Tough Times Don't Last

Tough Times Don’t Last, Tough
People (And Communities) Do

Westview Behavioral Health Services
Contact: Hugh Gray, (803) 276-5690
*Saluda Behavorial Health is now affiliated with Westview

  The outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) may be, and probably is, stressful for most people. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Appropriately coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and our community stronger.
  Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations.  How you respond to the outbreak can depend on the experiences you have endured in the past, the things that make you different from other people, and the community you live in. Here are some insights by the U.S. Center for Disease Control.
  Many different population segments of our community may have a greater sense of anxiety and stress during this crisis. These include:
  •Older people and people with chronic diseases who are at higher risk for COVID-19
  •Children and teens
  •People who are helping with the response to COVID-19, like doctors and other health care providers, or first responders
  •People who have mental health conditions including problems with substance use
  Signs of stress during this outbreak can include:
  •Fear and worry about your own health and the health of your loved ones
  •Changes in sleep or eating patterns
  •Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
  •Worsening of chronic health problems
  •Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs
  Taking care of yourself, your friends, and your family can help you cope with this stress. Helping others cope with their stress can also make our community stronger.
  Reduce stress in yourself and others.
  Sharing the facts about COVID-19 and understanding the actual risk to yourself and people you care about can make an outbreak less stressful. When you share accurate information about COVID-19, you can help make people feel less stressed and allow you to connect with them.
  But don’t overdose on watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting, especially when the message is coming from social media “experts” or people who are experiencing heightened anxiety themselves.
  Also, remember to take care of your body and spirit. Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate. Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, and avoid alcohol and drugs. Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy, like making safe connections with others. A telephone call with people you trust about your concerns can help alleviate the stress.
  For Parents
  Children and teens react, in part, on what they see from the adults around them. When parents and caregivers deal with the COVID-19 calmly and confidently, they can provide the best support for their children. Parents can be more reassuring to others around them, especially children, if they are better prepared.
  Not all children and teens respond to stress in the same way. Some common changes to watch for include
  • Excessive crying or irritation in younger children
  •Returning to behaviors they have outgrown (for example, toileting accidents or bedwetting)
  •Excessive worry or sadness
  •Unhealthy eating or sleeping habits
  •Irritability and “acting out” behaviors in teens
  •Difficulty with attention and concentration
  •Avoidance of activities enjoyed in the past
  •Unexplained headaches or body pain
  •Use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs
  There are many things you can do to support your child
  •Take time to talk with your child or teen about the COVID-19 outbreak. Answer questions and share facts  about COVID-19 in a way that your child or teen can understand.
  •Reassure your child or teen that they are safe. Let them know it is ok if they feel upset. Share with them how you deal with your own stress so that they can learn how to cope from you.
  •Limit your family’s exposure to news coverage of the event, including social media. Children may misinterpret what they hear and can be frightened about something they do not understand.
  •Try to keep up with regular routines. With schools closed, create a schedule for learning activities and relaxing or fun activities.
  •Be a role model.  Take breaks, get plenty of sleep, exercise, and eat well. Make safe connections with your friends and family members.
  For Responders
  Responding to COVID-19 can take an emotional toll on you. There are things you can do to reduce secondary traumatic stress (STS) reactions:
  •Acknowledge that STS can impact anyone helping families after a traumatic event.
  •Learn the symptoms including physical (fatigue, illness) and mental (fear, withdrawal, guilt).
  •Allow time for you and your family to recover from responding to the pandemic.
  •Create a menu of personal self-care activities that you enjoy, such as spending time with friends and family, exercising, or reading a book.
  •Take a break from media coverage of COVID-19.
  •Ask for help if you feel overwhelmed or concerned that COVID-19 is affecting your ability to care for your family and patients as you did before the outbreak.
  We are strong and we shall overcome.

Educator Bill
Whitfield Dies

William (Bill) A. Whitfield, who devoted over 50 years to education in Saluda County, died Fri., Mar. 27, losing his battle with pancreatic cancer.
  Whitfield came to Saluda High School in the mid-60s as the agriculture teacher. In that capacity, he because the advisor of the Young Farmers organization. Under his leadership, the Young Farmers started the Truck and Tractor Pull, which has given thousands of dollars in scholarships to Saluda County students seeking a college degrees in agriculture related majors.
  After teaching agriculture for 16 years, he was promoted to Saluda High School principal, where he served another 16 years.
  In his retirement, he continued to support education, serving as Saluda County’s representative on the Piedmont Technical College Board of Commissioners for  over 20 years. He was instrumental in getting the Saluda County Piedmont Tech satellite campus built.
  See the complete obituary  in the print edition of this week’s newspaper.

