Granville Vance Public Health Logo

Town Talk 03/04/20: Harrison, G-V Public Health Director, Discusses Coronavirus

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

Lisa Harrison, director of Granville-Vance Public Health, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Wednesday at 11 a.m.

In light of recent news that North Carolina’s first case of confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) was reported in nearby Wake County, Harrison addressed the local health department’s response to the disease.

“Viruses change over time, and this is an emerging situation,” explained Harrison. “We at Granville-Vance Public Health are paying close attention daily to information that comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Division of Public Health, the State Health Director and our whole epidemiology team who are very involved right now with our response in the United States and in North Carolina.”

According to the CDC, coronavirus, much like a cold or the flu, can spread between people who are in close contact with one another and through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Those suffering from the virus are thought to be at least mildly contagious before showing symptoms but are more likely to infect others when they are the most symptomatic.

Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed cases. Symptoms, including fever, cough and shortness of breath, may appear 2-14 days after initial exposure.

The CDC recommends contacting a healthcare provider if you develop a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or if you have recently traveled to an area with an ongoing spread such as China, Iran, Italy, Japan or South Korea. Your healthcare provider will work with the public health department and CDC to determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19.

While not a time to panic, Harrison said it is important that residents seek credible sources for COVID-19 updates and take precautions to avoid exposure including:

  • Wash hands frequently with soap and water (at least 20 seconds each time)
  • Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed or washed hands
  • Avoid close contact with anyone who is sick
  • Cover mouth and nose with a tissue or bend of the arm when sneezing or coughing
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched

“I have a tremendous amount of confidence in the knowledge of your public health service,” Harrison said. “The most important thing to stress to individuals and families in Vance and Granville County is that everyone needs to continue to take precautions to protect themselves from the spread of any respiratory illness, including the flu and colds.”

A toll-free helpline has been established for those with questions about COVID-19 and can be reached by calling 1-866-462-3821.

You may also find additional information by visiting the Granville-Vance Public Health website at www.gvph.org and the CDC website at www.cdc.gov.

To hear the interview with Harrison in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

VGCC Students Find New Support System Through Men’s Academy

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

A unique, new program at Vance-Granville Community College is providing support, as well as new leadership opportunities, to male students.

The “Men’s Achievement Academy” began with an induction ceremony in October of 2019. Its stated mission is “to provide intentional support to male students that will empower them to accomplish their academic and career goals.” Any male student can join the academy, which boasts about 30 members currently.

VGCC student and Men’s Achievement Academy member Ronnie Brodie (pictured above) presents information on the Civil Rights Movement. (VGCC photo)

At the core of the program is mentoring, according to Jeffrey Allen, the college’s Dean of Student Retention & Success and an advisor for the program (alongside Marque Debnam, who heads the Paralegal Technology at VGCC’s Franklin Campus).

“Our students’ mentors are members of our faculty and staff who volunteer their time,” Allen explained. “We provide training to the mentors, and we expect each mentor and ‘mentee’ to meet at least once a month face-to-face. Some choose to meet more often. In between, they communicate regularly via email or text.”

The academy also meets as a group monthly. “We base the topics for the meetings on what these students are interested in,” Allen said. Some meetings have discussed networking, careers, and health.

Recently, the academy was in the spotlight after Allen and other staff talked to mentees about the college’s annual celebration of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. “We explained to them that traditionally, this had often been more of a community event than a student activity,” Allen recalled. “We said, if we want our students to come, then we should have the students plan it.”

That’s exactly what the Men’s Achievement Academy did. Two students in the program co-chaired the committee for the Martin Luther King event: Osvaldo Martinez of Granville County, a student in the Radiography program; and Nicholas Addesso of Franklin County, a student in the Associate in Arts (College Transfer) program.

“What they came up with blew my mind,” said Allen. “They took a whole different direction than I imagined. They wanted to teach people about the life and legacy of Dr. King themselves.”

