Note From Editor: Edmonson Voice Plans To Reduce COVID-19 Related Updates

More Virus Recoveries Reported Today

Darren Doyle, Editor/Owner:
As of today, June 2, 2020, we are reducing the amount of COVID-19 related articles that we plan to publish--as long as the confirmed numbers stay within the same realm as they are now.

The coronavirus pandemic is a very real situation that has claimed the lives of 107,000 in the U.S., with 376K worldwide. Until the last few days, this has been the top news story over the past two and a half months from every single legit news outlet in America, and rightly so.

Here in Edmonson County, the number of confirmed cases has risen much slower than much of the rest of the country and as of today, there have been a total number of 61 confirmed cases in the county, according to the Barren River District Health Department. From those 61 cases, there have been 10 total deaths, (all reported from Genesis Health Care, Edmonson Center) and 21 total recoveries.

According to their most recent report to the Edmonson Voice, Edmonson Center has had 30 residents test positive for COVID-19, along with 4 staff members. We were the first to report their initial confirmed case on April 21, 2020. Over a three-week period, their confirmed resident cases rose to 30 and people began to fear what could happen; however, the virus failed to spread any further within the facility. The fact that they were able to keep this away from the rest of the facility and wiping out half of their population or more is simply amazing and they deserve all the credit for measures taken before and during this virus outbreak.

Locally, 61 confirmed cases out of 12,062 total Edmonson County residents isn't a pandemic. It's a miracle. Simply put, this virus hasn't spread here like it has in other places and we all should be very thankful. That's a rate of one-half of one percent of our local population (.05%). That doesn't mean a pandemic still can't happen, and it certainly doesn't mean that we can go right back to doing everything like we did this time last year. What it means is, we're ready to try easing back into phases of normal life without spreading fear.

With cases increasing one or two a week here, that's not news. At this point, we all know that we must take precautionary measures to stay healthy and to maintain current numbers. As the owner of this company and the editor of what is published day in and day out, it's my responsibility to publish the most important and impactful local news that we have available each day. And the fact that coronavirus isn't the top news story everyday is newsworthy in itself.

We will continue to monitor local numbers from the BRDHD, who have been excellent in providing information as well as statewide numbers from the Governor's office. Unless the numbers change drastically, we plan to reduce our coronavirus-related articles down to about one per week.

We strongly encourage everyone to maintain safe practices, follow the recommended guidelines, wash your hands, use hand sanitizer, wear masks if it makes you more comfortable, but please don't scoff at those who don't. Yes, some will act irresponsibly, but that's the case in any other situation, and in any other part of the country.

Are we out of the woods? Who knows, maybe--maybe not, but the truth is, there is no coronavirus pandemic in Edmonson County right now according to the available numbers, and that's a fact. Anyone who says half of one percent of the population sick with a virus is a pandemic is incorrect. The dictionary defines pandemic as "disease prevalent throughout an entire country, continent, or whole world, or an epidemic over a large area."

Again, we are not saying that the virus shouldn't be taken seriously or that it's no longer newsworthy; we are simply saying that according to our local numbers, it's thankfully not the top story right now. Yes, there could be many here carrying the virus and be totally unaware, but we simply aren't seeing increasing numbers of sick people or those losing their lives--again, reasons to be thankful. Continuing to make local COVID-19 stats the top story based on current numbers is irresponsible.

Thanks for making the Edmonson Voice the number one local news source in Edmonson County. Stay connected with us 24/7 so we can keep you connected with your community. Please act responsibly, and stay healthy and safe.