RANDOLPH COUNTY, N.C. — Randolph County Health Director Susan Hayes said she's encouraging people not to go to the graduation ceremonies planned for Saturday, with fear that more people could be at risk of getting coronavirus.
Graduation ceremonies are planned for several Randolph County high schools Saturday. Wednesday afternoon, the health department released information and guidelines about the state of coronavirus in Randolph County.
"We sort of felt like we needed to put some information out there that, from a public health perspective, would, one: encourage people not to go to graduation," said Randolph County Health Director Susan Hayes, "I know it’s a big deal. I understand and if there were any other time in our lifetime it would be different, but this is very serious business."
WFMY News 2 reached out to Randolph County school district officials. They declined an on-camera interview but said through e-mail there are no plans to change the July 25 date for the graduation ceremonies at this time.
The health department said it's been working closely with the district since the beginning of the pandemic.
The district said it's taking the following precautions during Saturday's outdoor ceremonies:
- Social distancing will be used among graduates at all times.
- Staff members and graduates will be required to wear a cloth face covering.
- Cloth face coverings will be provided for guests as resources are available.
- Handshaking will not be used during the ceremonies.
"It’s not something you want. We had another death today. Our hospital is getting inundated," Hayes said.
For mother Anna Ainesworth, this is the last time she'll get the chance to see a child of her own graduate.
"They’ve lost so much. They didn’t have proms. They didn’t have anything and I’m glad that they’ll at least be able to walk and get their diplomas in a traditional way," said Ainesworth.
She said she plans to wear a mask and adhere to the social distancing guidelines, and hopes others do, too.
"I just ask everyone to use caution and keep the distance, wear the masks. Do it for these kids. It’s all they’ve got left," she said.
Her daughter, Allison Lucas, said graduating is something she's worked hard for over the last decade of her life.
"I feel like it’ll be worth it because I’ve been waiting to graduate for the past twelve years," Allison Lucas said, "As long as people at risk don’t get it."
The health department said 611 cases have been recorded so far in the month of July and graduation-related events in nearby Union County created two different clusters.
"If they’re going to go, we need to give them some guidelines about what to do when they get there," Hayes said.
The health department said there are seven clusters in Randolph County at the time this writing, and laid out these guidelines for anyone attending a graduation ceremony:
- Sit six feet away from anyone who doesn't live inside your house.
- Wear a face covering.
- Bring and use hand sanitizer.
- Don't go to any post-graduation parties or gatherings.
- Avoid group graduation photos with people from outside of your household.
- Stay home if you've had coronavirus, been exposed to someone with coronavirus, or have symptoms of coronavirus in the past 14 days, even if they're mild.
Officials are reminding people that the safest way to stop the spread of coronavirus is to stay home.
"I wish if they were going to do graduation, they would’ve chosen a different way of doing it, but it is what it is. So, the best we can do is give the community tools and information they need to keep themselves safe and healthy," Hayes said.