EVANSVILLE — Local officials listened to Gov. Eric Holcomb's directive Friday on how to reopen Indiana, and they said it can work.
The caveat, they said, is that Hoosiers must show they can follow instructions.
They said that's critical to keeping new coronavirus infections, hospitalizations and deaths as low as possible while Indiana businesses reopen and some activities resume.
Governor's plan 'strikes a really good balance'
"I was impressed with the plan," said Jeff Hatfield, president of the Vanderburgh County Commissioners. "You have to have a plan, and I am impressed at the direction he is giving everyone. He did say it was up to us to make it work or not make it work."
Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke said Holcomb's plan "strikes a really good balance between protecting the public health and recognizing we need to reopen the economy. It’s a thoughtful approach. If there are surges, we will be able to react accordingly."
Tara Barney, CEO of the Southwest Indiana Chamber, said Hoosiers must realize it won't be a typical summer, but guidelines spelled out by Holcomb can bring the region closer to normal.
"It puts the onus on we in the business community to continue to engage in social distancing and use good protocols, so we don't require a reset," Barney said.
Vanderburgh County's confirmed COVID-19 caseload is considered low per capita compared to other communities, but new infections are reported daily.
Confirmed cases are nearing 150, but according to the Health Department, about 78 percent of those cases are cleared. One death in Vanderburgh County is blamed on coronavirus.
Warrick County is nearing 100 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Warrick has had 16 deaths, 13 of which are tied to Signature HealthCARE, a nursing home in Newburgh.
Coronavirus could change the plan, health official says
Hospital capacity in the region "remains very good," said Dr. Ken Spear, Vanderburgh County health officer. Spear, too, said Holcomb's five-phase plan to bring Indiana closer to normal by the Fourth of July can achieve its goal, but things could change if health data worsens.
A research study to assemble data about how prevalent coronavirus is in Evansville was announced on Thursday.
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Deaconess Health System, the Indiana School of Medicine-Evansville and local business will participate in that project, which involves administering about 1,000 tests for the virus as well as for an antibody.
Results are expected in mid-May.
'This is going to be challenging for a lot of companies'
Greg Wathen, CEO of the Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana, said Holcomb's five-stage reopening deadline presented a lot of dates and rules, and businesses ranging from small restaurants to large manufacturers will have sift through those.
"The clearer the guidance that has provided, the easier it is to implement, and this is going to be challenging for a lot of companies," Wathen said. "The other question is, will people abide by it? ... We’re still going to have to be on our best behavior."
Task force continues to meet
Evansville Deputy Mayor Steve Schaefer is chairing a task force on the local reopening process.
One task force priority area is food security. The first $200,000 in grants from the Evansville region's COVID-19 Crisis Response Fund went to nonprofit organizations that feed area residents.
"There is an entire committee that vets these applications, and there will be another round of funding that goes out before long," Winnecke said. "The food need is very strong, but we will be prioritizing needs as they come in by agency. It's clear there needs to be an effort in this space (food security) for awhile, and beyond."
The task force is also talking about when normal local government operations will assume. Winnecke said he and Hatfield could announce a reopening plan for the Civic Center sometime next week.