MCCORDSVILLE — Customers and employees at Meijer were taking precautions on Friday in response to the state’s new coronavirus guidelines. Shoppers waited in line for 40 minutes or more to purchase food and other supplies in anticipation of spending more time at home in coming weeks.
Cashiers — and some customers — donned face masks and latex gloves because “social distancing,” the new mantra in managing the spread of the virus, was next to impossible in the crowded checkout lanes.
The scene at Meijer played out elsewhere in the county late Thursday, March 12; and all day Friday, March 13, after Gov. Eric Holcomb sharpened the state’s focus on the coronavirus threat with a series of policies announced Thursday. The result: Schools have closed for up to four weeks; most events have been postponed or canceled; and Hoosiers are being asked to keep their distance from each other.
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Daphne Johnson waited in the long line Friday to buy her usual groceries along with cold and flu medication and cleaning supplies. She said the store was sold out of some items she was hoping to find, like bleach and disinfectants. Though she was taking precautions, she said, she was staying calm about the COVID-19 threat.
“I’m not overly concerned,” Johnson said. “I think use common sense and kind of go about your day, it will be OK.”
Krystal and Michael Davis had a grocery cart packed with food. They were hoping to buy enough to feed three children for several weeks, if necessary, while local schools are closed.
“We don’t know what’s going to be on the shelves come next week, so we might as well get what he can,” Krystal Davis said.
The family was more worried about potential grocery shortages than about contracting the virus themselves.
At Walmart and Kroger in Greenfield, lines were significantly shorter by Friday afternoon, though still noticeable. While shelves were still stocked with food Friday afternoon, some products, like Tylenol, were running low. Bathroom tissue was completely sold out at both stores.
While stores were staying open, not everything in the county was. Organizations were contemplating how to provide their normal services while following recommendations designed to curb the potential spread of the virus.
As of Friday, no Hancock County people had tested positive for coronavirus. Twelve people statewide had been identified as being infected, with no new cases being reported. One of Marion County’s two cases, however, is a man who works as a guard at the Hancock County Jail. Like many around the state and the country, Hancock County’s school corporations are now closed as a precautionary measure.
The Hancock County Boys & Girls Clubs will be closing its facility for the next week as a precaution against the virus. Executive director Chantel Fowler said Friday she was reaching out to parents to let them know about the change in plans.
The decision will be re-evaluated weekly, Fowler said. The Boys & Girls Club typically cares for up to 80 children during spring break, which is approaching for Hancock County’s school corporations.
Some other child-care options are staying open. The Jungle Club child-care programs at the Hancock Wellness Center locations are still accepting children, though they are testing all arrivals for fever. Children with a temperature over 100.5 degrees or a cough won’t be admitted.
Many local institutions are remaining open while taking precautions. The Kenneth Butler Memorial Soup Kitchen was still open for business on Friday and preparing for the typical number of visitors, staff assistant Kathy Robinson said.
The soup kitchen was stepping up its usual cleaning routine, in addition to offering hand sanitizer and health advice to its patrons.
“We’re taking all precautions, keeping everything wiped down,” Robinson said.
The Hancock County Food Pantry was also staying open for regular hours while taking cleanliness precautions and changing some of its distribution methods. Starting Monday, March 16, the pantry will offer a “drive-through” method to receive a pre-boxed supply of food.
When entering the parking lot to pick up food, clients should follow directions from volunteers and stay in their cars to be served. Clients are asked not to arrive early or sit in chairs at the door.
The drive-through method will take place during the pantry’s regular hours.
Hancock Regional Hospital is holding two daily meetings to update staff on the situation in the region. That includes staff at the Hancock Wellness Center’s three locations, which have remained open but cancelled all exercise classes and other gatherings beginning Friday.
Garren Harter, manager of the wellness center’s Greenfield location, said staff was cleaning workout equipment more regularly as well as posting signage reminding patrons of proper hygiene. Screens on workout machines were also set to display cleaning reminders and a one-minute educational video about coronavirus.
The wellness center had not seen a meaningful decrease in visitors, Harter said, although he had noticed that fewer people were using the pool. That’s ironic, he saidk, because he had been advised this was a low-risk way to work out because the virus cannot be transmitted through water.
Harter advised members to check Hancock Health social media for updates on the virus.
“What’s happening today might change next week,” Harter said.
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For law enforcement, it will be business as usual after a jailer tests positive for COVID-19 and court officials take precautions. Page XX
Churches decide to cancel services after governor recommends limiting large gatherings of people. Page XX
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