The Dye-Giuliani family of Iron River saddled up the horses for a day of fresh air and exercise.

IRON RIVER — There are now several online sources where Iron County businesses impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak can get the latest information and resources, Iron County Economic Chamber Alliance Executive Director Paul Schuytema said in a news release on March 24.    
    The first are two pages, one for business information and one for resident information, created by the Iron County ICECA. These informational resources can be accessed from the home page at iron.org. The business page links to federal, state and regional resources and information, as well as providing links to helpful online webinars for businesses.
    The resident information page provides general COVID-19 information, ways community members and support local businesses and ideas to better cope with Monday’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order from Governor Whitmer.
    “We developed these pages to provide a simple, locally-focused resource for our businesses and residents,” Schuytema said. “We will also be using the business page to provide up-to-date information on any business relief programs as they become available. We’re in twice-weekly conference calls and continual email contact with other Upper Peninsula economic development organizations, as well as our regional, state and federal partners.”
    In addition, a new U.P.-wide website has been developed to share even more business resources. This collaborative effort, which was developed by InvestUP in partnership with economic development partners like the ICECA from across the Upper Peninsula, is intended to be a trusted resource dedicated for the most up-to-date and relevant information available.
    “We recognize that so many businesses are enduring challenges as a result of COVID-19 and while there are many resources available, navigating and finding all of them can be its own challenge,” Marty Fittante, CEO of InvestUP said.  “We also know that the U.P. bands together to support one another better than any other area and therefore felt that developing a cohesive website with clear and consistent information would be an important tool for everyone to share and use.”
    Businesses are invited to visit, share, and link to www.update906.com. Currently, the frequently updated website features the definition of critical infrastructure industries/workers, small business relief programs, COVID-19 business impact surveys, and key web links.
    In addition, there is a comprehensive list of contacts for local economic development organizations along with regional, state, and federal representatives dedicated to the Upper Peninsula.
    “We’ll get through this together, as Yoopers,” Schuytema said. “And being well-informed is the first step towards a healthy future and a quick recovery.”

IRON RIVER / CRYSTAL FALLS — Like the other districts in Michigan during the COVID-19 outbreak, the West Iron County and Forest Park school districts are in limbo.
    After Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered the closure of all K-12 school buildings – public, private and boarding – on March 16, districts across the state have been caught in a precarious waiting game. Two weeks later, administrators, teachers and students still don’t know if their schools will re-open at all the rest of the school year.
    On March 27, Gov. Whitmer told WWJ news radio in Detroit that it was “very unlikely” students would return to school this spring, but she had “not made that call yet.” According to the Associated Press, Whitmer is expected to announce a plan this week to make sure seniors graduate and no child is held back due to the lack of face-to-face instruction, spokeswoman Tiffany Brown said.
    While there have been no set plans announced at the state level from the legislature, the governor or the Michigan Department of Education as of March 30, districts can’t wait forever and must begin to make plans for the delivery of educational content and instruction. Not to mention spring activities like class trips, school visits, athletics, prom and especially graduation and promotion.
    The original dictate from the state was that schools were to be closed until April 6. But the Stay Home, Stay Safe order Whitmer released on March 24 pushed that back to April 13 and there is still no plan from the governor or the state legislature on how to proceed.
    Which of course, has frustrated district administrators to the point of annoyance.
    “I’m still waiting guidance from the state of Michigan on how we are to proceed,” WIC Superintendent Chris Thomson said on March 25.
    “The superintendents just finished a conference call with Senators (Ed) McBroom and (Wayne) Schmidt, who said they won’t meet again until either April 1 or April 7 to make decisions on educational matters such as continued funding and waiver of the days/weeks that have resulted from COV-19,” FP Superintendent Becky Waters said.
    “Yes, uncertainty with all activities at this point. Hopefully we will get clarity either April 1 or April 7.”
    On March 26, the executive directors of the Michigan Association of Superintendents and Administrators, the Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators and the Michigan Association of School Boards released a statement regarding COVID-19 “school closures and certainty for educators, students and families.”
    “Today we call on state officials including Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice, the Legislative Quadrant, and state lawmakers to immediately provide clarity to Michiganders on what’s next for our children Further delay creates uncertainty for countless communities across our state.
    The statement also urged the state to develop a clear framework and plan to guide districts in educating children. This framework “must acknowledge the incredible disparities that exist between communities related to technology, access to broadband, and other resources while clearly identifying methods in which districts will be able to provide quality instruction in a variety of ways, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.”
    Thomson said some helpful news came out of the conference call between state superintendents and his fellow U.P. superintendents late last week.
    “Was good to hear that (downstate), they understand that a one-size-fits-all solution is not going to work,” Thomson said. “There are demographics that may have 90 percent internet collectivity and other districts have 25 percent internet connectivity. So, they understand that basically each district is going to have to do what it has to do to finish the school year.”
    There are a bevy of sticky questions for school districts that arise from the idea of canceling the rest of the school year, including how to deliver educational services and in what way, how to insure that all students, including those with special needs and individual educational plans, receive those services, what to do about pay for non-salaried employees, and what to do about spring activities ranging from prom to athletic events to graduation and promotion.
    Consider state assessment testing. On March 23, the Michigan Department of Education said it received preliminary approval from the U.S. Department of Education to waive a number of federal requirements for statewide testing and school accountability.
    Rice sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos that because of the extensive school closures resulting from the COVID-19 crises, Michigan requested the waivers because “it is not possible to administer assessments required under federal law or to comply with the accompanying school accountability requirements.”
    Waters and Thomson both said their districts and their teachers will continue to explore ways to fulfill their educations duties to their students.
    “I am virtually meeting with staff (this week) to provide educational materials and ideas for our students,” Waters said.
    “If the state (says) don’t go to school for the rest of the year, we have to have different methodologies for delivery instruction and content,” Thomson said, adding that middle school/high school principal Mike Berutti and Stambaugh Elementary School principal Michelle Thomson are working on that currently.
    “And I am sure we have staff working on that right now,” Thomson added. “So, when we are given the plan and guidance, we’ll be ready to roll.
    “So, can we fulfill our responsibilities educationally?” Thomson said “Yeah, we can. It might not be how we’re accustomed to though.”
    All along, both districts have continued their food service. Waters said her district is providing three days of breakfasts and lunches on Tuesday and then four days of breakfast and lunches on Thursday to tide families over.    
    At West Iron, the numbers of meals served daily has been approximately 200, Thomson said.
    As for spring activities, both Waters and Thomson said that all spring activities as of right now are suspended.
    --At its regularly monthly meeting on March 17, the West Iron County School Board voted to proceed with the Stambaugh Elementary School renovation project, which will change out all windows and all classroom heating systems over the next two summers. The bid for the project came in at around $900,000, Thomson said.
    Thomson said the district will pay for the work through the use of its sinking fund monies and general fund monies.
    --The Forest Park School Board’s regularly meeting in March was cancelled because of COVID-19 recommendations against meeting in groups and social distancing. However, Waters said the board offered its superintendent position (Waters is retiring on June 30) to Christy Larson, the current superintendent of the Belmont Community Schools in Belmont, Wis. Waters said Larson asked for an extension to confirm her answer due to the outbreak of coronavirus.
   

