Residents encouraged to continue the fight against COVID-19

By Powder River County Public Health Nurse Darlynn Williams

On February 12, Governor Greg Gianforte let the current mask mandate expire and he issued a directive implementing executive order 2-2021. The message for prevention remains the same: Wear a mask, avoid large groups or gatherings, wash your hands often and stay home from school or work when ill. He stated “Individual responsibility remains Montana’s best tool to combat the spread of COVID-19. Montanans are encouraged to wear masks and should follow the best industry practices adopted by any business they visit to slow the spread of the virus.”

Public Health Officer Sean Hill commented on the recent changes: “While Gianforte clearly stated he will continue to wear a mask, he is now placing the burden on every Montanan to protect themselves and one another.

We in Powder River County cannot allow ourselves to see this as an opportunity to relax with a false sense of security that the pandemic is over. We have made great advances in protecting our at-risk population by distancing and following quarantine guidelines and the number of vaccinated individuals is growing. As we keep these practices moving forward, we will be able to open increasingly to the way we lived prior to COVID hitting our community but we are not there yet.”

While the number of new cases of COVID-19 is declining, there are still 200+ new cases daily in Montana. We must use all the tools that we have to continue to enjoy the absence of active cases that we see today.

Vaccination for COVID-19 continues. Powder River Public Health has given 230+ doses of Moderna vaccine. At this time we are scheduling for anyone in Phase 1b, which includes anyone age 70 and older, American Indians and other people of color who may be at elevated risk for COVID-19 complications, and anyone age 18-64 with high risk medical conditions. High risk medical conditions includes cancer, chronic kidney disease, COPD, down syndrome, heart conditions such as heart failure, coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathies, severe obesity (BMI 40+) and Diabetes (type I & II).

Please call the Powder River County COVID hot line at 436-2762 to get your name on the list for vaccine. Those who fall into Phase 1c who are interested in getting the vaccination should call and get their name on the list now. This will help prepare for the next phase. Those who are eligible for Phase 1c include anyone age 60 and older, frontline essential workers, essential workers, and those age 18-59 with medical conditions not included in phase 1b.

Remember the five easy steps—1. Wear your mask 2. Keep your distance 3. Avoid large gatherings 4. Wash hands frequently 5. Stay home when you are ill.