Over the past three weeks, those of us at The Post have worked to thoroughly cover the local impact of the COVID-19 virus; everything from the virus itself, its symptoms and tips on how to avoid it, to the societal and economic impact the virus has had on Vicksburg and Warren County.

We have been there when the casinos were forced to close because of extreme social distancing rules. We have been there for every press conference held by city and county leaders and were in the room as child nutritionists, teachers, administrators and officials from the Vicksburg Warren School District worked to pack lunches and load buses on the first day of the district’s feeding program.

We have talked to those afflicted with the virus and thankfully recovered from its effects. We have talked to business owners not sure if they can remain open in the midst of an economy grinding to a halt and we have been there when smiling faces have donated much-needed masks to first responders.

But while we have been at all these places, we have also been living right alongside those we have covered. While we have talked to high school seniors wondering about their future plans and whether or not they will have a graduation, we have gone back to our homes in Vicksburg and worried about our own children’s futures, their health and ways to keep them safe.

While we have covered runs on grocery stores and the shortage of items such as toilet paper and basic cleaning supplies, we have been there needing those items as well.

As I sit back and write this column, I have one eye on the news and another on my phone, waiting for a text from my wife about what I need to get from the grocery store or the drug store.

As I — and others in this newsroom — continue to head out each day to cover this and other stories, we do so knowing that some of our work cannot be done from home, it cannot be done remotely. We must still ask the questions, take the photographs and tell the stories. It is a job we are passionate about and blessed to be able to do.

These are unprecedented times for sure, but so too are the stories that are being shared.

It is a privilege to be alongside such community-driven journalists in sharing these stories, and it is an honor so many people, facing such uncertainty have been so welcoming in letting us tell their stories and sharing their lives with others.

As a loving husband and father, though, I cannot wait for this all to be behind us and the final COVID-19 story to be written.

 

Tim Reeves is editor of The Vicksburg Post. He can be reached at tim.reeves@vicksburgpost.com.