The eyes are on Marshall County with the increasing number of positive COVID-19 cases and deaths due to COVID-19, according to Marshall County Health Administrator Ashley Garcia and Health Nurse Lisa Letsinger.
Letsinger told the Marshall County Commissioners Monday morning that the county has the highest per-capita numbers in the state.
Letsinger stated, “The state number of infected per capita is 122 per 100,000. Elkhart County is 343 per 100,000 and Marshall County is topping out at 363 per 100,000. The eye is on Marshall County. Governor Holcomb is looking at our county and the Indiana State Department of Health is looking at our county. If the residents want to support our community, please put a mask on.”
She said a facility had an outbreak of COVID-19 cases and the Health Department is attempting to slow the spread.
That statistic ushered in more information behind the reasoning for the Health Department’s mask mandate, as ordered by Public Health Officer Dr. Byron Holm.
“Doc [Dr. Byron Holm, Public Health Officer] wants our economy strong, he wants our businesses open, and he wants our community healthy. In order to do that, we’ve got to pull together and try to mitigate the increase of infection in our community,” commented Letsinger.
To go along with that, Letsinger urges the residents to wear a mask, wash hands, and watch distance.
Commissioner Michael Burroughs asked about the upcoming school year and Letsinger responded that the Health Department has been working with the schools where the mask requirement will be observed.
Health Administrator Ashley Garcia said there have been several calls made where she has gotten praises, questions and threats concerning the mask/face covering mandate. She stressed that the order is to protect the community.
“I understand that it might be uncomfortable, it might be an inconvenience, but until you suffer from the loss of a loved one you won’t really fully appreciate the level of inconvenience that some people might identify with this mandate,” stated Garcia.
Commissioner Burroughs also asked about enforceability and if there needs to be an ordinance enacted, but the commissioners decided to wait to see how well the mandate is followed.
Garcia added that Plymouth Mayor Mark Senter has been asked to override the Health Department’s mandate which she said is not an action that can be taken by the mayor.
She also responded to a comment about increased case numbers with an additional testing site.
“The fact that we do or do not have a testing site available does not contribute to how our numbers increase,” stated Garcia. “If anything, it’s going to keep our people safe because more people will be able to see if they’re positive or not, and then they won’t carry it home to their loved ones and their friends. If anything, it’s not going to put us on the map for any danger. It’s going to help us keep everybody safe and in doing so keep the numbers down.”
One resident asked specifically about wearing masks during church services and another resident accused officials of a civil liberties violation by handing down the mandate.
The entire discussion can be heard this Sunday during the Maximum Impact program at noon on MAX 98.3 FM.