The mentees developed posters about Dr. King and used those posters as teaching tools, which were presented to visitors during a floating event on VGCC’s Main Campus. Lunch was served to students who listened to the presentation and answered questions about what they had learned. The lunch was provided by the VGCC Endowment Office with support from several community sponsors: Franklin-Vance-Warren Opportunity, Inc.; Judge Randolph and Sarah Baskerville; Judge Henry and Mamie Banks; and Duke Energy.

Allen said the Men’s Achievement Academy is meeting a widespread need for male students, and for minority males in particular. “My research for my dissertation at North Carolina State University has been about student success for African American males,” he said. “Research shows that these students want to know they are supported by their college. So I hope this program helps to encourage more males to feel welcome attending Vance-Granville because they know there is a support system in place. And over time, we hope to see an impact on these students’ retention and completion rates.”

In addition to the strong role of mentoring by faculty and staff, Allen said one of the main pillars of the program is brotherhood. “We want the group to lean on each other and build relationships with each other, to provide support to one another and foster a sense of belonging,” he added.

“Dean Allen’s vision for this program and our male students being successful speaks volumes. The Men’s Achievement Academy is an important part of our student success agenda. We are supportive of the work of Dean Allen, Mr. Debnam and other faculty and staff who are mentoring the Academy participants,” said Levy Brown, vice president of Learning, Student Engagement & Success.

Currently, VGCC is recruiting a second group, or cohort, to join the Men’s Achievement Academy in the fall 2020 semester. That recruitment effort includes students who are about to graduate from high school. Allen hopes for students from the first cohort of the program to serve as peer mentors to members of the second cohort.

For more information on the Men’s Achievement Academy, contact Jeffrey Allen at (252) 738-3405 or allenjl@vgcc.edu or Marque Debnam at (252) 738-3619 or debnamm@vgcc.edu.

Granville County Logo

Mark Your Calendar: March & April Granville Co. Events

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-Information courtesy Granville County Government

LOCAL VETERANS OF ALL BRANCHES will be honored at the 6th Annual Veterans Appreciation Event, scheduled for March 7 at the Granville County Expo and Convention Center in Oxford. Hosted by the Granville County Veterans Affairs Committee, this event is scheduled for 2 until 4 p.m. and includes a guest speaker and a pinning ceremony. Call Veterans Services Officer Rodney Frazier at 919-693-1484 or committee chair Allan Strickland at 919-528-0098 for details.

LEARN TO SEW with a FREE sewing class offered through Granville County Senior Services’ Creative Lifelong Learning (CLL) program. This class is offered Mondays from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. during the month of March at the Granville County Senior Center in Oxford. The CLL program is not just for seniors! Contact Marilyn Howard at 919-693-1930 for more information.

JOIN THE DISCUSSION as the “North Carolina: Our Home” interest group meets monthly at the Granville County Senior Center in Oxford. The next meeting, which includes topics of interest about our state, is scheduled for March 10 at 9:30 a.m. There is no fee to participate! This discussion is offered through the Creative Lifelong Learning program. No registration is necessary.

THE SOVIET UNION is a topic for study as instructor George Robinson leads a class on Tuesdays beginning March 10. This program, “The Rise of the Soviet Union” is offered weekly until April 14 (10 a.m.) and is available through the Creative Lifelong Learning (CLL) program of Granville County Senior Services. To register, contact Marilyn Howard at 919-693-1930.

WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT RECYCLING? Movie Night will be held on March 12 at the Granville County Expo and Convention Center in Oxford as an original Netflix film, “Broken: Recycling Sham” will be held at 6:30 p.m. A question and answer session will follow. The public is invited to attend and there is no admission fee. Contact Recycling Coordinator Teresa Baker at 919-725-1417 or at bakertd@gcs.k12.nc.us for details!

TAX ASSISTANCE is available each Thursday through April 9 at the Granville County Senior Center in Oxford. Representatives of the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program are available from 5 until 8 p.m. for Granville County residents ages 60+. This is a free service and appointments are required. Call 919-603-1930 for more details.

