NASHVILLE, Ind — A gorgeous weekend will bring thousands of people to Nashville to enjoy the beauty and charm of Brown County.
So far, Brown County is charmed when it comes to the spread of COVID-19. Despite all the visitors in the fall, Brown County is the only county in the state in blue on the COVID-19 map, which indicates minimal community spread.
"Our county population, to me, is doing the right thing," said Brown County Emergency Preparedness Coordinator for Public Health Corey Frost. "We're being very careful with hand sanitizing, standard precautions, wearing masks, social distancing. We're also staying home when we're sick. Brown County, you have to remember, we social distance as a lifestyle."
Brown County reports just 179 COVID-19 cases during the pandemic, with three deaths and a positivity rate around 3 percent.
Brown County welcomes up to a million visitors a year, and fall is the busiest season. There was a concern among some residents that tourists might bring the coronavirus to Nashville.
"There's no real localized spread to the locals other than store owners are more apt to get that coronavirus,” said Frost. “So, when they do spread it, then that tourism population, they take it back to their counties, and that's where those numbers are tallied."
Nashville business depends on those tourists.
"It's not all just about the almighty dollar and the money,” said artist and business owner Brad Cox. “I mean, people need some sort of relaxation to get their mind off stuff and interaction."
"Well it's beautiful," said Angela Stephens, a visitor from Greenwood, who was shopping in Nashville with co-worker friends. “The weather is amazing. So why not take advantage of that?"
Rose Johnson visits Brown County every year.
"No rules...no time schedule…nothing, just peace and quiet,” said Johnson.
Masks and social distancing are required inside the many shops in Nashville.
"We're even wearing the mask when we're outside,” said Tammy Armstrong from Marion. “So we're still social distancing. And even if we're in the store, we're still being careful."
"People just want to protect the sanctity of being able to go out and enjoy things like this,” said Stephens. “So, everyone is just trying to do their best to ensure that activities like this can continue."