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Trying to find the cause of COVID-19 is like looking for a needle in a haystack.

No one knows that better than the pastor of Good Hope Baptist Church.

The Rev. Wayne Locklar tested positive for the virus on Wednesday and his wife tested positive on Thursday.

Where they contracted, the virus is a complete mystery.

“From the beginning, we have seldom gone out,” Wayne Locklar said. “Except for a few times, we have stayed in. We ordered our groceries and they were brought out to us. I did go in a couple of times to buy a big bag of dog feed or to get my own meat.”

Locklar said he did go into  another local big box store but he wore a mask. And, as a couple, they did go to a restaurant once, where social distancing is practiced and, of course, masks were worn.

“But, I did pump gas without gloves, so could be where I contracted the virus,” he said in trying to determine the origin of the virus. “But, I don’t really know where.”

Locklar said COVID-29 just seemingly came out of nowhere.

He first thought he had a sinus infection but then he started running fever and developed a cough. His daughter, who is a nurse, recommended that he be tested for the coronavirus. When he tested positive, his wife was tested the next day and she also tested positive.

“Aylene’s symptoms are sinus-like and she has a slight cough but no fever,” Locklar said. “We have had no serious complications and our oxygen levels have been in the 90s.”

The Locklars had taken all the precautions that have been recommended to prevent contracting the virus, and yet, they have the virus. Where and how, they contracted COVID-19, they don’t know and probably will never know.

“I don’t think the general public took COVID-19 seriously enough in the beginning and isn’t now and aren’t taking it seriously enough here in Troy,” Locklar said. “And, we are paying the consequences. The coronavirus is serious and the numbers keep increasing.”

And, that’s because too many people still are not following the recommended procedures to protect themselves from contracting the virus and are going about business as usual, he said.

“Too many people don’t understand the importance of wearing a mask. Not wearing a mask is selfish. Not wearing a mask is showing no concern for the welfare of others. I would like to see us here in Alabama  have an order that would require everyone to wear a mask when in public. And, we should stay home unless it is absolutely necessary to go out.”

Locklar said if people won’t protect themselves and others, then it’s up to the government to do so.

“Some others might say that would be taking away our rights but one of the functions of our government is to  protect us,” he said.

“Doing so would not be denying me my rights, it would be protecting me, protecting all of us until we get some understanding of how we contract this coronavirus and can get it under control.”