-to-be wife, I was in awe at the number of these stately oaks that not only seemed to line every street, but also Highway 301 coming into town. It was like a magical canopy welcoming everyone. Sadly, age and disease took its toll on these trees and they are no longer there.
With regards to the one in my neighborhood, it too is showing its age and some limbs have weakened and died. On this evening, I saw that a white X has been spray-painted on its bark to serve as a sad symbol that it will soon be removed.
Todd Johnson at the Johnston County Heritage Center shared a news article the Heritage Center’s archivist Ben Chapman found about Mrs. H.C. (Pearl) Hood and her passion to “Keep Johnston County Beautiful.” During the late 1920s, Mrs. Hood served as chair of the Civic Department of the Woman’s Club of Smithfield. Under J.D. Underwood’s term as mayor, she recommended that club members sponsor a tree-planting project. At that time, there were very few (street) trees in Smithfield.
According to the article, Mrs. Hood worked with county employee Ripley Rand to go into the woods and gather oak saplings to plant. Each week a report was given to the club on the number of trees planted and Mr. Rand would then be paid.
When asked how many trees were planted, Mrs. Hood replied: “There were too many to be numbered, even when they were first planted...." She continued: “When I see all these big, old oak trees, I am very proud and I say thank goodness we planted all these beautiful trees. They help to make Smithfield beautiful.”
Unfortunately, over the last several decades, many of us settled for smaller trees and those cursed Bradford Pear trees that stink to high heaven when they bloom.
I fully understand that all good things must come to an end and the need to remove trees that are dying from disease. However, these trees have a history that needs to be repeated.
So, my question to the citizens of Smithfield and those of you who have continued reading: What are we doing to replace this grandeur for the next generation? Who is going to be the next Mrs. Pearl Hood?
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