As Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb was announcing the state’s first death from COVID-19, state senator Mike Crider was reminding Hancock County residents of the importance of adhering to warnings surrounding the disease.

“I ask that people take the threat seriously,” Crider told Giant FM.

Crider knows a thing or two about disasters, having run the disaster management system at Hancock Health and having experience pertaining to what a surge in cases could mean.

“I know what a challenge a surge of patients causes, especially when the surge effect isn’t from a local event and is widespread,” he said.

Crider is confident Hancock Health and other hospitals are prepared, should individuals begin showing up in emergency rooms and need care due to a huge outbreak in Indiana.

“All hospitals I am aware of are well prepared to handle mass casualty events and have agreements with other systems to take diverted patients when they are at capacity, but the challenge is respiratory in nature and the infection is widespread, the ability to handle it is extra stressed,” Crider told Giant FM.

Crider told Giant FM it is imperative the flattening of the curve and social isolation are discussions that happen.

As for Holcomb announcing the closure of restaurants and bars and banning in-person large events, Crider said it is part of it.

“The governor has extensive powers during a declared emergency that include both waiving laws like he has done to allow truck drivers to exceed their operating hour limitations by executive order and to restrict activities that will compromise the ability to contain the situation. I think he and others have done a good job,” Crider said.