Emergency Ordinance

Council Council Issues
Emergency Ordinance

AN ORDINANCE DECLARING A STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR SALUDA COUNTY DUE TO THE THREATS POSED BY THE 2019 NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (“COVlD-l9”)
  Whereas, the Governor of South Carolina, by Executive Order 2020-08 has declared that a state of emergency exists by virtue of the threat posed by the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (“COVlD-l9”); and
  Whereas, Saluda County has taken and must continue to take, all necessary and appropriate actions in proactively preparing for and promptly responding to the COVID-19; and
  Whereas, as cases of COVID-19 increase, Causing an imminent threat to the health and safety of citizens and visitors to Saluda County, it is necessary for the County to implement emergency planning for anticipated problems and prepare for emergency actions needed to confront the challenges of this public health emergency.
  Now, therefore, be it ordained, in accordance with South Carolina Code of Laws Title 4, Article 9, Section 130 and Saluda County Code of Ordinances Chapter 10, Section l0-35, declares that a state of emergency exists, and that the threat thereof is imminent, and extraordinary measures are deemed necessary to cope with the existing and anticipated situation.
  Be it further ordained, that the Saluda County Council hereby declares, enacts, ordains, and orders the following:
  l. The Saluda County Director is authorized to take any necessary actions for protections of the health, safety, and welfare of Saluda County citizens and visitors including but not limited to the following:
  a. Utilize all available resources of county and municipal government as reasonably necessary to cope with the COVID-l9 emergency; and
  b. Transfer the direction, personnel or functions of county departments and agencies or units thereof for purposes of facilitating or performing emergency services as necessary or desirable; and
  c. Implement the duties and functions assigned in the County Emergency Operations Plan, and
  d. Modify personnel policies to ensure essential public services are met but also limiting unnecessary travel, protecting personnel by utilizing liberal leave for quarantine and isolation, modifying sick leave policies for those individuals who are immune suppressed, infected, otherwise need isolation for suspected infection, or have no other means to care for their K-12 children who are subject to state ordered school closings, and authorizing remote access to the workplace by employees as assigned duties allow; and
  e. Temporarily suspend or alter board, commission, committee, or other similar meetings or authorize remote attendance electronically, temporarily alter open hours or close certain County facilities, temporarily suspend activities and programs including the organized use of county recreation facilities, and other temporary measures that prohibit the unnecessary congregation of people, including the closing of county facilities to members of the general public; and to
  f. Authorize the County Director to suspend the procurement procedures for individual purchases and to implement alternative purchasing procedures, and
  g. Authorize the County Director to allocate funding to emergency expenditures attributable to the departments necessary during the state of emergency. Any emergency allocation will not require an ordinance and will be reflected in subsequent budget amendments; and
  h. Contract, requisition, and compensate for goods and services from private sources; and i. Prescribe routes, modes of transportation and destinations in connection with evacuations or relocations that have been ordered by the Governor of South Carolina, if any; and
  j. Suspend or limit nonemergency activities and prohibit public assemblies; and
  k. Implement curfews or quarantines to prevent the spread of infection; and
  l. Any and all other actions deemed necessary for the preservation of the health, safety, and welfare of citizens, residents, and visitors to Saluda County, South Carolina. This ordinance shall remain in force until emergency conditions associated with COVID-19 have subsided and the emergency activities in Saluda County are no longer necessary to protect the life and property of our citizens, or upon the sixty-first (6lst) day alter the effective date of this emergency ordinance. Effective this l9th day of March, 2020, in the County of Saluda South Carolina.
ATTEST: Karen T. Whittle
Clerk of Court
J. Frank  Daniel, Sr.,
Vice-Chairman .
Justin Anderson,
Council Member
Jones Butler,
Council Member
Wayne Grice,
Council Member

Saluda County Has
First COVID-19 Case

  Saluda County’s first COVID-19 case was officially reported by DHEC on Thurs., Mar. 19.
  The Ridge Spring Family Practice sent out the following notice:
  “We recently treated a patient at Ridge Spring Family Practice who was later tested at Lexington Medical Center and found to be positive for COVID-19. In compliance with the CDC guidelines for healthcare workers, we are restricting our staff from coming into the office for 14 days. After consultation with DHEC, we have already contacted any patients that may have come into contact with the affected patient.
  We have routed the phones to another of our sites so that we can continue to respond to your questions and needs. We have staff available to take your call and, where possible, are happy to assist you with possibly being seen at another one of our locations. We are also working with our pharmacy to help ensure seamless access to prescriptions you may be needing. For all patient questions or concerns, please call 803-685-3100. We plan to reopen this office on April 1.”
  The county has followed the directives of the Governor.
  Restaurants are serving take our orders only. Most churches were closed Sunday and services were broadcast by the pastors over the internet.
  Despite not having large gatherings, many churches are reaching out to the community. Radius Church , for instance, was the site Fri., Mar. 20, for an organzed food delivery to school children. Nearly 90 bags of good were delivered.
  Stores were depleted of paper supplies and bread, but shelves got restocked as quickly as possible. The crowds at the stores got smaller as the week progressed.
  Saluda County Schools supplied over 2000 lesson packets, and a food pickup and delivering schedule is printed in today’s edition.

