The Lycoming County Commissioners did not meet the week of March 22nd, but this does not mean that county government has come to a standstill. Normally, I receive a press release from the county perhaps once or twice a month but in March they have been coming in at two or three a week. Some of this may be a bit dated by publication time, but unless any different information has been forthcoming, these same restrictions will undoubtedly stay in force. It is hard to summarize all this, but I will do my best:

Government Operations — the county is abiding by state disaster emergency directives and limiting county government to mission essential staffing through April 1st. As much as possible, the public is urged to utilize the on-line resources available at http://www.lyco.org or calling the respective office also available on the website to determine what could be accomplished without having to come into an office.

Courts — by order of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, all PA courts including Trial and Magisterial Courts are closed to the public for non-essential functions through at least April 3rd. Like Governor Wolf’s edict (see below), it is important to know what is “essential.” These are emergency bail review and habeas corpus hearings, probation/parole violation hearings, bench warrant hearings, juvenile delinquent detention, juvenile emergency shelter and detention hearings, temporary protection from abuse hearings, emergency petitions for child custody or guardianship, civil mental health reviews, emergency equity civil matters, any pleading or motion relating to public health concerns and involving immediate and irreparable harm, and (the wiggle room clause) any other function deemed by a President Judge to be essential consistent with constitutional requirements. Per those directives, Lycoming County President Judge Butts has directed that preliminary hearings, arraignments, guilty pleas, and sentencing for incarcerated defendants will be held via video conference. Questions relating to all these matters as well as specifics relating to magisterial district courts can be found on the county government website: lyco.org

Recycling — the Lycoming County Resource Management Services is suspending its recycling program until April 1st, and possibly longer depending on how the situation develops. Recycling boxes are locked or removed and leaving any material at the site is considered illegal dumping. In addition, Director Jason Yorks emphasizes that all garbage should be discarded in bags and not place loosely.

Gov. Wolf’s Business Closings — On Saturday, March 21st, Governor Tom Wolf issued an order for all “non-life-sustaining businesses” in the Commonwealth to close their physical locations. What is considered ‘essential’ deserves an entire feature by itself, which can be found in my LION (Leaders in our Neighborhood) article in this issue. For the most part, these are common sense. For example, farming related to crop and animal production are okay but any kind of forestry is not. Food manufacturing is good, but any kind of textile or apparel manufacturings is not. Paper manufacturing is necessary, (have to keep that toilet paper rolling), but apparently wood product manufacturing is not. Construction of buildings is on hold, but not manufacturing related on heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning equipment. On hold are also construction on buildings, highways, and bridges. Curiously, electrical component and semiconductor manufacturing is considered life-sustaining, but the actual construction of the products these would be used in is not. (With the one exception being medical equipment and supplies manufacturing, thank goodness!)

It would seem that the coronavirus is an Equal Opportunity Destroyer, creating an environment where nothing is untouched. As awful as all these disruptions are, suffering through a horrible disease and possibly death is obviously much worse. So, buckle up for a rocky ride, but be assured, we will get to the end of this sooner or later.