Community News Stories

***RUMOR CONTROL***

Folks, we would like to take an opportunity to address some rumors regarding COVID 19 pandemic and Governor Walz Executive Order #20-20.

As you are likely aware, this Stay at Home order takes effect at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 27th through April 10th.
State Border Closings: There are currently no plans to close state boarders under this directive. In our Tri-State area, we have many people who live in one state and work in another. You are free to go from one state to another for work if your employer has been deemed essential and to obtain medical services or other essential items.

As COVID-19 spreads, our top priority at MiEnergy Cooperative is to keep our employees safe in order to continue to provide reliable power and service to members. Below are important precautions that are being taken.

• Steps have been taken to enable employees to work from home. Employees with positions that require them to be at work have been given guidelines on reducing exposure to each other and to practice social distancing.
• All employees have been asked to take precautions to reduce possible exposure to COVID-19 outside of the workplace.
• The offices in Cresco and Rushford were closed to the public on March 18. Employees continue to take phone calls and respond to emails and mail.
• Member attendance for the annual meeting scheduled for April 22 is cancelled. Elections will continue as planned. Members in District 1 are encouraged to cast their ballot by mail or electronically by the deadlines supplied with the ballot information.
• Planned outages have been limited to avoid a conflict with members working from home.
• Disconnection of service due to nonpayment has been postponed at this time.

As members spend more time at home, being energy efficient now will help avoid higher electric bills later. One tool to help track energy use is SmartHub. Find it online at www.mienergy.coop or search for SmartHub where apps are downloaded. SmartHub also allows for online payments. The co-op’s website has online energy use guides and the newly added online Electric$ense site for delivering energy efficiency to your door.

The co-op understands that members will face financial hardships due to COVID-19 and encourages members to call the office to discuss payment options and possible utility assistance programs if they are in this situation. Members looking for a way to help their neighbors can contribute to the co-op’s RECare program that assists members in paying their electric bills.

Your local electric cooperative is prepared to continue delivering safe, reliable power during the pandemic. If you have any questions or concerns, please call 1-800-432-2285.

Wishing you safety and good health,

Brian Krambeer, President/CEO

Dean Nierling, Chair

This news release will have 5 parts listed below:

1. Donations of N95 Masks requested
2. Is that business essential or not. Citizens have questions.
3. Crawford County Testing numbers
4. Volunteers still needed
5. Food Pantry availability in Crawford County

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Crawford County Emergency Management is accepting donations of certified N95 masks that are new and unused or even expired. Please contact Fire Chief Tad Beutin at the Prairie du Chien Fire Department at 608-326-4365 or his cell phone at 608-306-0361.

An N95 respirator is a protective device designed to achieve a very close facial fit and very efficient filtration of airborne particles. The edges of the respirator are designed to form a seal around the nose and mouth. Surgical N95 Respirators are commonly used in healthcare settings and are a subset of N95 Filtering Face piece Respirators (FFRs), often referred to as N95s. These masks are not to be confused with surgical masks which are loose fitting and create a physical barrier for the wearer from particulants in the immediate area. These masks are not able to be formed around the mouth and make a seal.

We have received calls regarding certain businesses throughout out community on why they are still open and if they truly essential. Anyone that may have questions regarding these issues may direct their questions to Robert Moses at 608-326-8555 extension 12. If you cannot reach Robert at that number please leave him a voicemail with you name, phone number, and which businesses you may have questions about and he will return your call. Robert will be handling calls regarding ALL businesses throughout Crawford County.

The Prairie du Chien Area Chamber of commerce is dedicated to providing the most up-to-date information on Chamber member’s change of hours, closings, and what they have to offer during this difficult time. If you are a Chamber member business, please provide any updates or changes to your listing by emailing the Chamber at pdccoc@mhtc.net. We will do our best to keep up with the ongoing changes. A listing of these businesses can be found are prairieduchien.org under the COVID-19 tab in the upper right of the page.

