Newspaper Page Text
Vol. 141, No. 29 - Waynesboro, Ga. 30830
Established in 1882
Wednesday, September 8, 2021 - $1.00
COVID testing options expand here
SHELLIE SMITLEY
thetruecitizen.shellie@gmail.com
As the number of infected with
COVID-19 continues to increase,
Burke County residents may need to
think about way to manage the vims
long-term.
COVID-19 is unlikely to be going
away completely, US Surgeon Gen
eral Vivek Murthy said in a Septem
ber 6 article published by Politico.
"It is really important that we con
vey that success does not equal no
cases," Murthy said. "Success looks
like very few people in the hospital
and very few dying."
The article states that epidemiolo
gists now expect the coronavirus to
become a normal part of life.
“Over time, human immunity will
keep growing through vaccination
and natural infection; that’s already
started. Scientists will develop new
treatments. Eventually, Covid can
become one of many diseases that
circulate, that sometimes even kill,
without bringing the world to a dead
ly standstill,” according to Politico.
Currently, the vaccines are the best
bet for keeping safe. Area pharma
cies and Georgia Department of
Public Health persist in offering free
vaccinations. Masks, social distanc
ing and hand sanitizer continue to be
important practices. Avoiding large
crowds, especially indoor events, is
something that, for now, people must
accept or take their chances. Even
vaccinated individuals can experi
ence breakthrough cases, however
most exhibit more minor symptoms,
according to health professionals.
An important part of the preven
tion of spreading the virus is testing.
As the vaccine clinics increased,
the availability of testing sites de
creased, making it more difficult
to accurately diagnose less severe
cases, not requiring hospitalization.
Failure to properly diagnose contrib
utes to the spread.
There are two types of COVID-19
tests; viral and antibody. Viral tests
identify the virus in samples from
the respiratory system, such as swabs
from inside the nose, according to
the GaDPH website. Polymerase
chain reaction (PCR) tests detect
genetic material (RNA) that is a part
of the vims. PCR is the best way to
determine if someone has a current
COVID-19 infection. Antigen tests
detect viral protein that is part of
the vims. They are known to be less
reliable than PCR tests for detecting
current infections.
SEE
Antibody tests check
the blood for antibod- COVID,
ies associated with past 10A
Reflections
Twenty-year anniversary of 9/11
serving this community.
I think all of the people I work with, regardless of
whether they are fire, EMS or law enforcement, are
heroes. They sacrifice large portions of their lives
in order to keep people, most often total strangers,
safe and give them the peace of mind that they are
being served by tme professionals.
Saturday, Sept. 11,2021, marks 20 years since
our nation was marred by terrorists. The shock and
devastation of that day is embedded in American
history forever, and the thousands of innocent lives
lost will not be forgotten. We dedicate this week’s
issue in memory of those who perished in the cmel
and senseless attacks.
Below, some of our local heroes weigh in on 9/11,
then and now.
RITA PALMER
INVESTIGATOR, WAYNESBORO POLICE
DEPARTMENT
During 9/111 was in seventh grade English class.
It terrified me because my dad was a tmck driver
that made deliveries from Ohio to New York all the
time. I had no idea if he was there or not.
I got into law enforcement to help make a differ
ence in my community for my kids. I think the 9/11
attack changed the mind frame of a lot of people in
wanting to help protect their loved ones.
Twenty years later, we have a
stronger security at the airports.
It helps, no matter how annoy
ing it is to get to and from your
CHIEF STEVE MATHEWS
BURKE COUNTY EMA
I was on duty at Station 5 in Girard. I was mow
ing the grass. My partner came outside and told me
a plane had flown into the World Trade Center. I
initially thought it was an accident. When I realized
what was happening, I wondered how many people
were going to die before it was over.
9/11 made me feel more protective. I believe
interoperability and being able to communicate
between different agencies has improved dramati
cally since then.
