Struggle Changes Moon’s Outlook, Habits BY EDWARD MILLER
Before the July Fourth holiday, Jeff Moon’s biggest concerns were the positive results from COVID-19 tests taken by his wife and 17-year-old son. Neither was hospitalized, but it wasn’t long before Moon, the city manager in Woodstock, tested positive himself. “I self-quarantined after Nancy and Chason were tested,” Moon said, “but soon developed the telltale symptoms for COVID-19 –– fever, headaches and coughing.” Because Moon had had asthma since childhood, he was concerned doubly about exposure to the coronavirus. The illness soon settled in his lungs, and he was diagnosed with COVID-related pneumonia. After two weeks in Northside Hospital Cherokee, Moon is home, but tethered to supplemental oxygen most of the day. Recovering at home, Moon continues to work, with the help of an assistant city manager and the support of Woodstock’s mayor and City Council. The experience has altered Moon’s outlook and
habits. “Before this happened, I was something of a nonbeliever about masks, so I didn’t wear one,” he said. “You can believe that has changed.” Jeff Moon has become a firm believer in He also is wearing masks since his experience with distressed when he COVID-19. sees anti-maskers on Facebook. “If they had gone through what I have, they wouldn’t be calling it just the flu,” Moon said. “Believe me, we all need to take this disease very seriously.” Edward Miller is managing partner at Cindy Miller Communications, a strategic communications company specializing in storytelling, crisis communications and corporate communications. He lives in Woodstock.
Brothers Helping Brothers in Time of Need On Aug. 10, a powerful storm system roared across the Midwest, killing at least two people and also causing widespread damage to millions of acres of crops. By the time the storm hit Des Moines, Iowa, wind gusts were clocked at more than 100 miles per hour. The storm also hit Marion, Iowa, which is about 120 miles northeast of Des Moines, and the hometown of Woodstock police officer and former Brothers helping brothers, from left: Shane Bonebrake with Lt. James Gravitt, Sgt. Nakoa firefighter Shane Bonebrake. In Bedwell, Nick Rodriguez and Anthony Ciorba of Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services. response to the storm’s damage, Bonebrake began a campaign to collect and organize the donations at the church,” fill a truck with donations to be delivered to Marion. Davis said. Battalion Chief Chad Davis said that Cherokee County However, Ciorba wanted to do more. He compiled a firefighter Anthony Ciorba saw a video of Bonebrake list of needed supplies, and reached out to members of speaking about his drive to collect food items and supplies his recruit class, his crew and others for help. Firefighters for the people of Marion, and decided to help. brought donations to the church, just in time for the “Anthony went down to His Hands Church, to ask 800-mile trip to Iowa. Shane what he could do to help, and started helping to
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AROUND WOODSTOCK | September 2020
