(Michigan City, IN) - The mayor of Michigan City continues to do well in his battle with COVID-19.  Duane Parry, 71, said he’s had symptoms but nothing serious enough for him to seek professional medical treatment.  The advice given to him by his doctor over the phone was get plenty of rest and keep close tabs of his symptoms.  “I hope I sail through this thing.  I feel pretty good right now,” he said.

Parry, who’s in the second year of his first term as mayor, said he’s not sure how he picked up the potentially deadly virus.  He played basketball, as he often does, at the former Elston High School gymnasium on January 26.  The next day, Parry said he returned home from work and went to bed after coming down with the chills.  He had himself tested after waking up.  On Monday, Parry said he was still feeling a bit weak and experiencing minor stiffness but felt strong enough to carry out his duties from home while under a self-quarantine.

City Hall was closed Friday to allow for a deep cleaning and reopened Monday with public access restricted to appointments or emergencies.  He expects to return to his office by no later than mid-February.

Parry said he always wears a mask when venturing outside home and tested negative in previous tests.  “I’ve been careful and I still got it.  We have to take all of the precautions we can and hopefully the vaccines will slow down the growth of it so what’s left will run its course and move on,” he said.