Wilson County Government offices will be closed Friday, July 3, 2020 for Independence Day. We look forward to seeing you back on on Monday, July 6, 2020 @ 8:00 a.m. Public Safety & Emergency Services are always on normal schedule. Enjoy time with your family and friends.
iGov 2020
The 2020 iGov Team conducted their June session outdoors with a tour of the Botanical Gardens. Speakers discussed Wilson County Schools, Soil and Water Conservation and Cooperative Extension.
Service Pins 2018 & 2019
Kevin Carpenter, EMS, 15 years; Christopher Aquino, EMS, 5 years; Esteban O. Arizpe, 5 years, EMS; Kalif Ward, 5 years, EMS; and Dustin Squiteri, EMS, 10 years were recently recognized for their years of service to Wilson County. Congratulations on your years of service with Wilson County!
10 Ways to Lessen Stress
Rob Wheeler, MSW, LCSW, CCTP
Clinical Services Supervisor at Wilson County DSS
10 things you can do to help lessen the stress of COVID-19:
1. Rest – Try to get as much quality sleep as possible, your body needs it. Try to stay on the same sleep schedule you would usually be on.
2. Eat well – Take the time to eat healthy foods. During times of stress we all lean towards comfort food, but remember to try to keep a healthy balanced diet. Be mindful about how your alcohol intake. Don’t let your alcohol use become a way you cope with your stress and anxiety.
3. Exercise – Take time to move your body. Exercise releases endorphins which are a anti-stress chemical. Get outside and be active if the weather and your situation allows it.
4. Have fun – Do things that interest you. Read a good book, watch a movie or play a game. Distraction from all the negative news can be good for you. Involve your family in fun activities if they are in the home with you. Focus on activities that give you meaning and a sense of purpose.
5. Laugh everyday – Find funny things in life whether it be movies, friends or situations. Laughing triggers the release of endorphins. Laughter improves the metabolism, increases the immune system, lowers blood pressure and burns calories.
6. Express yourself – Find positive outlets to express what you are feeling inside. Be creative - art, music, dance, and journaling. Don’t bottle things up inside.
7. Set limits – Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. Limit your media exposure about Covid-19 to 1 -2 times per day. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting. When getting updates on the virus, make sure the information is coming from credible sources like medical professionals and the CDC. Separate yourself from overly negative people or people who think the worst. Constantly wondering “what if” and imagining the worst happening will increase feelings of anxiety and panic.
8. Communicate - Seek comfort from friends and family. Most everybody has had their interactions with the social support network interrupted in some way. Develop a plan of how you can keep in touch with those important to you. Having a plan often reduces anxiety. Pay special attention to those who are living alone. Isolation can be depressing. Brainstorm creative ways on how you can remain in contact with others but at a safe distance.
9. Good hygiene – Take time to take care of yourself and your body. Try to stay on your normal routine of getting up, getting showered and putting on clean clothes daily. This helps you get in a mindset of being ready for the day. You can also do things to pamper yourself.
10. Unwind – Take time to relax and calm your mind; disconnect from your phone, tablet and TV for a little while. You can take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate. Create a calm and relaxing atmosphere with music, aromas or candles. You can incorporate mindfulness and mindful movement activities into our life like yoga or Thai Chi. These can help reduce stress and relax tense muscles. A lot of instructional videos are available on You Tube and specific websites.
Parenting during Covid-19 and social distancing
Keep in mind that children look to their parents to know the importance and severity of things. The more calm and relaxed you are around and with them, the calmer and relaxed they will be. Conversely, the more anxious and panicked a parent is, the more stressed and upset their child will feel.
Family discussions about the virus can be helpful. Find out what they know and what they are hearing. Encourage them to ask questions and help clarify factual information. Younger children may benefit from separate conversations so it can be put in language they understand.
Talk with children about their feelings and validate them. Use extra patience with them during this time. Their routines and social connections have all been altered too. Help them understand that having anxious or angry feelings is ok and that it’s important to talk about them.
Check in regularly with your children and keep them engaged in fun activities. Help them find creative ways to stay in touch with their friends and family. Limit their exposure to media exposure about the virus.
County Gov't Month | Years of Service
Wilson County Government recognizes April as National County Government Month. This year’s theme is “Counties Matter”. While the theme was made way before the current coronavirus, it rings truer than ever. Over the last few weeks I continue to be amazed, but not surprised, at the hard work, dedication, kindness, and human compassion that I see with Wilson County Government’s professional family.
We know, as county government professionals, we all work attentively for safety, infrastructure, technology, public health, emergency response, child and adult well-being, environmental stewardship and so many other services. It’s the strength and drive behind all of that hard work that makes you the champion that you are.
Last Monday the Board of Commissioners approved a proclamation recognizing April as “National County Government Month” and due to current events, we were unable to have staff present to recognize years of service. Those names are listed below and we value every minute of every year they have served our citizens.
In closing, none of us know what the future weeks and months ahead will bring. I do know that we will meet the challenges and opportunities “the Wilson County way” and that is with a great hearts for people and more chances to provide great hope right here at home.
Thank you for your service.
Years
Clifton Bailey Office of the Sheriff -Detention 25
Barbara Israel Office of the Sheriff-Detention 25
Terence Anderson Office of the Sheriff 20
William Drew Office of the Sheriff 20
Toby Myrick Office of the Sheriff 20
Tiffany Cook Department of Social Services 20
Faith Reid Department of Social Services 20
Tammy Eason Department of Social Services 25
Amy Greene Department of Social Services 25
Howard Handorf Department of Social Services 20
JoAnn Johnson Department of Social Services 20
Stephanie Motley Department of Social Services 20
Andrea O’Brian Department of Social Services 20
James Osborne Department of Social Services 25
Christopher Proctor Department of Social Services 20
Carolyn Rountree Department of Social Services 20
Linda Sims Department of Social Services 20
Sharon Toney Department of Social Services 20
Janice Woodard Department of Social Services 25
Montrose Young Department of Social Services 30
Teresa Durham Emergency Communications E911 20
Larry Parnell Emergency Medical Service 25
Janice Scott Emergency Medical Service 20
Vickie Bass Public Health Department 20
Melinda Bryant Public Health Department 25
Laura Macias Public Health Department 20
Sandra Carter Senior Activity Center 25