Ending stay-at-home efforts too soon could cause surge
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News from the CSKT/Lake County Unified Command Center
FLATHEAD RESERVATION – Your efforts to combat COVID-19 are working. Across Montana, numbers are decreasing. However, as spring brings warmer weather, people are tempted to decrease their efforts for social distancing and sheltering in place. Everyone still needs to keep doing their part.
Another sign of spring is the return of familiar faces: snowbirds, local residents who are returning to their homes after wintering in warmer climates. We’re glad to have you back, but we need you to self-isolate.
Any person coming to Montana from another state or country for non-work related purposes must immediately self-quarantine for 14 days, even if you’re not staying a full 14 days. This applies to Montana residents and non-residents alike.
Taken directly from Montana Governor Steve Bullock’s order: “Any person coming to Montana from another state or country for a non-work related purpose must immediately self-quarantine for 14 days. If a person will be present in Montana for fewer than 14 days, that person must self-quarantine for the duration of the visit.”
While in quarantine, people need supplies to get by. Please arrange for friends, neighbors or family to help you with gathering groceries or mail until your 14 days are complete. The governor’s order originally went to April 10 and has been extended to April 24, which could be extended further. If you come back from travel, please don’t expose our community to possible COVID-19 infection. We’re counting on you to do what’s right for the protection of our community. Stay home, save lives.
We’re all wondering when the order will be lifted. The answer boils down to several factors. We have to be sure before we lift the order or else we’re back where we started. We are too early in the game to be thinking about opening up businesses. If we take that leap too early, it will cause a higher case surge.
We must not forget why we are doing what we are doing. Efforts are not only for individual health but also for the sake of our healthcare systems. We lack the man/woman power, personal protective equipment and other supplies to keep our hospitals from being overrun if things take a turn for the worse. It is important to keep our frontline healthcare workers in our thoughts. Thank you for doing what’s best for the community.
