Citizens encouraged to stay calm, help ‘flatten the curve’

(Editor’s Note: The following was submitted by Hugh Caldwell, Public Information Officer, Fulton County Emergency Management)

This is an unsettling time for our county and the country due to coronavirus (COVID-19). Your elected leaders, emergency management and public health officials in Fulton County are working daily with state and federal officials to keep Fulton County as safe as possible. It is important that we remain calm and listen to advice of public health experts who agree that the most effective way to “flatten the curve,” or slow the spread of the virus, is to practice social distancing. We must listen to the words of our Governor who is working hard to provide leadership for all of us. We must listen and do the things our Federal and State partners are asking of us. There is a lot of FAKE information out there right now. We must take note of the source of the information and only take stock in that which comes from official sources. Please do not share information on Facebook that has not been properly vetted. A trusted source of information can be found at www.kycovid19.ky.gov. Spreading false rumors is one of the things that will slow our recovery.

The biggest issue we are having currently in Fulton County is the hoarding of food, sanitizing products and paper supplies. Please only buy what you would normally purchase when you go the store. Excessive buying is creating a shortage of essential supplies for others. The supply chain for these products has only been interrupted by over buying. The supply chain is still in good working order, each of us must do our part and prevent hoarding. We must all work together for us to come out of this situation unbroken. Hoarding is not a good example of the how we work together and how we help neighbors. Going forward, our grocery stores have agreed to impose limits on excess buying, please cooperate with them.

Our City Managers, Mayors and Emergency Management Director are meeting daily to keep Fulton County out in front of this issue. Their actions may not prevent you from being infected by this virus but the hard work they are doing will decrease the impact this virus will have on us all. We will keep you informed via our Code Red calls from emergency management and posts on the EM Facebook page. If you are not signed up for the Code Red calls, please call 270-236-2594 or 270-236-3480 and register to receive Code Red calls from Fulton County Emergency Management. You can also visit our website at https://fultoncounty.ky.gov/Services . Click on the Code Red tab and follow the instructions.

If you have lost your job or been laid off due to the virus you are encouraged to sign up for unemployment insurance. There is noting wrong with doing that. It is your right and is intended for situation like the one we are in now. Go to https://kcc.ky.gov/Pages/default.aspx to file a claim and following instruction on that site. You can also call the Paducah Career Center at 270-251-7000 for assistance. The office is closed but workers are providing services by phone. Employers with 50 + employees that are laying off at least 15 persons are encouraged to file a claim on behalf of their employees through the E-Claim process. This will speed up the process and get benefits to the employees faster.

Those of you that have a business, you should be aware that a stimulus package should be forthcoming to assist with business losses. For now, the best thing to do is document your losses. You should keep records documenting your business losses, the reasons for the loss and any relating factors. Be prepared to file a claim, when the time comes, which is factual and appropriate.

While we are waiting to see how all this turns out, please be a good neighbor and check on those around you that might face a greater degree of challenge in dealing with this crisis. Report any observation of those in crisis by dialing 911.
It is important, during this national emergency, that we unite as a community, follow the advice of experts, and take responsibility for our actions to slow the spread of coronavirus. The Governor of Kentucky is doing a great job leading all of us during this time. You can stay in contact with his efforts at www.kycovid19.ky.gov or call the Kentucky COVID-19 Hotline: (800) 722-5725.