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Berrien County Health Department updates mask guidance for public settings, including schools
New Buffalo Times
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE — SINCE 1942 —
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Berrien County Health Department updates mask guidance for public settings, including schools
The Berrien County Health Department is shifting its COVID-19 guidance for indoor public settings, including K-12 schools, from “mask recommended” to “mask optional.”
The decision was made based on recognition of decreasing COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, increased testing supplies and vaccinations, as well as availability of treatment options. The revised guidance recognizes Berrien County is in a far different – and far better – place in both understanding COVID-19 and having tools to combat it, according to Guy Miller, acting health officer.
Berrien County’s announcement followed the updated mask guidance from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services as the state enters the “recovery” or “post-surge” phase of the pandemic, where “no immediate resurgence is predicted.”
“Local data shows COVID-19 is a declining threat to our community,” Miller said in a press release. “Berrien County residents now have the tools in place to make choices based on their health status and their risk tolerance, something that was not readily available over the past two years.
“Our expanded toolkit allows for individuals to get vaccinated, wear a well-fitting KN95 mask, get tested when ill, receive therapy or treatment when appropriate and be admitted to the hospital, if necessary,” he added.
Although the case rate continues to decrease in Berrien County, COVID-19 is still in the community. BCHD recommends people who are ill should stay away from others, isolate and pursue testing if available.
Miller stressed the health department’s guidance remains for those who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or recently had close contact with someone who has COVID-19. Those who are in isolation or quarantine should continue to follow BCHD guidance on isolation and quarantining.
The following data points are used in support of the mask optional guidance: • Improved knowledge about the transmission of
SARS-CoV-2. • Wide availability of the COVID-19 vaccine, which is a safe and effective way to prevent serious illness and death. • An 86% vaccination rate for residents 65 and older in combination with federal estimates that say 90% of all Americans have had
COVID-19 and developed an immune response of some sort. • Continued decline in new cases, which are now below 200 per 100,000 residents. • Continued decline in positivity rates, which are approximately 15%. • Increased availability of tests. • A 60% decline in COVID-19 in-patients at the local hospital. • Enhanced availability of outpatient therapeutics, including oral antiviral treatments and monoclonal antibodies. • Improved treatment options for hospitals, including Remdesivir, convalescent plasma and other treatment combinations.
MDHHS and BCHD continue to recommend that all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, practice universal masking in high-risk congregate settings, including long-term care facilities, homeless shelters, correctional facilities, jails and health care facilities. When deciding to wear or not wear a mask people should consider those around them may be adversely affected by COVID-19.
BCHD continues to monitor for emerging infectious diseases. Should a new and deadly strain of COVID-19 emerge, appropriate recommendations will be made for the health and safety of the community.
For more information about BCHD’s COVID-19 response, visit www.bchdmi.org/covid19. — STAFF
REPORTS
All my face tattoos are permanently inked
in my paintings. — Dino N. Fatouros
In consultation with the Berrien County Health Department, as of Feb. 22, the Berrien County Trial Court has updated the following policies in the Berrien County Trial Court as they relate to the use of face coverings in the court facilities became effective:
The wearing of a face covering in either courthouse location is optional for all visitors and staff. Should any individual choose to wear a face covering while in the courthouse buildings they are welcome to do so. · The wearing of a face covering while serving as a juror is also optional. · All visitors, staff, and youth at the Berrien County Juvenile Center will continue to be required to wear a face covering when in the Juvenile Center facility pursuant to CDC guidelines. — STAFF
Local Government Meetings
New Buffalo Times
Democracy Requires Transparency
CITY OF NEW BUFFALO JOHN HUMPHREY, MAYOR CITY COUNCIL LOU O’DONNELL, IV. MARK ROBERTSON, JOHN HUMPHREY, ROGER LIJESKI, BRIAN FLANAGAN City Council meets on the 3rd Monday of each month at 6:30PM CITY OF NEW BUFFALO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETINGS to be determined NEW BUFFALO TOWNSHIP BOARD PETE RAHM, MICHELLE HEIT, JUDY H. ZABICKI, PATTY IAZZETTO, JACK ROGERS Board meets on the 3rd Monday of each month at 7PM NEW BUFFALO TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION Meets on the 1st Tuesday of each month at 6:30PM
NEW BUFFALO AREA SCHOOLS BOARD CHUCK HEIT, PRESIDENT HEATHER BLACK, VICE PRESIDENT JOHN HASKINS, TREASURER LISA WERNER, SECRETARY JOYCE LANTZ, TRUSTEE FRANK MARGRO, TRUSTEE PATRICIA NEWSTON, TRUSTEE CHIKAMING TOWNSHIP CHIKAMING TOWNSHIP BOARD DAVID BUNTE, PAULA DUDIAK, LIZ RETTIG, RICHARD SULLIVAN, BILL MARSKE Chikaming Board meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 6:30PM CHIKAMING TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION Meets on the 1st Wednesday of each month at 6:30PM THREE OAKS THREE OAKS TOWNSHIP BOARD Meets on the 2nd Monday of each month at 7PM VILLAGE OF THREE OAKS BOARD Meets on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 7PM GRAND BEACH VILLAGE OF GRAND BEACH COUNCIL Meets on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 7PM MICHIANA VILLAGE OF MICHIANA COUNCIL Meets on the 2nd Friday of each month at 1PM
Butler hired as deputy clerk for Village of Grand Beach
Members of the Grand Beach Village Council approved hiring Kathy Butler as the new deputy clerk at their Wednesday, Feb. 16, meeting.
