COVID on the rise again this summer
It was another good day in the cool water with volunteers, Stream Sweepers – Central Appalachia Project and the WV DEP REAP. Like usual in the hot, dry summer months, the Tug Fork River has been flowing low, slow and clear. Despite being short-handed, workers were able to recover 311 old tires from the river Aug. 14 around Williamson.
There are still many more tires in this section of the river. Stream Sweepers will be working more over the next few days, according to John Burchett of the Friends of Tug Fork River.
He thanked all of those who supported the cleanup, including Williamson Health & Wellness Center and the City of Williamson.
“The vast majority of these tires have been in the river for decades. They are from a time of weak regulation, poor enforcement and a culture of uncaring,” Burchett said. “Times and culture have changed but the tires have remained until now. Our new six-year total of waste tires recovered from the Tug Fork River is 13,651.”
Another cleanup event is coming soon. Burchett said to keep an eye out for those dates.
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COVID-19 activity is increasing in most areas of the U.S., as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in early August. Positive cases, emergency room visits and hospitalizations are increasing, “particularly among adults 65-plus,” the CDC said.
Both West Virginia and Kentucky have seen a rise in cases.
It’s hard to believe but it has been five years now that the coronavirus showed up and changed our world.
It still pays to be safe, use hand sanitizer, and wash your hands with soap and hot water.
If you are diagnosed it is best to stay away from crowds. If you have to go out – even though I hate to say this, you may want to wear a mask to keep from spreading the virus to others.
The summer spread is being driven by new variants of the virus, particularly KP.3 and its relatives, collectively known as “flirt variants.” Doctors and researchers are encouraging older adults and others at higher risk for COVID-19 complications to take precautions as the virus circulates, the CDC stated.
The CDC has issued new vaccine recommendations. Updated versions of the coronavirus vaccines are expected in the late summer or early fall, and the CDC said once they are available, everyone 6 months and older should receive one — just like you would an annual flu shot — to protect against a bad case of COVID-19.
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The General Election is Tuesday, Nov. 5 and it goes without saying that people need to get out and vote.
Early voting will start in October in most states. There is no excuse if you are 18 and older not to vote. It is important to exercise your right to choose who you think should lead your town, county, state and country.
Unless you are living off the grid or in a cave you know this is a presidential election year.
I am not going to try to tell you how to vote. But look at the policies and who you think will or has done the best job in the past. Don’t worry about party affiliation. Cast your vote on what you believe will be best for our future.
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It is football season! I know it is hard to believe it is already here. Local high schools are practicing and Kentucky will start Friday, Aug. 23, while West Virginia high schools will start the following weekend.
Of course your favorite college teams are also battling through those two-a-day practices, and professional teams are already holding preseason games.
This is one of the most fun times of the year for sports fans. Local communities love to get out and support their schools, players, cheerleaders and marching bands.
The Mountain Citizen will once again have coverage of the Martin County Cardinals and the Tug Valley Panthers this fall.
We hope everyone has a great season and we wish all players a healthy and safe season.
(Kyle Lovern is a longtime journalist in the Tug Valley. He is now a retired freelance writer and columnist for the Mountain Citizen.)