March 26- April 1, 2020
Governor orders shelter in place starting Saturday
news.mt.gov/AllNews/governor-bullock-issues-stay-at-home-directive-to-slow-the-spread-of-covid-19
news.mt.gov/AllNews/governor-bullock-issues-stay-at-home-directive-to-slow-the-spread-of-covid-19
A fox kit explores their surroundings during calmer, warmer times. Photo courtesy Eric Bunting, Revealing Earth Photography.
No reported COVID cases yet
“We’re surrounded, basically,” Dr. Mark Ransford said at Tuesday morning’s county commission meeting.
As of 8 a.m. Tuesday morning, there were no reported cases of COVID-19 in Granite County. But there were reported cases in Ravalli, Missoula, Silver Bow and Lewis and Clark counties, Incident Commander Ransford noted.
He added that there are suspected community transmission cases in both Gallatin and Missoula counties. Community transmission refers to spread of the disease through people who have not traveled out of the state or country, or to areas where there is already community spread of the virus. Such cases are spread one community member to another.
Ransford said the precautions they have taken and continue to encourage aim to reduce the community spread of the novel coronavirus.
Discovery Ski Area closed on Sunday, and restaurants, breweries and bars remain closed to dine-in service. Ransford asked that business owners not encourage outside visitors to come to their businesses.
Senators push for permanent funding for LWCF
Earlier this month, President Donald Trump reversed course on his position on the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), calling for full, permanent funding for the fund.
The Administration’s proposed 2021 Fiscal Year budget proposed cutting funding for the LWCF to $14.5 million. Last year the president signed permanent authorization for the program.
In a press call with rural reporters earlier this month, Sen. Jon Tester noted that after coronavirus debates, which he noted take precedence over other bills, he hoped the Senate would be able to start debate on LWCF soon.
The legislation provides full, mandatory funding for LWCF and addresses the maintenance backlog in National Parks. The LWCF uses revenues from oil and gas leasing to fund conservation and recreation projects, including land acquisitions such as a recent acquisition in the Stillwater State Forest and fishing access sites across the state.
According to a press release from Sen. Tester, since the LWCF was established in 1964, it has invested more than $540 million into the outdoor recreation economy in Montana.
Last year approved funding for LWCF was $495 million.
“I’ve been fighting tooth and nail since my first day in the senate for LWCF,” Tester told the Mail earlier this month.
GCMC prepares for COVID cases, testing
Granite County Medical Center has taken a number of measures in preparation for the arrival of any cases of Coronavirus in the county. Hospital Chief Executive Officer and Director of Nursing (CEO/DON) Maria Stoppler told the Mail that the medical staff at the hospital is following the Center For Disease Control (CDC) procedures for who requires testing for the COVID-19 virus. She stressed that it is important now for any and all patients to call the hospital ahead before coming in, so that they can be pre-screened before arrival.
“We want to concentrate the efforts on those that are more highly suspect, instead of the individuals who are just curious, because we do have routine colds going around, and we do have regular influenza in the community. So they’re going to evaluate them, see if they meet the criteria for testing, and then evaluate them based on their symptoms,” Stoppler said.
The hospital is providing screening, evaluation, and testing for the virus, and is sending their specimens to the state lab for processing. The medical center is currently well supplied with personal protective equipment, such as masks, gowns and gloves, and the emergency room is open as usual. If someone experiences sudden respiratory distress, or any medical emergency, they should proceed as usual and call 911, or call the hospital and come to the emergency room.
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No reported COVID cases yet
“We’re surrounded, basically,” Dr. Mark Ransford said at Tuesday morning’s county commission meeting.
As of 8 a.m. Tuesday morning, there were no reported cases of COVID-19 in Granite County. But there were reported cases in Ravalli, Missoula, Silver Bow and Lewis and Clark counties, Incident Commander Ransford noted.
He added that there are suspected community transmission cases in both Gallatin and Missoula counties. Community transmission refers to spread of the disease through people who have not traveled out of the state or country, or to areas where there is already community spread of the virus. Such cases are spread one community member to another.
Ransford said the precautions they have taken and continue to encourage aim to reduce the community spread of the novel coronavirus.
Discovery Ski Area closed on Sunday, and restaurants, breweries and bars remain closed to dine-in service. Ransford asked that business owners not encourage outside visitors to come to their businesses.
Senators push for permanent funding for LWCF
Earlier this month, President Donald Trump reversed course on his position on the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), calling for full, permanent funding for the fund.
The Administration’s proposed 2021 Fiscal Year budget proposed cutting funding for the LWCF to $14.5 million. Last year the president signed permanent authorization for the program.
In a press call with rural reporters earlier this month, Sen. Jon Tester noted that after coronavirus debates, which he noted take precedence over other bills, he hoped the Senate would be able to start debate on LWCF soon.
The legislation provides full, mandatory funding for LWCF and addresses the maintenance backlog in National Parks. The LWCF uses revenues from oil and gas leasing to fund conservation and recreation projects, including land acquisitions such as a recent acquisition in the Stillwater State Forest and fishing access sites across the state.
According to a press release from Sen. Tester, since the LWCF was established in 1964, it has invested more than $540 million into the outdoor recreation economy in Montana.
Last year approved funding for LWCF was $495 million.
“I’ve been fighting tooth and nail since my first day in the senate for LWCF,” Tester told the Mail earlier this month.
GCMC prepares for COVID cases, testing
Granite County Medical Center has taken a number of measures in preparation for the arrival of any cases of Coronavirus in the county. Hospital Chief Executive Officer and Director of Nursing (CEO/DON) Maria Stoppler told the Mail that the medical staff at the hospital is following the Center For Disease Control (CDC) procedures for who requires testing for the COVID-19 virus. She stressed that it is important now for any and all patients to call the hospital ahead before coming in, so that they can be pre-screened before arrival.
“We want to concentrate the efforts on those that are more highly suspect, instead of the individuals who are just curious, because we do have routine colds going around, and we do have regular influenza in the community. So they’re going to evaluate them, see if they meet the criteria for testing, and then evaluate them based on their symptoms,” Stoppler said.
The hospital is providing screening, evaluation, and testing for the virus, and is sending their specimens to the state lab for processing. The medical center is currently well supplied with personal protective equipment, such as masks, gowns and gloves, and the emergency room is open as usual. If someone experiences sudden respiratory distress, or any medical emergency, they should proceed as usual and call 911, or call the hospital and come to the emergency room.
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