Freeman Detweiler, with the Jamesport Farm Supply store, says the Jamesport Amish community is taking the coronavirus outbreak every bit as seriously as their “English” neighbors.
“We respect what the government and authorities are asking us to do,” he says. “I tell my family to not go to gatherings and to stay away from sick people. We use sanitizers, wash our hands, and stand six feet apart. We do what they’re saying we should do.”
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson on March 21 directed Department of Health and Senior Services Director Dr. Williams to require social distancing statewide and prohibit the public from gathering in groups of more than 10. The order stops short of ordering businesses to close, instead directing offices and workplaces that remain open to ensure that workers “practice good hygiene” and work from home where feasible.
Mr. Detweiler says he can’t speak for everybody in the Amish community, but community leaders are working hard to make sure everybody heeds stipulations.
“I don’t know if everybody, one hundred percent, is going by the rules, but I know we definitely don’t want the virus and are trying to do our part to prevent it from spreading.”
On March 19, all 555 of Missouri’s public-school districts and charter schools reported closure. Mr. Detweiler says all seven Amish schools around Jamesport are closed until further notice and the community will not be holding worship service for the next two Sundays.
“We’ll stay at home and pray about it,” he says.
He believes the entire Amish community is aware of the outbreak by now. “It’s been around long enough now that they definitely know about it,” Mr. Detweiler says. “Some know more than I do. I read the newspaper and hear what people are saying when they come into the store.”
Jonas Yutsy, an Amish farmer, says he is indeed aware of the coronavirus outbreak, but sees little difference out on the farm. People are still bringing horses for him to work at Hillside Horse Training. “Things are going on like normal out here,” he says.
Mr. Yutsy also raises sheepadoodles at Ten Oaks Kennel on the farm and that business is feeling the effect of the virus. He says he recently had difficulty getting one puppy shipped to its new owner in North Carolina. Other puppies in the litter were picked up in person by owners from Iowa and Nebraska.
Mr. Detweiler says business at the Jamesport Farm Supply has been a little bit slower, but that could be because it’s been muddy rather than because of a virus.
It is up to speculation whether the Amish community is at greater or lesser risk for spread of the virus. On the one hand, they are isolated on farms from society in general; on the other hand, they tend to hold big group events quite often.
“We’re just as prone to get the virus as the next person,” says Mr. Detweiler. “When we do get together, we’re asking anybody sick to stay home. We’re also aware that you don’t necessarily have to show symptoms of being sick to spread the virus.”
He says the Amish have stopped holding auctions, barn raisings, or other large group events. “We held a hay sale Friday afternoon because we had to do it — farmers need hay for their livestock,” he says. “As far as I know everything else has been put off.”
A recent small animal auction was held in Jamesport even though he personally thought it should have been postponed. “They went ahead and had it, and chickens were bringing good money because people were wanting eggs,” he says. “On the other hand, a lot of us didn’t go to it.”
The Amish are staying in close contact with local authorities as well. Decisions like closing the school were made after the Amish school board talked with people on the town school board. “They talked to people in town about how serious the virus was and how we could do our part to keep it from spreading. Then they decided to close the schools down. We don’t want to be a hindrance.”
Many Amish businesses come in regular contact with tourists and people from all over, but Mr. Detweiler’s Farm Supply Store, located at 23483 State Hwy. 190, doesn’t have that much tourist trade. “I’ve got feed and plumbing and agriculture supplies,” he says. “I do business with farmers and guys with kennels mostly.” He says the virus is something the Amish are taking very seriously.
“People are sick, some are dying,” he says. “Obviously it is out there, and it is real. We need to work together and try to keep it from spreading and knock it in the head.”
He says he is hoping scientists come up with a vaccine soon. “Don’t panic. Work together,” he says. “And leave it up to a higher power.”
