Community News Stories

In response to COVID-19, Hacker Nelson & Co., P.C. is
implementing precautionary procedures to keep you and our
employees healthy. Limiting personal contact is one of the
recommended methods of safety to mitigate and slow the
spread of the virus.
Hacker Nelson & Co. is now providing a Tax Information Drop
Off Service at our offices in lieu of offering in-person client
appointments and services.
Drop off hours are limited to 8:30 – 9:30 am and 12:30 – 1:30
pm Monday through Saturday.
Please leave your tax information in one of the tubs inside the
lobby of the office and an employee will secure your tax
information in a timely manner. You are welcome to request a
phone appointment at 563.382.3637 or by emailing
info@hackernelson.com this tax season. Also, if you want to
submit your information digitally, email
info@hackernelson.com and we will send a secure link.
Be assured that we are closely monitoring any developments
and its effects on taxpayers. We anticipate the IRS will extend
the tax filing deadline beyond April 15; however, this is not
confirmed at this time.
If you are a payroll client, please contact Hacker Nelson to
make communication arrangements at 563.382.3637.
Thank you for your understanding,
Your Hacker Nelson Team

A Message from the DACC

A Message from the DACC

The times are uncertain; the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce’s commitment to business and community is not. In response to COVID-19, our office is closed to the public and our in-person meetings and programs are postponed, but we will continue to provide you with the resources, engagement and leadership you have come to expect from us. Business hasn’t stopped, and neither has the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce.

If you have questions or need guidance please reach out
Office (563)382-3990
Kristina (563)419-2718

Drea – info@decorahareachamber.com
Kristina – kristina@decorahareachamber.com

We will remain viligant against the virus, confident in commerce!

March 20, 2020
Due to public health concerns, until further notice, Houston County drop sites will only be accepting
bagged trash, and recyclable plastic, tin cans, bottles, paper and cardboard. Drop site employees have
been instructed not to assist customers with unloading, and customers will be asked to remain outside drop
site buildings and will not be asked to sign receipts.
Residents are encouraged to avoid unnecessary trips to drop sites. If disposal of an item is not urgent, please
postpone it. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Press Release

Date: March 20, 2020

COVID-19 Update

COVID-19 is circulating in Iowa communities and many more Iowans are likely to become ill in the coming weeks. There are many questions in the community regarding who should be tested for the COVID-19 virus. To clarify and alleviate concerns in our communities, the Clayton County Healthcare Coalition would like to share this information with you.

Not everyone in the community who becomes ill needs to have the COVID-19 testing completed. 80% of the cases of COVID-19 are mild to moderate illness symptoms (low grade fever, cough, shortness of breath) and will recover completely by following these recommendations:

• Stay home for at least 7 days from the start of your illness and have a normal temperature for 3 full days without the aid of fever reducing medication such as Tylenol
• Get plenty of rest
• Drink plenty of fluids to remain hydrated
• Isolate yourself from other family members in your home as much as possible

Additionally, if you are experiencing mild to moderate illness symptoms that are manageable at home, the Iowa Department of Public Health is not recommending you have a COVID-19 test or a work release from your medical provider. If your occupation falls into the category of “Essential Service Personnel” such as healthcare professionals, law enforcement, fire & EMS, or long-term care and residential personnel, you may need to be tested according to your employer’s policies and can check directly with your employer on what those work policies are.

If you develop a temperature of 100.4 F or higher, your symptoms worsen or you experience shortness of breath, please call your medical provider or local hospital to be evaluated over the phone. Your medical provider will determine if you need to be seen and/or receive a test. Please remember to call your medical clinic or local hospital before arriving as they may want you to enter thru a designated entrance to protect the other patients in the waiting rooms. If you experience a medical emergency, please call 911 or your local emergency room for guidance.