Crawford  County Public Health Department reports the following:

As of 3/27/2020 @ 10 a.m. Crawford County, WI has ZERO confirmed cases of COVID-19.

There has been a total of 52 tests with 48 negative results and 4 pending results.

While confirmed cases help to represent the disease spread in a community, they do not account for all possible cases.

Community spread is now considered statewide in WI.
To see all WI confirmed case numbers go to: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/outbreaks/index.htm
The site updates daily at 2 p.m.

We recommend that residents practice social distancing, continue hand washing regularly and stop all non-essential travel.

Crawford County is still looking to compile a list of volunteers willing to assist in the COVID-19 response (SHOULD WE END UP NEEDING VOLUNTEERS)

We urge for people with prior healthcare training to join the list as well.
Volunteers could be asked to a wide variety of different tasks.
Please call 608-326-2718 to register.  If no answer leave a message.

Couleecap, Inc. is offering expanded food pantry hours in Sparta and Prairie du Chien to assist people struggling with food insecurity during the corona virus emergency. Individuals and families impacted by unemployment or reduced hours, school or business closures, or other reasons for food scarcity are encouraged to visit a Couleecap food pantry Monday through Friday between the hours of 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

The food pantries, located at 217 North Black River Street in Sparta and 200 E. Blackhawk Avenue in Prairie du Chien (rear entrance), will offer pre-packed bags of food than can be picked up without entering the building, reducing face-to-face contact to prevent the spread of germs. If a person or family needs food but cannot come to the pantry themselves, they may send a friend or family member on their behalf. Couleecap will offer accommodations for special dietary needs when possible and can schedule limited home delivery to those who are not able to send someone on their behalf.

For residents on the northern end of Crawford County, the Gays Mills Food Pantry, will be open The 1st Saturday of the month from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and the 1st, 2nd, 3rd Wednesday of the month from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The location of the Gays Mills Food Pantry is 120 Sunset Ridge, Suite 122 in Gays Mills, Wisconsin. There website can be found at http://www.gaysmills.org/foodpantry.html

Deputy Marc Myhre #28

Crawford County Sheriff’s Department

224 N Beaumont Rd

Prairie du Chien, WI 53821

608-642-3649- Cell (Primary Contact)

608-326-8414- Sheriff’s Department

For Immediate Release

March 27, 2020

Contact: Lisa Moose RN                                                        Contact: Sheryl Darling-Mooney RN

lmoose@vmhospital.com                                                        smooney@vmhospital.com

Allamakee County Public Health (Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care) has currently been notified of a total of 7 positive cases of COVID 19 in Allamakee County. Unfortunately we have received notice of a death of one our 7 cases. This case is a male between the ages of 61-80 years of age. 3 cases have already recovered and have been released from isolation and 3 are recovering at home under isolation. We do expect to see more positive cases in the coming days.

Allamakee County Public Health and our other area health partners can not stress enough the importance of STAYING HOME. This does slow the spread. Staying home does not mean you can’t go for a walk or be outside as long as you maintain social distancing. 6 feet physical distancing is about the length of a twin bed.

Send one (1) person out to go to the grocery store to get essentials for ONE week.

Utilize technology to connect socially by phone calls, texting, video streaming, Facebook live, Zoom and other apps. We understand you need to be able to connect with others but for everyone’s safety it needs to be at a distance.

Public notification of any additional positives will be released daily on the Iowa Department of Public Health website.

If you are experiencing any health concerns related to respiratory symptoms you NEED to call your health care provider first before seeking medical attention.

If you stay home now we can be together later.

Thank you for helping to keep yourself, your family, your neighbors and our communities safe.

This is an official public health press release. Modifications of any kind are prohibited without express written consent of this author. Any reprint or rebroadcast of this information must include the entire communication.

On Thursday, the Iowa Army National Guard delivered a shipment of PPE (personal protective equipment) to Clayton County. Public Health and Emergency Management worked to properly package the supplies for distribution throughout the county. These items will aide our first responders, healthcare workers, and long-term care facility providers. PPE is being dispersed throughout Clayton County today!

