Sheltered in Place and feeling it

We are officially into Day 3 of the state-wide shelter-in-place order that went into affect Wednesday morning at 8 a.m. If you haven't already done so click on this link to see the order itself: Shelter in Place . It's brand new ground for all of us and there is some confusion as to what is “kosher” and what is not.

Among many other things, here's a few things you CAN'T DO:

• Pick-up basketball, football, soccer, ultimate frisbee games say, on the football field or at any of the practice fields at the schools. For the immediate future these are all verboten.
• The playgrounds at Airport Park, Phillips (“Beach”) Park and at the schools are closed until further notice (and just when the days are getting nicer, too).
• The Youth Center on Knapp Street is closed at this time as well.

It's weird to see this playground empty at Friday noon

But having said all this,

Here's what you CAN do:

• You CAN send the kids out into the yard to play. FRESH AIR has always been good for us no matter the circumstances.
• You CAN go for a walk.
• You CAN go for a run.
• You CAN go for a bike ride.

  

  Okay, this is clearly not taken around here...but soon

• You CAN go hiking say, on the Nature Trail behind the high school (but it might be muddy). Or just under 20 miles away there's the Chippewa Moraine State Recreational Area, due east of New Auburn. The State is telling us that all State parks are open but none of their facilities at the parks are. So, plan wisely.
• You CAN go fishing at the dam.

In all these things the six-feet rule applies in that we are to maintain that kind of a space-bubble between yourself and any of your neighbors you may happen to meet. (Of course, this six foot rule does not apply to the people that you live with – unless that's how your family rolls).

Every extrovert's nightmare, every introvert's dream...
but they say it helps lessen the chance of "the spread"

I know we're all feeling a bit cooped up and more than a little stir-crazy. The main thing in all of this is use common sense and do your part to help “flatten the curve” and inhibit the potential spread of COVID-19.

Meanwhile, did you see this past week's Chetek Alert?

With regards to the Public Works Department:

For the immediate future as a preventative measure, Public Works Department Dan Knapp is staggering his crew so that half are off this week and the other half will be off next week. The logic in this is simple: in the chance that one of our guys would be exposed to someone who had tested positive for the virus, only part of our crew would have to be quarantined. Probably every municipality across the State is doing the same thing. The guys are being paid as they normally would and not forced to use sick or vacation pay.

If you read this week's Alert than you saw this short news release:

From The Chetek Alert (Wednesday, March 25, 2020)

So do your best to not make more work for our outstanding public works crew. They make sure that our garbage gets carted away and the system that both brings water to and from our homes continues to function as it normally would.

Calhoun Memorial Library:

While the library is closed until further notice, you may not be aware that:

• Our public Wi-Fi continues to be available 24-7. The network is “publiclibrary” and no password is required.
• Looking for free stuff to do on-line? Then check out Stuck at home? to see oodles of links to follow to things like a live feed to the pandas at the Atlanta Zoo or go “under the sea” at the Monterrey Bay Aquarium. This page also has lots of links to free concerts and such.

  

  Monterrey Aquarium right
  in your own home

• And while you can't check out or order any materials from the library right now with your library card gives you access to online streaming services like Libby and Overdrive. More than likely if you're used to checking out E-books you are already familiar with what's out there.
• And in case you weren't aware, Calhoun Memorial Library no longer charges fines for overdue books. So, if you have something now Carol and her staff are encouraging you to hang on to it. When we re-open and you return your item you'll be “square with the house.”

In case you were wondering, all non-essential city employees such as The Center Director Donna Bachowski and Librarian Carol Burnham and her staff remain on the payroll even though they are unable to work at this time. As far as the city is concerned we have already budgeted the money for their salaries and we want to take care of our own during these unique circumstances.

Still open for business

Chetek Police Department

Chief Ambrozaitus and his crew continue to patrol as they normally would. Even though the “Shelter-in-Place” directive gives them authority to cite individuals who are in violation of it, they are simply trusting that everyone voluntarily cooperates with it for the greater good.

However, if you're in an emergency call 9-1-1 and our crew will be on hand to assist you because global pandemic or not our officers seek to serve and protect.

City Hall

City Hall might be closed to the public at present but Carmen and the girls are still at work, still answering phone calls and answering questions. If your custom is to drop off your water bill in person, you can drop it in the drop-box outside the front door. That box is checked frequently throughout the day but if it makes you feel better call City Hall after you drop off your bill to let them know. Karen will only be too happy to mail out your receipt to you. The thing everyone wants to know about these days is how to secure an absentee ballot. The thing is there's still time to do so but the window to get one will close next week. If you have any questions regarding how to get yours call Carmen at 715-924-4838 and she will walk you through the steps.

I think we can all agree that we have an outstanding team of individuals who work diligently to serve our residents and make sure our city continues to function as normally as it can during these abnormal times. Take care of yourself, look out for your neighbor and if you have any questions or concerns call me at 715-925-6078.

It's gonna be a great day!