Coronavirus impacts community

Nicole Baker, Stroud Nutrition employee pictured to the right, sets down a bag of food on a table outside Parkview Elementary School.

The pickup and drop off line that was used to welcome students to school is now being used as a drive through to provide food to students.

Monday through Thursday, from 11:00 p.m. - 12:00 p.m. on the west side of Parkview Elementary School, Stroud Public Schools will be providing a Grab-and-Go meal to all students who are in the vehicle. The Oklahoma Depart

The Oklahoma Department of Education had a meeting scheduled for Wednesday to determine whether or not all school buildings should remain closed.

The Coronavirus has made an impact all across the state of Oklahoma.

Although no cases have been confirmed in Lincoln County, there are 106 positive cases in Oklahoma, as of Tuesday.

In response to the virus, the Stroud City Council held an emergancy meeting and approved the Emergency Resolution to declare Stroud as a Public Health Hazard and Disaster Area caused by significant events related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

City manager Bob Pearman said this makes Stroud eligible for any federal funds that may become available in the future.

Pearman said the city has closed City Hall, the Library and the Fitness Center.

“We want to set an example for everybody else to follow,” he said.

Several businesses in town have had to make changes due to the virus. Cozumel Mexican Restaurant Man

Cozumel Mexican Restaurant Manager Shanon Garrido said that they have closed their dining hall and started making deliveries.

My boss decided to close the dining hall for our safety,” she said.

Garrido said they had to let go five parttime workers due to the decrease in traffic.

Diana Stobaugh, owner of D’s Specialty House, said she is trying to keep her head above waters since her sales have been cut in half.

“We didn’t wait until this to start sanitizing,” she said. Stobaugh said the utensils at the buffet

Stobaugh said the utensils at the buffet are sanitized and changed every hour and there is a sanitation station at the end of the buffet.

The dining hall at D’s Specialty hosue is still open. Stobaugh said many mom and pop stores will shut down and never re-open.

“I have people who have to have an income,” she said.

Stobaugh said she is putting it in God’s hands.

The Sac and Fox Nation has decided to close their casino doors until April 1, according to a press release.

This includes the casino in Stroud and the Black Hawk Casino in Shawnee.