Cavalier County
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Single Copy Volume 134
Republican cavaliercountyextra.com
In this issue:
Copyright © Langdon, North Dakota
Dave Monson's Legislative update can be found on Page 4. Rita Maisel's Langdon Long Ago can be found on Page 13.
Index
OPINION CHURCH COMMUNITY SPORTS PRO DIR AG CLASSIFIED PN
PAGE 4 PAGE 6 PAGE 7 PAGE 8 PAGE 9 PAGE 10 PAGE 11 PAGE 12-13
Cavalier County had its first confirmed case of COVID-19 just a few short weeks ago, and in that time frame the number has now reached the teens with more expected to be identified in the coming weeks. Cavalier County Public Health District has been diligently informing the public on the steps that can be taken to protect themselves. “The top priority of our office is responding to the public health needs of our community. COVID has taught us that meeting that goal can be an evolving, ever-changing target,” Steph Welsh, RN, said. “Public health, as a whole, is working hard to do the things we are learning work to lower the risk of transmission of COVID-19.” The first confirmed case in the United States occurred in late January with the virus spreading rapidly across the country. North Dakota reported its first confirmed case of COVID-19
in mid-March. Since then, the state has tested nearly 130,000 individuals with reported cases quickly nearing the 5,000 mark. Around the globe, nations have experienced a steady and sometimes rapid rise in cases. This has scientists playing catch up to try and stay in step with their research on the virus as well as the development of pro-
er the risk of transmission that is now more important than ever to practice. These practices include social distancing; decreasing your number of close contacts; practicing good hand washing; avoid touching your mouth, nose, or eyes; wearing a mask in public when social distancing cannot be maintained; and, most importantly, staying
tocols, medical treatment, and, hopefully, a vaccine. “This is a new virus to our world population so, unfortunately, that means we are sometimes learning and adapting as we go,” Welsh said. With information on the virus sometimes changing daily, there are still specific strategies that are proven to work to low-
home when you are sick. “I think it is important for individuals to be vigilant in these practices no matter where you are because practicing these measures only in places that you think are "hot spots" can lull you into a false sense of security putting yourself and others at risk for obtaining and spreading COVID,” Welsh said.
State and local school districts prepare for the fall The Langdon Area School District (LASD) has formed a committee to determine if and how the school will go about the upcoming school year. The diverse group of school administrators, teachers, parents and health officials met via virtual meeting and phone conference on Tuesday, July 14 for the preliminary discussion. Later that day, Gov. Doug Burgum and State Superintendent Kirsten Baesler released the K-12 Smart Restart guidelines to help North Dakota school districts plan for reopening this fall to provide a safe, high-quality educational experience for all students. The LASD committee discussed and posed questions on how the reopening of the school to students would be handled. Cavalier County Health District's Steph Welsh was on the call to provide assistance and answer any public health questions. The discussion lasted two hours with many different areas such as classroom size, handling of COVID spread, food service, and bus service being scrutinized. The governor's guidelines were developed in collaboration with education associa-
Monday, July 20, 2020
tions, tribal leaders, stakeholders and State Health Officer Dr. Andrew Stahl. The K-12 Smart Restart guidelines emphasize local control and decision-making by school boards and administrators in consultation with local public health units and based on guidance from the North Dakota Department of Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, and other resources. Burgum and Baesler noted that because of how swiftly the state acted on closing schools to in-person instruction on March 15 – just four days after North Dakota’s first COVID-19 case was identified – officials have yet to manage in-person teaching and learning for the state’s 121,000 K-12 students during the pandemic. “We’re entering new territory this fall with a dual pur-
pose: to focus on providing the highest-quality education for all students and safeguarding the health and safety of students, staff, families and communities,” Burgum said, noting COVID-19 cases are climbing in North Dakota, but the state’s positive test rate remains low, at 2.3% today. “We still have work to do, and it’s not time for us to change course. We must continue to be North Dakota Smart to keep COVID-19 in check.” Baesler said the K-12 Smart Restart guidance gives school boards and administrators the information they need to make decisions for the education of children while keeping the safety of their communities in mind. “North Dakota’s children are looking to us as adults to help them adjust to life with COVID-19. They will be watching us and looking to us for answers, guidance and security. Today’s guidance is the next step in that journey,” Baesler said. “We are committed to supporting and partnering with our schools and families to provide a safe, highquality education experience for all students.” The K-12 Smart Restart guidcont. on page 2
One of the first cases to be confirmed was Cavalier County Commissioner Stanley Dick. The reason that Dick was tested was a result of slight symptoms and the desire to travel out-of-state to see family. The symptoms he experienced were a mild fever and dull headache. “At that point in Cavalier County, there had been only been one positive test so even when I met with the nurse practitioner, she didn't think I had it. My symptoms weren't strong, strong. She checked my lungs, and everything checked out pretty normal. She went ahead and did the test,” Dick explained. In looking back to the weeks leading up to the positive test, Dick explained that he has no idea where he could have gotten it from. In the days leading up to his diagnosis, Dick had been doing some traveling outside of the Munich area, visiting Langdon for county business, and been to Cando for a golf game. Dick recounts that prior to symptoms developing, he cont. on page 2
HiWay Laundry is the place to be HiWay Laundry in Langdon has found new owners and a new lease on life. Doug and Mindi Lill have taken over the business and have been hard at work making it not just a laundromat but a fun place to be. “Doug has always wanted to own a car wash, and the laundromat is something impor-
business a bit more customerfriendly. “We have added a soda machine, snack machine, and Cruising’ the World arcade game. Also offer free WiFi, TV and have a couch plus two recliners,” the Lills said. “We have purchased the equipment to
tant to the community. With Doug’s electrical background and construction experience, it seemed like a good fit. We hope to give the youth someplace to spend time, like we had when we grew up in Langdon,” the Lills explained. Since taking ownership the Lills have mostly been organizing and shining floors. In addition, they have also brought in some new features to make the
add card readers in the car wash, just need to get them installed.” With these changes, the Lills hope to provide more than a laundromat and car wash to the community. As they look towards the future of HiWay Laundry, they want the business to be one that everyone enjoys visiting. “We have more arcade macont. on page 2
Farmers & Merchants State Bank
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For resources and guidance regarding COVID-19, log onto the following:
816 3rd Street, Langdon, ND 58249
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Number 29
Precautions for COVID more important than ever By Melissa Anderson Republican Editor
Catch up with the latest from the Langdon City Commissioners on Page 3.
Official Newspaper of Cavalier County Published since 1889