My love of Burke County and the people of Burke
County is what motivates me, daily, to continue
SEE
REFLECTIONS
Former Sardis Councilman
Arthur Long dies at age 78
SHELLIE SMITLEY
thetruecitizen.shellie@gmail.com
Arthur Long, who served on the
Sardis City Council for 17 years
died September 2 due to COVID-19
complications.
A statement from the City of Sardis
September 7 said the following: “
Mr. Arthur Long served on Sardis
City Council for seventeen years.
During 2015 - 2019, he was ap
pointed as Mayor Pro-tem.
He resigned on July 13th, 2021,
due to ongoing health issues. Every
one in the community is saddened by
the loss of Mr. Arthur Long. He was
kind and generous and served on the
city council in an effort to help lo
cal businesses and the people in our
community.
He was loved
and respected
by everyone
in our small
community
and will be
missed. Our
hearts go out
to Ms. Ruth
and family.”
Long was vac
cinated according to his niece,
council woman Rolene Oliver. He re
signed from his position in July due
to underlying medical conditions.
Oliver served on the panel with him
for the approximate four
years prior to his passing. SEE
“He always had a smile LONG,
and a kind word,” she g A
Arthur Long
FARM FEST THIS SATURDAY
This Saturday, we celebrate the farmers.
The Waynesboro Shrine Club will present its 19th Annual Farm Fest on
Sept. 11, in a day-long event that honors farmers, individuals and businesses
who support the county through agriculture.
Gates open at 9 a.m. at the Southern Bank Pavilion, located at the corner of
Liberty and Ninth streets. The annual parade will begin through Downtown
Waynesboro at 10 a.m. along Liberty Street, featuring new and vintage tractors
among its many participants. There will be performances from local dance
studios, watermelon and pie eating contests, kiddie rides and bounce houses,
crafts and other live entertainment throughout the day. Vendors will also be
on hand selling baked goods and a variety of other items.
Admission to the Farm Fest is free and open to the public.
RACKS BY THE TRACKS
Another Farm Fest tradition will continue on Saturday with the annual Racks
by the Tracks cook-off. Teams will compete for who has the best rib grilling
skills in town, and the public is invited to come out to taste test. Judging begins
at noon, and the prize purse totals $1,300. And that’s not all. Judges will be
hand plucked from the audience to judge a separate, for-fun contest that will
show off participants ’ ability to cook chicken. For more information or to join
in on the contest, send an email to farmfestinfo@yahoo.com.
New voting laws change absentee ballot procedures
SHELLIE SMITLEY
thetruecitizen.shellie@gmail.com
The Board of Elections met Tues
day and discussed changes brought
about by new voting legislation.
New election laws mandate that
workers monitor drop box activities.
People will no longer be allowed to
drop off absentee ballots in large
quantities.
“To have an absentee ballot, you
have to be a part of that immediate
family,” said Chairman Harrison
Simpson.
Vice-Chairman Ed Burke agreed
and added that caregivers are also
allowed to drop them off.
“You shouldn’t be bringing in
more than one or two absentee bal
lots,” he said. “Because then you are
getting into ballot harvesting.”
Election workers must confiscate
handfuls of absentee ballots and then
they have three days to contact the
voters. The situation is not uncom
mon and Burke County people have
been known to bring in dozens of
ballots at a time, said Simpson.
“We will take them, but we don’t
have to count them,” he said and
pointed out that the deadline changed
also.
Now, applications for absentee
ballots must be received by the elec
tion office by the 11th day before the
election. Registering to vote must
be completed 30 days before the
election. The last week before early
voting, the board will not accept any
applications.
“We have to get this information
out to the folks,” Simpson said.
The following announcement was
made concerning the upcoming spe
cial election:
“A special election shall be held in
Burke County to fill the vacancy in
the office of Burke County School
Board District 5 caused by death
of the Honorable John M. (Johnny)
Jenkins. The special election will
be held on November 2,2021 along
with the election of
city council mem- SEE
hers and a vote of V0T|NG LAWS;
the packaged liquor ^
The Board of Elections met Tuesday.
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