WAUSAU, Wis. — Aspirus began holding press conferences on March 24, the health system announced. The press briefings are planned for three times per week during the COVID-19 pandemic.
     Each briefing is scheduled take place at 1 p.m. at either the Aspirus Wausau Hospital Birthing Center Conference or at the Aspirus corporate office.
    On March 25, Jesse Tischer, Aspirus SVP and president – regional markets spoke. Aspirus provided the highlights in an email. (Note: Information is quoted.)
    • There has been long-term planning taking place across the Aspirus system to address needs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
    • We are continually monitoring events and working aggressively by putting plans in place that go beyond recommended standards and precautions.
    • Teams are connecting with their peers in high activity locations in New York and Washington to learn from their experiences.
    • This includes locating and contracting with new sources to provide needed supplies, including PPE equipment.
    • The state of readiness at Aspirus is good and we are closely managing supplies to and implementing plans prevent shortages.
    • Beds have been added to accommodate symptomatic patients.
    • The safety of our patients and the workforce is a priority. Ex: Anyone entering an Aspirus patient care location will be screened before being able to enter the building or reporting for work.
    • To help preserve resources, unless it’s an emergency, please call ahead.
    • If you’re worried you may be infected by COVID-19 or have symptoms that may include fever, cough and difficulty breathing, contact your doctor by phone or call the Aspirus COVID-19 Call Center at 1-844-568-0701.
    On March 25, Matt Heywood, president and CEO of Aspirus, Inc. spoke. The topics were:
    • Have been preparing by watching and learning from what has been happening before in Wisconsin, the country and around the world.
    • Aspirus is supportive of the governor’s Safer at Home order that helps to mitigate the spread by having people stay home.
    • This is a long-term challenge, but we need to control the spread so we can be prepared and ready to handle patients.
    • Aspirus is appreciative of the local businesses that are donating N95 masks that were used in other applications. We are also appreciative of the support shown by the community in providing home-sewn masks.
    • We are taking steps to optimize our personal protective equipment (PPE) strategy. Teams are working ahead and being proactive in prioritizing usage.
    • Aspirus is monitoring CDC policy and recommendations, often working ahead to implement before they are official.
    • COVID-19 testing is being prioritized and performed on symptomatic hospital patients and for health care workers. This helps to minimize spread and also get health care keep workers healthy, so they are able to work.
    • Clinical diagnosing is being utilized due to a shortage of tests and the timeframe to receiving results. Screening done by symptoms, contact with someone known to be infected, and elimination of other causes of symptoms, such as flu.
    • The spread of COVID-19 in our community should be assumed. This is why the Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers’ Safer at Home order is important. There are many people who don’t know they have it.
    On March 27, Dr. Renee Smith, Chief Medical Branch, Aspirus System Emergency Operations Center, provided information. Topics included:
     • The COVID-19 situation is constantly evolving. Aspirus is constantly preparing to make sure it can care for the communities it serves.     
    • Aspirus is making sure it conserves PPE in accordance with CDC guidelines.
    • COVID-19 ICUs have been established at Aspirus Wausau Hospital to help with any potential surges in the area.
    • Testing is still available for those if needed after they have been screened.
    • Aspirus is preparing for a potential surge of patients.
    • The range of COVID-19 symptoms is wide-ranging.
    • The community is donating items to Aspirus and it is greatly appreciated.

