As the global COVID-19 pandemic raged around the world, Knox County, Ohio wasn't able to remain shielded.
Knox Public Health has worked tirelessly since mid-March, to educate and inform the community, but the number of cases increased steadily. Testing was made available via KPH and the Ohio National Guard at East Knox High School, Centerburg High School, the health department and the Knox County Fairgrounds.
Businesses closed, government services were suspended, elections were postponed, and schools moved to online learning.
Single use masks were donated to the Mount Vernon News by the NPPA and Melissa Lyttle
In May, things restarted, slowly as businesses were returning, with safeguards in place. Government services, such as the courts started holding trials while testing increased over the summer months. An outbreak at a senior home occurred in July and November. It was the fall and early winter when cases surpassed 2,000 confirmed cases.
Covering this story, was a difficult marathon. Working in the media, according to FEMA is an essential service. I didn't have masks, I ended up having to sew my own, after purchasing the necessary materials. Every day, I would sanitize my gear, changed my clothes the moment I arrived home and did everything to keep myself and family safe.
Knox County Board of Elections Chair Kim Horn, left, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, Ohio Eastern Star Home CEO Michele Engelbach and Elections Deputy Scott Howard answer questions during a press conference on March 12, 2020. As the coronavirus cases increase in Ohio, polling locations ahead of Tuesday’s election had to be moved from senior homes to other locations.
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose speaks during a press conference at the Ohio Eastern Star Home in Mount Vernon on March 12, 2020. LaRose praised local election boards for moving a polling location quickly as coronavirus cases increased in Ohio.
Knox Area Transit’s Martin McAvoy demonstrates the cleaning of some of the areas on a KAT bus Tuesday. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, they have seen a dip in riders, but they remain diligently cleaning after a route is finished.
Two tents were set up at an entrance to Knox Community Hospital on Tuesday, March 17, 2020. The tents, like these in front of the emergency department, are the established areas where persons entering the hospital will be screened for possible COVID-19 symptoms.
Knox County Health Commissioner Julie Miller speaks Tuesday, March 17, 2020, during a Facebook Live press conference after the confirmation of a coronavirus infection of an East Knox high school teacher.
Parents and students are welcomed into Pleasant Street Elementary by Principal Teresa Weaver on March 18, 2020. Tuesday was the first day parents could pick up the school work required during the three-week closure.
The counter was crowded Wednesday at the Knox County Bureau of Motor Vehicles following Gov. Mike DeWine’s order to close most of Ohio’s Bureau of motor vehicle locations and title agencies, including the ones in Knox County. Police have been ordered not to issue citations for licenses that expire after March 18. DeWine also ordered all barbershops, beauty salons and tattoo parlors closed as of Wednesday evening.
Nurses with Knox Public Health staff a newly created call center to handle local questions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pictured from left, are Lisa Dudgeon, Jenn Bohman and Natasha Lester. In the first two hours of opening the phone lines, the nurses answered 30 medical questions and what someone should do if they happen to come down with symptoms of the virus. Those having medical questions related to the virus should call 740-399-8014. The center will be open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Andrea Riel begins drawing blood from a donor during an emergency blood drive at the Knox County Memorial Building on Thursday. The coronavirus pandemic has forced thousands of appointment cancellations creating a shortage. Thursday’s drive netted 49 units of blood.
New Plexiglas partitions were installed at the checkout lanes of Baker’s IGA, 524 South Main Street. The protective barriers along with floor decals are showing up at grocery stores and gas stations to promote physical distancing.
Five men congregate outside the Winter Sanctuary Homeless Shelter in Mount Vernon on April 1, 2020. The seasonal shelter closed a month earlier than scheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The updated sign at Pine Row Studios, Gambier Street, has a tentative reopen date for May 1. Economic recovery for small businesses closed for the duration of the Stay-At-Home Order is on the minds of local and state government leaders tasked with reopening the state for business.
