As Monroe’s exposure to the COVID-19 virus escalates, the city has taken no special precautions to help reduce its COVID exposures. While the leaders hesitate, the number of public gatherings, parties, and close contact continues.
This week CNN posted a virus update that showed Monroe, La. as one of the five Coronavirus hotspots in the United States. The top five virus hotspots in the U.S. are Spencer Lake, Iowa, Montgomery, Alabama; Monroe, La., Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Phoenix, Arizona.
In Louisiana, there have been 51,600 cases and 3,021 deaths and the numbers are climbing. In Ouachita Parish, there have been 2,022 reported cases, and 69 confirmed deaths, and the numbers are rising.
Despite being identified as one of the five most dangerous cities in the nation for COVID, the city has been reluctant to order any restrictions beyond the guidance that the governor has given for the state.
The city has “encouraged” observance of safety provisions, but has not enforced violations of the restrictions.
Since phase two of the governor’s re-opening plan, it allows for some businesses to open with restrictions and limits. While some businesses are following those guidelines in Monroe, many do not follow them.
It would appear that if our city is a “hot spot” that extra-ordinary measures should be taken to insure public safety. The phase two guidelines should be enforced; that won’t come from the state, it has to come from our local government.
There have been no temporary ordinances placing penalties on Phase two violators.
No one wants to speak it, but nursing home patients in our city are testing positive for the Virus. The same is true for the Veteran’s home. This can only happen if employees are not tested instantly.
The problem is that the nearest instant testing location is 40 miles from Monroe. The city has not confirmed arrangements for instant tests for first responders, and hospital and healthcare workers. They have to report to these facilities daily, an old COVID test result is good for only one day if a person intermingles with family and friends before returning to work the next day.
Healthcare facilities are “encouraged” to be safe, but what else?
If the general public believes “all is well” they gather, drink, party, buy and shop without thought of danger.
In the last week, there was a huge party with over 200 people present at properties owned by Dr. Dan Holt. Video clips on social media show party goers have a fun activity, but none followed social distancing rules and there were no face masks or gloves.
A similar public gathering was held on the Civic Center parking lot call Slab Fest 2020. It was a perfectly legal activity that drew about 200 people who viewed cars and bikes in a festive atmosphere. However, there were no face masks or social distancing rules observed.
A large street party type gathering on Winnsboro Road over the weekend also drew over 200 people who also did not observe social distancing rules.
The city has issued no directives, beyond state guidance, detailing safety rules for Monroe to protect Monroyans.
The city has issued directives regarding city facilities, buses, and its own operations, but has only “encouraged” businesses and citizens to follow safety rules. Businesses, groups or face no penalties if they do not follow the “encouragements.”
The city leaders should step up and take charge of this situation. Our city is a national Corona Virus “Hot Spot.” We should take action to insure that it does not become a national “death spot.”
Restrictive actions won’t be popular and will incur criticism. In the end, however, our leaders will guide us through this storm intact. To do otherwise is to “fiddle while Rome burns.”
