- Heavy reliance on public assurances about COVID-19 test availability created risk if shortages or delays had emerged (Daily Herald, 3/17/20)
- Blanket promises of transparency and immediate updates set high expectations, potentially undermining trust if any information was delayed or incomplete (Daily Herald, 3/17/20)
- Assertive public denials of COVID-19 cases could backfire if cases had been later discovered, fueling accusations of misinformation (Daily Herald, 3/17/20)
- Quick alignment with CDC event guidelines and closing of public facilities could be criticized by some constituents as overreaching or by others as too slow depending on changing public sentiment (Daily Herald, 3/17/20)
- Emphasis on combating rumors and “hysteria” highlights the challenge of controlling public narrative and trust during fast-moving emergencies (Daily Herald, 3/17/20)
March 2020: Maury County Mayor Andy Ogles Announced School Closures Through April 13 Amid COVID-19 Concerns According to The Daily Herald, "In a press conference held Monday at Maury County Mayor Andy Ogles' office, it was also announced that all Maury County Public Schools will also close immediately through April 13. All city and county government meetings, the Maury County Clerk's Office lobby, the Maury County County Archives, the Maury County Trustee's Office, will also be closed until April 13." [Daily Herald (Columbia, Tennessee), 3/17/20]
March 2020: Andy Ogles Supported Event Cancellations In Accordance With CDC Guidelines According to The Daily Herald, "Given the recent guidelines from the CDC and under advisement of the Governor's Office, the cancellation of all events over 50 people for the next eight weeks is the best course of action to ensure public health and safety," Ogles said. [Daily Herald, 3/17/20]
March 2020: Andy Ogles Asserted COVID-19 Testing Was Available In Maury County According to The Daily Herald, "We have tests in Maury County, period. Anyone who says otherwise does not know what they are talking about. We are testing in Maury County," Ogles said. [Daily Herald, 3/17/20]
March 2020: Ogles Announced Closure Of Maury County Government Offices Through April 13 Due To COVID-19 According to Daily Herald, "Joining the schools, Maury County's government offices will also close to the public through April 13, Ogles said during the Monday press conference." [Daily Herald, 3/17/20]
March 2020: Ogles Pledged To Share COVID-19 Updates With Public Promptly According to The Daily Herald, "Ogles said. 'We want the public to know that whenever we have any new information, we will share it with you. As soon as I know, you'll know.'" [Daily Herald (Columbia, Tennessee), 3/17/20]
March 2020: Ogles Promised Transparency On COVID-19 Case Information In Maury County According to Daily Herald, "There are a lot of rumors, but I can confirm to you that there are zero cases in Maury County," Ogles said during the press conference. "You will have full transparency from the mayor's office and the rest of our public offices." [Daily Herald, 3/17/20]
March 2020: Ogles Confirmed Availability Of COVID-19 Tests And Pledged Immediate Public Notification Of Cases According to Daily Herald, "Ogles also stressed that tests for the virus are available in Maury County and some individuals have entered quarantine. 'The moment there is a confirmed case in Maury County, I will let the public know,' Ogles said. 'People are putting information out on social media, adding to the hysteria. Let's do the smart thing, let's be clear in our communications. As soon as I know, you will know. I promise. We will be fully transparent.'" [Daily Herald, 3/17/20]
March 2020: Andy Ogles Committed To Transparency On COVID-19 News According to The Daily Herald, "Also, everyone should know that the county, cities, Maury Regional and the County Health Department are all working closely together to manage the evolving situation that is COVID-19, and we are all committed to being transparent with information as it develops, and they can rest assured that our public health and safety continue to be this city's top priority." [Daily Herald, 3/17/20]