GAMES ANYONE? During the months of March and April, come to an open game afternoon at the Granville County Senior Center in Oxford. This FREE activity includes board games and fellowship and will be held from 1 until 4:30 p.m. Call 919-693-1930 for more information.

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR HEALTH with a free nutrition program for adults, scheduled at the South Granville Senior Center. Each Friday for eight weeks, sample healthy foods, learn how to cook and eat better and take control of your diet. Programs are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. To register, call 919-528-0848. The South Granville Senior Center is temporarily located at 2539 Sam Moss Hayes Road in Creedmoor.

THE FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY will host a Book Sale on Sunday, March 14 at the Richard H. Thornton Library. Come browse through the selection of hardback and paperback books that cover a wide range of topics for all ages. Members of the Friends of the Library will be admitted at 10 a.m., with the public invited from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Contact the Library at 919-693-1121 for more details.

ENJOY YOGA AT THE LIBRARY as a class for beginners is offered at the South Branch Library in Creedmoor on Sunday, March 15. At 3 p.m. the public is invited to join in this free “Ivengar Yoga Class.”  Participants are asked to bring their own mat. Call the Library at 919-528-1752 for more details.

BEGINNING COMPUTER SKILLS CLASSES are being offered at the Richard H. Thornton Library. On Monday, March 16 at 6:30 p.m., participants can learn how to create their own Gmail account and how to navigate email. Registration is required. Call 919-693-1121 for more details.

LINE DANCING IS BACK at the Granville County Senior Center in Oxford. Classes are offered each Saturday during the month of March through the Creative Lifelong Learning (CLL) program and are scheduled for 10 and 11 a.m. You don’t have to be a “senior” to participate! Contact Marilyn Howard, CLL Coordinator, at 919-693-1930 for registration or for more details.

Officials Tour New Granville Co. Law Enforcement Center, Animal Shelter

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Information and photo courtesy Granville County Government

Granville County Commissioners, as well as representatives of the Sheriff’s Department, Animal Management, 911 Communications, Information Technology, the court system and county administration, toured the new Law Enforcement Center/Animal Shelter last week to get a first-hand look at the progress being made on both projects.

The new facility is located at 525 New Commerce Drive in Oxford, NC.

Scott Phillips, director of Granville County Development Services, led the group and explained that construction will be completed on time and on budget.

Move-in for the Sheriff’s Office is expected to begin in late-June of this year, with the Animal Management staff and 911 Communications to move in shortly after. The Detention Center will be the last phase of transition from existing to new facilities.

A groundbreaking ceremony for construction was held on March 12, 2019.

Please visit Granville County Government’s Facebook page for more details as the project nears completion.

Granville County Public Schools

Granville Co. Public Schools BOE Adopts Calendar Changes

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-Press Release, Granville County Public Schools

At their regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, March 2, 2020, the Granville County Board of Education approved several changes to the district’s academic calendars.

First, the Board approved changes to the current 2019-20 calendars as a result of the recent “snow day” which caused school to be canceled for students and staff on Friday, February 21. For students, that day was essentially “forgiven” as the district already had a surplus of instructional hours beyond the minimum the state requires in order to comply with calendar law. For staff, the missed day will now be replaced with an Optional Workday added to the end of the calendar in June.

These revised calendars are now posted to our district websites and will be made available in our schools as hard copies.

Next, the Board decided to discontinue the “dual-calendar” programs which are currently offered at Butner Stem Elementary School, Butner Stem Middle School and West Oxford Elementary School. These three schools currently offer both a traditional and a year-round calendar as options for students as part of the choice program. Beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, these schools will operate on the single, district-wide calendar.

In making their decision, the Board reviewed data about the program which showed declining enrollment, a lack of interest from parent surveys, increasing cost, and no clear changes in overall academic achievement for children.

