Officials announced the first cases of coronavirus in Kentucky on Friday, March 6th, 2020. As of Tuesday, May 12th, 2020, there were 6853 confirmed cases statewide; on this same May date, there were 30 confirmed cases in Barren County. 

People who experience traumatic events and hard times, like a pandemic, may be able to better cope with a realistic plan of action.  To provide actionable steps for disease prevention to South Central Kentuckians the FCS Agent facilitated programming efforts across media outlets. The Agent focused on furthering the reach of the University of Kentucky Extension disseminated resources and information on handwashing and social distancing to provide tangible actions and strategies for remaining #healthyathome during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic to Barren County and South Central Kentucky residents. 

Specific public health educational efforts included but were not limited to television appearances discussing and demonstrating proper handwashing and social distancing (WBKO, WNKY); related news articles in the Glasgow Daily Times on avoiding germs and supporting each other during traumatic events; radio appearances on handwashing and cooking at home (CBC, WCLU); and the creation and disbursement across Facebook of a social media disease prevention infographic. In addition to these efforts, the FCS Agent facilitated online distance learning opportunities related to the Barren County Brown Bag Program featuring #healthyathome related resources, strategies, and activities from all program areas. 

The Agent began her coronavirus educational media blitz on Friday, March 13th and these endeavors to provide her county and the South Central Kentucky area with disease prevention and public health content continue as appropriate. Since the start of this ongoing initiative, the Agent has reached over 100,000  South Central Kentuckians. As a result of these efforts individuals in the community were educated on proper handwashing, social-distancing, and other strategies and resources to remain #healthyathome during the coronavirus pandemic. As of mid-May 2020, Barren County confirmed cases are low in comparison to many bordering counties and there are no related deaths.