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| ‘All Around Us Is Chaos’: Inside a Rural Town Upended by the Virus | ‘All Around Us Is Chaos’: Inside a Rural Town Upended by the Virus |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| CYNTHIANA, Ky. — Closing in on a week after the coronavirus had descended on his small, rural community, James D. Smith sat behind a microphone in the WCYN studio on Main Street for his regular morning show, “Coffee Break Extra.” On his head, he wore a dark blue cap that said “mayor,” and in his eyes, the stress of the past several days. | CYNTHIANA, Ky. — Closing in on a week after the coronavirus had descended on his small, rural community, James D. Smith sat behind a microphone in the WCYN studio on Main Street for his regular morning show, “Coffee Break Extra.” On his head, he wore a dark blue cap that said “mayor,” and in his eyes, the stress of the past several days. |
| “Everyone knows what’s going on,” the lifelong Cynthiana resident in his sixth year as mayor told listeners. “We’re keeping our hope up. We’re keeping our faith up. We’re keeping our chin up.” | “Everyone knows what’s going on,” the lifelong Cynthiana resident in his sixth year as mayor told listeners. “We’re keeping our hope up. We’re keeping our faith up. We’re keeping our chin up.” |
| Mr. Smith assured his audience that in these anxious times, he would keep the morning conversation light. And he certainly tried: His guest that morning had brought her daughter, a first grader, and he gushed about the drawing the little girl had made for him. | Mr. Smith assured his audience that in these anxious times, he would keep the morning conversation light. And he certainly tried: His guest that morning had brought her daughter, a first grader, and he gushed about the drawing the little girl had made for him. |
| Still, it was impossible to stray too far from the emergency that has consumed his days, upended his city and been the talk of the town. A week earlier, a 27-year-old cake maker had tested positive for the novel coronavirus that has swept across America at a ferocious, frightening speed. | Still, it was impossible to stray too far from the emergency that has consumed his days, upended his city and been the talk of the town. A week earlier, a 27-year-old cake maker had tested positive for the novel coronavirus that has swept across America at a ferocious, frightening speed. |
| Here in Cynthiana, dozens of miles from any metropolitan center, the town’s roughly 6,300 residents had not expected the virus to arrive so quickly. In the following days, the town would emerge as the center of the state’s outbreak, as five others were diagnosed, at one point accounting for about half of the cases in Kentucky. | Here in Cynthiana, dozens of miles from any metropolitan center, the town’s roughly 6,300 residents had not expected the virus to arrive so quickly. In the following days, the town would emerge as the center of the state’s outbreak, as five others were diagnosed, at one point accounting for about half of the cases in Kentucky. |
| Mr. Smith acknowledged the fear of older and infirm residents. He understood the concerns of small-business owners because he is one himself. But he repeated a plea he had made quite a bit in recent days — if people were healthy, they should take the proper precautions, but they should support local businesses and live their lives. | Mr. Smith acknowledged the fear of older and infirm residents. He understood the concerns of small-business owners because he is one himself. But he repeated a plea he had made quite a bit in recent days — if people were healthy, they should take the proper precautions, but they should support local businesses and live their lives. |
| As soon as the mayor signed off, a radio station employee spritzed the studio with disinfectant spray. | As soon as the mayor signed off, a radio station employee spritzed the studio with disinfectant spray. |
| The call that upended Cynthiana came around 5 p.m. on March 6, from the operations center that had been set up so state health officials could monitor the coronavirus. They had been bracing for the inevitable, and it had just arrived. | The call that upended Cynthiana came around 5 p.m. on March 6, from the operations center that had been set up so state health officials could monitor the coronavirus. They had been bracing for the inevitable, and it had just arrived. |
| Dr. Crystal Miller, the public health director, had been ready to glide into her weekend. Mr. Smith had jotted on the calendar weeks earlier a weekend date with his wife at the Cheesecake Factory in Lexington, 45 minutes away. Everything was canceled, and the group had to scramble to address an emergency unlike any other the town had confronted. | Dr. Crystal Miller, the public health director, had been ready to glide into her weekend. Mr. Smith had jotted on the calendar weeks earlier a weekend date with his wife at the Cheesecake Factory in Lexington, 45 minutes away. Everything was canceled, and the group had to scramble to address an emergency unlike any other the town had confronted. |
| On the morning after the first diagnosis, Becky Barnes, the editor of The Cynthiana Democrat, the town’s weekly newspaper, caught a ride to Frankfort, the state capital, with Mr. Smith and Alex Barnett, the county judge-executive, or ranking government official, for Harrison County, which includes Cynthiana. The officials rushed to meet with the governor. Later, while packed in with other journalists, Ms. Barnes strained to hold still as she recorded video of the briefing with her iPhone. | On the morning after the first diagnosis, Becky Barnes, the editor of The Cynthiana Democrat, the town’s weekly newspaper, caught a ride to Frankfort, the state capital, with Mr. Smith and Alex Barnett, the county judge-executive, or ranking government official, for Harrison County, which includes Cynthiana. The officials rushed to meet with the governor. Later, while packed in with other journalists, Ms. Barnes strained to hold still as she recorded video of the briefing with her iPhone. |