East Knox High School flipped the switch on the lights at Chet Looney Stadium on the night of April 20, 2020, to honor the Class of 2020. Schools across the state are participating in this event as the school year has been disrupted due to the coronavirus.
The Vine Street Barbershop will remain closed as barbershops, salons, tattoo parlors, restaurants, theaters and entertainment venues have not received a date to reopen. Governor DeWine announced the state would be bringing people in to help reopen those sectors of the economy.
Helen Hassel waves at a vehicle during the lunch pickup at Fredericktown Elementary on April 27, 2020. Hassel and other school employees dressed in pajamas as part of Spirit Week in Ohio.
Colleen Brokaw waves while holding an “Air Hugs” signs during the May 6, 2020 parade at the Ohio Eastern Star Home in Mount Vernon. Members of the community, family and staff participate each day at 2 p.m. as a parade circles the Eastern Star campus twice.
Barber Colin Pack combs and clips Knox County Commissioner Bill Pursel’s hair May 15, 2020. Barbershops and other personal services could begin taking customers after being shuttered during the pandemic. Pack was busy this morning making accommodations for customers and mentioned he was going to be busy for a while.
Barber Colin Pack begins cutting Bill Pursel's hair on May 15, 2020. The Vine Street Barbershop in Mount Vernon began taking customers as personal services were reopened after the COVID-19 pandemic closed barbershops and hair salons for two months.
Two C-130 aircraft fly over Knox Community Hospital Friday, May 15, 2020. The 179th Airlift Wing, based out of Mansfield, flew over North Central Ohio as a salute to Ohio healthcare workers, first responders, military members and other essential workers as a small thank-you for helping keep Ohioans safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The line of people at the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, 671 N Sandusky Street, stretched out along the outside of the building on May 26, 2020. Over three dozen people were waiting outside as license services restarted after being closed since March. The BMV reminds people that some services can be done at oplates.com. Licenses that expired after March 9 are still valid until 90 days after the state of emergency ends or December 1, 2020, whichever comes first.
Mount Vernon Middle School teachers, administrators and staff line the drive between the school and high school on May 28, 2020. A parade of cars makes its way around the front of Mount Vernon Middle School as teachers and staffers cheered and waved good-bye to the 8th graders Thursday. The annual clap-out had to be moved outside due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Knox Public Health’s Jenn Bohman prepares to administer a nasal swab during the drive-thru testing for COVID-19 Wednesday, June 3, 2020
Knox Public Health’s Carol Green, left, takes a nasal swab from Jenny Briggs during the drive-thru COVID-19 testing on June 3, 2002. KPH tested 72 people at their Mount Vernon location.
MVPD Chaplain Jerry Scott pulls a crate of milk off a truck Wednesday, June 10, 2020, in the parking lot of Lakeholm Church. The Chaplains, along with Mike Schlupback, the Salvation Army and the Lakeholm Church coordinated the giveaway of 740 gallons of milk.
The ballroom of the Memorial Theater has been transformed into a courtroom as the legal system adjusts jury trials to COVID-19 restrictions. The large room will allow jurors, court officials and defendants to socially distance themselves.
Ohio National Guard PFC Kamaria Johnson, left, waits on a specimen from PFC Victor Litteral during the drive-thru testing at East Knox High School on July 20, 2020. The testing was scheduled from 3 to 6 p.m., but the guard and Knox Public Health used up its supply of approximately 300 testing kits in an hour and 15 minutes.
The first outbreak at Country Court Nursing Center in Mount Vernon was reported to Knox Public Health on July 22 and 23. The Country Court outbreak has resulted in 30 residents and eight staff testing positive leading to five hospitalizations of elderly patients at Knox Community Hospital.
During the “voir dire” or jury selection process, court employees from left, Shelbi Robbins, Britney McNamara and court bailiff David Lashley would call for potential jurors from the stage of the Memorial Theater. The potential jurors would take questions from the judge and attorneys on the stage.