It is recommended that Iowans self-isolate for 14 days in the following situations:

• If you have been on a cruise anywhere in the world in the last 14 days
• If you have traveled internationally in the last 14 days to a country with a Level 3 Travel Warning in place. Please refer to the CDC website (cdc.gov) for travel warning information as it can change rapidly.
• If you live with someone who has symptoms of COVID-19 or has tested positive for COVID-19

What does self-isolation mean?

• Stay home and do not go to school, public areas or attend gatherings.
• Do not use public transportation, ride sharing, or taxis.
• Postpone all non-essential travel.
• Wash your hands often and practice good hygiene.
• Postpone all non-essential medical appointments until you have completed your 14 days of self- isolation. If you have an essential medical appointment during this time, please work with your healthcare provider and local public health professionals, as needed, to help coordinate the visit.

What should I be watching for during self-isolation?

• Take your temperature twice a day. Watch for a fever.
• Watch for cough or difficulty breathing.

What about the people I live with?

• Family members or other persons who reside in your home may remain in your home, but you should stay in a specific room away from others and use a separate bathroom (if available).
• As long as you remain healthy, the other persons in your home can go about their daily activities as normal. There is no restriction on their movement.
• You should not have direct contact with any animals (i.e., dogs, cats, pigs, cattle, sheep and goats) out of an abundance of caution. Arrange for your pets to be cared for and housed outside of your home, if possible.

For updated information on COVID-19, visit the Iowa Department of Public Health webpage at https://idph.iowa.gov/Emerging-Health-Issues/Novel-Coronavirus

Follow the Department on Facebook @IowaDepartmentOfPublicHealth and on Twitter @IAPublicHealth.

• Mayo Clinic Deferring Elective Care: To ensure the safest possible environment for our patients and staff and to free up resources to assist in Mayo Clinic’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mayo is deferring all elective care that can be deferred for eight or more weeks. Please know that we did not make this decision lightly, and in order for it to be effective, we must be stringent in applying it. Mayo will be reaching out to patients if changes to existing appointments are needed. Mayo Clinic is not alone in taking this extraordinary measure, as health systems across the country are starting to implement similar actions. More information is available at Mayo Clinic News Network.
• What to Do If You Suspect COVID-19: In an article on Mayo Clinic News Network, Dr. Clayton Cowl provides guidance for people who have a cough, fever, fatigue or other symptoms.
• Tips on Handling Concerns Related to COVID-19: If worry about coronavirus is becoming disruptive in your life, Dr. Sheila Jowsey-Gregoire, a Mayo Clinic psychiatrist, has advice in this article. These coping strategies can help you feel more in control of your emotions and lessen the anxiety associated with the pandemic situation.
• Gift to Support Mayo Clinic’s Response to COVID-19: On March 15, Minnesota Timberwolves player Karl-Anthony Towns announced a $100,000 gift to support Mayo Clinic’s response to COVID-19. Mr. Towns was inspired by Mayo Clinic’s recent development of a test that can detect the virus that causes COVID-19 and deliver results to patients within 24 hours. With this support, Mayo Clinic will increase its testing capacity from about 200 tests per day to more than 1,000 tests per day in the coming weeks. More information about the gift is available at Mayo Clinic News Network.

In a message to Mayo Clinic patients last week, Mayo Clinic President and CEO Dr. Gianrico Farrugia and Mayo Clinic Chief Administrative Officer Jeff Bolton emphasized that Mayo Clinic is well prepared to meet the needs of our patients and communities. Dr. Farrugia reiterated that point in an interview with CNBC this week, noting that with each passing day Mayo Clinic is increasingly well prepared.

For the latest updates from Mayo Clinic experts, I encourage you to visit Mayo Clinic News Network for a stream of articles updated in real time as circumstances and guidance from public health agencies change. Among the resources is a podcast highlighting simple steps you can take to protect yourself from COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID-19 website is another excellent source of information.

Dear valued restaurant operator,

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) wants to provide clarification from the message that was sent on March 18. Specifically, this is to clarify the definition of “takeout” in the emergency order issued by Gov. Tony Evers.

