Tuesday of this week was the five-year anniversary of the beginning of the COVID pandemic which changed everyone's lives, including ours in Rockdale. I had just moved back to Rockdale from Houston in the summer of 2019. What a strange time it was.
On March 11, 2020, the Dow Jones plunged 700 points within 60 seconds of the opening bell. The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic, acknowledging that they were “deeply concerned both by the alarming levels of spread and severity, and by the alarming levels of inaction.” On Capitol Hill, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases, warned Congress that “it’s going to get worse” — then rushed to the White House to confer with President Trump about shutting down travel from Europe.
Closer to home all of this happened within a week:
• Schools are closed everywhere in Milam County. Rockdale announced closings until Monday, March 23, Thorndale until April 3. C ount on it being longer, perhaps much longer. Rockdale ISD will make a decision Thursday on whether to continue the shutdown.
• Thursday’s scheduled Rockdale Chamber of Commerce Banquet has been postponed until at least late April.
• A decision on holding the March 25-28 Milam County Junior Livestock Show was to have been made Wednesday. If held, the event won’t be open to the public. Baked goods show has been canceled.
• The City of Rockdale and Milam County have announced amended schedules until further notice.
• UIL sporting events through March 29 are canceled.
• The Rockdale ISD has begun offering free “graband- go” breakfasts and lunches to those 18 and younger.
• Some area churches held online services Sundays while others posted “follow-along” hymns and other selections.
• While dine-in service at restaurants in the Austin area has stopped, that state of affairs hasn’t reached Rockdale. But many local eateries have removed salt and pepper shakers at the table, as well as shared condiments.
• And, of course, the hoarding of several items— essentials such as milk, bread and, less understandably, toilet paper—have hit local stores.
• District court, district clerk and county court closed Tuesday for at least one week.
• County clerk’s office is closed with skeleton crew on hand.
• Adult and juvenile probation offices are closed.
• Prosecutor’s of f ice remains open with a skeleton crew.
• Veteran’s Assistance office is closed.
• The Milam Appraisal Office is closed with a skeleton crew on hand to assist.
• Milam’s AgriLife extension office is closed.
• Rockdale Senior Citizens Center and Bea’s Kitchen in Cameron are closed.
• The Rockdale Police Station and the Milam County Sheriff’s Office remain open. The Milam County Medical Department remains open.
• COVID tests are not yet available in the county.
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