Grayson County Attorney Jeremy Logsdon announced at Monday’s Grayson County coronavirus (COVID-19) briefing that a non-essential Leitchfield business was forced to close Monday morning.
“We want to remind business owners that if you are not listed as an essential business on the executive order 2020-257, then you are non-essential, and you must remain closed” Logsdon said. “State enforcement offices, along with the Grayson County Health Department and my office, take no pleasure whatsoever in shutting down businesses. However, when it comes to defeating this pandemic by preventing the unnecessary spread of this disease, we take our responsibilities very seriously.”
Logsdon said the businesses ordered closed, Grooming by Teresa (obtained via an Open Records Request), was “shut down” Monday morning by Grayson County Health Department Director Josh Embry, Sheriff Norman Chaffins and Logsdon. The Enforcement Notice, originating with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (Department for Public Health), says the cease and desist order was executed because of non-compliance “with the governor’s executive order 2020-257,” closing non-essential businesses in Kentucky.
“So, my reminder is also a plea to all those underground hairdressers, dog groomers, manicurists, or any other non-essential business owners who are operating right now under the radar … please stop,” Logsdon begged. “Do us all a favor and please just stop. You may think it won’t hurt for you to hustle and make some good money right now, but it does hurt. It hurts the family who will have to take their little girl to Twin Lakes (Regional Medical Center) to have a swab stuck to the back of her sinuses; (it hurts) the family who will not get to be with their elderly father when he passes away in isolation. Please, you may not think this is a big deal, but I guarantee it is a big deal to the families of the one’s that contracted COVID-19 through your actions.”
Conversely, Logsdon was effusive in his praise of the non-essential business owners who have complied with the governor’s executive order.
“In contrast, I want to personally thank the 99.9 percent of the local non-essential businesses that are in compliance. The citizens of this county will remember who helped them; the citizens of this county will remember who sacrificed during this time for the greater good, for the health and well-being of our families and friends,” Logsdon said. “To you who remain in compliance, I take my hat off to you. I want to thank you and I hope that our citizens will thank you as well. Your compliance shows not just your patriotism, but it shows your love for this community, a love that will come back to you when this is over. You are heroes.”
The county attorney then took time to thank essential businesses for the service they are providing.
“Heroes also exist in those essential businesses that remain open,” he said “Those businesses that keep us fed, clothed, and our homes and vehicles operating. How encouraged I am by seeing the lengths that these businesses have went to, to prevent the spread and at the same time provide us with our necessities. To you, I also take my hat off.”
Lastly, Logsdon expressed his appreciation for people toiling in the medical community during this most trying of times.
“These heroes are just like the heroes I keep hearing about in the local medical community,” Logsdon noted. “Nurses who refuse to go home so they can continue to help COVID-positive patients. Medical staff putting in great hours and great efforts. Health department workers putting in tremendous hours; dispatchers, jailers, police officers, emergency management, all standing on the front lines of this pandemic.
“Here is my message today: We are nowhere near out of this thing,” Logsdon added. “And we need heroes. We need them big and we need them small. Please, to those who are helping, keep it up. To those who are new to this fight or are thinking about jumping in, be encouraged and do what you can. Every little bit helps.”
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
