Geauga Amish Close Schools, Stay Informed
People are definitely stocking up some. – David Hershberger
Even without the supposed benefit of cable television, radio and 24/7 access to news, the Geauga County Amish are staying informed about the novel coronavirus pandemic and taking precautions.
When Dr. Jennifer Williams-Reid and Vickie Muir from University Hospitals – Geauga Medical Center spoke at an Amish safety committee meeting March 17, about 50 attended for an update, said Noah Wengerd.
It wasn’t the first they had heard about COVID-19, said the Amish safety committee member.
“We’d been hearing from drivers and customers and watching the newspapers,” he said in a phone conversation March 19. “We’re not back in the woods.”
Williams-Reid, a family medical doctor, and Muir, UH – Geauga’s liaison for the Amish community, gave their audience directions on how to cope with the new directives and keep their families safe.
“We’re trying our best to keep this from spreading,” Wengerd said.
Williams-Reid said it was the second meeting she had with groups of Amish.
“Whatever I can do to get the word out to them is great,” she said on the phone last Thursday.
Her presentation included an overview of the virus’s characteristics, the course it has taken and the restrictions and recommendations that have come down from the government, she said.
In particular, Williams-Reid stressed the elderly and those with chronic health conditions are at very high risk if infected.
“I urged them not to have church for at least two months and keep their meetings to fewer than 50 in a room,” she said.
If a family member begins to display symptoms — a dry cough, high fever and trouble breathing — she directed them to call their doctor’s office for directions.
“UH has a very mapped-out protocol. Only individuals at high risk are being tested (for COVID-19),” Williams-Reid said last week.
Wengerd said most people at the meeting agreed if a family member becomes ill, the family should self-quarantine, but as of Thursday, church meetings would continue.
Meanwhile, the Amish schools have been closed and family members are taking on the responsibility of making sure the school-aged children keep up with their studies, he said.
If Amish families need to isolate, they can be sure friends and neighbors will help wherever they can.
“We’ll all pitch in. That’s our tradition,” Wengerd said.
Pete Miller sits on the UH – Geauga board and said information about the virus recently was included in the Amish newsletter. The church bishops received mailers from the hospital, as well.
“Our people are being made aware,” Miller said.
Business at Sheoga Hardwood Flooring and Paneling in Burton Township is steady and the 70 workers, many of whom are Amish, are taking sanitizing precautions, Miller said.
“We are very busy,” he said, adding the employees have been brought up to date about the coronavirus.
“We do everything we can for their well-being,” he added.
If employees fall ill, management will comply with the government guidelines.
“I’m not sure how that would work out,” Miller said. “We’re taking it day by day.”
David Hershberger, owner of Southside Salvage LLC on Newcomb Road in Middlefield Township, said his shelves are full and truckloads of goods are coming in regularly.
“We have plenty of inventory,” he said, adding he has seen an uptick in sales of hand soap, cleansers, and canned and dried comestibles.
His customers are being cautious but, since there are few cases of the virus in Geauga County, they are not really worried, Hershberger said.
“They’re not self-quarantining, they’re being extra careful,” he said. “People are definitely stocking up some.”
The Amish depend on surrounding communities for law enforcement, fire protection and emergency medical services.
So when sanitary wipes disappeared from shelves at various grocery stores in the area, Hershberger stepped up and provided the Middlefield Police Department with a supply.
He continues to receive shipments to stock his store on Newcomb Road and his salvage store in Windsor.
“As long as the trucks keep running, we’ll be okay,” Hershberger said.
