I have found myself at a complete loss for words lately. I wasn’t even sure what to include in the Chamber Connection this week … what is relevant, what is important, what is changing so fast that we can’t even keep up? Then I remembered a poem I read at the Chamber banquet in February. I dug it out, reread it, and found some comfort … so I’m passing it along to you.
You be the sun,
I’ll be the moon—
Just let your light
Come shining through;
And when night comes,
Just like the moon,
I’ll shine the light
Right back to you.
Shine your light, my friends. Be kind. Be helpful. Be encouraging. Be the voice that someone needs to hear. Shine and shine and shine. Let it fill your life with goodness, for where there is light, darkness cannot be.
Restaurants: Most restaurants have moved to curbside service and some are even offering home delivery. Just call ahead and visit with your favorite restaurant, and they will bring your food out to you. You can also visit “Takeout Together” on Facebook and Instagram. This is a place where restaurants are publishing current information and items they are offering.
Banking: Alliance Bank, City National Bank, Guaranty Bank & Trust have closed their lobbies are banking by appointment. Most transactions can be handled online, and they are also available by phone.
Shopping: Most clothing stores are offering online shopping, curbside pickup, and even doorstep delivery. Please, please don’t forget about your favorite place to shop during this time. They are all fearful and need your help!
Groceries: Our grocery stores have changed their hours of operation. They are closing at nigh to disinfect and re-stock shelves. They are also limiting quantities of items that you can purchase. Hopefully, this will help distribute goods in a more effective manner.
Pharmacies: Our pharmacies are open. Some have closed their lobbies but can be reached through the drive through or curbside service.
Museums: All museums are closed to the public. Most of them still have staffers and can be reached by phone. Main St. Theatre is also closed.
Library, Senior Citizen Center: Closed indefinitely. Meal-A-Day is still making daily deliveries.
Hotels: All of our hotels are open for business and have increased their cleaning protocols.
Energy Companies: Our energy companies have closed their lobbies to visitors but can be reached by phone if needed.
Hospital: CHRISTUS has released these restrictions for hospital visitation…
- Only 1 visitor per patient, with the exception of pediatric or OB/Maternity patients, who may have 1 visitor and 1 support person.
- Visitors must be 16 years old and over.
- All visitors will be screened at the door, including a temperature taken.
- Visiting hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (subject to change)
- Only (1) entrance to the hospital, through Emergency Department 24/7
New effective 3/23/20:
- All associates will be screened each shift upon arrival to work, including a temperature taken
- Elective, non-essential surgeries, and medical and surgical procedures will be delayed until further notice.
- For primary care and specialty care, CHRISTUS is working to ensure patients may still see their provider for necessary appointments and is doing this by implementing telephonic visits and virtual visits using telemedicine.
In addition:
CHRISTUS is stocked with hand sanitizer, gloves, surgical and N95 masks, etc. – but is accepting donations. If people have them available beyond what they are using or need, and are willing to donate to the hospital, contact Holly Ragan at [email protected].
School districts in Hopkins County: All school districts in Hopkins County have moved to online learning.
SSISD: Free Meals Proviced by SSISD
As of Tuesday, March 17, SSISD Food Services is providing FREE meals for ALL SSISD students AND any community children who are between the ages of 1-18. Meals will be available for pick-up each Monday – Friday from 7:30 -11 a.m. until further notice. Students will be able to pick up one breakfast and one lunch meal at this time. Students do not have to attend any one of these campuses to participate. Pick-up areas will be curbside grab-and-go and will be held at the following locations across Sulphur Springs:
*SSES (Lee Street bus lane)
*Bowie (Mockingbird Lane student drop off/pick up lane)
*Bush (South bus lane circle to awning), and
*Douglass (Calvert Street awning).
Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Office, Civic Center: open at this time with limited staff
Chamber of Commerce: We, unfortunately, are postponing our Book Club opening and the Lunch + Learn scheduled for March 27th. These will be rescheduled. Our lobby is closed to visitors at this time. We are at the office from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily to answer questions by phone.
Business Highlight
During the year 2020, The Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce is highlighting a business each week. Please join me in congratulating our Business of the Week for March 26, Lake Country CASA.
