COVID-19 by West Central Tribune

INFORMATION ON

COVID-19 FROM OUR LOCAL HEALTH CARE COMMUNITY Saturday, April 25, 2020

SOURCE: INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CORONAVIRUS CORNERS ISSUED BY

C2 Saturday, April 25, 2020 — West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn.

Sharing Our Community’s Strength & Stories As the consequences of COVID-19 affect our community and our world, the importance of our connection to reliable information, resources and one another is more evident than ever. As your local newspaper, we are committed to keeping you connected through local news, outbreak updates, stimulating features and community engagement as we make our way through these troubled times toward a brighter future together.

Your subscription helps keep local news alive, and we thank you for your support! Local Businesses, We Are Here to Help! Contact our Christie Steffel at 320.214.4317 to learn more.

In Print & Online • Subscribe & Support Local News at

320-235-1150 • www.wctrib.com

West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn. — Saturday, April 25, 2020 C3

Carris Health- Willmar Nurse Line: 320-441-5361 Carris Health- Redwood Nurse Line: 507-637-1730 CentraCare Connect: 320-200-3200

7am-7pm M-F | 8-12 Sat/Sun 8am-5pm M-F 24/7

MENTAL HEALTH - SUBSTANCE USE

STAY HOME EXCEPT FOR

ESSENTIAL NEEDS SITUATIONAL UPDATE

3,185

CONFIRMED MN CASES

CASES CONFIRMED IN KANDIYOHI COUNTY

221

MN DEATHS

DEATHS IN KANDIYOHI COUNTY

Minnesota Department of Health numbers as of 2 p.m. April 24, 2020

If feel like you want to harm yourself or others, Call 911 Mobile Crisis: 1-800-432-8781 | 24/7 Woodland Centers-Mental Health/Detox: 320-235-4613/1-800-992-1716 Call Kandiyohi County Human Services for resources: 320-231-7800 8-4:30pm | M-F

DONATE PPE

Call 320-214-6780 to arrange an appointment for drop off 8:30a-4:30p | M-F

QUESTIONS?

CONTACTS

ARE YOU SICK? CALL FIRST

CREDIBLE INFORMATION WEBSITES

Minnesota Department of Health | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | CarrisHealth.com | Kandiyohi County

Good Health Starts with Great Water! • SOFTENERS • DRINKING WATER SYSTEMS

LAWYERS WORKING FOR YOU

• SALT DELIVERY • BOTTLED WATER & MUCH MORE!

2nd Generation Family Business. Locally Owned & Operated by: JOHANNECK WATER CONDITIONING, INC. 101 LITCHFIELD AVESE • WILLMAR

(320) 235-8040 • ECOWATERNOW.COM

e p o l l i t s e ES! We’r

Y Central Community Transit continues to provide

services for essential transportation needs such as: • getting to work • getting food and supplies • attending medical appointments (We appreciate your efforts in social distancing from the driver and other passengers at this time.)

Fare Free through May 30th in an effort to reduce the interactions between passengers and drivers.

Some routes and hours have changed due to Covid-19, so please call to inquire about your specific needs. WILLMAR OFFICE

320.214.7433

Wishing you all Good Health and Safety!

OLIVIA OFFICE

320.523.3589

LITCHFIELD OFFICE

320.693.7794

320 1st St. S., Willmar, MN 320-235-2000 mail@JMSKLaw.com www.JMSKLaw.com

C4 Saturday, April 25, 2020 — West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn.

HOUSEHOLDS LIVING IN CLOSE QUARTERS

If your household includes one or more vulnerable individuals, then all family members should act as if they, themselves,are at higher risk.

STATE DATA

VULNERABLE MEMBERS SHOULD AVOID CARING FOR CHILDREN

HOSPITAL SURGE CAPACITY

Adults 65 years and older and people who have serious medical conditions should avoid caring for the children in their households, if possible.

SEPARATE (ISOLATE) A HOUSEHOLD MEMBER WHO IS SICK

CURRENT | CAN BE READY IN 24 HRS | CAN BE READY IN 72 HRS | VENT SURGE | ON BACK ORDER IN USE

ICU BEDS

• Provide a separate bedroom & bathroom for the person who is sick, if possible • Try to have only one person in the household take care of the sick person • Maintain 6 feet between the person who is sick and the other family members • Open windows to circulate fresh air, when possible • If you are sick, do not help prepare food, do not share utensils

932 1,222

CAPACITY

1,401

CAPACITY

2,638

1,417

888

3,706

TESTING #OF COVID TESTS CONDUCTED DAILY

LIMIT ERRANDS

TOTAL COMPLETED: 41,675

Thank you for your support during these challenging times.

We are still here to help you with any of of your collision and glass repairs. Stop by or give us a call today! Stay Strong! Stay Healthy!

