A VIRUS JOURNAL April 27
A COMMUNITY'S THOUGHTS - CONCORDIA, KS
The Blade-Empire is publishing this community journal as an ongoing record of the thoughts of our citizens as we embark on this journey through the coronavirus crisis.
Tell us what you think; your thoughts, fears and hopes for yourself, loved ones, and your fellow Americans. You may use your name; or you may submit anonymously.
When the pandemic is over, the Blade-Empire will publish the journal as a book. The thoughts of Concordians will become a time capsule and historical record for future generations to remember.
CORONAVIRUS TOLL
Worldwide: Infected-3,016,687 Deaths-207,974
Kansas: Infected-3,174 Deaths-118 Negative Tests-23,053
Cloud County: Infected-3 Recovered-2 Negative Tests-49
Corie Dugas, former Concordia Resident: I appreciate the reporting you have been doing on the coronavirus outbreak. It has been incredibly helpful in keeping an eye on Concordia from afar.
I lived eighteen years of my life in Concordia. While it has been nearly twenty years since I’ve lived there, it is a place I will always think of as home no matter where in the world I find myself. I currently live outside of Albany, New York. When things started getting bad in my adopted home state, my first thought wasn’t of myself or my neighbors, but of my friends and family in Concordia.
Concordians are tough people. Growing up in this community made me a stronger person. But a part of the heartiness of Concordians is the belief that this isolated community can sometimes be impervious to what is happening elsewhere. I was scared the community, including my parents and those who care for my grandmother, wouldn’t be taking precautions. As the crisis progressed I talked to my parents almost daily, always asking, “Are people in Concordia taking this seriously? Are people staying safe?” I was so happy to hear that most people were.
We can and we will rebuild the economy. We cannot bring back loved ones that die from COVID-19. Stay strong and safe and healthy, Concordia. I know you will. Concordians are resilient. I look forward to visiting a healthy community, my home, when this is all past us.
Anonymous: why are low-positive counties like Cloud County being grouped in with metropolitan counties like Wyandotte, Johnson, and Sedgwick? The counties with a high number of positive cases should remain under quarantine. Counties like Cloud, or even counties that have ZERO positive cases, should be allowed to reopen their businesses.
A farmer: can't sell beef because there is nowhere to process the animal. Dairy farmers are pouring out their product. If you think there's food shortages now, wait until you see what things are like in another month.