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EDITORIAL
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NEW E DLIN t A E D a day i r F is . 4 p.m
Vol. 115 No. 23
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JUNE 5, 2020
State adopts COVID-19 risk graph, sets restart standards Staff Report
The North Dakota governor has announced a new method of gauging the COVID-19 risk throughout the state, using the fire danger sign as inspiration. Instead of “fire danger” the COVID-19 risk graph will show whether the state is at a dangerous and more restrictive level or opening up with less restrictions. On one side of the risk assessment chart is red – for critical. The graph goes down through orange (high), yellow (moderate), green (low) and blue (new normal).
It is part of the North Dakota Smart Restart plan. Governor Doug Burgum recently gave his guidance on how large of venues should reopen after modifying the executive order that closed them. The guidance follows a new 5-Level Risk Assessment Test. At the time the graph was announced, North Dakota sat in the moderate zone, which called for these larger venues to open similarly to smaller businesses. These modifications include capping larger venues at 50% of their normal capacity, but also capping them at no more than 250 people in a room. According to the governor, the state has been slowly improving. “We are in a position as a state right now to take on a little more risk relative to the virus because by taking on risk we know that we have proven that we have the capacity to deploy both testing
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and contact tracing to help us arrest the spread if we do have an outbreak somewhere in the state,” Burgum explained. The governor called them recommendations, and said law did not bind them. “Market forces again I think will help guide whether you are a very small bar or restaurant or the largest venues in the state we’ll help guide them to make sure that their customers or potential customers and visitors or concert goers or people that might be going to an outdoor baseball game that they are also feeling safe and comfortable,” Burgum said. As of May 29, the state was in the green zone on the graph. That means the state had the following guidelines covering large gatherings. Green is the level of low risk for exposure and when transmission is controlled in the jurisdiction AND health criteria is met. Group gatherings are limited by certificate of occupancy for the room or seating area according to industry-specific Smart Restart protocols and social distancing is maintained. Cancel gatherings of any size where distancing cannot be maintained. When it comes to restaurants and bars, the green guidelines moved the requirements to capacity should be limited to 75% of normal operating capacity. If the level drops to the bottom of the scale (Blue/New Normal) it means normal occupancy rules would apply. With fitness centers and gyms, the more restrictive yellow guidelines become recommendations. That includes: limiting group fitness classes to one participant/staff per 144 square feet (SF) or 12’x12’ grid layout if providing markers on floor area(s). In addition, the green recommendations include closing or
cordoning off gathering areas like vestibules, seating areas, bleachers, etc. where people can congregate in groups larger than ten; suspending or discontinuing drop-in childcare or follow DHS childcare guidance; limiting use of saunas, jacuzzi, hot tubs, steam rooms, etc. to one person per 100 SF. In addition, the yellow requirements which became suggestions to also discontinue group sports (basketball, soccer, hockey, softball, etc.) where more than ten participants are playing at the same time in indoor spaces, while outdoor youth sports would be considered if following CDC guidelines. According to the state officials, the graph provides specific direction to North Dakota residents and businesses through a color-coded health guidance system. “It can be used in each of the economic phases. The guidance system includes five levels of activity: red, orange, yellow, green, and blue. Each level of guidance after red becomes progressively less restrictive and more economically engaged. Every level protects public health and outlines necessary mitigation strategies. Each level is guided by a rigorous measurement system, based on criteria such as number of cases reported, positivity rates, testing capacity, hospital capacity, occurrence of point-source outbreaks, level of community spread, vulnerable populations affected and ability to protect, the availability of PPE, etc. “This allows community leaders and policymakers to safely determine when a different color of health guidance applies,” the information posted on state websites. “North Dakotans should think of the guidance system as a dial that can be turned up or down by
area based on the health risk. “Red/Critical Risk is the area with the highest disease burden and level of significant and uncontrolled community transmission, multiple outbreaks resulting in increased deaths, surge capacity of hospitals are threatened, and there is lack of adequate PPE supplies available for healthcare workers. The most significant mitigation strategies are implemented at the Red/Critical Risk level. “Thanks to the quick action and personal responsibility of all North Dakotans, we have never reached this critical stage of risk. Orange/High Risk is the level of significant transmission and high risk for exposure due to widespread community spread of infections. “Orange/High Risk is the level of guidance for mitigation strategies that North Dakota functioned under executive orders dating from March 13 to April 30. There are significant mitigation strategies emphasizing “Stay Home. Stay Healthy. Stay Connected.” Only essential travel and essential critical infrastructure workforce, adherence to strict social distancing guidance, increased cleaning and disinfecting of bathrooms and high-touch surfaces, and recommended restrictions, such as avoiding groups greater than ten people, limitations on high-risk individuals, no personal care services, schools are closed but offering distance learning, work from home when possible, avoid sharing work spaces and office supplies, malls and gyms are closed, and restaurants are being asked to limit their services to takeout or delivery. “People will initially be asked to wear fabric nonmedical face masks while in the community to reduce their risk of asymptomatic spread. Yellow/Moderate Risk
