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Vol. 115 No. 13
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School closure has students, teachers, staff scrambling
Virus reaction brings new reality
STAFF REPORT
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closure by Gov. Doug Burgum's executive order has students, teachers and staff at Bowman Public School still scrambling to keep up with the schoolwork. According to a letter sent out to parents earlier in March, the district schools are following the guidance and recommendations from the North Dakota Department of Health, the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction and the Centers for Disease Control regarding the Coronavirus pandemic. In the letter, it provided a series of suggestions to guard against the virus, including washing hands for 20 seconds under clean running water to prevent the spread of germs. Other suggestions included staying home if you are sick, avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth, cover coughs and sneezes and clean or disinfect surfaces and objects. In addition, the district also said the symptoms for COVID-19 include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Although the closure was to last until until March 20, then extended to March 27, it may be extended again, according to Superintendent Wayne
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MARCH 27, 2020
(Above) BCSD Staff write messages to students. (Right) Windy's family restaurant in Bowman is changing with the times after the COVID-19 pandemic hit North Dakota and the governor issued an executive order for restaurants to close their dining areas. PHOTO/Brad Mosher are restricting access, and setting up appointments.
STAFF REPORT
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here is a new reality in Bowman and Slope counties. Schools are closed and may remain that way for quite a while. Some businesses have changed their hours or how they serve their customers. Some businesses are closed until the threat of COVID-19 lessens. The Bowman Regional Library, the Bowman Park and Recreation Center and the Pioneer Trails Regional Museum are closed. Bowman County and the city offices
Local banks The banks in Bowman have closed their lobbies and are now working with customers by appointment only or using drive-thru windows. Dollar General For the Dollar General store in Bowman, hours have changed. They have even set up the first hour each day (8 a.m. to 9 a.m.) for seniors and
VIRUS » PAGE 5
City officials seek community help to fight virus, shortages STAFF REPORT
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i t y o f B ow m a n officials went to a v i d e o p o s t o n Fa c e b o o k Ma rc h 2 0 a s a way to seek community help to fight the s p re a d o f t h e Co r o n a v i r u s ( C OV I D - 1 9 ) , along with local shortages in food and supp l i e s. At a s p e c i a l m e e t i n g o f t h e B ow m a n C i t y Co m m i s s i o n Fr i d a y, Ma rc h 2 0 , c i t y commissioners made a public statement, which also announced a m o re re s t r i c t i v e c o n t a c t b e t w e e n re s i d e n t s , c i t y e m p l oy e e s a n d o f f i c i a l s. “So u t h w e s t No r t h Dakota is changing daily because of the Co r o n a V i r u s p a n demic. “Ev e n t h o u g h t h e re has not been a conf i r m e d c a s e h e re i n B ow m a n Co u n t y t o d a t e, o u r c o m m u n i t y i s being impacted and is a s k e d t o h e l p p re v e n t t h e s p re a d o f t h e v i r u s. “The safety and well being of our community is of utmost i m p o r t a n c e t o u s. We a re m o n i t o r i n g t h e situation very closely a n d a re s t a y i n g c u r re n t with the information a n d t h e re c o m m e n -
dations that is being p r ov i d e d t o u s by local, state and federal o f f i c i a l s ,” Ly n Ja m e s , p re s i d e n t o f t h e c i t y commission, said in a s t a t e m e n t re a d t o t h e video camera. “With the rapid c h a n g e s t h a t a re o c curring, our city comm i s s i o n e r s ' re s p o n s e will escalate to help g u i d e t h e c o m m u n i t y. We a re f o l l ow i n g t h e re c o m m e n d e d g u i d e l i n e s a n d a re t a k i n g t h e p re c a u t i o n a r y
m e a s u re s t o m i n i m i z e c o n t a c t by h a v i n g o u r c i t y o f f i c e s o p e n by a p p o i n t m e n t o n l y,” she said, with other commissioners standi n g b e s i d e h e r. “ T h e c i t y e m p l oyees will continue to p r ov i d e u n i n t e r r u p t e d service behind closed doors as we do our p a r t t o p re v e n t t h e p o t e n t i a l s p re a d o f t h e v i r u s. Mo s t o f t h e c i t y s e r v i c e s w e p r ov i d e c a n b e a d d re s s ov e r the phone or via email
to limit face-to-face contact. “Cu s t o m e r s a re asked to use the p h o n e, e m a i l o r o u r d r o p b ox o u t s i d e t o c o n d u c t b u s i n e s s. I f a service can not be h a n d l e d by o n e o f those options, please call to set up an app o i n t m e n t i n a d v a n c e. “He a l t h a n d t r a v e l questions will be asked t o a p p r ov e t h e v i s i t . Fo r t h e p r o t e c t i o n o f our customers and our e m p l oy e e s , a l l s u r f a c e s
w i l l b e w i p e d d ow n p r i o r t o a n d f o l l ow i n g each visit. “He re a re t h e u p dates and changes to o u r s e r v i c e s. We o f f e r several options to pay your city utility bill. A d r o p b ox i s l o c a t e d i n the parking lot, on the east side of city hall. Pa y m e n t s c a n b e m a d e o n l i n e a t w w w. b ow m a n n d . c o m ,” t h e v i d e o statement explained. “ Yo u a l s o m a y c a l l t h e city to make a payment using your debit or c re d i t c a rd . T h a t n u m ber is 523-3309. “The city hall room re n t a l w i l l n o t b e available to the public u n t i l f u r t h e r n o t i c e. “Fo r d r i v e r s l i c e n s e d a y, w e w i l l c o n t i n u e as planned for the first We d n e s d a y o f e a c h m o n t h . T h e l o b by w i l l be limited to 10 people a t a n y g i v e n t i m e. I f t h e D OT ( D e p a r t m e n t o f Tr a n s p o r t a t i o n ) decides to postpone c o m i n g t o B ow m a n , w e w i l l p a s s t h a t i n f o rmation along at that t i m e,” Ja m e s e x p l a i n e d i n t h e v i d e o. “ T h e B ow m a n Po l i c e Department office will offer limited visitation. Please call 5235672.
COMMUNITY » PAGE 2