GREENFIELD — Gov. Eric Holcomb was full of praise for Hancock County during a visit to Fortville on Tuesday, August 3, not only for the county’s robust economic development but also for its appearance.
“Norman Rockwell couldn’t have picked a better community to paint,” he said.
Holcomb spoke at this month’s Greenfield Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon, hosted at the Mt. Vernon school corporation, in a Q&A session with Hancock Health CEO Steve Long. He also answered a few questions from reporters after the event.
The luncheon was a far cry from what local events looked like during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, with attendees eating together and masks largely absent. During his discussion with Long, Holcomb talked about his love of auto racing, friendly bets on basketball games with the governor of Iowa — Long’s home state — and Indiana’s new Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative.
There was, however, a sign-in sheet at every table to be used for potential contact tracing, and Holcomb’s comments after the event showed an understanding that the pandemic isn’t over and there is a hard battle ahead to reach the many Hoosiers who are reluctant to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
As hospitals in some states are overwhelmed with cases of the COVID-19 variant, some are raising concerns about another wave of virus cases predominantly impacting those who have not been vaccinated. President Joe Biden has called the country’s current situation “a pandemic of the unvaccinated.”
Holcomb said he told Long to pass along his thanks and praise to Hancock Health’s workers, “for not just all they’ve gone through but all they’re ready to continue to go through.”
“Some folks are a little slower on the draw to get vaccinated, but the proof is there,” said Holcomb, who added he is one of millions of Hoosiers who did not suffer any side effects after getting vaccinated. “It works. And so, I’m just eternally grateful that they have not just stepped up initially, but that they continue to go to work each and every day, even when they’re treating people that refuse to treat themselves.”
Holcomb also added that a permanent authorization from the Food and Drug Administration of the vaccines, which are being administered under emergency use authorization, could go some way toward reassuring people who are hesitant that it’s safe to get the shot.
Meanwhile, more companies have been mandating that their employees get vaccinated. Holcomb said he isn’t against that.
“Our responsibility is to make sure those companies and their employees have access to the tools and the resources to go to work safely, and those are there and available,” he said.
Holcomb said he is not considering re-introducing any statewide restrictions, but he encouraged people to continue getting vaccinated for COVID-19. He said it will be “a slog” to continue persuading those who are reluctant to get the vaccine, but that it’s worth it.
“That’s the true and surest way to get not just through this, but out of it,” he said.
Chamber director Retta Livengood said she was pleased with the governor’s remarks and with the attendance at the event, which was expected to draw about about 150 people. Before COVID-19 hit, about 100 people were attending the meetings. Membership in the Chamber is also continuing to grow, with 10 new businesses joining in the past two weeks.
“I was thrilled to have the governor join our community for the Chamber luncheon,” Livengood said. She said the organization originally reached out to the governor’s office in March to propose the event . “…We were just looking at our luncheon speakers and I thought, why not go to the top? Why not ask?”
Jack Parker, the superintendent of Mt. Vernon Schools, praised Holcomb for his decision-making during the pandemic. He said it would have been more difficult for schools to choose the right thing to do without that guidance.
“We greatly appreciate your leadership during this time,” Parker said.