Judge McKinney talks about rising COVID-19 numbers

Hannigan's Notebook

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Judge McKinney talks about rising COVID-19 numbers

Jun 25, 2020

(Courtesy photo: County Judge Wade McKinney.)

There is no question that the number of reported COVID-19 cases are on the rise in Henderson County. Deciding what that means is not always so clear, as evidenced by the number of arguments on social media.

Wednesday, I interviewed County Judge Wade McKinney to discuss where the county currently stands in reference to the coronavirus. I invite you to listen to the interview above, because it is impossible to capture all of a 35-minute interview in a few hundred written words.

We’ll start with the fact that Henderson County has seen a substantial increase in documented COVID-19 cases in the past week. As of the recording of this interview, there were 10 consecutive days with multiple cases reported.

In addition, the number McKinney said he keeps close watch on -- active cases -- had gone up from 29 last week to 42. That is reason to be concerned.

“The question everyone asks, including myself, is what is driving that? Is the disease more prevalent? Was it at these levels before, but with the limited testing was it not being able to be indicated?” McKinney asked.

Hospitalizations across the state have spiked, causing problems in metropolitan areas. Locally, however, that number has remained steady. Last week there were 57 people hospitalized for COVID-19 in Henderson County’s trauma region. This week, there were 56.

“Hospitalizations statewide are increasing,” McKinney said, “but in our region, as some have said, we are somewhat insulated. We are staying pretty well flat.”

The hospital numbers break down almost directly on metropolitan and rural lines, he explained, which points to why what works in one area of the state may not work in another.

McKinney said the county is not currently considering limiting outdoor groups to less than 100, as allowed by the Governor. Part of the reason is because there is no way to enforce that limit because enforcement options for the Governor’s order have been removed.

He also said he does not believe the government has the authority to force private business to require masks, so the county won’t be doing that either.

So what do we do? He said continue with the rules we’ve had since the beginning: social distance, wash your hands, use hand sanitizer.

And above all, have some care for your neighbor.

“We are in a situation that is threatening to our public health,” McKinney said, “and (fighting) it is going to have to be a cooperative effort amongst everybody.”

“The best way I can sum it up is that common courtesy is going to be the only way that we will be able to pull through this all together,” he said.