| The gravity of the outbreak soon became clear, she said, and plans for a special edition of The Democrat were hatched. It had been more than two decades since the last special edition, in 1997, when the Licking River overflowed, flooding the small town and stranding residents on roofs. | The gravity of the outbreak soon became clear, she said, and plans for a special edition of The Democrat were hatched. It had been more than two decades since the last special edition, in 1997, when the Licking River overflowed, flooding the small town and stranding residents on roofs. |
| Ms. Barnes has a small staff, with just a reporter and an editorial assistant. They worked around the clock. A four-page edition was mailed to every address in their circulation area. Its front-page headline blared in huge type: “Don’t Panic.” | Ms. Barnes has a small staff, with just a reporter and an editorial assistant. They worked around the clock. A four-page edition was mailed to every address in their circulation area. Its front-page headline blared in huge type: “Don’t Panic.” |
| There had been whispers around town that the virus was nothing more than a conspiracy cooked up to derail President Trump’s re-election efforts. For some, the newspaper might be their only source of reliable information. | There had been whispers around town that the virus was nothing more than a conspiracy cooked up to derail President Trump’s re-election efforts. For some, the newspaper might be their only source of reliable information. |
| “Not everyone has internet,” said Ms. Barnes, who has worked for The Democrat for 44 years. “We have an older demographic.” | “Not everyone has internet,” said Ms. Barnes, who has worked for The Democrat for 44 years. “We have an older demographic.” |
| A week into the outbreak, she was relieved to have a tidbit of good news to report: The first patient, who had not been outside the country or in close contact with anyone who had, had tested negative for the virus and was being released from the hospital. | A week into the outbreak, she was relieved to have a tidbit of good news to report: The first patient, who had not been outside the country or in close contact with anyone who had, had tested negative for the virus and was being released from the hospital. |
| As the virus spread in Cynthiana, so too has a general feeling of uncertainty. This is a quiet community reached by two-lane routes that meander through green pastures specked with grazing horses and tin-roofed barns. Some residents figured a larger city — Louisville, or maybe Lexington — would have gotten it before they did. | As the virus spread in Cynthiana, so too has a general feeling of uncertainty. This is a quiet community reached by two-lane routes that meander through green pastures specked with grazing horses and tin-roofed barns. Some residents figured a larger city — Louisville, or maybe Lexington — would have gotten it before they did. |
| “We’ve had tornadoes, we’ve had ice storms, we’ve had some other state-declared disasters,” Mr. Barnett said. | “We’ve had tornadoes, we’ve had ice storms, we’ve had some other state-declared disasters,” Mr. Barnett said. |
| But this was a different kind of threat, insidious, invisible and boundless, with no one knowing how it arrived in Cynthiana, how long it would last or how far it would spread. | But this was a different kind of threat, insidious, invisible and boundless, with no one knowing how it arrived in Cynthiana, how long it would last or how far it would spread. |
| In a conference room in the public health office, which has been converted into a command center, a team of employees have abandoned their day jobs to become investigators, picking through the lives of the people who became ill. | In a conference room in the public health office, which has been converted into a command center, a team of employees have abandoned their day jobs to become investigators, picking through the lives of the people who became ill. |
| They began with the first patient, who works at the Walmart Supercenter bakery and attends a small church. From there, they unraveled a tangle of daily routines and trivial interactions. | They began with the first patient, who works at the Walmart Supercenter bakery and attends a small church. From there, they unraveled a tangle of daily routines and trivial interactions. |
| They followed the threads that stitch together the connections of a small town, looking for anyone who spent more than a half-hour within six feet of the patients. | They followed the threads that stitch together the connections of a small town, looking for anyone who spent more than a half-hour within six feet of the patients. |
| It added up quickly. | It added up quickly. |
| “You can imagine the web that weaves in a small community,” said Dr. Miller, the local public health director, noting that a week after the first diagnosis, about 150 people had isolated themselves, calling in daily to report their body temperature and condition. | “You can imagine the web that weaves in a small community,” said Dr. Miller, the local public health director, noting that a week after the first diagnosis, about 150 people had isolated themselves, calling in daily to report their body temperature and condition. |
| Over the last several days, the fallout of the outbreak has been stark but also subtle. | Over the last several days, the fallout of the outbreak has been stark but also subtle. |
