Whenever I start a conversation about COVID-19, I look to two sources – raw statistics and the analysis of public health & infectious disease experts that have devoted their lives to studying something like the novel coronavirus.  The numbers alone say a lot.

Let’s start with the numbers from the Fishers Health Department.  For those living within the city limits, 39 souls have died due to COVID.  Since the virus appeared on the scene last March – 3,490 in our city have tested positive.  Those numbers and many other metrics have placed our city in a red Level 4 status, the highest level of risk for COVID.

In the State of Indiana, more than 5,000 Hoosiers have died after contracting the virus.  The numbers state-wide are bad and getting worse.  Nationwide, more than a quarter of a million (250,00) Americans have died from COVID

I could cite lots of other numbers but it would just cause your head to spin.  However, here is one that I believe is important….more than 20,000 coronavirus tests have been conducted by the City of Fishers.  Another testing site is being opened aimed at students and staff at our local school district, Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools.

Mayor Scott Fadness absorbed a lot of criticism for creating a city health department, something only a handful of municipalities in Indiana have done.  It should be noted the City of Indianapolis extends its boundaries to the county line so the Marion County Health Department is essentially the City of Indianapolis health department.

A major reason Mayor Fadness created the department? –  there was no plan for testing and he felt at that time, and continues to believe, that availability of testing is key to the health of the population and to businesses located in Fishers.  Testing for residents of Fishers is offered for free and local businesses have access to testing for their staff for a fee.

To my knowledge, no local government in Indiana is offering a testing program as extensive as the Fishers program.  I do not agree with the critics of the mayor’s action.  I believe the testing program is an important ingredient in fighting this virus.

Now, let’s talk about the HSE Schools.  I recorded candidate podcasts for all 7 members of the current school board during their election campaigns.  I have not been able to attend school board meetings in person but have monitored all their meetings online since about April.

I know each member of that board wants to have every student back in their classrooms.  But each school board member also has a responsibility for the health and safety of students and staff.

The board voted last week to have all classes held virtually for all grade levels.  The reason this was necessary is that there are lots of teachers and other staff members either positive with COVID or have been exposed to someone testing positive and must quarantine for 14 days or more.

That has created a serious staffing problem for the local schools.  The number of available substitute teachers has dwindled dramatically since March.  Administrators at all levels had been handling classrooms left unstaffed.  Many teachers volunteered to staff a classroom during their preparation period.  In extreme cases, classes had to be combined, but that means students must be put closer together, bringing with that increased danger of spreading the virus.

This staffing issue is what caused HSE Schools to go all-virtual.  Classrooms must be staffed with an adult in charge.

Mayor Fadness sent out a blunt message soon after the school board meeting where all-virtual classes were approved.  In a podcast interview with me a few days later, he continued to stand by his statement but had regrets that not everyone interpreted his message in the way he claims it was intended.

As we enter the Thanksgiving holiday season, the public health experts are strongly recommending that families stay away from large gatherings as many have had in the past.  I am the oldest of six children and we traditionally have had a large celebration.  Adding up my brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, their children and some cousins sprinkled-in, we end up with quite a large party.  The Lannan family will not be doing that this year.  We will each have much smaller events, abiding by the experts’ advice.

I know we are not alone.  Contact tracing data from the Fishers Health Department show that in recent weeks, virus transmission has been happening mostly within homes & families, including events like weddings and birthday parties.

This is a case where we all must dig into our souls and determine the right thing to do under these extreme circumstance of a major pandemic.

Returning to the issue of schools, there is something leaders in this community can do.  This may already be happening but I have no inside information either way.

HSE Schools are in desperate need of substitute teachers in order to bring grades up to the 4th back into the classrooms, and bring back grades 5 & 6 back in-person 50% of the time.  Let’s start a program to encourage people in our community to become substitute teachers.

This is where the mayor can take a leadership position.  Perhaps the mayor could encourage those on the city payroll to volunteer a few days each month as a teaching sub.  Local employers could do the same.  Leaders in this community, service clubs and local nonprofit groups could be part of a campaign to recruit more substitute teachers.

I often hear local people ask what they can do to help the schools and here is a perfect example.  If you are not in a position to be a substitute teacher yourself, there is a good chance you know one or more people that would be in such a position.

As I have written before in this space, I contracted COVID-19.  I had symptoms.  That was not a pleasant experience, but I was lucky.  There were no hospital visits and even though I am in a high-risk group in more ways than one, at this point it appears I have made a full recovery.

My twin daughters are adults in their mid-20s now, but my wife Jane & I often talk about how hard it would be if our girls were in elementary school and we needed to support them in virtual learning.  I feel for all the parents dealing with that now.

I know the community is very divided on some of the COVID issues, particularly as it applies to the schools.  We have a major crisis.  I would argue we need to find enough common ground to come together as best we can to deal with the worst pandemic to hit the United States in 100 years.

I will be watching the Fishers community in the days and weeks to come.  Let’s agree to fight this virus and its local impact together.