By Teri Knight, News Director
A second case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Rice County yesterday afternoon. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) informed Rice County Public Health that the lab confirmed case indicates the person is in their 30’s with transmission linked to travel within the United States. This person was not hospitalized and is in isolation at home.Minnesota currently has 235 lab confirmed cases of COVID-19, with cases indicative of community transmission. The full press release is on our website along with other announcements, links and resources.
Chief advises hitting the pause button, not the panic button
This situation isn’t like a flood or a tornado when there are concrete, physical things we can do to help. Northfield Chief Monte Nelson said, in this pandemic situation, “it’s mostly about planning And in trying to get that info out to the public, trying to make sure that those essential services that we’ll have to try to help people who do get sick to the point of needing assistance, that all of those systems are in place. hospitals, clinics, fire police EMS”. As for changes in his operation, as has been mentioned, they’ve limited their in-person office services and response protocols to protect themselves and the public. Officers are still out there doing their job. Chief Nelson added, “it keeps evolving. That’s the other word we keep using. We might think we have the best plan in the world. And a day or a week or a month from now. We realize well the plan was good for two days, but it’s not good for two weeks”. Nelson advises, hit the pause button, not the panic button. The need to react is natural but taking a pause will help you make better decisions. Speaking of mental health, he added, “take a break shut the TV off, turn off Facebook, turn off the computer, you might even need to shut your phone off”. Go outside, one of the healthier places to be is outdoors so long as you continue to maintain physical distancing. His interview is HERE.
Dundas City Hall closes, leaders still available by phone
Dundas City Hall closes for at least the next three weeks. They will still be available by phone and by appointment. They do have a box on the front of the building for utility payments. Administrator Teppen was on the air this morning. She also gave an update on construction. Her full interview is HERE.
Nfld adds special email for building permits
The Northfield Community Development department added an email account for timely response to community builders, developers, customers. Effective immediately, Director Mitzi Baker reports that a new email account is ready for use by community members with building permit applications for spring and summer projects. The email address is: permits.cd@ci.northfield.mn.us
Draheim says “budgetary needs” first up on legislators agenda
District 20 Senator Rich Draheim said yesterday that when the senate reconvenes, “the main discussion is going to be, right away, immediately would be the budgetary needs of our response, not only from a government standpoint, from the Minnesota Department of Health, the local hospitals, the local nursing homes, but also housing”. Legislators will reconvene on Thursday. They will adhere to physical distancing and the building is closed to the public. His full interview is HERE.
Northfielders step up
The Northfield Community is stepping up in so many ways. From helping out neighbors with grocery shopping or giving each other needed supplies, to donating items to sewing masks for healthcare workers to local musicians offering free Facebook live concerts, you can see so many coming together. Small businesses are reaching out to help each other and the community as well. Check out our Facebook page as well as a number of Northfield community pages. Just give a search and you’ll find them. As Mr. Rogers said, “look for the helpers”. And tune in tomorrow to hear one of those local helpers. Mark Schiller of Loon Liquor will be on the air at 8:45am to talk about their addition of making hand sanitizer.
Your money is secure
Despite volatility in financial markets and economic instability due to COVID-19, MN Commerce Commissioner Kelley is reassuring residents that their money is secure in the state’s banks and credit unions. The full press release is on kymn.net under our Coronavirus/Covid-19 resouce and links page.