| “All around us is chaos,” Mr. Smith said. “And yet here, kind of in the eye of the storm, life goes on.” | “All around us is chaos,” Mr. Smith said. “And yet here, kind of in the eye of the storm, life goes on.” |
| A joke going around town is that Cynthiana might be the most sanitized city in Kentucky. The aroma of cleaning supplies wafted through shops, restaurants and businesses. | A joke going around town is that Cynthiana might be the most sanitized city in Kentucky. The aroma of cleaning supplies wafted through shops, restaurants and businesses. |
| On Thursdays, when the Rotary Club usually meets, its members typically hog all the parking spots on downtown streets; last week, there were plenty. Many residents caught themselves before they shook hands or hugged. | On Thursdays, when the Rotary Club usually meets, its members typically hog all the parking spots on downtown streets; last week, there were plenty. Many residents caught themselves before they shook hands or hugged. |
| Updated June 24, 2020 | |
| Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles. | |
| A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico. | A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico. |
| The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth. | The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth. |
| The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave. | The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave. |
| So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. | So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. |
| Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. | Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. |
| A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. | A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. |
| The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. | The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. |
| Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. | Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. |
| If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) | If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) |
| If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. | If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. |
| At Walmart, a lighter-than-usual crowd loaded tortilla chips and jugs of iced tea into their carts. One woman leaned on her cart, her chin resting on her hand, as she caught up with a former co-worker. Outside, traffic jammed behind a horse and buggy poking along Main Street. | At Walmart, a lighter-than-usual crowd loaded tortilla chips and jugs of iced tea into their carts. One woman leaned on her cart, her chin resting on her hand, as she caught up with a former co-worker. Outside, traffic jammed behind a horse and buggy poking along Main Street. |
| Gov. Andy Beshear had urged residents to avoid religious services — a hefty request in a community that has dozens of churches of varying sizes and Christian denominations. A fried chicken joint in town offers customers a 10 percent discount if they come in with a Sunday bulletin. | Gov. Andy Beshear had urged residents to avoid religious services — a hefty request in a community that has dozens of churches of varying sizes and Christian denominations. A fried chicken joint in town offers customers a 10 percent discount if they come in with a Sunday bulletin. |
| At the Saturday evening vigil Mass at St. Edward Catholic Church, only about a third of the regular parishioners attended. They spread out in the pews, too far apart to easily offer peace to one another, even if handshaking had not been cut from the service. | At the Saturday evening vigil Mass at St. Edward Catholic Church, only about a third of the regular parishioners attended. They spread out in the pews, too far apart to easily offer peace to one another, even if handshaking had not been cut from the service. |
| Tim Coy could not imagine skipping. “It’s just your whole week is off,” he said as he smoked a cigarette after Mass. | Tim Coy could not imagine skipping. “It’s just your whole week is off,” he said as he smoked a cigarette after Mass. |
| “I feel like the Lord is going to protect us,” his wife, Mary, added. “He’s not going to let anything happen to us in the church.” | “I feel like the Lord is going to protect us,” his wife, Mary, added. “He’s not going to let anything happen to us in the church.” |
| Mr. Coy, 55, has a co-worker in the automotive industry who tested positive for the coronavirus, though they had not crossed paths. “I think people are scared,” he said. | Mr. Coy, 55, has a co-worker in the automotive industry who tested positive for the coronavirus, though they had not crossed paths. “I think people are scared,” he said. |
| The disruptions were undeniable: Some churches have canceled services. Schools have canceled classes for the foreseeable future, although one has remained open to distribute meals to students in a city where nearly 25 percent of the residents live under the poverty line. | The disruptions were undeniable: Some churches have canceled services. Schools have canceled classes for the foreseeable future, although one has remained open to distribute meals to students in a city where nearly 25 percent of the residents live under the poverty line. |
| The Coys’ son is a senior wrestler at Campbellsville University, about 110 miles away, but he was now coming home for at least two weeks. “He’s tore up,” his father said. | The Coys’ son is a senior wrestler at Campbellsville University, about 110 miles away, but he was now coming home for at least two weeks. “He’s tore up,” his father said. |
