Appy manager urged virus caution

Appalachia Town Manager Fred Luntsford wants citizens to remain vigilant during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On the town’s Facebook page Wednesday, Luntsford reminded residents of the July 9 council meeting while also encouraging people to view the live stream of the meeting.

“We all know that the COVID-19 virus is still among us,” wrote Luntsford.

While none of the new cases have been in Appalachia, Luntsford explained that Wise County has seen five positive cases of COVID-19 in the last two weeks. “We must stay vigilant and continue practicing the rules that we should all know by heart. We must not become victim of community spread because we let our guard down.”

Luntsford stated that he believes some of the adjustments made since the onset of the pandemic may be permanent fixtures in our lives. “Think of new terms such as ‘social distancing,’ ‘community spread,’ ‘COVID-19,’ ‘pandemic’ and so on that we have now become accustomed to in our daily lives.”

He continued: “Think of the changes we see in our retail stores with the partitions between customers and checkout clerks. I believe those will remain for a long time.”

Luntsford spoke to the seriousness of the pandemic, comparing it to the bubonic plague of the 1800s and the flu epidemic 100 years ago. “My dad lost several siblings during that flu epidemic,” he stated. “The cemetery on the Powell River down below the ‘blue tube’ between Norton and Appalachia has many children buried who lost their lives to the flu.”

Luntsford stated that council chambers will be open, but he hopes those who chose to attend will maintain social distancing.