MARQUETTE — As of early Monday, the number of confirmed positive COVID-19 in the Upper Peninsula stands at five with one death in Gogebic County.
    On March 24, the Marquette County Health Department reported it became aware of a positive COVID-19 case identified through commercial laboratory testing. The identified person is an adult male with a history of recent domestic travel through international airports. The individual had been in home isolation in accordance with current guidelines. Marquette County later reported a second case. No additional information was reported.
    On March 27, the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department (WUPHD) received notification of the first local death attributed to COVID-19. The individual was an elderly male Gogebic County resident with underlying health issues. The Health Department said it continues to investigate the case.
    “Our heartfelt sympathies and prayers go out to the family who have lost their loved one,” said Cathryn A. Beer, health officer at WUPHD. “This is a tragic reminder of how serious a threat COVID-19 is to our residents, especially the elderly and those with underlying health conditions. We need to work together to protect each other, support each other, and slow the spread of this disease.”
    As a precaution, the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department is asking everyone to follow the Governor’s Executive Order 2020-21 to “Stay Home. Stay Safe.” Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 should self-isolate for 14 days to avoid potentially exposing others.
    On March 29, WUPHD received notification of the first COVID-19 positive case in Houghton County. The Health Department continues to investigate the case to determine exposure risk to recent contacts.
    “At this time, I advise the public to be diligent, yet level-headed in prevention efforts,” Beer said. “I urge you to get your information and situation updates from reputable sources such as the health department or your physician.”
    WUPHD will not name public low-risk exposure locations. Residents should behave as though the virus may be present when they are in public places in the community, including businesses and buildings that are open under the Governor’s Executive Order 2020-21.
    On March 29, Public Health Delta and Menominee Counties has announced Delta County’s first positive case of COVID-19.
     PHDM said it was notified by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services of the presumptive positive test result.
    The individual is an adult woman. PHDM is in the process of identifying and contacting people who have had close contact with the individual. No further information was released.
    “There is currently no specific treatment for COVID-19,” said Robert S. Van Howe, MD, Interim Medical Director for PHDM, “Many people who get COVID-19 experience mild, cold-like illness, but in some cases people experience severe illness, hospitalization, and/or death.”
    As of Monday, no cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Iron County.
    Information in this article is up to date as of Monday morning. However, reports of COVID-19 cases in the Upper Peninsula are continually being updated.

Nathan (in red shirt) and Daniel Amerson spend some time playing one-on-one with their newly installed basement basketball hoop. (submitted photo)