is the level of heightened exposure risk and transmission is controlled in these areas. “Yellow/Moderate is the level of guidance for mitigation strategies that North Dakota functions under right now. Cases are reported but contained by rapid testing and robust contact tracing. Moderate social distancing and precautions are needed (maintain six feet distancing, avoid shaking hands, work from home when possible, reconsider unnecessary travel). Increased cleaning on high touch surfaces and cleanings on shared spaces should be routine. Shared surfaces will be more frequently cleaned and disinfected. In addition to case-based interventions that actively identify and isolate people with the disease and their contacts, the public will be asked to limit gatherings. All vulnerable individuals should continue to self-isolate and avoid large groups in public places. Those who are sick will be asked to stay home and seek testing for COVID-19. ND Smart Restart had Green/ Low Risk for exposure or transmission, low case counts are reported, public health and private health care are able to safely diagnose, treat, and isolate COVID-19 cases and their contacts. During this phase, schools and businesses can reopen, and much of normal life can begin to resume in a phased approach. However, some physical distancing measures and limitations on gatherings will still be recommended to prevent transmission from accelerating again. “For older adults (those over age 60), those with underlying health conditions, and other populations at heightened risk from COVID-19, continuing to limit time in the community will be important. Prepare health alerts, communicate risk and symp-
Bowman Community Challenge starts vote for four project finalists Staff Report
There are four finalists in a local community challenge vying for a possible $10,000 prize. But it will be up to Bowman residents to determine the winner of the Bowman Community Challenge by voting for one of the finalists before the June 16 deadline. According to a spokesman for the Bowman County Development Corporation, One finalist will win up to $10,000 to make their dream a reality. The Community Challenge was created as a platform to empower people the county to bring their dreams to life, the spokesman explained. “By enabling our fellow community members to create an event or project to better Bowman County we are able to enhance our quality of life and give our residents a way to showcase what they want in their community,” said Brooklyn Engelhart, the Creative Marketing Coordinator. Bowman County Development Corporation and Bowman Tax and Tourism Committee host the Community Challenge. “Community Development is a key part of what we do. It serves to better quality of life, which is part of our organization’s mission. While we host and develop new ideas out of our office each year, we feel that encourag-
ing individuals within the community to do the same could create greater impact and further develop experiences in our community,” Engelhart added. 2020 Community Challenge Finalists After reviewing all applications, the judges are pleased to present the final four applicants for the 2020 Community Challenge. The voting began June 2. People can vote for their favorite idea once a day, every day until voting closes on June 16. The winner will receive up to $10,000 to make their project a reality. The four finalists are: Community Garden by Dan Peterson Grow your own garden start to finish! The Community Garden would be located to the west of Sunrise Village and would be home to ten raised garden beds. The lot would be transformed into an accessible and all-inclusive garden, with parking spots, easy access, and plenty of space between each bed. The garden would be a great summer activity for anyone in the community looking for space to grow produce. K9 Agility Course and Competition by Gracie Ruggles Gracie Ruggles, owner of Pawsitive K9 Care, began pet sitting and agility training dogs nearly 9 months ago. Now, she has a
vision to purchase immovable K9 agility training equipment and to host an agility competition that would be open to the public to participate and attend. The course would be permanently set up at the Dog Park in Bowman for the competition and for community members to use year-round. Make Gascoyne Lake Great Again by Chanell Walby Gascoyne Lake can be made great again by the addition of available activities, which would attract community members and visitors to the lake for water sport recreation. A small rental shed and a kayak launching dock would be built along the east shore of the lake. Equipment such as kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, and lifejackets would be purchased for you to rent at a small fee. Rotary Park Splash Path by Brosz Engineering, Inc. The Rotary Splash Path is a walking path full of exciting water features that can be enjoyed by all. With the touch of a button, you would be provided with safe, refreshing and entertaining aquatic play. The Splash Path would be permanently installed at the Bowman Rotary Park located near the intersection of Highway 12 and 3rd Ave SW. Go to createbowmancounty.com/vote to learn more about each project, view pictures and VOTE.
toms, review plans, and prepare for public health capacity if needed for spikes in cases. “Blue/New Normal baseline is when most normal activity can resume, with standard precautions and awareness of health guidelines such as routine hand washing, stay home when sick, cover your cough, education, stockpiling, planning, routine health alerts, etc. Monitoring for illness and outbreaks will continue. Even under new normal conditions, those found to be ill will be asked to self-isolate and contacts will be asked to remain at home. “This color-coded guidance can be applied during the phases of ND Smart Restart to protect health, bolster confidence, and provide more economic certainty. It is possible for one area of the state to be under the orange guidance and another under the yellow, all while being in the stabilization or recovery phases,” the information on the website explained.
North Dakota food bank returns Staff Report
The Great Plains Food Bank will be returning to Bowman County June 9 when it stops at the Bowman County Fairgrounds. The planned visit will be for just two hours, from 10 a.m. until noon, according to a spokesman for the regional food bank. According to a release, the event is part of a two-day swing through Richardton, Dickinson and Hettinger. It will be open to anyone in need of food assistance with no preregistration required. On June 8, the truck will visit the Richardton Area Mobile Food Pantry at St. Mary’s Social Center (332 Second St. North) from 2:30 p.m. until 4 p.m. It will move to Dickinson Area Mobile Food Pantry at the Biesiot Activities Center (398 State Ave.) from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. The stop in Bowman for the Bowman/Slope Area Mobile Food Pantry will be at the fairgrounds on Highway 12 from 10 am, until noon, the food bank will stop at the Hettinger Armory (1207 Fourth Ave. South) from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. For more information or to volunteer, please contact regional service manager Rachel Monge at (701390-2513 or by emailing rmonge@greatplainsfoodbank.org. For those inquiring about SNAP assistance call 855-405-0000 or go to www. greatplainsfoodbank.org.
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