71st Annivesary

Bobby and Lou Frances Crouch had an unusual 71st anniversary celebration on Mar. 18. Since Saluda Nursing Center is not allowing vistors due to the coronavirus, and Lou Frances is a resident there, Bobby had to greet his wife at the window. They talked to each other over cell phones. (Photo by Kayla Matthews)

Chairman Election Postponed

Council Chairman
Election Postponed

  Governor Henry McMaster Sunday announced the postonement of all elections scheduled for March and April 2020. 
  This inludes the election of Saluda County Council Chairman set for March 24 between Democrat Darren Horneand Republican Jerry Strawbridge.
  Affected elections will be rescheduled to occur after May 1, 2020.  Specific dates will be announced later.            
  This announcement has NO impact on the March Candidate filing period.  Candidate filing will open at noon on March 16, 2020 and will close at noon on March 30, 2020.  Read the SEC’s Statement on March Filing and Coronavirus here:  https://www.scvotes.org/statement-coronavirus-and-march-candidate-filing.

Schools Closed,
Rec Postponed

  Sun. afternoon. Gov. Henry McMaster announced the closing of S.C. public schools through the end of the month, due to the coronavirus threat.
  Locally, the Recreation Department activities have postponed until mid-April, nursing homes are not allowing visitors, and some churches postponed Sunday services. Other events postponed included the Farm-City Banquet, Hollywood Ruritan Farm Machinery Sale, and Mayson VFD steak supper.

Council Gives First Reading To
Business License Ordinance

  Saluda County Council gave first reading to an ordinance that will create a county business and professional license.
  The passage came at the Mon., Mar. 10, meeting.
  According to the ordinance, every person engaged or intending to engage in any calling,  business, occupation or profession shall register the business and application for a business license and pay an annual license fee tax and obtain a business license. The fee will be due May 31, 2020. The fee based on gross income shall be computed on the gross income for the preceding calendar or fiscal year, and on a 12-month projected income based on monthly acreage for a business in operation less than one year.
  The first reading passed 3-1, with Vice -chairman Frank Daniel, Councilmen Wayne Grice and Jones Butler voted in favor, and Councilman Justin Anderson voting against.
  At the beginning of the meeting, Nancy McCorkle, of the Second Amendment Sanctuary Group, for the second meeting in a row asked Council to vote to make Saluda County a Second Amendment Sanctuary.
  Council did not take action of her request, but did pass a resolution expressing its support of Second Amendment Rights. The resolution urges the Governor and members of the General Assembly to take no action  which would violate the freedoms guaranteed in the Second Amendment and Article 1, Section 20 of the Constitution.
Council gave third reading of an ordinance amendment that will change the term length of Airport Commission members from three to five years.
  Second reading was given to an ordinance that will no longer require to the Fire Board to meet once a month.
  A revised Freedom of Information Act Policy was approved and will be placed on the county website.
  Council approved Road and Bridge Superintendent Billie Corley’s request to shift the cost of installation of pipe for a driveway entrance from the county to the property owner. In the past, the county installed the pipe at no charge, but Corley said the cost of this policy is getting too expensive. Corley said shifting the cost to the property owner will save the county $15,000 a year. Corley’s suggestion passed unanimously.
  A grant application request from Assistant Emergency Management Director Jill Warren was approved. The $26,446 grant will be used to purchase personal protective equipment/gear for the Sheriff’s office. The county match will be $2,644.60. The county applied for this grant last year, but did not get it.
  Ms. Warren stayed on to ask approved for a grant that will reconstruct the taxiway and apron at the Saluda County Airport. Total cost of the project will be $528,590. FAA will pay $475,731, and the State $26,430. Saluda County’s share will be $26,430. Council approved the grant, with the county’s share coming from the Infrastructure Reserve Account.
  Council approved Chief Deputy Toby Horne’s request to fill three positions in the Sheriff’s Office. One of the positions is a school resource officer. The positions are already in the budget.
  Mallory Coffey, director of Palmetto Pride, explained the programs the litter control and beautification office offers. She told of grants available, and encouraged Saluda County to appoint a coordinator and join the program.