COVID-19 changes for Faulkton Area written by Faulk County Record
March 25, 2020
Since the Coronavirus outbreak we¹ve witnessed the rippling effects of the media over the last few weeks. For some of us, our greatest source of anxiety has been the process of watching the news unfold with information, and misinformation, fueling panic and distress. Fear and uncertainty breeds anxiety. Right now, we need voices of reason and calm. And, I for one, try not to listen to the panic the television national news media is attempting to incite, and listen to only our local news media.
Many activities (school, businesses, religious, or social) have been either cancelled or postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak hitting the nation.
As of March 24, there are 30 infected in our state (Beadle 13, Bon Homme 1, Brookings 1, Brown 1, Charles Mix 1, Codington 1, Davison 2, Hughes 1, Lyman 1, McCook 2, Minnehaha 5, and Pennington 1), with eight in full recovery, 268 tests are pending, 790 negative, and one death. And, as of this writing, Faulk County has no patients, and none in our surrounding counties, with the exception of Brown County with one.
We contacted the school, county and city offices, along with many businesses to get a handle on who is closed and who is running regular hours.
Faulkton School
The Faulkton School has cancelled classes through May 1 with discussions on when and if school will start again. They are diligently working to get the students on-line with teachers, so the students are able to perform their studies.
Through the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program, which is a federal program that the school operates regularly, they have allowed schools to apply for the Seamless Summer Program during this school closing. This district and several others have done this and were approved. Enrolled students can participate and both breakfast and lunch are free to them. The school is reimbursed per meal served the rate at which they are reimbursed normally for a free meal. It is asked that students please call ahead to order.
Faulk County
The Faulk County Courthouse is staffed in the offices; however, the office doors will be locked. Most business can be done on-line, over the phone or by mail. They are also working on getting a drop box purchased and installed at the west door for people to drop off taxes, etc. The employees are also sanitizing as much as possible. They will also have a phone with the contact numbers for each office in the entryway of the courthouse. Services postponed are driver's license exams, and license plate renewals are extended for one month (F, G, J); along with other state programs as they are closed.
The Faulk County Library is closed until further notice.
The Health office is operating from Redfield, but you can still call the Faulk County number and it will automatically be transferred to the Spink County office.
Faulk County Extension office, contact Katie Hansen as she will man the office, however the office is closed.
The Faulk County Highway Dept. staff is operating as normal. Their office however is closed to the public. You will need to call the office, or Konni Giesen for deliveries, etc.
Faulk County Sheriff¹s Office/Jail is screening employees for illness at the report of their shifts, screening inmates and incoming inmates. They are also taking extra sanitizing procedures, and restricting public access at the front door. The inmate work release program has been suspended; also suspended are civil fingerprinting (as in for employment); and the state suspended background checks. No inmate visitation is allowed unless it is electronic. During court days attendance in court is limited to defendants, attorneys, limited witnesses, and in cases with juveniles, parents are also allowed.
City of Faulkton
Faulkton¹s city office is closed and they ask you to call them or use the drop box located outside on the front of city hall to minimize the spread of Covid-19, and ask that you refrain from meeting in person. Call city hall 598-6515, Emily Bauer 201-5493, or Jerod Raethz 216-6969. The city¹s email is faulktoncity@venturecomm.net.
Faulkton Area Medical Center
FAMC is screening all patients, visitors, and employees daily as they enter FAMC. FAMC is also requesting at this time that patients call ahead before arriving unannounced at the facility, whether it is for a clinic appointment, ER or after-hours clinic if you are sick. By calling ahead it allows the staff at FAMC to screen your call and determine the most appropriate level of care for you and your family. For more information go to page 2 for a complete rundown.
Faulkton Senior Living Center: There are no visitors allowed at the present.
The Meadows Assisted Living Center: There are no visitors allowed at the present.
Businesses
Faulkton Drug: their normal business hours are still in effect Monday thru Friday 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. If you are ill, running a fever or coughing the staff will do curbside delivery for you so you do not need to come into the store. Their phone number is 598-4187.
Bauer¹s Super Value: have their normal hours, Monday thru Saturday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. They are doing a lot of extra cleaning as in wiping down all door handles, on coolers, and their shopping carts along with other areas. They are able to deliver in town to those who are unable to get out and about. The phone number is 598-6633.
Dacotah Bank: access to the inside will only be available by appointment (598-6211). They are taking this precaution to limit and control the environment to any in-person interactions. This is to restrict transactions typically performed in the lobby or ³teller lines². Services will beperformed exclusively via drive-up, online banking or their mobile app.
Burger Shack: hours are 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 to 8 p.m. You can get your meal to go or delivery is available, and the drive thru is open. Call 598-4204.
Dot T¹s: normal hours Monday thru Saturday 5 p.m. open and closing kitchen about 9 p.m. They will attempt to separate groups into 10 or less and not put anyone within 6 feet of each group. They will do carry out and curb service for those who ask for it. Call 598-6565.
