MAUD, Texas - Despite the coronavirus, camping is in full swing.
At Kelly Creek Landing on Wright Patman Lake, owners Leon and Shelley Jennings are enjoying business as usual. Leon says that business is about the same compared with this time last year. The couple have owned the landing for 20 years.
"We have been holding our breath and thinking that the state administrator may ask us to close to keep people from getting together," Leon Jennings said. "So far, business has been about the same. Once people get out here and get out on the lake on their boats, they are away from everybody. This is a good place to be for people to be outdoors and get some fresh air.
"The main thing that we are doing differently is emphasizing the importance of everyone washing their hands thoroughly. We are just coming out of the winter time and this is the start of the camping season," he said.
Jennings' biggest worry is the potential for heavy rainfall. Rainfall could affect some camping areas out at the landing.
"Some of our camping areas will probably be closing if we get heavy rain," Jennings said. "The campers are pretty laid back but at the same time, there are a lot of retired people camping with us that are taking precautions. They are paying attention to the information that the media is putting out. They are making sure to not shake hands, to not go outside if they are feeling sick and that kind of stuff."
Jennings is taking everything in stride and is not too concerned with the pandemic. He said that the best that anyone can do is follow the advice given.
"Running a campground is stressful in itself, so this is not very stressful to me. People like to get outdoors, to get back in with Mother Nature and to go fishing. The fishing has been OK. We have had some high water, but the fishing will pick up."
As of this publication, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has not postponed the opening of campgrounds around Wright Patman Lake. Other campgrounds in some states have been shut down until further notice.