The COVID-19 pandemic may not be at its highest point like it was last year, but mitigation efforts are continuing.

Greene County Public Health Director Becky Wolf says no one wants to relive what happened last year at this time when both Greene County and Paton-Churdan School Districts had to cancel school a couple of days prior to their respective Thanksgiving breaks because the county’s 14-day positive rate for COVID-19 was close to 30-percent. She points out this year, both school districts are doing a very nice job of keeping low infection and exposure rates of COVID-19.

“And especially the school nurses, they are the unspoken heroes of the whole thing. Because they are dealing with sick kids, and parents, and teachers all day long, and trying to do their best.”

Greene County Superintendent Tim Christensen applauds the efforts of everyone helping to keep the spread of COVID-19 low, but it continues to be challenging times.

“One thing that we kind of talked about like there was a hope in July that this school year would be normal and it is not normal. It’s tough to put your mind in reverse to get back to accept the fact that it’s going to be as challenging as it is, I think that has been tough for people. I think everybody is doing the best they can under the circumstances. I really want to thank everybody for stepping up and again doing the best that they can.”

Wolf continues to advocate getting the COVID-19 and flu vaccinations as the best protection against respiratory illnesses as more events are now held indoors.