Small local businesses continue to see changes during the COVID-19 pandemic, including hardware and paint stores.

For these specific Wabash businesses, Big City Paints and Do it Best Wabash Hardware, business has been either the same, or more than usual.

Big City Paints owner Sam Frazier said that although they were not seeing a lack of business at the popular local paint store, the decision was made to close through April 6.

“We have been exceptionally busy. Business has been great,” said Frazier. “People have been kind and patient.  My reason for closing is now my personal fear of being exposed. I have Multiple Sclerosis. My health and others health are more important than sales and money. With so many people driving here from other counties I am exposed even more.”

Gov. Eric J. Holcomb delivered a statewide address today to order that Hoosiers remain in their homes except when they are at work or for permitted activities, such as taking care of others, obtaining necessary supplies, and for health and safety. The order is in effect from March 25 to April 7.

“The next two weeks are critical if we are to slow the spread of COVID-19, and we must slow the spread. You must be part of the solution, not the problem,” Gov. Holcomb said.

The first positive case of COVID-19 in Indiana was reported on March 6. Since then the number of positive cases has increased on a near daily basis, escalating as the capacity to test has grown. As of this morning, the number of tests completed in Indiana is 1,960, the number of positive cases is 259 and 7 deaths have been reported.

“I’m setting the example by sending state government personnel home to work to the maximum extent possible and closing our facilities to public interaction beginning Tuesday, for at least the next two weeks,” said Gov. Holcomb.

Two groups of dancers from The Dance Experience Company in Wabash earned an invitation to the Worlds competition.

The hopeful dancers traveled to Zionsville on the weekend of March 6 to compete. Many dance groups were taken to the competition and two of them received Golden Tickets which symbolizes an invitation to the Worlds competition in July.

The Dance Experience Company is committed to encouraging all dancers to strive for excellence and enjoy the journey along the way,” said Hannah Napier, director of The Dance Experience.

As everyone knows, COVID-19 is having an impact on many aspects of life, most of it negatively.

However, there is one area where it is a plus – the city’s stormwater sewer separation project.

“The Cass Street project is progressing well, and with the closure of the YMCA and Honeywell Center for a period time, that actually works to our favor,” Mayor Scott Long told The Paper of Wabash County. “It is anticipated that (workers) will be at the intersection of Market and Cass streets within 30 days, so less traffic at the Honeywell Center will help them get pipe in the ground.

“That is the only blessing from this COVID-19 outbreak.”

Local government buildings around Wabash County are virtually all on lockdown as a way to fight the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Public buildings in the City of Wabash have restricted access, as do the Wabash County Courthouse, Lagro Town Hall, LaFontaine Town Hall, North Manchester Town Hall and Roann Town Hall.

“This step is not being taken without great forethought and is the result of recommendations from organizations at the state and federal level to mitigate personal contact,” Mayor Scott Long said in announcing the change on March 17. “The City of Wabash website offers online bill pay services, wastewater, ambulance billing, building department permits and city court offers pay by phone services.

“I encourage citizens paying wastewater at that office to use the drive thru kiosk to pay the bill.”

On the county level, the Courthouse and Wabash County Health Department are closed to the public except by appointment, County Coordinator Jim Dils said announcing the closure on March 19.

Wabash County businesses, like many across the country, are starting to feel the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Mom and pop operations are especially impacted by the current situation. Restaurants and bars are especially impacted by Gov. Eric Holcomb’s mandate to close to in-house dining, limiting service to delivery, drive-in or carry-out.

“We are very fortunate that our business in Wabash already catered to delivery, carry-out and access of a drive-thru window,” said Terri Weaver, who with her husband, Dean, own Goodfella’s Pizza. “Our new location in North Manchester also caters to delivery and carry out, but our dine-in service also did very well in Manchester.

“As a result of the current restrictions, our sales are down somewhat in Manchester, but again we are thankful that other areas of our business, such as delivery, have picked up at that location.”

But, she said, any further restrictions will hurt many small businesses.

“Of course, if restrictions tighten and they only allow delivery, that will be tough for any mom and pop business,” Weaver said. “We are praying for the best. We are unsure of the long-term effect that this will have on our economy and, of course, small business.

The May 5 Primary Election has been postponed until June 2, Gov. Eric Holcomb announced on Friday, March 20.

That comes as a bit of relief for the Wabash County Election Board.

“We are having major issues with the May 5 date,” Wabash County Clerk Lori Draper told The Paper of Wabash County. “We have lost polling locations and poll workers because of the virus.”

The county also doesn’t have enough supplies for absentee voting if more voters choose to vote by mail, she said.

“Another concern is we do not have enough cleaning supplies for election workers to keep everything at polling locations sanitized at this time. This extension will give us more time to order additional supplies and find locations for the voting.”She said she believes it is the right move “to allow citizens their right to elect their leaders and to keep election workers and voters safe.”

Doctors and nurses, naturally, are the first line of defense when it comes to the fight against COVID-19.

Arguably, first responders are a close second to the aforementioned medical professionals.

Local first responders have discussed dealing with COVID-19 with their department heads.

“It has been discussed,” Wabash Fire Chief Barry Stroup said, noting Wabash firefighters and paramedics haven’t voiced any concerns on the matter. “We deal with communicable diseases on a regular basis and follow the same precautions for all diseases.”

WFD personnel aren’t taking any “extra” precautions, he continued.

“We are responding to all calls with our members’ and patients’ safety in mind,” Stroup said.