On March 19, and with no advance notice, Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure closed the doors of the courthouse to the public, to those who made the trip for gun permits, passports, marriage licenses or to pay taxes. Only emergencies like Protection from Abuse Act petitions were admitted.

McClure explained he needed to “pump the brakes” because people from other counties were coming. He opened the doors to the public for a county council meeting that evening, and told council the closure is only temporary.

Visitors might be limited to county residents, and they could be required to have their temperatures taken before admission. He indicated that a flood from other counties would interfere with the six-foot social distancing he is attempting to maintain for those at the courthouse. This social distancing has been recommended by both the state health department and Center for Disease Control (CDC).

“A wave is coming,” McClure warned of the COVID-19 virus.

It was in this atmosphere that McClure asked for and received county council’s unanimous approval of an emergency declaration expanding his powers so he can react to the COVID-19 pandemic. All council members were physically present except for Peg Ferraro, who participated by phone.

The emergency declaration makes it easier for the county to apply for state and federal resources like surgical masks and gowns. It also gives McClure the ability to transfer union employees working from one department to another. He is concerned that the virus could hit both residents and staff at Gracedale, presenting staffing shortages.

“If someone needs to be fed at Gracedale, they’re going,” he said of other county employees.

McClure said the county is low on personal protective equipment for first responders, and EMC Director Todd Weaver is scrambling to get supplies from CDC from the national strategic stockpile. At Gracedale, McClure said the county would exhaust its supply in a week if residents become ill.

“It’s only a matter of time before we have positives at Gracedale,” McClure predicted. Twelve beds are currently available for isolation with another 12 to be available soon. If necessary, Gracedale can have as many as 48 isolation units.

According to Nursing Director Dawn Marie TuersFeldman, temperatures are taken of every employee who the nursing home enters. Vital signs are taken daily, and temperatures are taken twice a day.

The emergency declaration will expire in 30 days unless renewed by county council.

Northampton County’s courts are operating under an emergency as well, but have signs posted at all entrances for people with emergencies.

Court Administrator Jermaine Greene said those in need of emergency relief should call his office at 610-829-6700, and a court officer will come to the door and admit you. If it’s after hours, a police officer will help arrange an immediate hearing before a magisterial district judge.

You could call this curbside judicial service, minus the fries.