Grayson County Judge-Executive Kevin Henderson and Grayson County Health Department Director Josh Embry earned praise last week for their deft handling of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
While Henderson and many others on the government’s front line have done much more, Henderson is best known publicly as leading Grayson County’s COVID-19 briefings, broadcast on K105’s Facebook and YouTube pages.
The briefings began in late March before the updates became daily rituals in April as the number of new cases in Grayson County, now at 93, continued to grow.
Henderson is joined at every briefing from a representative of the Grayson County Health Department, most often, Embry. County Attorney Jeremy Logsdon and Twin Lakes Regional Medical Center CEO Wayne Meriwether have been frequent guests, as has Sheriff Norman Chaffins and Leitchfield Mayor Rick Embry.
The briefings, with Henderson setting the tone, are succinct, professional and offer a large amount of information in a relatively short period of time (the briefings rarely exceed 30 minutes). But beyond keeping the community abreast of state and county government mandates, how to best keep one’s family safe as well as always reminding viewers to fill out their 2020 census, Henderson has displayed considerable humanity when honoring the fatal victims of the virus.
Henderson, by offering a look into the victims’ lives, humanizes the victim and makes viewers realize the person is more than a number. The sight of Henderson reading a letter offering insight into the victim’s life, written by the victim’s family, also adds a coating of urgency and stark reality to the health crisis the county and country are facing.
“He’s doing a phenomenal job, a phenomenal job,” Sen. Steve Meredith said about Henderson. “I texted Kevin … and told him how proud I was of him. You know, with all the talking heads we’ve seen over the past few weeks at the federal level (and) state level, Kevin is on par with them. He has done a magnificent job and I really commend him. We are lucky to have him as our county judge-executive.”
Along with Henderson, Embry has offered the community, both at briefings and via the health department’s Facebook page (which has nearly tripled its Facebook followers during the pandemic), much-needed, key information regarding all aspects of the virus and important mitigation information. He has also continued to manage the health department’s day-to-day operations, and considering Embry, 30, was only recently hired as the health department’s director, he has seemingly handled the transition with great aplomb.
“Judge Henderson has done a tremendous job keeping our community updated during COVID-19. I am proud of his servant leadership and dedication to Grayson County,” Rep. Samara Heavrin recently said before adding, “I would like to applaud our Grayson County leadership for working together during this pandemic. Especially our new Public Health Director Joshua Embry. He is a great asset to our community.”
As Grayson County moves forward during this pandemic, continue to watch Henderson’s briefings on K105’s Facebook and Youtube pages, or listen on K105. Henderson, Embry and other officials will hold two briefings this week, on Monday and Friday, but others could be added if the need arises. Both briefings are scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