Last week county agencies were contacted for an inventory of items on-hand. Requests for projected needs were taken into consideration. All Clayton County agencies are working through this together. Each agency is sourcing their own additional PPE needs. We continue to see an inspiring dynamic of resources and responses from both public and private sectors working together.

Please Follow Clayton County EMA on facebook https://www.facebook.com/ClaytonCountyEMA/ for updates

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 27, 2020     0900 am                                                              563-382-4662

Contact: Krista Vanden Brink BA, RN                                       Nancy Sacquitne RN, BSN

kvandenbrink@winneshiekhealth.org                                   nsacquitne@winneshiekhealth.org

Winneshiek County Public Health was notified of an additional positive case of COVID 19 in Winneshiek County late yesterday. This person has already recovered and had been in isolation.

Winneshiek County Public Health and our community health partners are stressing the importance of STAYING HOME. This does slow the spread.

If you must go out, MAINTAIN the 6 feet physical distancing – about the length of a twin bed.

Send one (1) person out to go to the grocery store to get essentials for ONE week.

Utilize social media to connect socially by video streaming, Facebook live, Zoom and other apps. We know you need to socially connect but it must be at a distance for all.

Public notification of any additional positives will be released daily on the Iowa Department of Public Health website.

If you have health concerns with respiratory symptoms, you NEED to call your providers first before going to the hospital or clinics.

If you stay home NOW, we can have the summer together.

Thank you for helping to keep our communities safe.

This is an official public health press release. Modifications of any kind are prohibited without express written consent of the author. Any reprint or broadcast of this information must include this entire communication

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(1)

During Governor Reynolds’ press conference, she stated that the existing business closures would extend to April 7th, or one week longer than originally stated. She also announced that, as of 10:00pm tonight, additional retail stores will be closed through April 7th. Retail stores included in this closure are book stores, clothing stores, shoe stores, jewelry stores, luggage stores, cosmetic, perfume and beauty supply stores, florists, furniture stores, and home furnishing stores. This closure does not affect other retail establishments, such as discount store, grocery stores, or pharmacies that sell these goods in addition to other essential food, medical supplies, and household goods.

Additionally, effective at 5 p.m. Friday, all non-essential or elective surgeries and procedures that can be delayed are suspended and all elective dental procedures are suspended, with the exception of emergency procedures.

She stated that they had reevaluated the school closure, and maintain that schools should remain closed until April 13th.

You can read her proclamation here: https://governor.iowa.gov/press-release/gov-reynolds-signs-new-proclamation-continuing-state-public-health-emergency-0

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(2)

Last night the Senate unanimously passed the $2.2 Trillion relief package in a 96-0 vote. House leadership seems confident that a passing vote will be reached, with voting hopefully taking place on Friday. Some representatives have expressed concern over the desire to vote without being present (due to proximity concerns), so the logistics of the vote could delay any action. More on this as it develops.

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(3)

A business called Iowa Love reached out to me to present a free online gift card option for small businesses. Essentially, they’ve created a section of their website that allows small business to offer gift cards for sale online; they are offering this service at no cost to participating businesses (aside from processing fees that the payment system incurs). A number of towns have jumped into this, and it’s especially helpful for businesses without an online store. Customers buying gift cards now can give businesses cash flow to survive this ongoing crisis. You can see participating businesses here: https://iowalove.org/products/giftcards

And you can learn more about how it works here: https://iowalove.org/pages/how-it-works

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(4)

I’ve been updating the restaurant information almost daily as situations continue to change. The Google Drive folder contains the most recent menus and hour changes. You can still access all the information at the same link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1013wTaRdkMMzbtE6AuTcdOG9NTKbwsnC

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(5)

Many people are temporarily out of work due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but Kwik Trip, Inc. has seen increased demands on their stores due to COVID-19. They are looking to hire at least 2,000 full- and part-time workers. While also looking for year-round and seasonal positions, they understand that their increased volume at the moment provides an opportunity for temporary work until people are able to return to their current jobs. If you’re curious about pursuing this option, your first step would be a hiring event, which are being held virtually; the first one will be Tuesday, March 31st. You can read more here: https://jobs.kwiktrip.com/lp/Hiring%20Events%20Home%20Page/6b3934aae342097d/?locale=en_US

