[ti:Small American Town Changes Christmas Tradition ] [by:www.51voa.com] [00:00.00]更多听力请访问51VOA.COM [00:00.04]There is little to do in Norcatur, Kansas. [00:05.04]It has a service station, a building for storing grain, [00:10.24]and a weekend place where the locals play pool, [00:14.40]eat pizza and drink beer. [00:17.52]Yet COVID-19 still found this small, rural town, [00:23.04]which is home to about 150 people. [00:26.72]In an old tradition, [00:29.56]the town gathers for a potluck dinner at Christmastime. [00:35.04]The event is known as the Norcatur Christmas Drawing. [00:40.24]People donate meats, crafts and other treats. [00:45.20]Usually, every family goes home with prizes. [00:50.08]The 4-H Club, an agricultural organization for children, [00:55.72]holds a sale of baked goods. [00:59.48]Santa Claus comes to the event too. [01:02.84]But this year, the drawing has been canceled [01:06.68]due to the coronavirus health crisis. [01:10.96]A recent statement in the town's newsletter [01:14.48]and Facebook page announced the cancellation. [01:18.64]It blamed "lack of concern for others" for the action. [01:24.28]Decatur County has fewer than 3,000 people. [01:29.16]Most people live on farms or in small towns like Norcatur. [01:35.92]As of last week, the county had reported [01:39.64]194 coronavirus cases and one death. [01:45.48]Medical providers say there have been at least four more deaths [01:50.64]that have not been added to the official count. [01:54.28]Carolyn Plotts is a 73-year-old Norcatur resident. [02:00.36]She only found out she was positive for COVID-19 [02:05.12]when tested for a medical procedure in October. [02:09.88]She never had symptoms. [02:12.24]Plotts said two of her former high school classmates [02:16.52]who live in the county died because of the virus. [02:20.80]Her husband also tested positive. [02:24.68]"It's been very real to me," she said. [02:27.84]Plotts wondered whether the cancellation announcement [02:31.64]was maybe "talking about me." [02:34.44]During her quarantine, she would only leave her house [02:39.04]to care for a housebound friend [02:41.92]who still believes the pandemic is not real. [02:46.24]Plotts said she left her house [02:48.48]with her doctor's permission and wore a mask. [02:52.40]Carl Lyon is the Norcatur mayor. [02:56.60]He said that most residents are "pretty good" [03:00.24]about social distancing and wearing a mask, [03:04.00]but some have caught the virus. [03:06.80]"I know a couple of people had it [03:09.48]and they were still kind of running around," Lyon said. [03:13.76]"Didn't seem to bother them that they infected everybody else." [03:19.40]Decatur County Sheriff Ken Badsky estimated [03:22.48]that 5 percent of county residents [03:26.36]who should quarantine violate the restrictions and go out. [03:31.80]His office has called some and [03:34.88]"insisted they do what they are supposed to do," [03:38.76]but has taken no legal action. [03:41.68]"I have so much other stuff to do. [03:44.56]I don't have time to follow people around," Badsky said. [03:49.44]"We have 900 square miles, [03:52.56]we have three full-time officers and a part-time [03:56.28]to take care of that and we are busy with everything else." [04:00.48]Stan Miller was the announcer for the Christmas Drawing [04:04.80]for more than 25 years. [04:07.56]He has mixed feelings about the decision to stop it this year. [04:13.72]The 63-year-old Norcatur resident [04:17.32]said he understands there are elderly people [04:21.08]who could get the virus. [04:23.36]But it is also disappointing. [04:26.68]"I like to see all the joy, especially the little kids," Miller said. [04:32.60]"We have Santa Claus after the drawing is over [04:36.20]and to see them sit on Santa's lap [04:39.08]and tell them what they want for Christmas, [04:41.80]you know, always puts a smile on my face." [04:45.68]I'm John Russell. 更多听力请访问51VOA.COM