Thoughts about the Coronavirus

I wanted to share some thoughts about what is happening now with events being cancelled and businesses closing temporarily.  Here in Haywood County, schools are closed for at least 2 weeks, as our governor declared all K-12 schools must close for at least 2 weeks.  In neighboring Buncombe County (Asheville) schools will be closed for 3 weeks, and possibly longer.  There has been some discussion in Buncombe County of closing schools through the end of the school year.

Here in Haywood County, many people are laying low at home, although no cases of the virus have been found in our county.  The closest case so far is in Watauga County at Boone.  Our local grocery stores still have toilet paper, although there has been some panic buying of staples.  Yesterday at Ingles in Waynesville, many items were getting low on the shelves, but Pat, the manager, said they were unloading a truck full of groceries in the rear of the store.  Our grocery stores have also announced shorter hours due to the virus.  Ingles will now be closing at 10PM and Publix is now closing at 8PM.

Cataloochee Ski Area here in Maggie Valley announced they would be closing as of yesterday for the season.  They still had plenty of snow, but decided having hundreds of customers in close proximity would not be a good idea.

Some restaurants in Asheville have announced they will be open for carry-out orders only.

The governor has also issued an executive order banning mass gatherings of 100 or more people.

Feel free to call us directly if you have any questions about closings.  Call Paul at 828-421-3655, or Danny at 828-734-1120

I must add that we feel much safer here in the mountains than if we were in a large city.