Finally, the Board approved a NEW district-wide academic calendar for the 2020-2021 school year. This calendar differs from the current traditional calendar in that all students will report to school two weeks earlier than normal, with their first day back to school being Monday, August 10, 2020. The calendar also provides a longer winter break, with opportunities for students to participate in an “intersession” in early January. This optional intersession will provide students with innovative opportunities for enrichment, exploration and remediation, as well as clubs and extracurricular activities.

The calendar offers spring break right before Easter and ends with the last day for students occurring on Friday, May 26, 2021. An additional three-week intersession period is also offered for students in the month of June.

The Board cited several student-friendly features of this new calendar design, including finishing the first semester before the winter break, closer alignment with VGCC course schedules, intersession programs, better alignment with athletic programs, and more flexibility for offering professional development to improve teacher effectiveness.

The new calendar, dubbed an “innovative year-round” calendar, provides additional flexibility for the district in start and end dates, which makes many of these new features possible. The Board reviewed survey data to help inform their decision, which showed that of 1082 respondents, an overwhelming majority (644) chose this new calendar option as their first choice. Additionally, more respondents (415) chose the current traditional calendar design as their least favorite choice.

Board Chairman David Richardson commented, “I am pleased we can offer this new innovative approach that puts children first. The Board has made increasing academic performance its top priority, and we need to make sure our efforts focus on ways to best support our students and staff in this regard. We recognize there will be some adjustments to this new design and will work with families to help make the transition as smooth as possible.”

All schools except Granville Early College High School (GECHS) will follow this new, innovative calendar for the 2020-2021 school year. GECHS will follow a separate calendar mirroring that of its partner, Vance-Granville Community College.

Both the new 2020-2021 district calendar and the 2020-2021 GECHS calendar are posted on the district website and available in hard copy at schools.

Granville County Emergency Management

Granville Co. Emergency Services Offers Severe Weather Preparedness Tips

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-Press Release, Granville County Government

To encourage planning and preparation for severe weather, the first week of March is designated as Severe Weather Preparedness Week. The observance serves as a reminder of the importance of planning for unexpected thunderstorms and tornadoes.

North Carolina has between 40 and 50 thunderstorm days per year, and 10 percent of those are severe. Severe storms can produce hail an inch in diameter, winds of 58 mph or more or can produce a tornado. Last year, there were 928 incidents of severe thunderstorms across the state with damaging winds, as well as 91 incidents of flooding.

With warmer weather quickly approaching, now is the time to prepare for potential storms. These storms can develop so rapidly that having a plan in place beforehand is critical. Granville County residents are encouraged to learn more about severe weather safety and to develop a safety plan. Follow these safety tips to keep you and your loved ones safe during severe weather and tornadoes:

  1. Develop a family emergency plan so that each member knows what to do, where to go and who to call during an emergency. Practice your plan to be ready when severe weather strikes.
  2. Know the terms. WATCH means that severe weather is possible and to remain alert. WARNING means that severe weather is on the way and that all residents of the area should take shelter immediately.
  3. Assemble an emergency supply kit for use in your home or in your vehicle. Make sure to include a three-day supply of non-perishable food and bottled water.
  4. If driving, leave your vehicle immediately to seek shelter in a safe structure. Do not try to outrun a tornado in your vehicle, and do not stop under an overpass or bridge. If there is no shelter available, take cover in a flat, low-lying area.
  5. Stay alert by listening to NOAA radio, local television and radio. In addition, be sure you are signed up for CodeRED emergency alerts. This notification system is free and is provided to all Granville County residents and businesses.

Granville County Emergency Services encourages all residents to take time now to prepare. To enroll in Granville County’s CodeRED notification system, please visit granvillecounty.org. Click on the CodeRED logo located on the Emergency Management page, found under the Community heading.

To find out more about tornadoes, severe storms and emergency preparedness, visit the ReadyNC website at www.ReadyNC.org.

