Using facts, not fear
In our caring communities, people are always asking how they can help. There never seems to be a shortage of help.
As the coronavirus continues to unfold in ways we’ve never encountered before, the hardest part for many is being asked to stay put. Don’t come out of your home. That’s the message Gov. Tim Walz delivered to Minnesotans last week.
The order remains in effect until April 10, but I would not be surprised to see it extended beyond that.
I spoke to Bobbi Mathern, a mental health professional for South Central Human Relations, last week about this crisis. It never dawned on me until she pointed out that people staying home are helping perhaps in far greater ways than anything else they could be doing right now. You see if you’re not out and about, you are helping by not spreading the nasty bug. And in a time like this, that’s the greatest gift you bring to everyone you normally would come into contact with.
Throughout this hardship, the Steele County Times is dedicated to keeping our readers informed. We are partnering with the state to limit this crisis from becoming even worse than it already has been to residents.
The Governor’s Office is working with our newspaper association to begin running PSAs in newspapers across the state. The first one is printed on Page A5 in this edition.
We are happy to join with the governor in protecting Minnesotans from this awful crisis that’s crippling our society. We need to stay at home as much as possible to make sure we keep our family, friends and neighbors safe.
Throughout this crisis, the Times has been devoted to delivering the most accu- rate information possible. The best defense against COVID-19 is using facts, not fear. Newspapers and other media outlets are committed to bringing the most up-to-date information.
As part of the many executive orders issued by the governor over the past couple weeks, the news media has been deemed as a critical service for Minnesota. Journalists join health care workers, law enforcement, educators and others in keeping Minnesota functioning at one of the worst times in history.
Our team of writers is committed to bringing you reliable information that will help you survive this crisis. We are utilizing multiple sources to get you the best and most accurate information there is to know about COVID-19.
Besides the print newspaper which, in our case, comes out once a week, we also provide frequent updates on our website, steeledodgenews.com, and through an email notification system in which we alert readers about important news matters. If you are interested in getting email alerts, just send us your email address at bptimes@frontiernet.net. The alert will direct you to our website when there is important information to share.
Over the past week, I have spoken to clergy leaders who have emphasized that God is in control of this situation and we will get through this. As hard as it may be, just sit back and don’t add fuel to the fire by going out of your homes unnecessarily.
It’s time for me to go in hot pursuit of digging up the facts to help you through this crisis.
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