The directive instructs restaurants and bars to end dine-in service and only provide takeout or delivery. No seating may be provided, and food may not be consumed at the restaurant.

Here is the new clarification for “takeout” orders:

• Online and phone orders can be picked up and paid for in person, provided there is social distancing of 6 feet between customers.
• Orders can be made onsite, limiting the total number of customers inside the establishment at one time to fewer than 10, if social distancing can be maintained during order, payment and pickup.

We recognize that this is a fluid situation. We will do our best to distribute information in a timely fashion.

Thank you for your role in keeping Wisconsinites safe and healthy by reducing the spread of COVID-19. If you have any questions, please send them to datcpfoodcomplaintsemergencyresponse@wisconsin.gov.

Sincerely,

The Division of Food and Recreational Safety

Gundersen Health System has launched an updated coronavirus disease 2019 website at gundersenhealth.org/covid19/

Here, your readers, viewers and listeners will find information on what to do if they’re feeling ill, what they can do to reduce the spread of

COVID-19, frequently asked questions, how they can take care of their mental health and much more.

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                            563-382-2911

March 19, 2020  1630 pm

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

kvandenbrink@winneshiekhealth.org                                   nsacquitne@winneshiekhealth.org

Social distancing remains of upmost importance at this time in our communities. Avoid any gatherings of more than 10 people and you must maintain the 6 feet distance. There are no travel restrictions or shelter-in-place being implemented at this time following Governor Reynolds press conference.

We would strongly encourage that all hi-risk groups including elderly 61 years of age and older limit persons coming into your homes. This includes visits from your children and grandchildren. Talk to them by phone, FACETIME, Skype, or other methods. Don’t be put at risk.

Please ask family members, neighbors, and friends to help to pick up supplies.

Always remember to do the following as well to stay healthy:

• 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.

Howard County Business & Tourism and the Cresco Area Chamber of Commerce has been working with the Governor’s office and IEDA as we navigate our way forward during the pandemic.

Howard County Emergency Management would like to ask if anyone has N95 filter masks, would they please donate them to RHSHC at the hospital or Howard County Emergency Management at the Law Enforcement Center. Thank you.

If you have any questions, please let me know by emailing or calling the office.
Stay healthy everyone,

—

Hillary Zidlicky

Community and Economic Development

Associates

Office: 563-547-3434

m: 641-330-8519

e: hcbt@cedausa.com

w: www.cedausa.com

Mabel-Canton Schools- During the school closure related to the COVID-19 VIRUS, FREE cold sack Breakfast and Lunches are available to ANY child ages 0-18 years old, no matter what school they attend.  Please contact Jane Hall at jhall@mabelcanton.org or TEXT ONLY 507-272-9363

De Soto School District- School buses will be delivering the meals which may also come with homework assignments, and educational materials.  “Go Bags” will also be available at Stoddard Elementary, De Soto Middle/High School, and Prairie View Elementary for parent or student pick-up between 7:30-8:30 a.m. weekday mornings.

Seneca School District-  Click on the link to order meals for your children. It is currently set up through April 3rd. We will add additional dates if the closure continues. Please take advantage of this even if you feel your family does not NEED it. It’s great for our school and will provide some normalcy and familiarity to the children. https://forms.gle/Bwn59JyoyNMLS3ew8

Allamakee Community School District Waukon, IA- Grab N’ Go Meals for all children 18 and under.  Drive-Thru Pick Up Meal Services at Waukon Middle School.

Breakfast 7:30am-8:30 am

Lunch 11:30 am-12:30 pm

Monday through Friday March 20, 2020 until school reopens

Postville School Distrcit Postville, IA- Grab-n-Go School Lunches from 11:30-12:00 for all K-12 students at the Elementary building.  Please bring your backpack or plastic grocery sack to carry out your meals.