Granville County Public Schools

GCPS Working to Keep Students & Staff Healthy

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-Press Release, Granville County Public Schools

On Thursday, February 27, 2020, the GCPS District Safety Task Force convened for their regular monthly meeting. This group of approximately +/- 40 members has a laser focus on improving and protecting the safety, health and welfare of students and staff in our school district.

Superintendent McLean created the District Safety Task Force shortly after arriving in the district more than two years ago. Since that time, it has been extremely successful in addressing areas of concern with rapid and effective solutions. The Safety Task Force consists of a wide variety of stakeholders, including board members, law enforcement officers, first responders, health care officials, local elected officials, faith-based leaders, district administrators, school nurses, principals and, of course, parents.

At this recent meeting, one of the agenda items was COVID-19, or the “Coronavirus,” and how the district should plan and prepare for its potential threat. Currently, there are no confirmed cases in North Carolina, and the threat of the virus remains very low. In fact, the district has recently been more focused on absenteeism and illnesses caused by the common cold and influenza viruses. In just the past two weeks, some schools have had nearly 1/3 of students and staff out as a result.

The district’s immediate response to those outbreaks, as recommended by the CDC and the Departments of Health, largely focused on the following three tactics:

  • Practicing and encouraging good personal hygiene (Frequent and proper handwashing, coughing or sneezing in the bend of elbow or sleeve, using tissues, just being “courteous” with your space, etc.).

  • Thoroughly cleaning frequently touched surfaces or high traffic areas using Lysol or similar products which are highly effective at killing the viruses.

  • Staying home when sick, and avoiding people who are sick.

These three main tactics are highly effective against the spread of any such contagions and should be practiced by all, especially when considering the potential future threat of COVID-19.

One additional item of consideration is the use of facemasks. According to the CDC, the use of facemasks is NOT recommended for use by people who are well. Instead, only those who show symptoms should wear them, but ideally, those individuals should stay home and be isolated if possible.

Dr. McLean has already begun close dialogue and scheduled meetings with our local Health Department officials, school nurses and healthcare experts. “We are certainly not attempting to create a scare or undue alarm. Just like we drill, practice and prepare with any other potential threats, we are simply doing what is needed to keep our children and staff safe. After all, if you are ready, then you don’t have to get ready.”

The district continues to work with the Health Department and other experts to create action plans for the district. GCPS would like to thank everyone in the community in advance for their attention to this matter. The safety, health and well-being of everyone in our community is the top priority for GCPS!

Granville Tourism Development Authority Wins Regional Award

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-Press Release, Granville County Government

At their annual Southeast Tourism Society (STS) Connections Conference held in Little Rock, Arkansas, Granville County’s Tourism Director Angela Allen and the Granville County Tourism Development Authority (TDA) was recognized with the Best Marketing Shining Example Award for its “Uniquely Carolina” campaign.

Granville County Tourism Director Angela Allen was recently recognized with the “Shining Example” award by the Southeast Tourism Society. (Photo courtesy Granville Co. Govt.)

The “Uniquely Carolina” brand was unveiled at the 2019 Hot Sauce Festival this past September and has already received top honors by the North Carolina Travel Association. According to Allen, the need to refresh the brand was long overdue, as there was no consistent or unique brand message to deliver a compelling reason to visit Granville County.

As part of the re-branding process, Allen and the TDA Board of Directors interviewed over 100 county stakeholders, including industry partners, government officials, community leaders and local volunteers. They also conducted focus groups, with community outreach including the completion of surveys to residents, community leaders and teachers.

“We developed our brand with input from those in the community,” Allen explains. “Granville County offers outdoor spaces where visitors can come and relax, festivals and venues where they can gather with friends, and shops, restaurants, farms and markets where they can step away and discover Granville County. We really feel the new brand and identity captures our county and the tourism community.”

The Southeast Tourism Society is comprised of all states in the southeast, stretching beyond the Mississippi River to include Missouri, Arkansas and Louisiana. STS brings together tourism professionals from the state and local levels who share the mutual belief that regional promotion of tourism creates a powerful marketing alliance.

