​The Chamber hosted a virtual program on April 24, 2020, called Good Morning Temple, with guest speaker Elliot Germany, President of Panel Specialists, Inc., and Temple Chamber Board Member. Elliot gave a motivational message to attendees and shared a poem that he wrote titled COVID-19:  A Message of Hope. 

Elliot has given the Temple Chamber permission to share his poem:

COVID-19:  A Message of Hope
While many danced in the New Year at the Last Night Gala,
In the background lurked a thief in the night, 
From a bat to a man, born a virus in China, 
That would bring uncertainty to our way of life,

Through the city of Wuhan, it rapidly spread, 
South Korea, then Italy, gaining steam,
A coronavirus traveling from country to country, 
Now given the name - COVID-19,

By January 20th, it penetrated Washington State, 
As our National Leaders, tried to put us at ease,
We were told not to worry about this developing ailment, 
Because this was a Chinese Disease,

In February, flights from China were cancelled, 
While many travelers continued to roam,
All Americans who journeyed to countries in Europe, 
Were free to depart and come home,

Our Statue of Liberty would become infected, 
With New York seeing cases on the rise,
Spoken softly in the background, a word called Pandemic,
As the volume increases in size,

By early March we were handed a big blow in Austin, 
Our Texas Pride was being put to the test,
Without a single outbreak of Coronavirus in the City, 
They Cancelled South by Southwest (SXSW),

The “WHO” said we should put Distance between us, 
For our Social behaviors must change,
But in Bell County we are all so Connected, 
So, to be apart from each other is strange,

We Optimistically waited as more cases developed, 
And continued to unfurl with such thrust,
The 1st case in Texas - was on March 4th - in Fort Bend, 
It became clear this was traveling towards us,

The Spirit of Central Texans remained vibrant as ever, 
And quite honestly, we were feeling no strain,
Until on the 19th of March, when an announcement was made, 
That a sick Belton Man arrived in from Spain,

Did COVID know Bell County is a Medical Community?
With hospitals and clinics abound,
It now decided to bring this fight to our Doorstep, 
But this is Texas, so we will Stand Our Ground,

Judge Blackburn, gave the order to our Citizen Community,
To Shelter in place Free from Harm,
And begin preparing our cities for eminent danger, 
For the Fight would be hard, and be long,

This war needs no tanks from our Army Brigades,
No weapons from Three Corps Command,
But rather respirators, ventilators, sanitizers, and masks,
And testing kits, which not enough was on hand,

Between Temple and Belton, the sewers united, 
Undaunted with an immeasurable task,
Individual people and companies like Custom Crest in Belton,
Who started making coronavirus protective masks,

So unfazed were our Doctors and Nurses on top of the hill,
Who Worked Tirelessly through Day and through Night, 
Unsung Heroes whose faces were no longer visible,
At Baylor Scott & White,

Our National Community, although Faithful, did panic, 
As a buying spree quickly ensued,
We raided our HEBs, Walmart, and our Targets,
And our store shelves became vacant of food,

Operation Feeding Temple began stamping out hunger, 
As Employment now rapidly fell,
So, we tended to those who are less fortunate, 
To ensure our Community remains well,

We hosted pizza for our Public Works Department, 
TISD serves children with not much to eat,
Sharing times to break bread, knowing we all are fed, 
Because God said to us, “Go Feed My Sheep”,

A Temple Summer cannot lose its Sizzle,
For a mere virus cannot take that away,
Because the hearts and the souls of Bell County are Strong, 
Like Fort Hood Soldiers, we will fight every day,

And for this War, we will battle like Wildcats,
Unleashing our Tigers & Leopards, and swarms of our Bees,
Backed by Prayer from a Church of Crusaders,
We will see COVID drop down to its knees,

In many areas, businesses are shutting their doors, 
But in Bell County there is a key differential,
With businesses like McLane’s, Wilsonart, & PSI,
There is no doubting that we are Essential,

But for those in the Profession of personal service, 
Who were left with no choice, but abort,
Like our Manicurists, Beauticians, our Barbers and more, 
Are in dire need of our Unyielding Support,

For this is not our first Corporate Challenge,
And it surely will not be our last, 
Therefore, we Salute to all our Businesses,
Who remain Committed, Resolved and Steadfast,

Our Workforce will bring Solutions to Central Texas, 
Our Leadership Temple, a perspective that is new,
Our Economic Development Corporation is a strong force of nature, 
And Our Chamber of Commerce will help businesses through,

Governor Abbott has called in a Strike Force, 
To get our economy back on an even plane,
When he searched for the best, who would be up to this test, 
He called Temple, to seek Drayton McLane,

You See,

Our Community is blessed with so many Helping Hands, 
It is Our Ministry, Our Calling, Our Deed,
When one is knocked down, one more will Step Up,
And start the process of Sewing A Seed,

