'Too much COVID:' NC doctor pushes for virtual learning in hard-hit community
When looking into county health data, WRAL's data trackers found Robeson County had the third-highest rate of cases per capita in the state despite being ranked 24th in population.
According to a family doctor who has been a physician in the county for more than 20 years, the county has been hit harder because it's one of the sickest in the state.
The rural, blue-collar community has high levels of heart and lung disease, and diabetes.
In fact, three of the of the 60+ victims who've died in the county were patients of Peace – people she knew personally.
Dr. Robin Peace is president of medical staff at Southeastern Health.
On Tuesday she spoke very frankly to the school board in support of continuing virtual learning in the county.
Her words were frank and to the point: The county had not done the work, she said, of wearing face masks and avoiding large gatherings. Therefore, they were not in a position to open up schools safely.
When she spoke -- they listened.
"I believe that even though the people in this area may not agree with what I say, they know that it's coming from a place of caring for our community," she said.
Dr. Peace supported the school board's decision to extend virtual learning until December.