IRON RIVER —The COVID-19 virus is continuing to hit communities around the globe, including those in the Upper Peninsula. Local businesses are being shuttered, schools have closed, and people are staying home in hopes that it will slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.
    While there are no confirmed cases in Iron County at this point, the orders made downstate and across the country have caused drastic changes in our little community. Entire families now find ways to spend their days together, in their homes, or outside in secluded areas.
    With students learning from home and parents working from home, finding things to balance work and quality time has been something each family has had to do.
    Julie Farley of Gaastra said that she and her family began self-quarantining for the most part before the executive order from the Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer came through.
    “We are staying home unless it is to go to the store, which we are also trying to limit,” she said. “Only one of us goes when we do leave.”
    Julie and her husband, Jerry, have three school-aged children who are still required to do schoolwork from home. Her seventh graders have already finished the work that had been sent home when schools first finished, and they have also has enjoyed the scholastic website.
    “As this is only our second week staying home. I’m sure as time goes by and boredom ensues, more of the free resources online will be used. Right now, we are just trying to find out our new normal for the time being.”
    For many in our community, shuttering the doors was difficult, and left the community missing vital resources.
    For example, one of the first orders in Michigan required libraries to close. However, both librarians Stephanie Swenski and Johanna Johnson have taken the time to create virtual programs that matched the ones our children are used to, such as story-time, craft time, and communicating with their librarians.
    They have made it so that children and their parents can log onto the WIDL Facebook page and tune into a live story-time video every Tuesday and Thursday at 11 a.m. Of course, anyone can watch the replay of story hour as well.
    And because Swenski and Johnson are missing their young patrons, they have also set up a pen-pal program. Anyone interested can send their names and addresses to the library’s Facebook page, and children will receive a letter from Swenski and Johnson, along with other little goodies. The children can write back as well.
    For those missing craft time at the WIDL, those tutorials are also be posted via video on the Facebook page.
    According to Swenski, the library is also recommending the use of digital collections, which have over 10,000 e-books, audio books, and over 200 digital magazines.
    “People can message the library Facebook page or email libraryprog@yahool.com with questions,” she said.
    Both the WIDL and the Crystal Falls Community Library have said that no fines or late fees will be charged on books that are currently checked out. The WIDL return bins are still available for use, but the Crystal Falls Community Library has asked that books are not returned via the bins at this time.
    While the library resources are a favorite among parents with little children, families are also getting creative on how they keep the kids occupied and spend time together.
    For the Amerson family, this meant Wes Amerson hanging a basketball hoop in their basement so their boys could play. As he is also enlisted in the National Guard, packing his gear is also something they have been doing.
    The Davis family, which consists of Amanda, Jordan, Brooklyn (5) and Charlotte (1), have been turning their living room into impressive forts, obstacle courses, and picnic sites, while still getting outside to enjoy what is left of the snow. Both Amanda and Jordan are essential workers but have said that they still maintain the least amount of contact as possible.
    As spring weather makes its way into Iron County, many parents are taking walks or bike rides with their kids, picking up trash on the side of the road, and FaceTiming friends and family.
    Teachers are reaching out to their students via social media videos and trying to make the most of the situation. For example, West Iron Early Childhood Coordinator Denise Maloney still uses her classroom’s Facebook page to communicate with her students. She has posted craft videos, and messages to say how much she misses them. Other teachers have created online student accounts in order to help the students with classwork.
    One of the main concerns when schools first closed was how to get lunches to families with school-aged children who needed them. The WIC schools have a lunch pick-up program in place that still complies to the executive order, and The Raven’s Nest in Crystal Falls offers a free personal pizza every day for the Forest Park students.
    While our community has been shaken in this weird time, where things change daily, we have also seen businesses change their hours and the way they put out product in order to ensure the safety of those living here. Families get creative both indoors and outside and use the free learning and entertainment resources online to get them through the shelter-in-place order. It’s in this time of separation that we are seeing the entire community to come together.
    In addition to local resources, many zoos, national parks, and celebrities have reached out, providing free content online for all ages.
    The Cincinnati Zoo offers daily animal videos on YouTube, where one animal is highlighted, and viewers learn about its behavior and natural habitat.
    The Kennedy Center offers “Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems,” the artist-in-residence at the center. In these 20-minute videos, viewers learn to draw and new ways of writing. These can be found on YouTube as well.
    The Space Foundation (www.spacefoundation.org) has free Snoopy STEM lesson plans available on its website. These lesson plans are for students in grades k-8 and contain projects that allow students to join Snoopy in learning about constellations, space suits, and various missions of the Apollo program.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Andrew Saul, Commissioner of Social Security, reminds the public that Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit payments will continue to be paid on time during the COVID-19 pandemic.
    The agency also reminds everyone to be aware of scammers who try to take advantage of the pandemic to trick people into providing personal information or payment via retail gift cards, wire transfers, internet currency, or by mailing cash, to maintain Social Security benefit payments or receive economic impact payments from the Department of the Treasury.
    “Social Security will pay monthly benefits on time and these payments will not be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Saul said. “I want our beneficiaries to be aware that scammers may try to trick you into thinking the pandemic is stopping or somehow changing your Social Security payments, but that is not true. Don’t be fooled.”
    The Department of the Treasury will soon provide information about economic impact payments under the recently enacted law, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act. Treasury, not Social Security, will be making direct payments to eligible people.  Please do not call Social Security about these payments as the agency does not have information to share.
    The agency continues to direct the public to its online self-service options whenever possible. Local offices are closed to the public but are available by phone. People can find their local field office phone number by accessing the Field Office Locator.  
    To allow available agents to provide better phone coverage, the agency temporarily changed the national 800 number hours starting on March 31. The hours will change from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time to 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. local time. The agency is experiencing longer than normal wait times on the 800 number and asks the public to remain patient, use its online services at www.socialsecurity.gov, or call their local office.
    Visit the agency’s COVID-19 web page at www.socialsecurity.gov/coronavirus/ for important information and updates.

