JUDGE: Record spike in COVID cases in Milam County

On Monday, Nov. 9, 2020, we had a new record high number of COVID cases in Milam County. We had a single one-day total of 28 new COVID cases. That brought the number of active COVID cases up to 56.  

This is the highest count of active cases since the statewide spike on July 16, 2020. On that day we hit a record high of 61 active cases. In addition to the spike in cases, we reported another COVID death in the county this week, which brings the death toll to nine. This is simply terrible. We can do better.  

The COVID virus is a respiratory virus that is primarily spread from the nose and mouth.  The virus is extremely contagious. The virus is spread by people who have symptoms and people that do not have symptoms. In fact, the science indicates that 40 percent of the spread is done by those who have no symptoms. Therefore, the person sitting next to you at the football game who has no symptoms, may in fact, be the person that infects you!

Wearing a face covering is known to slow the spread of the virus. In fact, the CDC has opined that a properly worn facemask is almost as effective in slowing the spread as are the pending vaccinations.  

Governor Abbot’s Executive Order 29, requires: “Every person in Texas shall wear a face covering over the nose and mouth when inside a commercial entity or other building or space open to the public, or when in an outdoor public place, wherever it is not feasible to maintain at least six feet of social distancing…”

Yet, we have become lax and many people are not wearing facemasks. Over the weekend, I saw Facebook posts of events with few people wearing masks.  I saw posts of people out partying, with no facemasks. Why? There is no good reason, nor any good excuse.  And now, look at the numbers.  

When you don’t wear a mask, you are announcing that you don’t care if you infect someone. You announce you are really not interested in protecting those around you.  Further, you are saying, I don’t care if I get infected.  Please don’t be this person.  Please do your part to prevent the spread of this horrible virus.  Check out our YouTube posts and look at some of the real-life accounts of what it is like to get the virus and the fears one has of being extremely ill and even dying after infection.

All we have to do is to wear a facemask and keep our distance.  So do it!