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Like the rest of the country, leaders in Davie County are trying to be proactive when dealing with the current coronavirus pandemic.

On Monday, a state of emergency was declared to make access to state and federal resources easier to obtain, as well as helping to contain the COVID-19 virus.

The county website, www.daviecountync.gov, has up-to-date information. The county also created a COVID-19 hotline at 336-753-6750.

All county and town meetings have been canceled at least through the beginning of April. Schools are closed for at least two weeks. Courts have been postponed. While town and county offices and the courthouse remain open, anyone with government business is asked to try to accomplish it online or by telephone.

Many churches have canceled services and events such as breakfasts. The Center BBQ has been postponed. The Daniel Boone Family Festival, scheduled for the first Saturday in May, was moved to the first Saturday in June.

The best advice is to check ahead before traveling to an event.

Some private businesses are changing the way they do business, including restaurants.

On Monday, Restaurant 101 in Downtown Mocksville was seating diners at every other table, trying to keep patrons the six feet from one another as is recommended to prevent spread of the virus. Next door at O’Callahan’s Publick House, the annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration on Tuesday was scaled down, with no dancers or bagpipers as had been scheduled.

Many of the fast food restaurants are offering drive-through only. Restaurants are largely open, and many are expanding take-out efforts.

Kip Miller, owner of Miller’s Restaurant in Mocksville, said it will remain open for people who wish to dine inside. It is beginning to offer curbside pickups, with designated parking spaces for those vehicles. Call the order in to 336-751-2621, and an employee will bring it to your vehicle. He didn’t notice much of a change in business over the weekend, but said Monday’s crowd was down considerably.

“We’ll be open as long as they’ll let us,” Miller said.

More restaurants will likely offer that service, as well. Call ahead and ask when ordering.

County Manager John Eller, in an online post to residents, said:

“Davie County government is adhering to lessons learned from others who have dealt with this and is taking measures to contain it locally. As of this morning (Monday), there are 32 confirmed cases in North Carolina.

“We need to be realistic that it is likely a matter of time when, not if, we have a positive/confirmed case in Davie County. There are residents of Davie County who have been tested with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 (results pending), but there are no confirmed cases in the county.”

They urge people to avoid visiting patients in hospitals, or residents at nursing homes and long-term care facilities.

The YMCA is closed at least through March 29.

“Davie County citizens and business leaders are facing one of the hardest hitting issues that our community has faced,” said Chuck Taylor, chair of the Davie Chamber of Commerce. “I would be lying if I said that I am not even a little worried about the unknown future we find ourselves facing.”

Like many, he is shuffling taking care of his family with keeping a job.

“As a small business owner, I find myself concerned about how this virus will change my business. As a man of faith and a former pastor, I know that God is not surprised by this virus. I confidently trust God for my concerns. I also have a responsibility to make wise choices that have a direct or even indirect impact on others.”

Working from home isn’t an option for many in the manufacturing businesses around the county, and those employees face their own challenges – whether to work with an increased risk at exposure to the virus, or do without a paycheck. “Both of these options can feel quite scary,” Taylor said.

“Our commitment is not to make decisions based on fear, but rather on responsibility,” he said. “We have touted the need to shp local for years, but now more than ever, it is imperative. We implore you to consider the livelihood of your neighbors.”

It is also a time to be creative, such as figuring out how to offer products and services from six feet away.

“When this crisis ends, we believe Davie County will emerge as a harbinger of hope, not a place of fear,” Taylor said.