IRON MOUNTAIN — The Dickinson-Iron District Health Department confirmed on April 2 the death of an adult male who had been diagnosed with COVID-19.
    According to the Dickinson County Healthcare System (DCS), where the patient was treated, the man had pre-existing medical issues that were compromised by COVID-19.
    The DIDHD, which reported the man’s presumptive positive test result on April 1, said it will not provide other information about the case, citing respect for the family.
    Some health entities have also stated HIPPA laws as reason for the lack of public information disclosures.
    On Monday, April 6, the DIDHD reported that it had been notified by a commercial lab of a second presumptive positive COVID-19 case in Dickinson County. The test was conducted through a provider clinic.
    The person was identified as an adult female with contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case. The Dickinson-Iron District Health Department is currently contacting those who have been identified as a close contact. As in the first reported case, the department said it will not disclose any additional information about the individual.
    After the male patient’s death, DCS released the following statement:
    “Dickinson County Healthcare System is reporting that the patient who returned a presumptive positive test result for COVID-19 has died as a result of complications from the virus.
     “In fulfillment of their duty as representatives of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and to assure the highest possible level of health for the people of the communities it serves, the Dickinson-Iron Health Department is responsible for and will be the sole entity confirming COVID-19 related deaths in Dickinson County.
     “Every precautionary protocol was followed by DCH while caring for this patient. DCH is fully equipped to handle any new COVID-19 cases as they present themselves. We continue to reassure our community that it is safe to come to DCH for your and your family’s healthcare needs. We are here for you.  
     “Remaining transparent and keeping stakeholders informed is paramount but being respectful of families rights and obeying HIPPA guidelines, makes full disclosure impossible.”  
    As of Monday morning, there were 35 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Upper Peninsula with three deaths, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
    Counties that have had positive cases included Ontonagon (1), Luce (1), Chippewa (1), Dickinson (2, 1 death), Mackinac (2), Houghton (2), Gogebic (3, 1 death), Delta (7) and Marquette (14, 1 death). The MDHHS also separately lists prison inmates as positive in Luce and Chippewa counties.
    Iron County, along with Menominee, Keweenaw, Baraga, Alger and Schoolcraft counties, have had no positive cases as of April 5.

IRON RIVER — On April 2, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer released a 17-page executive order suspending in-person K-12 instruction for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
    The document gets into great detail about continuity of learning and COVID-19 response plans, district employees permitted in district buildings, state assessments, graduation of seniors, and special education.
    The implementation plans themselves largely fall on the local school districts themselves as the state did not want to dictate a “one-size-fits-all” approach across the widely varying districts in Michigan.
    Both West Iron County and Forest Park school districts were contacted last week to obtain reaction and an explanation of how the districts will move forward for the next few months (Forest Park did not respond in time for publication).
    WIC superintendent Chris Thomson started with his reaction to the governor’s decision to cancel all in-person “educational experiences.”
    “I do not have the depth of knowledge that the people in Lansing or Washington (D.C.) are playing with. I don’t have the modeling, the doctors, the personnel to tell me. So based off the knowledge that we get and the forecasting we see, I don’t know how you could come to any other decision than this.
    “And at least it gives us time to plan.”
    Thomson sent letters to both parents and guardians and to his staff detailing some of those plans.
    His letter to parents and guardians began by stating that “we are heartbroken by this necessity and we understand that this is being done in order to try to keep our communities safe and healthy.
    He said the Governor’s decision puts the expectation on each district that it creates “an educational package that works within the district, a package that includes education supplements that will be delivered via paper copies, email, apps or on the internet.
    For seniors in the district, Thomson said he’s in agreement with Gov. Whitmer that districts need to have senior ceremonies.
    “We know that many are not going to be able to take place, but we are holding on to our graduation ceremonies and events tied to our Memorial Day graduation as long as possible.”
    Thomson reiterated that this is all tentative as timelines change weekly.
    The SAT, PSAT and M-STEP exams for this spring have been cancelled. Current juniors will take the SAT and the Michigan WorkKeys exams in October 2020. Other current high school students will have the opportunity to take the PSAT in October as well.
    Thomson recommended that parents and guardians continue to check their emails for updates and to reach out to teaching and administrative staffs.
    “We realize this is not going to replace the experience your child would have had had they been in school as our personal interactions are an important part of human growth and learning,” Thomson wrote in the letter. “This is an extraordinary time and we will persevere. Please take care of yourself and your family, both mentally and physically. We will get through this.”
    In a separate letter, Thomson told the West Iron staff that days and hours have been waived during the initial school closing that went from March 16 through April 5.
    He said the district will begin its “hybrid” back of education the week after Easter on April 13.
    Thomson said the distance learning packages should embrace themes like focusing on essential learning for students, being flexible and ready to adapt, emphasizing relationships, and extending grace to all in these “unique and trying times.”
    Instructional models may be a blending of non-technology, face-to-face and virtual platforms.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the globe, local businesses and residents are delivering messages of hope and encouragement in a variety of ways. For example, some Iron County businesses have begun to use their windows as message boards. Here, Beef-A-Roo offers a message of strength to the local and regional community.