For the families who have lost a loved one to this virus,
Remain Hopeful, you will See Brighter Days, 
And Remember Our God, He is Faithful and Just, 
So, continue to give Him Your Praise,

During this time, we all can use some uplifting, 
While on this journey, as some moments can seem low,
So, consider a small Random Acting of Kindness, 
For a stranger or someone you know,

Our Courage comes from our Vulnerability,
And our Bravery will Conquer our Fears,
We were around before this Coronavirus began, 
And when it is gone, we will be Standing Right Here,

I promise we will still have the Chrome in our Carols, 
We will be United, because we know the Way, 
Bell County is an Army who knows its Salvation,
Our Visiting Angels decided to stay,

As we Restore all areas that suffered from harm, 
A Sense of Newness will come to this place,
When we sit together at a luncheon the food will taste sweeter, 
And we will Cherish a Warm and Friendly Embrace,

Our Story will be printed in the Telegram, 
Channel 6 will say, Breaking News Live Here at One, 
There was a City and County, at War with a Virus,
And we are Proud to Report, We Have Won!

Written By:  Elliot A. Germany,  April 22, 2020

Today, Bell County issued a Stay Home, Stay Safe directive. The directive is in effect through April 3, 2020.

The orders include exemptions for essential activities, such as grocery shopping and working for essential business, such as health care, law enforcement, and grocery stores.

From Bell County:

Examples of essential businesses include:

Section 2 (b) For purposes of this Order, “Essential Businesses” means:
i. Essential Healthcare Operations. Healthcare operations, including hospitals, clinics, dentist, pharmacies, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, other healthcare facilities, healthcare suppliers, mental health providers, substance abuse service providers, blood banks, medical research, laboratory services, or any related and/or ancillary healthcare services. Home-based and residential-based care for seniors, adults, or children are also considered healthcare operations. Healthcare operations also includes veterinary care and all health and welfare services provided to animals. This exemption shall be viewed broadly to avoid any impacts to the delivery of healthcare. Healthcare operations do not include fitness and exercise gyms and similar facilities. Healthcare operations do not include elective medical, surgical, and dental procedures as established in accordance with Subsection 1(g) of this Order.

ii. Essential Government Functions. All services provided by political subdivisions of the State needed to ensure the continuing operation of those agencies to provide for the health, safety, education, and welfare of the public. Further, nothing in this order shall prohibit any individual from performing or accessing “Essential Government Functions.” All Essential Government Functions shall be performed in compliance with social distancing requirements of six feet, to the extent possible.

iii.  Essential Critical Infrastructure & Activities. Work that is necessary to the operations and maintenance of the critical infrastructure sectors as identified by the National Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA), Memorandum dated March 19, 2020 (attached to this Directive) including public works construction, residential and commercial construction, airport operations, water, sewer, gas, electrical, oil refining, roads and highways, public transportation, solid waste collection and removal, internet, and telecommunications systems (including the provision of essential global, national, and local infrastructure for computing services, business infrastructure, communications, and web-based services), financial institutions, defense and national security-related operations, essential manufacturing operations provided that they carry out those services or that work in compliance with social distancing requirements of six feet, to the extent possible. Essential Businesses providing essential infrastructure should implement screening precautions to protect employees and all activity shall be performed in compliance with social distancing guidelines attached.  

iv. Essential Retail. Food service providers, including grocery stores, warehouse stores, big-box stores, bodegas, liquor stores, gas stations and convenience stores, farmers’ 4 markets that sell food products and household staples. Food cultivation, including farming, fishing, and livestock. Businesses that ship or deliver groceries, food, goods or services directly to residences. Restaurants and other facilities that prepare and serve food, but only for delivery or carry out. Schools and other entities that typically provide free services to students or members of the public on a pick-up and takeaway basis only. The restriction of delivery or carry out does not apply to cafes and restaurants located within hospital and medical facilities. Laundromats, dry cleaners, and laundry service providers. Gas stations, automobile sales, auto-supply, auto and bicycle repair, hardware stores, construction supply stores, and related facilities. Businesses that supply products needed for people to work from home.

v. Providers of Basic Necessities to Economically Disadvantaged Populations. Businesses that provide food, shelter, and social services, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals.

vi. Essential Services Necessary to Maintain Essential Operations of Residences or Other Essential Businesses. Trash and recycling collections, processing and disposal, mail and shipping services, building cleaning and maintenance, warehouse/distribution and fulfillment, storage for essential businesses, funeral homes, crematoriums and cemeteries. Plumbers, electricians, exterminators, and other services providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operations of residences and Essential Businesses. Professional services, such as legal or accounting services, when necessary to assist in compliance with legally mandated activities. Businesses that supply other essential businesses with the support of supplies needed to operate.

vii. News Media. Newspapers, television, radio, and other media services.

viii. Childcare Services. Childcare facilities may continue to operate; however, to the extent possible, it is recommended that groups consist of no more than 10 and be kept separate.