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Kevin Chapman of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office sits at the metal detector at the front door of the courthouse on Tuesday. People going inside had to fill out a health questionnaire and have their temperature taken, in addition to normal security measures. Photo/Brian Blansett -
With restrictions on the number of people allowed in the courthouse at one time, the county erected canopies so those who had to wait outside could have shelter from Tuesday’s rain. Photo/Brian Blansett
Additional security, closed doors and cancelled events have become the new normal in Lincoln County.
Visitors to the Lincoln County Courthouse will find a Corona Virus screening questionnaire along with a temperature check.
Although unsure of how long these added security measures will last, Lincoln County Sheriff Deputy Kevin Chapman said this is a good step in a positive direction for precautionary measures.
Governor Kevin Stitt issued an executive order declaring all 77 counties in an emergency.
The District Courts have been directed to limit the number of persons in the courtrooms, judges or court clerks office, jury room or any other district facility.
Persons who have any of the following are not allowed in:
• Have been diagnosed with, or been in contact with anyone diagnosed with COVID -19.
• Have symptoms of fever, severe cough or shortness of breath.
• Have traveled outside the U.S. in the past 14 days, and those with whom they live or have had close contact.
• Have been quarantined or isolated, either by a doctor or voluntary.
Along with these new restrictions, the only door open to the general public will be the east door at the front of the courthouse.
Chapman said he’s already had to turn someone away who had a fever.
However, these new restrictions aren’t the only precautious changes made within Lincoln County.
The usual sound of dominoes clacking against each other and the smell of lunch cooking in the other room at the Chandler Senior Citizen’s Center are comforts that have been put on hold.
Jennifer O’Donnell, kitchen supervisor at the Chandler Senior Citizen’s Center, said they will be closing their doors until further notice.
“We’re just taking it day-by-day,” she said.
Many facilities, like Prairie Point Assisted Living in Stroud, have started restricting access to outside visitors.
Chandler resident Kathy Newman said she’s not worried about the virus and hasn’t changed her daily routine.
Jessica Hunt works at Lincoln County Title and said although she thinks the whole situation is being overexaggerated, she still makes sure to wash her hands more often and spray everything down at work.
“I think our local government have kept us informed as much as possible,” she said,
With the intentions of preventing the spread of COVID-19, a variety of events across Lincoln County have been cancelled, including the Chandler Irish Stew, Stroud Chamber of Commerce Banquet and Prague Kolache Festival.
The Lincoln County Health Department hosted a public forum last week at First Baptist Church in Davenport.
Health officials urged residents to be proactive, not reactive.
COVID-19 is a respiratory virus that is spread through close personal contact.
According to the Oklahoma State Department of Health, there are 17 positive cases in Oklahoma, as of Tuesday.