KINGSFORD — The Dickinson-Iron Health Department stated in a news release on April 9 that based on the occurrence of COVID-19 positive cases within Dickinson County, and throughout Michigan, “it can be assumed that COVID-19 is present in your community.”
    The number of individuals currently diagnosed as positive with COVID-19 illness within Dickinson County was three as of April 10.
    “With additional potential cases being evaluated each day, this number is expected to rise,” the news release stated.
    The current count of positive COVID-19 cases within Dickinson or Iron County can be found by following the DIDHD Facebook page.  
    COVID-19 case information on the Facebook page remains current and is updated every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  From this point forward, the Dickinson-Iron District Health Department said it will no longer report individual cases to the media.
    All current case count information can be retrieved through the Dickinson-Iron District Health Department Facebook page.
    DIDHD recommends adhering to the following precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within your community:
    •    Stay home and avoid close contact with others.
    •    If you are sick with COVID-19 or think you might have it, the CDC currently recommends that “People who are mildly ill with COVID-19 are able to recover at home.  Do not leave, except to get medical care.  Do not visit public areas.”
    •    If symptoms worsen, avoid others and seek medical care from your healthcare provider to determine if medical evaluation and testing is recommended.
    •    Cover coughs and sneezes with your elbow or clean tissue.
    •    Wash your hands frequently.
    •    Clean and disinfect surfaces.
    For current COVID-19 information, visit www.michigan.gov/coronavirus or call 1-888-535-6136.

KINGSFORD / IRON RIVER — The Dickinson Iron County Health Department released a public health advisory on April 8 for its two counties.
    The statement reads:
    “Dickinson-Iron District counties are seeing an influx of individuals who are seeking shelter from areas with significant COVID-19 community spread or returning from travel outside of these counties. While we understand the desire to seek shelter in our communities with fewer COVID-19 cases, this potentially poses an unnecessary risk to all residents of the Dickinson-Iron county district.
    “The increased population to the area places a substantial strain on our communities as travelers seek supplies, such as groceries and toiletries, as well as potentially needing health care in the event they become sick. During this public health crisis, many rural communities may not be equipped with personnel, supplies or resources for a surge in population.”
    The DIDHD offered the following guidelines to those who chose to travel to their season home or who are returning home from travel:
    1. If you are sick, stay at home and do not leave your residence.
    2. If you have symptoms suggestive of COVID-19, contact your healthcare provider for assistance.
    3 All individuals traveling to seasonal homes or returning home from areas with community spread should self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival to your destination.
    4. Following the 14-day self-quarantine period, obey the Governor’s “Stay at Home” order and do not go out unless absolutely necessary.
    5.    All residents, whether full time or seasonal, should adhere to the Governor’s Stay at Home order and only venture out to obtain essential supplies and services when absolutely necessary. If you do need to go out, adhere to social distancing protocols and limit the number of people going out for supplies or services.
    “Also, as campgrounds in the area close, remote camping is not a safe alternative. Remote locations do not offer sanitary conditions, particularly for those who become ill. Weather conditions vary extensively at this time of year. Emergency personnel may not be able to access remote locations.
    “By following these simple guidelines, the risk for spreading COVID-19 lowers significantly, thus protecting everyone who lives, works, and plays in Dickinson and Iron counties.”
    According to the DIDHD, COVID-19 testing analysis shows that there have been 63 tests in Iron County with zero positives – with 54 negatives and 9 pending as of April 10.
    In Dickinson County, there have been 100 tests with three positive, 75 negative and 22 pending as of April 10.
    As of April 12, there have been 50 positive cases of COVID-19 reported in the U.P. with nine deaths.
    In addition to Iron County, Keweenaw, Baraga, Alger and Ontonagon counties have no positive cases to this point.

IRON RIVER — Following Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Executive Order 2020-21, the city of Iron River closed all city parks to the public effective April 8.
    City Manager David Thayer said the city lacks the resources to sanitize fixtures on a regular basis to stop the potential spread of the coronavirus.
    “Also, the Executive Order requires all non-essential persons to shelter in place,’ he said. “Simply stated, stay at home and not congregate in large or small groups.”
    The city also lifted the winter ban on overnight parking on city streets effective April 8.