Eastern Allamakee School District Lansing & New Albin, IA- Grab & Go lunch for all children 18 and younger.  Pick up between 11:30-1230 Monday-Friday. Lunch available at Lansing and New Albin Centers.

MFL MAR-MAC School District-  Grab & Go Breakfast and Lunch for children at all communities which will be served by our district. These are FREE meals offered to all children 18 years of age and younger.  Students in need of Grab & Go Meals are invited to pick up at the designated locations listed below at 8 a.m. and noon, Monday – Friday, during the shutdown.

*McGregor

School Lunchroom

In front of McGregor Public Library

Breezy Point Shelter

*Marquette

Marquette Bench Diamond/Park

Marquette Under Bridge Park Parking Lot

*Farmersburg

City Park

St. John’s Lutheran Church Parking Lot

*Luana

St. John’s Lutheran Church Parking Lot

Park by Post Office

*Monona

School Lunchroom

Community Center Parking Lot

Howard-Winneshiek School District Cresco, IA-   Students will continue to receive both their school breakfast and lunch. Complete this form if you want school breakfast and lunch meals during the COVID-19 school closing.  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/hwcovid19

South Winneshiek School District- Grab and Go” meals will be available beginning Monday, March March 23, and distributed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 12:00-12:30.  Meals will be distributed throughout the district in Calmar, Festina, Ossian and Spillville.

Calmar  – South Winneshiek High School (southside by the high school office)

Festina  – Festina Community Center

Ossian – east/back door of the St. Teresa of Calcutta School

Spillville – Spillville School parking lot

Register here:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfx4EWyr9tlVPuG9HhIWDA5P_1ORSfdPpjmQz8PnbHyzwNhCg/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1

Turkey Valley Schools- Free meals for children 18 and under.  Carry out breakfast and lunch will be provided. No identification or proof of school enrollment is required.

Curbside pick up at these locations:

Lawler- In front of library- Monday, Wednesday, Friday.  11-11:30AM

Fort Atkinson- Community Center- Monday, Wednesday.  Friday. 11-11:30AM

Protivin- Post Office- Monday, Wednesday, Friday.  11:45-12:15PM

St. Lucas- Church Parking Lot- Monday, Wednesday, Friday.  11-11:30AM

Waucoma- City Park- Monday, wednesday, Friday.  11:45-12:15PM

New Hampton School District- Drop off/pick up lunches and breakfast will begin on Wednesday, March 18th, at locations throughout the district from 11:30-12:30. Contact the school to sign up your child/children. If you have children who are not in school yet, meals can also be provided.

1. 1. New Hampton-Mikkelson Park and Elementary Playground
   2. Ionia- City Park
   3. Alta Vista- City Parking Lot
   4. North Washington-Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Parking Lot
   5. Jerico- Jerico Jo’s
   6. Hwy 63/18 Junction- Parking lot next to Ameritec

Caledonia School District- Caledonia Area Public Schools will be providing free bag meals during the mandated COVID-19 school closure. Bag meals will be offered starting Thursday, March 19th thru March 27th.

Caledonia Area Elementary School will be between 11:00-12:30 Monday through Friday

Drive into parking lot off Main Street and wait by the red cone for a staff person to bring the bags to your vehicle, please exit the parking/playground onto Grove Street.

Eitzen ——- Bus will be there about 11:30 near City Hall

Freeberg ——-Bus will be there about 11:30 near Community Center

Brownsville ——Bus will be there about 11:30 near City Hall/Community Center

Spring Grove Schools- FREE Meals are available for children 18 and under. Parents, if you haven’t already, please complete the survey so that we have a good idea of the number of meals to plan for. https://forms.gle/iQsQ975eJ21AyuaS8

When you pick up meals you might want to bring a reusable bag and a small cooler for cold items.

North Crawford School District- Meal deliveries within the district.  Please put a cooler near your front door for us to leave the food in. Contact Jen Kapinus at jkapinus@ncrawford.k12.wi.us or 608-735-7213.