Supervisors declare state of emergency; urge patience

In keeping with Governor Kim Reynolds’ March 17 emergency proclamation in response to the COVID-19 virus pandemic, the Hancock County Board of Supervisors followed suite by declaring a state of emergency in Hancock County.

Supervisors and county department heads met Wednesday, March 18 to discuss strategies for mitigating spread of COVID-19 virus.

All county facilities are closed to the general public to help eliminate the potential spread of the virus. However, county government operations will continue and the public can do business via telephone, postal service, email, fax or on-line. Secured drop boxes are placed at the northeast corner of the courthouse.

Officials emphasized the necessity of everyone taking precautions by following public health guidelines. They also urged patience.

 “The President’s already declared a national state of emergency. The Governor’s declared a state-wide disaster as well,” said Andy Buffington, Hancock County Emergency Management Services Director. “The Governor’s order was very, very clear about what we can and cannot do. That just resolves the importance of what we’re doing today.”

“But certain things still have to occur. Each office needs to identify those things. To do those things with the doors locked, but we need to make sure the public can reach into those offices and set appointments.”

 “Whatever we can do decrease the exposure risk, that’s what needs to happen,” he stated.

Buffington is working with Iowa Homeland Security, the Small Business Administration, Department of Human Services, Iowa Workforce Development and other agencies.

Buffington noted that the Governor’s directive limiting gatherings to 10 people or less is going to have significant impact on lives and businesses.

“This is a [new] strain of coronavirus, so we don’t know a lot about it,” he said. “We don’t know how it will act or react. I think we’re all hoping in two or three weeks we’ll start see a trend nationally and locally and see it go down, so life gets back to normal.”

“None of us want to continue not having our churches and restaurants open and have all these different controls put on our life, but as a community this is something we have to do.”

Supervisor Gary Rayhons said is there is a need for face-to-face interaction, residents should call the appropriate office or department first and make an appointment.

“At that time, the departments can evaluate if it is a high priority or something that can be handled later,” he said. “I think it’s important we urge residents if they need to make payments, to do it by mail or on-line.”

 “Everybody needs to take a breath and practice patience with this,” he stated. “We’ll get through this. Hancock County is strong, but we have to take the precautions the state and federal government have laid out before us.”