Hearts are being displayed in windows across the county as a sign of support for the area’s essential workers, especially those in the health care field. On Brule Lake, the trumpeter swans are unwittingly sharing the sentiment by creating a heart during their spring courting ritual. (submitted photo)

IRON RIVER — The Iron County Economic Chamber Alliance Board of Trustees announced that it has temporarily furloughed executive director Paul Schuytema and office manager Leeann Kirkpatrick and cut chamber director Erika Sauter’s hours to 20 per week.
    In a newsletter release from the ICECA, the reason for the furloughs and cutback was due to the organization’s current financial projections, “already tight due to county budget cuts and further diminished by the COVID-19 crisis.”
    The ICECA said Schuytema has agreed to help business clients as much as he can on a volunteer basis during this time.    
    The rest of the statement reads:
    “Our focus will remain on serving the needs of our local businesses and helping to mitigate the challenges ahead with our remaining staff and network of community volunteers. Our goal is to stay active and relevant, albeit on a reduced basis, and we will continue to disseminate vital information, encourage the community to shop local, counsel local businesses, and help them navigate the local, state and federal resources available to them.
    “We are also working hard on short-term and long-term strategies for helping our businesses weather the storm. These are very difficult and troubling times for all of us, but with the knowledge that this is a temporary setback, we will continue to work toward our shared vision of making Iron County ‘that place you never want to leave, and if you must, a place you can’t wait to return.’
    “We will continue to keep the lines of communication open and welcome your input and ideas as we move forward. We’re all in this together, and together we will overcome the challenges ahead.”

CRYSTAL FALLS — The Iron County Board of Commissioners announced it has issued layoff notices as part of a courthouse policy, which it adopted at a special meeting on April 17.
    The policy is to run from Monday, April 20 through Thursday, April 30.
    In a statement from the board, department heads/elected officials have deemed which of their employees are considered essential and the number of hours needed during this downtime.
    Employees deemed non-essential or who request voluntary temporary leave can file for unemployment and/or under-employment during this time. The terms of the temporary leave will be based upon the union contract the employee is working under. It is expected the temporary leave will last up to 120 days, but the length is an estimate only and subject to change. Employees can be called back at any time for any reason and cannot refuse work.
    The county issued a layoff notice on April 17 pursuant to the courthouse union contract by providing at least 14 days advance notice. Layoffs would be implemented as per union contract.
    To protect all employees who will continue to work within the courthouse, all employees will be screened at the south entrance before entering the building. This screening will include a temperature check daily and the answering of a questionnaire. All courthouse employees, including court, juvenile, friend of the court and prosecutor’s office must comply with this screening. Any employee entering the building and is not screened will be asked to leave and will not be paid.
    All doors will be locked, and citizens can only enter by appointment. Department heads that have set up appointments will meet the citizen with an appointment at the south entrance.
    The individual with an appointment will be screened in the same manner as employees. The screening will be completed by a representative from the Board of Commissioners office.
    This policy will be extended should the governor extend the Shelter in Place order.

IRON RIVER / ALPHA — We have all been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions put in place to contain the spread of the virus. The term “social distancing” has become a regular part of our current vocabulary as people in all walks of life try to cooperate with the orders handed down at the federal, state and local levels.
    Nevertheless, some of the mandates have been unclear and have led to confusion and controversy. One of those has dealt with what are labeled garden centers and plant nurseries.
    On April 9, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued Executive Order 2020-42 which basically put a “temporary requirement to suspend activities that are not necessary to sustain or protect life.”
    It’s a very broad label and so the order was 10 pages long and dealt with employers and workers, governmental bodies, outdoor activities, travel and what have been called essential and non-essential businesses and critical infrastructure, i.e. businesses that are allowed to continue operating within the executive order.
    In terms of the gardening industry, the executive order stated:
    A). For stores of less than 50,000 square feet of customer floor space, limit the number of people in the store (including employees) to 25 percent of the total occupancy limits established by the state fire marshal or a local fire marshal.
    B). For stores of more than 50,000 square feet, limit the number of customers in the store at one time (excluding employees) to four people per 1,000 square feet of customer floor space.
    Of course, that doesn’t solve all the issues.
    “It is my understanding the little guy can still sell garden supplies, but not the big-name stores with more square footage,’ said Iron County Market Master Ginny LaFountain. “This limits people to options out there and gardeners

  To view more, please log in or subscribe to the digital edition.

LANSING — Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed executive order 2020-59 on April 24, extending her “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order through May 15. The new order will require people to wear homemade face coverings when they enter enclosed public spaces. It will also lift some restrictions on outdoor activities and allow some workers who perform previously suspended activities to go back to work.
     “Data shows that most Michiganders are doing their part by staying home and staying safe,” Whitmer said. “That’s good, but we must keep it up. Social distancing is our best weapon to defeat this enemy. With new COVID-19 cases leveling off, however, we are lifting some of the restrictions put in place in the previous order. I want to be crystal clear: the overarching message today is still the same. We must all do our part by staying home and staying safe as much as possible.”
     “The numbers we’ve seen in the past week have shown a plateau in positive cases, but Michiganders must continue doing their part to fight this virus and protect their families,” said MDHHS Chief Deputy for Health and Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun. “The governor has taken a number of critical steps to protect Michigan families, and this order today will allow that work to continue. We will keep monitoring the data closely and work with our partners across state government to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.”
     The order will require people to wear homemade, non-medical grade face coverings when they enter enclosed public spaces. It will also require employers to provide at least cloth face coverings to their employees. People won’t have to wear face coverings when they’re taking a walk in the neighborhood, but when they go to the grocery store, they should be wearing one. Under the order, however, no one will be subject to criminal penalty for going without a mask.
     The new executive order will also allow some workers who perform very previously suspended activities to go back on the job. Landscapers, lawn-service companies, and nurseries can return to work, subject to strict social distancing. Retailers to that do not sell necessary supplies may reopen for curbside pick-up and for delivery. Big box stores can reopen “closed areas,” like garden centers. And bike repair and maintenance can come back online.
     At the same time, the order will ease up on some restrictions on members of the public. It will, for example, allow motorized boating and golf (but no golf carts), consistent with sound social distancing. It will also permit individuals to travel between their residences, though such travel during the epidemic is strongly discouraged. And it will clarify that state parks remain open, as they have been throughout the emergency.
     The governor’s actions are in close alignment with other Midwest states.

