By: Ray King
Jefferson County Judge Gerald Robinson said Friday that he is optimistic that things will get better but “things are going to get tough in the near future.”
Speaking on the Morning Show with Greg Horne and Will Jenkins, Robinson said that while he did not have an exact figure, the number of houses has increased since he first reported that there were just over 50 homes that were quarantined. Most of them in the Pine Bluff City limits.
He also said that the courthouse has been open on a limited basis to allow for early voting for two races, one of those to represent Ward 2 on the Pine Bluff City Council, the other District 13 on the Jefferson County Quorum Court.
“The numbers are not that high,” Robinson said, “but people are trickling in.”
On Thursday, the State Department of Health announced a directive prohibiting gatherings of more than 10 people in indoor and outdoor settings, and previously, an order was issued closing barber shops, beauty shops, tattoo parlors, and other businesses. Previous orders closed gyms, indoor seating at restaurants and some other businesses.
Robinson said he hoped it won’t be necessary to close other types of businesses, and also hoped that that people will abide by the closings.
Asked about the mood of Jefferson County residents, Robinson said the reaction has been mixed, with most people taking the situation seriously but that a few others are not.
“They really should,” Robinson said. “This is a very dangerous situation.”
