“The execution of this program is akin to building an airplane while you are in the act of flying it.”

— Steve Fisher, F&M Bank chairman and CEO on processing loans under the CARES Act Small Business Paycheck Protection Program

“You could almost count each visit we’ve done as a potential emergency room visit because … there’s no regular doctors open.”

— Krista Woolly, executive director of the Community Care Clinic of Rowan County on the agency’s help in keeping people who can’t pay out of the hospital’s emergency room

“The unfortunate part is there’s only so much we can do.”

— Beth McKeithan, executive director of Prevent Child Abuse Rowan, on the possible
effects of school closures on child abuse cases

“Less than 10 isn’t some magic number that prevents the spread of the virus. There’s a reason for the stay-at-home proclamation … and there are real, consequential effects of not following that order.”

— Erin Shoe, Cabarrus Health Alliance chief operating officer on social gatherings during the COVID-19 outbreak

“God’s word would pop into my hallucinations, and it wasn’t a hallucination. It was keeping me here.”

— Dawn Rister, pastor of Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church who ended up on a ventilator after coming down with COVID-19

“When rent’s not paid, it all trickles down.”

— Ellen Robertson, Fisher Realty Leasing manager noting how that money goes to making repairs, mowing the lawn and paying taxes