the Eclipse
be utilized. Deputies will be placed at strategic locations, such as Bean Blossom or Gnaw Bone, to be able to respond more quickly in case of an emergency. While the department normally has two or three deputies on duty at any time, he plans to have six available when the eclipse occurs. Even jail personnel will be involved, keeping cars from parking in the law enforcement center lot, which also houses ambulances.
Among his biggest concerns are traffic jams between Columbus and Nashville.
Stogsdill said his department will be triaging phone calls, and won’ t be responding to minor incidents such as littering or cars parked in front of homes. He urges everyone to practice“ common courtesy.”
“ Don’ t call in for a VIN check that day,” he said, and try to take care of minor issues yourself. If something is a true emergency, deputies will respond.
He said visitors to the county should have a full tank of gasoline, bring water with them, and be prepared to take care of their own trash.
“ Have patience,” he said.“ You won’ t get anywhere fast.”
Experts warn that viewing the sun at any phase of an eclipse without proper eye protection could harm the retina, cause permanent eye damage or even blindness.
According to webmd. com, the only way to safely look at the eclipse is with special glasses made with filters that conform to a worldwide safety standard known as ISO 12312-2. Regular sunglasses or homemade solar filters are not safe for watching an eclipse because they transmit sunlight at a rate that is thousands of times too high. Damage may not show up until the next day. Never use a camera, binoculars, or telescope to look at a solar eclipse, even if you have your eclipse glasses on. These devices will intensify the sun’ s rays and damage your solar eclipse glasses and your eyes. In Brown County, obtaining a pair should not be a problem. Stori Snyder, director of the Brown County Public Library, said the library has 9,000 pairs of solar eclipse glasses that are being given free to library patrons and others. No tax funds were used to buy the glasses, instead using grants and funds raised by Friends of the Library. The library began handing out glasses in February, and in March moved to“ show us your library card or sign up for a library card and get a pair of glasses.”
The library reached out to county schools, offering a pair to each student and staff member. The library will be handing out glasses to those who attend programs, and a display of eclipse-related books has been arranged.
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