As part of this partnership, STS evaluates marketing programs of the 13 states in the southeast region, selecting three as the “best of the best.” The three winners are identified by size: smaller community, mid-size, and large city/state levels.

“We are thrilled to see Angela Allen win a Shining Example award for such a great campaign,” said Wit Tuttell, Vice-President of Tourism and Marketing for North Carolina. “This campaign does an excellent job focusing on the authentic experiences in Granville. That’s exactly what visitors want to know, and it fits perfectly with our efforts to promote ‘Firsts That Last’ for people who visit North Carolina.”

Additionally, the state of North Carolina was recognized with the marketing award on the state level.

“We are part of the Carolinas,” Angela further explains. “North Carolina has an incredibly positive image with residents and travelers. We want to continue to capture and reflect the attraction of being in North Carolina, so for the professionals across STS to recognize the work in Granville as the best across all 13 states in the region is actually a tribute to the whole community.”

For more information about Granville County’s “Uniquely Carolina” campaign, or to find out more about the local tourism industry, contact Allen at 919-693-6125 or at angela.allen@granvillecounty.org. Those interested in the local events and attractions that bring visitors to our area can also visit www.visitgranvillenc.com.

Granville County Public Schools

Granville Board of Education to Meet March 2

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-Information courtesy Granville County Public Schools

NOTICE TO PUBLIC AND PRESS

The Granville County Board of Education will meet for a regular board meeting on Monday, March 2, 2020, at 6 p.m. at the Central Services Building, 101 Delacroix Street, Oxford, North Carolina.

The Board will also meet in a Closed Session with the Board’s attorney in accordance with N.C. General Statute pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11(a) on this evening.

To view the agenda for this meeting, please click here.

Local Granville-Vance Health Director Attends White House Coronavirus Briefing

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-Information courtesy Granville County Government and Lisa Harrison

The local, Granville-Vance Public Health Director, Lisa Harrison, attended a White House Briefing this week about the Coronavirus.

On Tuesday, February 25, 2020, Harrison joined representatives from more than 30 states and territories for a federal/state/local discussion about Coronavirus. The point was for communities to be prepared.

Pictured (left to right) are Pramod Dwivedi, MS, MSW, MA, BSc, Linn County Public Health in Iowa; Jennifer Kertanis, MPH, President-elect of NACCHO and the Farmington Valley Health District, Connecticut; Lisa Macon Harrison, MPH, Granville Vance Public Health Director, North Carolina; and George Roberts, Jr., MHA, FACHE, President of NACCHO Northeast, Texas Public Health District, Texas. (Photo courtesy Granville Co. Govt.)

Harrison told WIZS News her biggest takeaway from the briefing is that all levels of government are working together to update, communicate and respond. She said, “Local, state and federal levels are committed to ensuring the public health and safety is the best it can be. We have an important job of communicating clearly and well during this time in a way that’s appropriate to this new virus and its risk, but that doesn’t land with people in a way that makes them panic anymore.”

Of course, it is flu season too, and Harrison said, “The flu virus is much more deadly and common in the U.S., and I find it interesting to balance people’s perception of risk with this new virus versus how people continue to shrug their shoulders and deny the flu vaccine.”

The NC Division of Public Health has a helpful web site (https://epi.dph.ncdhhs.gov/cd/diseases/COVID19.html) and a phone number people can call if they have questions.

Harrison added, “I need to stress that there are currently, as of today, no cases of novel coronavirus cases in NC.  Nobody needs to get a mask or worry unnecessarily at this point. We do suspect we will have a case in the future and are hopeful that like every other place in the US, the virus will be mild and people will recover fully.”

A 24-hour, main phone number for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is (919) 733-3419.

A Granville County Government press release said that in her role as regional representative/Board member for the National Association of County and City Health Officials, Harrison was one of approximately 40 state, county and city health officials invited to attend and participate in this briefing, which also acknowledged the leadership roles of state and local health officials in meeting community needs.