1,500 1,000

04/21

04/19

04/20

04/18

04/17

04/15

04/16

04/14

04/13

04/11

04/12

04/10

04/09

04/07

04/08

04/05

04/06

04/04

04/02

04/03

03/31

04/01

03/29

500 03/30

• Choose 1 or 2 family members who are not at risk to run essential errands • If possible, don’t ride in a car with members of different households • Avoid crowds, practice social distancing, and wear a cloth face covering • Wash your hands immediately after you return home • Avoid hugging, kissing, or sharing food or drinks with those at higher risk in your home. Do not share personal house hold items. Clean all high touch areas in your home daily.

TIM QUISBERG 130 SE 2nd St, Pennock, MN tim@quisbergcollision.com

585

554

IN USE

VENTILATORS

831

Advocates are here to help you! If you need emergency shelter due to domestic or sexual violence call 320-235-0962

West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn. — Saturday, April 25, 2020 C5

TIPS TO REDUCE COVID-19 ANXIETY • Focus on what you can control – including your thoughts, behaviors. • Remember that you are resilient, and so is humankind. We will get through this. • Do what you can to reduce your risk; take comfort that you are caring for yourself and others. • Use technology to connect with others frequently. • Look for the good stuff: the helpers, time with family, and opportunities to pull together. Write down three things you are grateful for each day. • Limit exposure to news or social media updates.

• Be gentle with yourself and others. • Create a regular routine, especially for children and work from home. • Maintain a healthy diet and exercise routines to help your immune system and mental health. • Spend time in nature while adhering to social distancing guidelines. • Reflect on your reactions. Many who have experienced trauma may be triggered by feelings of powerlessness. Understanding what you are feeling can help you consider how you want to respond to the triggers.

• Use reputable sources of news, avoid speculation and rumors.

• Practice meditation, yoga, or other mind-body techniques. Find apps or online videos to help.

• Model peaceful behavior for those around you. Remember everyone experiences stress differently.

• Reach out if you need to talk. There are local and national hotlines and warmlines that can help!

• Don’t let fear influence your decisions, such as hoarding supplies.

We are open to serve all of your Heating & A/C Needs! Get your heating & air conditioning equipment serviced or replaced. Renville, MN

320-329-3663

Harmony Visitation Center is Open. Please Call 320-214-0799

C6 Saturday, April 25, 2020 — West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn.

INFORMATION ABOUT COVID-19 SYMPTOMS

• Fever, Cough, Shortness of breath • Some have had other symptoms including muscle aches, headache, sore throat, or diarrhea. • Symptoms usually appear @ 5 days after exposure, but can appear anywhere between 2-14 d.

HOW IT SPREADS

• Mainly from person-to-person through respiratory droplets produced when infected person coughs or sneezes. • It is possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface/object that has the virus on it, followed by touching his/her own mouth , nose, or eyes. Practice frequent hand hygiene. • Some spread might be possible before people show symptoms. • Maintaining good social distance (about 6 feet) is very important in preventing the spread

TESTING

• People who do not have symptoms should not be tested. • If you have symptoms that you can manage at home, you do not need to seek health care or be tested for COVID-19. Stay

home and isolate yourself from others in the home. Some people have worsened during the second week of illness. Seek medical care right away if your symptoms worsen. Call ahead and tell them your symptoms, they will guide you.

Lab confirmed: Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will speak with you directly to give you guidance. Not Lab Confirmed: Monitor your health for 14 days after the exposure. STAY HOME as much as possible. Check with your employer for guidance if you need to go to work. MDH does not consider contacts of contacts to be at increased risk for COVID-19

COUGH OR SORE THROAT

GENERAL GUIDANCE FOR ILL PERSON(S) If you have symptoms of a respiratory disease (these include fever, coughing, muscle aches, sore throat, and headache), you should stay home for at least 7 days, and for 3 days with no fever and improvement of respiratory symptoms—whichever is longer. (Your fever should be gone for 3 days without using fever-reducing medicine).

Greetings Folks!

and well-being of our community, customers, and associates very seSERVICES WE OFFER: • Auctions • Listings riously. We understand • Appraisals the need toNegotiations take pre•Private Sale However, we • cautions. Complimentary Consultations live in an age where Questions? we are able to comCall Kristine at municate by phone or by320-212-9379 email. We will miss seeing you in www.FladeboeLand.com person, but would

FEVER OR MUSCLE ACHES

CONTACT WITH SOMEONE WHO HAS COVID-19

Greetings Folks!

We are all in this together. We’ve been in business for over 42 years and will continue to be there for you when you We are all in this need us. We take the health and wellbeing of our community, customers, together. We’ve been and associates very seriously. We understand inneed business for over the to take precautions. However, we42 liveyears in an ageand wherewill we are conable to communicate by phone or by email. We tinue to be there will miss seeing you in person,for but would welcome the opportunity visit with you when you toneed you by phone or email. Best wishes for us.health Wethrough take this thedifficult health good time.

POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS

Our Family Serving Families for 42 Years!

Who We Serve

Generations Land Specialists Farmland ofProfessionals Since 1978Since 1978 Farmland Professionals

DIARRHEA LOSS OF TASTE OR SMELL

At Christianson, we are committed to helping businesses weather the Coronavirus crisis by providing regular updates as stimulus information is released. Please visit our website at www.christiansoncpa.com

The Fladeboe Land Team

SHORTNESS OF BREATH

Services for Individuals • Tax • Estate Planning • Financial Advising • Retirement Planning

Stay Safe! Stay Healthy! Services for Small Business

• Tax • Audit • Human Resources Consulting • Payroll and Book Keeping • Benefits Consulting & Administration

Industries • Agriculture • Manufacturing • Hospitality • Construction

West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn. — Saturday, April 25, 2020 C7

PREPARING FOR COVID-19 • Limit your trips to the grocery store • Get 2 weeks’ worth of supplies • If you are more vulnerable to disease, see if there is a family member or friend who can shop for you • take your credit card, cash, or check from your wallet/purse so you do not contaminate the latter; when done shopping, clean whatever you exposed

• Once home, clean what you bought with soap and water, do not rest things on surfaces that you will touch later, and then wash your hands when done • Remember: pens, shopping lists, etc. can get contaminated when you touch food/surfaces and you touch them again. Clean them when done!

HAVE A 2-WEEK SUPPLY OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY NON PERISHABLE FOODS

MEDICINES YOU TAKE REGULARLY

SOAP & HAND SANITIZER

MEDICINES YOU MIGHT NEED IF YOU GET SICK

PET SUPPLIES

BRAIN STIMULATING ACTIVITY

BABY SUPPLIES

We Are Open & Welcoming New & Familiar Faces! As an essential healthcare organization, we are open for both new and existing patients. If you’re in pain, know that you don’t need to wait out the COVID-19 outbreak to get help. We are here for you. To schedule an appointment, please call 320.214.7355

HeartlandOrthopedics.com

C8 Saturday, April 25, 2020 — West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn.

WHAT ABOUT MASKS? Maintaining 6‐feet social distancing remains MOST important to slowing the spread of the virus.

Per CDC guidance, the use of a simple cloth face covering to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others, can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measure. Cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N‐95 respirators. Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders. CDC also recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g. grocery stores and pharmacies).

WHEN TO WEAR A MASK Here are a few important things to keep in mind: • Masks or cloth face coverings can help with preventing your germs from infecting others – especially in situations where you may spread the virus without symptoms. • Wearing a mask is not a replacement for other precautions like • Washing your hands frequently, • keeping at least 6 feet of space between people • Staying home when you are sick • People who are sick should stay home. If you are sick and need to go to the doctor, call your health care provider before going in and wear a mask to the clinic. • Don’t buy or wear surgical or N95 masks. These supplies are in high need for health care workers. • Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapable or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance. Wash your cloth mask after every use in Hot Water! • For more information visit CDC.gov

During these difficult times, Project Turnabout continues to keep our doors open, as we have for the past 50 years. pioneer-heritage.com Our staff is working remotely during the Stay at Home order. We are available to help you by phone and email. See our web page for contact information.

Thank You It's your life. Let us help you take it back.

www.ProjectTurnabout.org • 1-(800)-862-1453

for your patience and understanding. Stay Healthy and Safe! Looking forward to seeing you soon!

Spicer 320-796-2169 Pennock 320-599-4252 Willmar 320-214-3952 Raymond 320-967-4241 Litchfield 320-693-7908

West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn. — Saturday, April 25, 2020 C9

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHO WEARS IT? • Asymptomatic people. HOW IT WORKS • Protects other people by reducing the amount of respiratory droplets expelled by a person who may be infected but not showing signs of illness. LIMITATIONS • Not regulated and do not protect the wearer. • Not to be used by people who are sick • Breathing into a facemask builds up moisture, which can be uncomfortable to wear. • Need to be regularly washed and sanitized. • Avoid touching the mask while wearing it; if you do touch it, wash hands thoroughly. DISPOSAL • During disposal, avoid touching the mask and wash hands thoroughly afterward.

WHAT IS IT? • FDA-regulated masks that are fluid resistant and provide the wearer protection against large droplets, splashes, or sprays of bodily or other hazardous fluids.

SURGICAL MASKS

ALTERNATIVE MASKS

WHAT IS IT? • Non-FDA-regulated masks, including homemade masks. • May reduce the likelihood of transmitting the virus by the wearer, but they are not proven to protect health care staff or patients.

