Local physician Dr. Lee Woodall, who is also chairman of the county board of health, told the Lamar County commission April 21 he doesn’t expect to see a COVID-19 peak locally until June. The meeting was held via video conference. Woodall made his remarks after nurse-manager Sherry Farr of the local health department reported Lamar had experienced a coronavirus death. ‘We all need to stay safe,’ Farr said. ’We need to keep social distancing in place because it helps lower the doubling time of the virus. We are a long way from the peak here. I suspect it will be June before we get past the peak. Don’t relax too soon but I am confident we will get past this,’ Woodall said. Commissioner Bob Heiney singled out Julie Knott for praise. Knott has sewn over 300 face masks and donated them to medical personnel and first responders. In other business, the commission: ’¢Heard from James Rigdon public works personnel are working in split shifts. ‘We really dodged a bullet with recent storms. We were able to help Upson County out with some of their cleanup,’ Rigdon said. ’¢Learned the zoning office is still busy. Administrator Anita Buice reported she and her staff had issued permits for 14 new homes, five remodels and issued 17 certificates of occupancy. ’¢Heard from elections superintendent Anita Reid her office has processed 1206 absentee ballot applications. Elections board member Bill Christopher asked the commission for personal protection equipment and guidance on using it to protect poll workers in the coming elections. Christopher agreed with Dr. Woodall. ‘I suggest we go slowly with reopening. We are not near over the peak. You guys have been amazing,’ Christopher concluded.
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