GOSHEN, Ind. — While many agricultural gatherings will likely suffer a similar fate for the near future, two upcoming Purdue University Extension meetings have officially been cancelled.
A meeting on Tar Spot, a corn disease that devastated some local cornfields in 2019, has been cancelled to comply with coronavirus separation standards. The program was to be held on Wednesday, March 18 at Weaver Ag in Wakarusa. A food safety meeting for vegetable growers scheduled for Friday, March 20 in LaGrange has been cancelled to comply with the coronavirus distancing requirements.
Additional meetings on FSMA (the Food Safety Modernization Act) will be scheduled at a later date.
Purdue Extension has cancelled all face-to-face meetings and programs through April 6, and all events expecting 50 or more people through May 2. Many organizations are currently cancelling programs. Before you leave home to attend a meeting, it is suggested you call ahead to see if the program is still on.
Additional information about COVID-19:
The coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, is a highly contagious disease, and can quickly overwhelm the health care system if steps are not taken to contain the spread. Older adults and people who have severe underlying chronic medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness. There is no current vaccine to prevent the disease. The best way to prevent the illness is to avoid exposure, The virus is thought to spread mainly from person to person, through droplets produced when a person coughs or sneezes,
Steps to take to limit your chance of exposure include
- Wash your handed often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose or being in a public place.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Put distance between yourself and other people. Six feet is recommended.
- Avoid public meetings.
- Stay home if you are sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing.
- Throw tissues in the trash, and then wash your hands.
- If you are sick, wear a facemask. If you are not sick, do not wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone else.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces frequently, including tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets and sinks.
— Jeff Burbrink, Extension Educator Agriculture/Natural Resources
Purdue Extension Service, Elkhart County
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