A wide variety of cancellations and other measures relating to the Coronavirus response have been announced on Thursday in Cobb County.
The Walker School, a private school on Cobb Parkway and Allgood Road, announced Thursday it would be closing Friday “until further notice.”
A message released by the school said there were no Coronavirus cases there, but said the decision was made “based on our top priority to protect the health and safety of our students, families and employees and by our communal responsibility to slow the spread of COVID-19.”
Friday and Monday are professional development days for faculty and staff at Walker, which has nearly 900 K-12 students.
The Walker message further stressed, in all bold lettering, that “school closures will not be effective unless they are accompanied by social distancing strategies.”
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Georgia’s first death due to Coronavirus was a 67-year-old man who had been treated at WellStar Kennestone Hospital in Marietta.
State health officials said the man had other medical issues, and people like that, along with the elderly, are high-risk for contracting Coronavirus.
At The Solana East Cobb, a new senior living facility on Johnson Ferry Road, no visitors are permitted until further notice, with only limited exceptions or in the case of an emergency.
Health care providers coming there will be screened before being allowed on the premises, and residents must remain on the grounds except to receive medical care.
United Military Care, a veterans’ assistance organization on Old Canton Road, said Thursday that they aren’t taking walk-in clients for the time being since some of them are older and have “fragile medical conditions.”
A veteran with an emergency can contact the agency at 770-973-0014 and leave a voicemail with a return telephone number. UMC’s e-mail address is info@unitedmilitarycare.org.
“Our Veterans are precious to us; We do not want to facilitate the transmission of any potentially harmful viruses to those with underlying medical conditions or weakened immune systems,” said a UMC message.
“Please listen to medical experts on how to manage this virus and do not fall prey to rumors and unfounded nonsense.”
Faith communities respond
Several places of worship in East Cobb are communicating with their members about precautions they’re taking.
Starting Sunday at the East Cobb Church of Christ, “we will not be passing anything during communion.” Instead, worshippers can pick up a container when they enter that has a wafer and plastic cup of juice. “These will be used during communion until the fear of virus is over.” the church’s message stated. “Members will deposit the used cups in the holders on the back of the pews.”
Collection plates also will not be passed around, but will be available for deposits in the front foyer. The church is also making available sanitized wipes at various entries.
In his press conference Thursday, Gov. Kemp asked that elderly people not attend worship services for the time being.
Library events cancelled
The Cobb County Public Library System announced that starting Friday and continuing through the end of March, all programs and events at its branches will be cancelled.
This weekend’s Cobb Library Foundation book sale at the Cobb Civic Center and Census events at libraries also have been called off.
School events on hold
Some East Cobb schools have cancelled extracurricular events.
Thursday’s Magnet Accepted Student Showcase at Wheeler High School was cancelled. There are no known Coronavirus cases at Wheeler, but the decision was cautionary.
So was the cancellation of the March Madness Parents Night Out March 26 at Lassiter High School. The event was for parents to see a showing of the Lassiter Drama Club’s production of “Sweeney Todd,” while students entertained their kids.
A forum for candidates running for Post 5 on the Cobb Board of Education is still on, and will take place Sunday afternoon at Pope High School.
For those who can’t go due to self-isolation or other issues, a recording will be available later at this link.
Questions may be submitted as late as 10 p.m. Saturday by e-mailing popehscouncil@gmail.com.
Absentee ballot applications
Cobb Elections is encouraging voters concerned about Coronavirus to apply for an absentee ballot, which will be mailed to your home.
Complete an absentee ballot application at CobbElections.org, print it out and send an attached image of the application and e-mail it to: absentee@cobbcounty.org.
Send us your news!
If you have any Coronavirus-related cancellations, changes or news to share with the East Cobb community, let us know. E-mail us: editor@eastcobbnews.com and we’ll include it in future posts.
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