ALTERNATIVE MASKS AND SURGICAL MASKS FOR COVID-19

WHO WEARS IT? • Health care staff during the evaluation of and care for suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients.

HOW IT WORKS • Protects the wearer by creating a barrier to the virus or body fluid that may contain the virus. LIMITATIONS • Due to high demand, supply may be limited. • Avoid touching the mask while wearing it; if you do touch it, wash hands thoroughly. • Do not wash the mask. • Reuse of facemasks may be limited by the type of fastening (e.g. elastic ear hooks may be more robust than ties that are more liable to tearing). • Discard when it becomes damaged or deformed; becomes wet or visibly dirty; breathing becomes difficult; or if it becomes contaminated with blood, respiratory or nasal secretions, or other bodily fluids. DISPOSAL • Should be done and doffed appropriately. • During disposal, avoid touching the mask and wash hands thoroughly afterward.

It is natural to feel apprehensive and fearful during times of great uncertainty such as we are experiencing now with COVID-19 and the resulting financial turmoil. We are still here to provide you with your transport needs!!

Stay Safe, Stay Healthy!!

320-235-1244 | 800-648-0910 quotes@truck-transport.com www.truck-transport.com

Please allow yourselves some time to pause and realize that we WILL reach the other side of this frightening experience and enjoy and appreciate good health and fortune again. Pandemic and market downturns are temporary. The human spirit is resilient and strong! 101 South 1st Street, Suite 50 | Montevideo, MN 56265 P: 320-269-7889 | F: 320-269-3220 | E: mwrekow@rekowmanagement.com

C10 Saturday, April 25, 2020 — West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn.

CLEANING YOUR CAR SEAT Moms and dads looking to clean their children’s car seats should follow the car seat maker’s instructions — such as using a mild detergent and water. Harsher cleaning products, such as bleach, could damage the car seat, which means it might not protect a child in a crash.

Don’t forget about your car: clean frequently touched surfaces, including the steering wheel, door handles, shift lever, any buttons or touch screens, wiper, and turn signals stalks, passenger and driver door arm rests, grab handles, and seat adjusters.

Now more than ever our small business community needs our support. Small businesses are a critical component to the overall health of our community. For details, or to order a shirt, please visit www.willmarlakesarea2040.com/ riseup All proceeds will go into a dedicated Vision 2040 fund that will be available to local small businesses to apply for mini grants that they can use to support their business during this time.

PHILANTHROPY AT WORK – Serving Kandiyohi County since 1998 –

Giving locally has never been more important.

Help build the local relief and recovery with a gift to the Willmar Area Response Fund to support basic needs, emergency financial support to nonprofits and community initiatives to fill emerging gaps at

www.communitygiving.org/donate

CommunityGiving connects local foundations, donors and charitable partners to create a lasting legacy in the communities we serve. CommunityGiving also serves the Alexandria, Brainerd Lakes, and St. Cloud areas.

1601 East Highway 12, Suite 9, Willmar MN 56201 Phone (320) 235- 4380 Toll Free (877) 253-4380 CommunityGiving.org/Willmar

“Pay Now”

West Central Tribune â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Willmar, Minn. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Saturday, April 25, 2020 C11

Sew fety Sa FOR

WE ARE OPEN AND ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS (VIA TELE-MED)

Our staff are here to help you, your family, your friends, and our communities in Renville, Swift, Chippewa, Meeker, Kandiyohi, Lac Qui Parle, and Big Stone Counties.

Call us at 320-235-4613 or 24/7 Crisis Line at 800-432-8781

Bankruptcy Estate Planning Probate Real Estate

If you are a Kandiyohi County institution in need of masks, we are here to help. Please contact us to request homemade masks sewn by our community members.

Social Security Family Law Criminal Defense Civil Litigation

We are offering free health care directives and discounted rates on many of our other services in recognition of the financial burden COVID has created.

Douglas D. Kluver, Attorney at Law 408 North First Street, P.O. Box 486 Montevideo, MN 56265

The CDC recommends masks be worn. Our local institutions are in need of homemade masks. If you're able to sew, please sign up to indicate how many you can contribute.

We are excited to introduce the newest attorney in our firm starting May 8th - Maggie Kluver

www.kluverlaw.com

Office: 320-269-2286 E-mail: info@kluverlaw.com

C12 Saturday, April 25, 2020 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; West Central Tribune â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Willmar, Minn.

Thank You A SPECIAL

to Those Who Serve Our Community

We want to thank the men and women in our community who serve as teachers, law enforcement, healthcare workers, members of our military, child care, food service, utility sectors, truck drivers, agriculture, community organizations, and many many more! Thank you for going over and beyond your call of duty during this unprecedented time. 2208 Trott Ave Willmar, MN 56201 320-235-1150