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Andy KelleherExecutive Director, Main Street Lansing563-538-9229P.O. Box 307, Lansing, IA  52151

March 26, 2020

Contact: Nancy Yelden RN  (563-245-1145)

Nancy.yelden@unitypoint.org

First Case of COVID-19 Confirmed in Clayton County

A case of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has been confirmed in Clayton County for a female in the age group of 18-40 years.  According to the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), the individual is self-isolating at home.

“While this is Clayton County’s first case, it may not be the last, and that’s why we encourage all residents to continue to make prevention a priority,” said Clayton County Visiting Nurse Association Director Stacey Killian. These actions include:

• Washing hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds each time.
• Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow/upper arm.
• Staying home when ill.

Approximately 80% of Iowans infected with COVID-19, will experience only a mild to moderate illness. Most mildly ill Iowans do not need to go to their healthcare provider or be tested to confirm they have COVID-19. Sick Iowans must stay home and isolate themselves from others in their house. Stay home and isolate from others in the house until:

• You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (that is three full days of no fever without the use of medicine that reduces fevers)

AND

• other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved)

AND

• at least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared.

If you think you may need healthcare, call first. Your provider can assess whether you need to be seen in the office or if you can recover at home. There may also be options for you to talk to a medical provider from home using technology.

For up-to-date information on COVID-19, visit the IDPH webpage at https://idph.iowa.gov/Emerging-Health-Issues/Novel-Coronavirus and follow the department on Facebook at @IowaDepartmentOfPublicHealth and on Twitter at @IAPublicHealth.

March 26, 2020

CONTACT:  Erin Berns at Veterans Memorial Hospital  568-3411

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Urgent Care Hours Change During COVID-19

Veterans Memorial Hospital has changed the hours of Urgent Care services during this COVID-19 challenge.  Monday through Friday, the hours will now be reduced to 5 – 7 p.m.  Saturdays, Sundays and holidays will still hold the same hours from 9 am – 1 pm.

Urgent Care is still available seven days a week and designed for treating injuries or illnesses requiring immediate care, but not serious enough to require an emergency department visit.  During COVID-19, all patients with any respiratory symptoms are required to call the hospital at 568-3411 before coming in.   Urgent Care patients present to the main entrance of Veterans Memorial Hospital.   Emergency patients are still asked to come to the ER entrance of the hospital.

Examples of what a patient may seek Urgent Care for could include back pain; bladder or urinary tract infection; cough; cuts, scrapes and bruises; diarrhea; fever, colds and flu; ear pain, swimmer’s ear, ear infection, or wax removal; insect or tick bite; joint pain; minor burn; nausea/vomiting; pink eye; rash; seasonal allergies; sinus and upper respiratory infection; sore or strep throat; strains/sprains; sudden back or neck pain; urinary problems or vaginal irritation/discharge.  Most insurance does cover urgent care visits.  Patients can usually expect to pay a copay or deductible for visits to Urgent Care treatment

For questions on local medical testing and services, please call Veterans Memorial Hospital at 568-3411.

