Heger: RCSCW continues steps to halt virus in Sun City West

As you all have probably heard, the Recreation Centers of Sun City West officials closed the golf courses as of end of day April 13.

This is due to the COVID-19 crisis taking place not only in our country but around the world.

More than 56% of the courses in the U.S. already closed and more than 96% of the courses internationally also closed, according to Golf Now statistics. Those stats are rising, with the entire state of Nevada being the latest to close all courses (there will very likely be more by the time you read this). Palm Springs, West Palm Beach and Hawaii.

I am proud to say that RCSCW officials took steps to slow the spread of this deadly virus. Many of these steps were taken prior to steps taken by our local and national governments. We first closed our facilities to public access, then we sent all nonessential employees home to take care of their families. People that could do their jobs from home were told to do so. A skeleton crew of essential people were left to hold down the fort and thank God for those few.

This virus has not finished its run; in fact, we still don’t know when it will top out and what the toll will be. So, in light of this information, the RCSCW closed the golf courses to eliminate any chances of furthering the possible spread of the virus.

We live and work in a target rich environment — 55 and older, and many of us have some sort of ailment, be it heart problems, high blood pressure, diabetes or a combination of who knows what. We are all in the high-risk category and I, for one, am not willing to die or bring the virus home to a loved one for another 18 holes.

RCSCW officials have been on the cutting edge of preventing the spread of this deadly pandemic and is continuing to do so with the closures of our courses. I applaud the efforts of both our Governing Board and the senior staff for making the tough decisions, if not the most popular ones, to close all of our facilities and amenities and to do their part in preventing the spread of this worldwide virus.

Stay safe, stay healthy, stay at home and stay alive.

Editor’s Note: Jim Heger is Recreation Centers of Sun City West safety coordinator.