Lazy Way Cafe: will be open a couple days a week to have lunches where you can call in your lunch order and she will deliver curbside. Freezer meals will also available for your convenience. Call 380-8329.
J & J Bar: has normal hours.
Short Stop Bar: has reduced hours and will be closed Saturdays until further notice.
Quilter¹s Corner: has closed until further notice.
Scissors: Kayla Hanson has closed.
Faulk County Land & Title and Real Estate: are now closed to the public, however, you can call for an appointment at 598-6522 or email faulktitle@venturecomm.net.
The Auto Shop: has their regular hours.
BerMac and BerMac 2: have their normal hours. They are ramping up cleaning and sanitizing daily.
Homan Hardware: are now open their spring/summer hours, Monday thru Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Sonny¹s Auto & Parts: are open regular hours.
Northern Plains: access is limited at all locations. Please phone or email whenever possible and call for more information or go to our website at chsnorth ernplains.com.
Agtegra: open regular hours, however requesting customers not come into the business, and please call instead to get more information. Call 598-6500.
Faulkton Grain & Feed: open regular business hours.
Faulk County Record: your local newspaper will have their normal business hours, however if you are sick, coughing, etc. please do not enter our office. You may also send your news, ads, etc., to the email address at info@faulkcountyrecord.com; and if you need office products or printing and don¹t wish to come in, just give us a call and we can deliver your office products or printing curbside in front of the office, call 598-6525. The shop also has a drop off box located just outside the door. Please, do not be afraid to call us as we are here for your newspaper, printing, office produces, and copy paper, etc.
Other businesses we contacted around town are having their regular hours until further notice, and are increasing their cleaning and sanitizing, and some are adjusting to no more than 10 people. Just to be sure however, it would not hurt to give them a call first.
Church Services
Catholic: Father Christopher Hughes. Masses across South Dakota have been canceled for the foreseeable future. The announcement covers Sunday and daily Masses and all gatherings for social and educational purposes in Catholic facilities. It will remain in effect until further notice. The cancellations may extend beyond Holy Week and Easter, though that decision has not yet been made yet.
Catholics are encouraged to watch or listen to Masses broadcast on TV. A weekly Mass from Sioux Falls is streamed live on YouTube at 4 p.m. on Saturday and broadcast on KELO TV at 10 a.m. on Sundays.
Lutheran: Pastor LeShea Avery. Our Savior Lutheran council, under the guidance of Governor Noem and SD ELCA Bishop Constanze Hagmaier, have decided to close the church building until further notice. That does not mean we are closing the church for we are all the church together. It does mean that we will be changing the way we worship and learn. Hopefully, you have had a chance to use the March 18 Lent Facebook video to worship, already. Sunday, March 29, we will hold a Facebook Live worship service during our regular worship time of 9:30 a.m. Please join us on the Our Savior Lutheran Facebook page.
Also, on Wednesday, March 25, at 5 p.m., there will be a ZOOM class for all confirmation students. Invitation with directions will be text to all students and their parents so they may participate by computer. We will continue working on ways to connect and provide spiritual guidance. Please check Facebook regularly for more information. Feel free to call Pastor LeShea Avery at 598-4390 or email leshea.avery@gmail.com.
Methodist: Pastor Tom Sumers. There are no services or activities at the United Church of Faulkton, however audio Lenten services are recorded and on the church¹s Facebook page. Go to United Methodist Church of Faulkton and go to @FaulktonUMC. The church is steaming on Facebook at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays. You may also go to their YouTube channel (united churchoffaulkton).
Cancellations/Postponements
- The Faulkton Area Hats Off to the Artists Show has been cancelled.
- The Children¹s Theatre Company residency for March 30 - April 3 has been cancelled.
- Abundantly Blessed for the end of March has been postponed.
- Chelsea Farmers Union Oil annual meeting for March 26 has been cancelled.
- The Cresbard United Methodist Church pancake breakfast has beenpostponed.
- The Faulkton Area Out of School Program¹s dance recital has beenpostponed.
- The Agtegra retirement party for Marvin Hutchinson has been postponed.
- Faulkton School¹s annual Child Find Screening has been postponed.
- The NECOG meeting on April 2 has been cancelled.
- The Yelduz Shrine Circus scheduled for April has been cancelled.
- Many funerals are on hold until further notice, or have limited seating.
Recommendations
You have heard and read this many times already about steps to reduce the risk of getting and spreading viral respiratory infections, including the flu and the coronavirus, however, here are the precautions, once again:
- Staying home when you are sick - this is important!
- Frequent hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- If soap and water are not available you may use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Keep fingernails trimmed short and clean.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in the trash and washing hands.
- Try to maintain a social distance of 6 feet from another person.
- If you think you need to be seen by a healthcare provider, please call the hospital or clinic first. If it is an emergency, call 911.
Other recommendations include:
- Wash your coat and clothes frequency, especially if you have been in public.
- Maintain a healthy diet, exercise, use good personal hygiene, drink plenty of fluids, and get plenty of rest.
Stay safe and be well.