CANTON, Ohio — With restaurants and retail reopening this week, Stark County health commissioners are worried some residents will relax social distancing too much and possibly undo the progress made to flatten the curve.
In a letter titled "A Word to our Community", signed by commissioners Jim Adams of Canton, Terri Argent of Massillon, Randall Flint of Alliance and Kirk Norris from Stark County, residents were reminded to "stay the course" when it comes to being vigilant in the battle against the coronavirus.
"Follow the guidelines of the Stay Safe Ohio Order. Allow the restart of businesses and activities to unfold carefully for the safety of each and every one of you. We in public health want that-- your safety. Less illness. Less outbreaks. Less death. And you should too," the letter states.
The message, written by Canton Public Health public information officer Patty McConnell, also acknowledged that people are tired of staying home, having movements restricted and not gathering.
"The frustration of people, not being able to get out, everybody is tired of being cooped up, of not being able to go out and see their friends," McConnell told News 5 during an interview via FaceTime.
Commissioners fear that as Ohio continues to reopen, some could see that progress as permission to gather in large groups at businesses, parks or other areas of the county.
"We had seen crowds of people staring to gather and we're just concerned that as we began to reopen that people would forget their own personal responsibility," Adams said.
About 500 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in Stark County with nearly 70 deaths.
"The majority of our cases are from outbreak situations occurring at long care term facilities, and also for contacts that we've had for medical care workers," Adams said.
Adams said commissioners are taking "a soft approach" if social distancing and other precautions are not followed throughout the county, but citations could be issued, if necessary.
"We're not going to have the yardstick police out measuring distances, but we'll respond to complaints and concerns as they occur," he added.
The letter also states the community is moving in the right direction, but "diving back in without continued safe practices" will jeopardize what's been done to protect the community so far.
"We need to be careful," McConnnell said. "This isn't going away."
