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MARCH 19–25, 2020 WWW.YOURISLANDNEWS.COM
FOR THE GREATER GOOD
While Madison Hicks, front and center, was a little disappointed her graduation ceremony at Parris Island was canceled, she and her family were still proud of her new Marine status. Photo by Mindy Lucas.
Making the best of things
Despite graduation ceremony’s cancelation, new Marine proud to be part of the corps
By Mindy Lucas
M
adison Hicks was a little disappointed that she didn’t get to walk across the parade deck at Parris Island for her graduation from the Marine Corps on Friday, March 13. After all, becoming a Marine is not an everyday thing. At least not for Hicks and her family. “We were planning on spending two nights, but we’ll probably turn around and go home in the morning,” said Hick’s aunt, Peggy Smith, who had driven 16 hours from Dallas on Thursday to see her niece graduate. Other members of the family flew in from Oregon. All found out the ceremony had been canceled shortly after arriving in town. The Marine Corps Recruit Depot announced on Thursday that it was canceling the remaining family day
activities, which started on Wednesday, and Friday’s graduation ceremony “out of an abundance of caution.” Though an announcement made on Facebook never mentioned the coronavirus, the statement said, “We understand the significance of this event to Marines and their families,
Hours after hearing about the cancellation they were resting under the Pavilion in Beaufort’s Waterfront Park and taking in the views. “It’s beautiful down here,” Smith said. “Just gorgeous.” Sporting a new scarlet and gold USMC sweatshirt, Hicks, while a bit disappointed, was still proud to be a newly minted Marine. “Getting to walk across the parade deck as a female Marine is kind of a big deal because we’re a small group that make up the Marine Corps.” As she noted, female Marines, as they are called in the corps, make up less than 10 percent of the Marine Corps and Parris Island is the only basic-training site in the country for women in the Corps. But Hicks also understood the decision to cancel Friday’s ceremony, she said.
Getting to walk across the parade deck as a female Marine is kind of a big deal because we’re a small group that make up the Marine Corps.” but we must remain cautious and focused on public safety.” While Hicks’ family members were also a bit disappointed, they still seemed to be enjoying their family reunion of sorts.
SEE MARINE PAGE A4
COVERING BEAUFORT COUNTY
Global pandemic hits home
Beaufort’s health officials, emergency managers brace for coronavirus, along with the rest of the country By Mindy Lucas Last week, just a week after the first few cases of novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, in South Carolina were announced, the number of confirmed cases of the virus suddenly doubled in the Palmetto State. A few days later, on March Kurt 13, the number Gambla doubled again. At press time, on Tuesday, March 17, there were a total of 47 cases in South Carolina, including four confirmed cases in Beaufort County. And while health officials have said to expect that number to continue to grow, especially now that testing is becoming more available, officials on the front lines say it’s more important than ever to practice those preventive measures – wash your hands, avoid crowds, practice social distancing – now so common in everyday vernacular that even young children can recite them. “All of these general measures are super important and they’re all we have right now,” said Beaufort Memorial Hospital’s Chief Medical Officer Kurt Gambla. Since last week, the hospital has tightened its visita-
FEELING SICK OR HAVING SYMPTOMS? If you’re feeling sick or are concerned you may have COVID-19, call your primary care physician or urgent care center, or use Beaufort Memorial Hospital’s telemedicine service, before showing up in person. BMH Care Anywhere is available in the App Store, on Google Play and at www. bmhcareanywhere.org. For more information about COVID-19 guidelines, testing criteria and self-isolation instructions visit www. scdhec.gov/health/ infectious-diseases or www.cdc.gov/coronavirus. Members of the public who would like information related to COVID-19 may also contact the DHEC Care Line at (855) 4723432. A triage nurse will be available to provide guidance.
tion policy allowing only one visitor per patient and has expanded that “one-visitor” policy to all of its outpatient sites as well. It has also separated the sick from others coming into its Emergency Room and is encouraging those who feel sick to use its telemedicine service, BMH Care Anywhere,
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Governor’s order closes SC schools Beaufort County Schools will feed children during shutdown
The sign at Port Royal Elementary is representative of all Beaufort County Schools. Photo by Bob Sofaly.
NOT ROLLING ON THE RIVER
From staff reports As expected, with the numbers of COVID-19 cases increasing, Gov. Henry McMaster on Sunday ordered all South Carolina schools to close until March 31. All school-related events, including after-school activities and spring sports, have been put on hold by the governor’s order. A news release from Beaufort
BACK WITH A BANG
Cruise line cancels weekend cruises to Beaufort.
Beaufort weightlifter, Dade Stanley, claims bronze at American Open.
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County School District said while schools are closed, students will be able to participate in online learning activities. The schools will communicate with parents on Monday about those procedures, and paper-based work packets will be prepared for students who don’t have Internet access at home. “This is an unprecedented situation, something that has never
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occurred in our lifetimes,” Superintendent Frank Rodriguez said in a release. “But our school teams have been preparing for this, and they’re moving forward with their plans.” Alleviating food concerns In addition to at-home lessons, the school district will offer free breakfasts and lunches on weekdays at
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