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2 healthcare facilities remain able to accommodate those who require intensive medical intervention. This Executive Order is consistent with a growing nationwide effort to contain the spread of COVID-19. On March 16, 2020, President Donald Trump issued guidelines to limit gatherings of more than 10 people. As of March 24, 2020, twenty-four states representing almost 200 million Americans have issued orders or public health directives closing non-essential businesses or limiting residents from participating in non-essential activities. Limiting activities to only those which are most essential and practicing social distancing at all times are vital tools required to mitigate the community spread of COVID-19 in Minnesota and nationwide. On March 23, 2020, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce: Ensuring Community and National Resilience inCOVID-19 Response (“CISA Guidance”—attached to, and incorporated into, this Executive Order). The CISA Guidance identifies workers who conduct a range of operations and services that are essential to continued critical infrastructure viability. This federal guidance provides a baseline for Minnesota’s efforts to ensure critical infrastructure and services are maintainedwhile slowing the spread of COVID-19.In Minnesota Statutes 2019, section 12.02, the Minnesota Legislature conferred upon the Governor emergency powers “in order to (1) ensure that preparations of this state will be adequate to deal with disasters, (2) generally protect the public peace, health, and safety, and (3) preserve the lives and property of the people of the state.” Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 2019, section 12.21, subdivision 1, the Governor has general authority to control the state’s emergency management as well as carry out the provisions of Minnesota’s Emergency Management Act. Minnesota Statutes 2019, section 12.21, subdivision 3(7), authorizes the Governor to cooperate with federal and state agencies in “matters pertaining to the emergency management of the state and nation . . . .” including “the direction or control of . . . the conduct of persons in the state, including entrance or exit from any stricken or threatened public place, occupancy of facilities, and . . . public meetings or gatherings . . . .” Pursuant to subdivision 3 of that same section, the Governor may “make, amend, and rescind the necessary orders and rules to carry out the provisions” of Minnesota Statutes 2019, Chapter 12. When approved by the Executive Council and filed in the Office of the Secretary of State, such orders and rules have the force and effect of law during the peacetime emergency. Any inconsistent rules or ordinances of any agency or political subdivision of the state are suspended during the pendency of the emergency. Any person who willfully violates such an order or rule is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction must be punished by a fine not to exceed $1,000 or by imprisonment for not more than 90 days. For these reasons, I order as follows: 1.Beginning on Friday, March 27, 2020 at 11:59 pm through Friday, April 10, 2020 at 5:00 pm, all persons currently living within the State of Minnesota are ordered to stay at home or in their place of residence except to engage in the Activities and CriticalSector work set forth below in Paragraphs 5 and 6.

3 2.For purposes of this Executive Order, homes or residences include hotels, motels, shared rental units, shelters, and similar facilities, to the extent they are used for lodging. 3.This Executive Order does not restrict virtual work or telework (i.e . work from home), and Minnesotans working in any field are encouraged to work from their home or residence as much as possible.4.Definitions.As used in this Executive Order, “workers” and “personnel” are broadly defined to include employees, contractors, vendors, and volunteers. As used in this Executive Order, “Critical Sectors” is defined to include the categories found in the CISA Guidance and the additional categories listed below. 5.Exemptions – Activities. Minnesotans may leave their homes or residences to engage in the following activities, provided that all persons follow the guidelines set forth and maintained by the Minnesota Department of Health (“MDH Guidelines”), including but not limited to social distancing, to the maximum extent possible. This list of Activities may be clarified, as deemed necessary by the Governor, to ensure the health, safety, and security of all Minnesotans. Clarifications will be available for public review at: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/a.Relocation to ensure safety. Individuals whose homes or residences are unsafe or become unsafe, including individuals who have suffered or are at risk of domestic violence or for whom the safety, sanitation or essential operations of the home or residence cannot be maintained, are allowed and urged to leave their home or residence and relocate to a safe alternative home or residence. b.Health and s afety activities. Individuals may seek emergency services, obtain medical services, supplies, and medications, and visit a health care or dental professional or facility, or a veterinarian. Individuals may also donate blood. c.Outdoor activities. Individuals may engage in outdoor activities (e.g.,walking, hiking, running, biking, driving for pleasure, hunting, or fishing), and may go to available public parks and other public recreation lands, consistent with remaining at least six feet apart from individuals from other households. This does not exempt public accommodations that may feature outdoor activities from closure under Executive Order 20-04 and does not permit trespass upon private property. d.Necessary supplies and services. Individuals may obtain food, including delivery or carry-out services, beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), and other grocery items, gasoline, supplies needed to work from home, and products needed to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of homes and residences, businesses, and personally owned vehicles, including