CRYSTAL FALLS — Due to the uncertainty and the unpredictability of the current COVID-19 health emergency, the 2020 Camp Batawagama season has been cancelled.
    “We do not feel that we can risk the possibility of exposing our campers, our staff and our community to the current virus,” said Iron County Youth Camp Manager Brian Schulze. “This was an extremely difficult decision to make. This will be the first summer in 75 years that Batawagama will not be able to share its summer program with the citizens, and particularly the children, of Iron County.”
    Schultz said plans are to resume the camp in 2021. Registration forms for 2021 Camp Batawagama can be requested by emailing icyc@iron.org beginning Jan. 1, 2021. Registration forms for Iron County residents will also be available at the West Iron County School Office and the Forest Park School Office starting on March 1, 2021.
    “Thank you for your understanding,” Schultz said.

IRON RIVER — For the first time in more than half a century, Iron River will not host its signature rodeo event this summer.
    The 53rd annual Upper Peninsula Championship Rodeo set for July 2020 has been canceled because of COVID-19 related concerns. This cancellation includes the queen/princess pageant and the 2020 Limited Edition raffle.
    The U.P. Championship Rodeo Board released a statement on April 21.
    “For 52 years the Upper Peninsula Championship Rodeo has relied solely on sponsorships and spectators. Without this support we would not be a success. After many hours of careful consideration and deliberation we have decided to cancel the 53rd annual Upper Peninsula Championship Rodeo, which was to be held the weekend of July 17 and 18, 2020. We also took into consideration the health and well-being of our staff, volunteers, spectators, and participants.
    “Due to the uncertainty of our nation and the financial uncertainty of our supporting community, this decision did not come lightly.
    “Any and all money received from sponsorships, vendors, queen/princess contestants, Limited Raffle or Market Days will be refunded. We hope for greener pastures and will see you in July 2021.”
    Rodeo Board President Bernadette Coates said the board had been going day-to-day and week-to-week as the COVID-19 situation evolved.
    “We gave ourselves May 1 as the date we would decide,” Coates said. “And going through the financials, the stock contractor sent an email with a contract price of $32,000. And there was another $17,500 to kick in for the cowboy (prize) purse.”
    Coates said the board knew sponsors weren’t going to be able to pay because contributing businesses are either closed or only doing pick-up.
    “It wasn’t going to get any better and working with someone else’s money, how could we justify it when there was no guarantee (we could hold it)?
    “We want to be able to continue the rodeo for another 53 years, so we want to be responsible.”
    The economic impact on Iron County from the cancellation will likely be significant, according to Paul Schuytema, of the Iron County Economic Chamber Alliance.
    “Certainly, there will be a local impact - the rodeo brings in thousands of visitors and those visitors stay at local hotels and campgrounds, shop in stores, eat in restaurants and relax in our pubs. There will be a significant loss in revenue in all sectors when those visitors aren’t here for that event.”
    Despite that, Schuytema said he understands the Rodeo Board’s decision.
    “First and foremost, it’s based on the safety of community residents and visitors. In all likelihood, we’ll still be in a social distancing situation during the time of the rodeo, and that event just can’t happen given those physical space guidelines.
    “Also, for events that had been scheduled at the beginning of an ease of restrictions, there’s the very real chance of event attendance being way down, which would cause serious financial hardships for event organizers. I’m not just talking the rodeo here, but all events that require significant resources to put on.”
    Chamber Director Erika Sauter said that the repercussions of cancelled events reverberate throughout the community.
    “The economic impact of cancelled events demonstrates the interdependence of the health of our local businesses and the quality of life that our area has. It’s going to be important, through this crisis and on the other side of it, for our community to shop with and support our locally-owned businesses.”
    Schuytema stated that as citizens look forward to the economy opening again, it would be prudent to consider it a phased step-by-step process.
    “The economy will open up slowly and those revenues will return slowly. But they will return.”