| The Coys still went to a birthday party for their grandson, but Ms. Coy’s cousin, a woman in her 80s, stayed home. But she said any fear her cousin had was overshadowed by her outrage over the University of Kentucky ending its basketball season early. | The Coys still went to a birthday party for their grandson, but Ms. Coy’s cousin, a woman in her 80s, stayed home. But she said any fear her cousin had was overshadowed by her outrage over the University of Kentucky ending its basketball season early. |
| Cynthiana has defied the fate that has befallen many rural communities across America. Downtown storefronts are lively here, as younger residents have moved in and opened small businesses. The industries that have underpinned the economy, like the 3M plant producing Post-it Notes and Scotch tape, are healthy and steadily growing. | Cynthiana has defied the fate that has befallen many rural communities across America. Downtown storefronts are lively here, as younger residents have moved in and opened small businesses. The industries that have underpinned the economy, like the 3M plant producing Post-it Notes and Scotch tape, are healthy and steadily growing. |
| But the coronavirus struck at a moment when the turnaround still feels fragile. | But the coronavirus struck at a moment when the turnaround still feels fragile. |
| “We’re still in our infancy,” Karey Riddell said of the revival and her own year-old business, the Burley Market & Cafe, named for the kind of tobacco that once blanketed the farmland surrounding Cynthiana. | “We’re still in our infancy,” Karey Riddell said of the revival and her own year-old business, the Burley Market & Cafe, named for the kind of tobacco that once blanketed the farmland surrounding Cynthiana. |
| Roads, some barely wide enough for a pickup truck, twist through hills and around soggy fields toward Cynthiana, like blood vessels tracing back to a heart. The city has a square with a brick courthouse and rows of century-old buildings. Its streets are lined with churches and family homes, some stately and nicely appointed, others with chipped paint and mucky yards. | Roads, some barely wide enough for a pickup truck, twist through hills and around soggy fields toward Cynthiana, like blood vessels tracing back to a heart. The city has a square with a brick courthouse and rows of century-old buildings. Its streets are lined with churches and family homes, some stately and nicely appointed, others with chipped paint and mucky yards. |
| Ms. Riddell, 39, called herself a “boomerang,” someone who had left Cynthiana and returned to find it more appealing than she had remembered. Still, opening a business was stressful enough, and not knowing what was on the other side of the outbreak — or when it would be over — has compounded her anxieties. | Ms. Riddell, 39, called herself a “boomerang,” someone who had left Cynthiana and returned to find it more appealing than she had remembered. Still, opening a business was stressful enough, and not knowing what was on the other side of the outbreak — or when it would be over — has compounded her anxieties. |
| After the first couple of days, the initial panic subsided, and people began to stream out of their homes. But the outbreak was nowhere near over. Health officials expected more cases, state officials ordered that restaurants and bars not serve in-person customers, and some residents saw potential for fear to swell back up. | After the first couple of days, the initial panic subsided, and people began to stream out of their homes. But the outbreak was nowhere near over. Health officials expected more cases, state officials ordered that restaurants and bars not serve in-person customers, and some residents saw potential for fear to swell back up. |
| As he sat at the Burley Market & Cafe one afternoon last week, Mr. Smith, also a minister at Cornerstone Christian Church, talked about his own business, an old theater downtown that he had bought and fixed up with his friends. He had not canceled a showing of “Onward,” the new Pixar movie, and he wondered whether people would show up. | As he sat at the Burley Market & Cafe one afternoon last week, Mr. Smith, also a minister at Cornerstone Christian Church, talked about his own business, an old theater downtown that he had bought and fixed up with his friends. He had not canceled a showing of “Onward,” the new Pixar movie, and he wondered whether people would show up. |
| Rohs Opera House, the downtown theater that originally opened in 1871, had fallen into disrepair by the time Mr. Smith and the other owners took it over. They added new seats, and Robert Kirkman, a Cynthiana native and the creator of “The Walking Dead,” helped replace the projector. As the 7 p.m. show approached on Friday, Mr. Smith held the door open for families that trickled in with buckets of popcorn. There was plenty of room for social distancing. A trio of children spread out in a center row they claimed for themselves. | Rohs Opera House, the downtown theater that originally opened in 1871, had fallen into disrepair by the time Mr. Smith and the other owners took it over. They added new seats, and Robert Kirkman, a Cynthiana native and the creator of “The Walking Dead,” helped replace the projector. As the 7 p.m. show approached on Friday, Mr. Smith held the door open for families that trickled in with buckets of popcorn. There was plenty of room for social distancing. A trio of children spread out in a center row they claimed for themselves. |
| By the time the lights dimmed for the feature presentation, the fumes of cleaning supplies had been overpowered by the scent of salted butter. | By the time the lights dimmed for the feature presentation, the fumes of cleaning supplies had been overpowered by the scent of salted butter. |