Members approved hiring Butler in a 3-0 vote (council president Deborah Lindley and councilmember Paul Leonard were absent) at an hourly rate of $22 with benefits and two week’s paid vacation to start.
Clerk and treasurer Mary Robertson said Butler, who has 18 years’ experience as deputy clerk at New Buffalo Township, will be a “great fit” for Grand Beach.
Council members continued the ongoing discussion of a possible millage increase in the village, which would go in front of residents possibly on the November ballot.
Councilmembers were tasked with creating a “wish list” of items, along with their corresponding costs, that the village would use funds for from a possible increase.
President Pro Tem Blake O’Halloran said that the point of the lists was “firming up the items” and “firming up their costs.”
“Once we do that as a council, the next step is to start holding meetings (with the public) to explain our position of why we want these on the millage and what’s the need for them,” he said.
O’Halloran, who’s pro shop and golf commissioner, said that the estimated cost for a new irrigation system, which is on his wish list, for the golf course is $350,000. Estimated repairs to the clubhouse (including roofing and cement and balcony repairs) are $190,000.
Other items mentioned that funds from a millage increase would go towards were street repairs, which was on the list of Leonard, the streets and water
BY FRANCESCA SAGALA commissioner, for an estimated cost of $400,000 and a salt storage building for superintendent Bob Dabbs.
Councilmember James Bracewell said that the village has been setting aside money in the budget for some of items every year, such as clubhouse repairs.
“I’m just saying to identify the assets that we have in the position we’re in so that if we’re trying to sell a millage, do it from a factual basis,” he said.
O’Halloran said that some items may not be able to be covered in a typical yearly budget, such as $400,000 to get the streets repaired, and that a millage could cover that.
Pete Doerr, who’s parks and beaches commissioner, said overall estimated costs for the items on his list would be around $600,000, although some of the items may be able to be covered in a yearly budget.
He added that councilmembers should be thinking longer term with regards to village improvements. An updated master plan would address the village’s needs in more detail, such as with safety issues.
“I’m not sure we can just go onboard with a millage request when we really don’t have in my mind everything encompassed,” he said.
Doerr added that other community leaders have done “extensive planning in going after millages or requesting assessments.”
O’Halloran said that there’s still work to be done in terms of narrowing down necessary items.
He said the village might not even be ready for a millage increase until the Planning Commission puts together a long-term master plan that would include some of the items. T
“Are we ready to go after a millage and be able to sell it to residents?” he said, adding that maybe they should do a 10year plan before pursuing one.
Councilmembers approved 2022 golf and golf cart parking sticker fees.
O’Halloran said that the highest cost is for a nonresident’s fee for a weekend or holiday, where the fee is $30 for 18 holes and $20 for a rental cart. For a resident, it’ll be $25 for 18 holes, so it’ll be $45. Residents who want to play nine holes on a weekend will have to pay $16 for the greens fee and $20 for the golf cart rental, so it’s $36.
O’Halloran added that he also raised the junior’s pass for those between the ages of 14 and 21 slightly, which is $90 (10 punches plus one free round) and the children’s pass for those between the ages of 6 and 13 (which is $100 for a season pass).
The resident golf cart parking sticker fee has increased by $5. For those who pay before May 1, it’s $250; for those who pay before June 1, it’s $275 and for those who pay on or after June 1, it’s $300.
O’Halloran cited rising costs for materials due to inflation being the reason for any increase in fees, adding that the wages for pro shop employees have increased.
O’Halloran said that, over the last two years, golf course usage has been up 30%, which could be attributed to the pandemic and people wanting to spend more time outside.
Council members approved a threeyear proposal from Kruggel, Lawton & Company, LLC, which includes $9,500 per year plus $500 to file the ACT 51 report and $500 to file the F-65.
