As with every other American, the staff of The Ironton Tribune is making changes due to the coronavirus.

Our reporters will be making more phone calls and conducting fewer in-person interviews in an effort to make sure that the news you need still gets to you in a timely manner.

Our coverage will stick to the facts as we know them and they will be presented in a balanced manner, not to induce fear, but so you can be informed.

We are taking all necessary precautions, such as very frequent hand washing, use of hand sanitizer, maintaining a good social distance and covering our mouths when we sneeze or cough.

Our office remains open for business, but we recommend you call to take care of subscription payments or other issues. Anyone wanting to get information in the newspaper can email items to briefs@irontontribune.com.

Many of our local government agencies, such as the Lawrence County Commissioners and the Ironton City Council, are broadcasting their meetings on Facebook. The meetings will no longer be open to the public to make their comments, but because of the current CDC recommendation of not having gatherings of more than 10 people, it is a necessary move that was done after consulting their lawyers.

We are all in uncharted territory here, since the last national epidemic of this size was over 100 years ago. We are striving to continue to do our best.

And it is important to note that our ancestors survived similar events, otherwise we wouldn’t be here.

So, stay well. We will get through this.