Gov. Kevin Stitt announced a ?safer-at-home? policy on March 24, but six months later Oklahomans are still feeling the side effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in more ways than one. Rural areas, like McIntosh County, are especially being hit hard economically, as well as physically and emotionally. While some businesses are being forced to close their doors for good, area church ministries and other relief programs are doing their best to help those in need. This need seems to be surging as the pandemic continues to wreak havoc on not just local areas but across the United States and globally.