SANDPOINT — While the West Bonner County School District will continue to live stream its board meetings on its Facebook page, it won’t be opening the meetings to the public due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

“Our Board of Trustees will be practicing social distancing and teleconferencing in to the meetings,” WBCSD Superintendent Paul Anselmo said in a statement. “Only essential personnel will be allowed to be present in our meeting room.”

Anselmo said the measure is part of an ongoing effort by the board to assess the risk and needs of the community as a whole. The board increased the frequency of its meetings to address any needs or concerns as they arise.

However, with a proclamation from Gov. Brad Little regarding open meeting law requirements, as well as recommendations from the Center for Disease Control and Panhandle Health District, he said the district found it necessary to make some temporary changes to the structure of its meetings.

If area residents can’t watch meetings as they are livestreamed, Anselmo said the videos are archived on Facebook after meetings end.

“While we wish that this wasn’t the case, it is imperative in this ever-changing situation to continue to do business, and do what’s best for our students and community. We will continue to have public comment on our agenda.”

Comments submitted by the public ahead of time will be read Board Clerk Jennifer Anselmo. Guidelines established for regular board meetings will continue to be used regarding comments, including a time limit of two minutes and no derogatory information of personal nature against any individual. And if there are multiple comments on the same subject, those comments may not be read.

Comments can be submitted until 4 p.m. on the day of any scheduled board meeting and may be emailed to JenniferAnselmo@sd83.org or mailed tot West Bonner County School District No. 83 Attention: Jennifer Anselmo 134 Main Street Priest River, ID 83856. If residents have questions, they should contact Anselmo at 208-448-4439, ext. 3.

Bonner County commissioners said in a statement that Little’s stay-at-home order brought mixed reactions among the board.

“While not all businesses are deemed ‘essential’, we would like to commend the businesses in Bonner County and the region that have evaluated their operations and either closed of modified services due to COVID-19,” commissioners Dan McDonald, Steve Bradshaw and Jeff Connolly said in a statement. “We realize that these decisions could have multiple long-term effects.”

Because of that, Bonner County Economic Development Corporation has been working to compile a list of resources for businesses and added that list to its website at bonnercountyedc.com.

The board said that, based on what is known about COVID-19, it is important for the community’s residents to take care of themselves, and to adhere to the guidelines outlined in Little’s order at coronavirus.idaho.gov .

Bonner General Health, Panhandle Health District, Bonner County EMS, Bonner County Emergency Management, and local officials are connecting daily to discuss and problem-solve both ongoing and potential problems.

“All agencies are treating the safety of the residents of Bonner County with the utmost importance,” the board said in its statement.

On Friday, Ting Sandpoint announced it had worked with the city of Sandpoint and Matchwood Brewing Company to try and make sure everyone has access to critical communications infrastructure. The result is a public drive-up Wi-Fi in town so that people can access the Internet from their vehicle at the city parking lot directly east of Matchwood Brewin, 513 Oak St. The Wi-Fi went live Friday afternoon and will be available from 6 a.m.-10 p.m.

When users log on, they will be greeted with a splash page welcoming them to Ting Park, Ting Sandpoint city manager Kari Saccamanno said in a press release. The page reminds the Wi-Fi’s users to stay in their vehicles, minimize social interaction, maintain social distancing protocols, and adhere to the suggestions made by our local leaders.

Saccamanno said the internet company also announced as part of its efforts to help the community during the pandemic it was donating $2,000 to the Bonner Community Food Bank and donating to Food for Our Children, Sandpoint Senior Center, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars to help with to-go meals.

In addition, Ting plans to give away gift cards to local businesses throughout April. Details on how to participate will be announced on the Ting Sandpoint Facebook page.

“More than anything this is to spread kindness and cheer,” Saccamanno said.

Ting is also working with lcoal health care providers in its serviceable areas to ensure they have the internet they need. While inside installations were halted due to the pandemic, Saccamanno said exceptions are being made on a case-by-case basis for health care providers.

“We hope this all helps as we also remind the community to stay home as much as possible and stay connected with friends and family online,” she said. “We will get through this together.”

Sandpoint United Methodist will be worshiping online every Sunday until the congregation can gather again in safety. Services are on the ZOOM platform and all are welcome to join in however they will need to contact Pastor Jo Dene Romeijn-Stout for a link to join the congregation at 9:30 a.m. this Sunday.

“Sandpoint UMC faithfully expects that with care, all the greater Sandpoint community can weather this developing pandemic and that they will soon be again operating on their usual schedule.

Romeijn-Stout can be reached at 208-263-4232.

Church officials also announced that due to the crisis, the church was suspending all community meals, something it had been providing in the community for over 27 years. However, church officials announced they would be expanding meal support of The Help Shed operated by Alpine Construction, located on Highway 95 across from McDonald’s.

“This sad decision was reached as a precaution in lieu of the expanding threat from COVID-19, the coronavirus, and the possibility of transmitting the virus through close contact,” church officials said in a statement.

Effective Saturday, March 28, many or most developed campgrounds and certain other recreation sites on the Idaho Panhandle National Forests will be closed until further notice for the health and safety of visitors and staff.

A full list of restricted areas is available online at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/ipnf/alerts-notices

“As we work through an unpredictable and rapidly changing situation, the health and safety of visitors, as well as Forest Service employees and volunteers is our number one priority,” officials said in a press release.

“We are working to meet the guidelines for cleaning and to promote social distance per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To support these efforts, rental cabins will be temporarily closed to public entry indefinitely until further notice and will be closed and unavailable to rent via Recreation.gov. Notification to cabin renters will be made as soon as possible and refunds will be processed.”

The Panhandle Health District and Kootenai Health have confirmed one additional case of novel coronavirus in Kootenai County, bringing the total number of cases to 11 in the Panhandle area, which includes the five northern counties (Kootenai, Shoshone, Benewah, Bonner, and Boundary.

The case involves a male in his 70s from Kootenai County, who is self-isolating at home. This case appears to be travel related and contact tracing is ongoing, PHD officials said in a press release.

In the United States, there have been 85,356 cases and 1,246 deaths as of March 27, 2020 according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

People ill with this coronavirus in other states and countries have reported mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. If community members have these symptoms and they become severe, they should call PHD’s call center at 1-877-415-5225 or their provider. PHD will provide an over-the-phone assessment to determine if someone should be tested. Please call, do not come into PHD or your provider’s office. Tested individuals must stay home until test results are received. If the test is positive, all household members must self-isolate at home for a prescribed period of time.

CDC does not generally issue advisories or restrictions for travel within the United States. However, cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) have been reported in many states, and some areas are experiencing community spread of the disease.

Crowded travel settings, like airports, may increase chances of getting COVID-19, if there are other travelers with coronavirus infection. There are several things you should consider when deciding whether it is safe for you to travel.

Check the CDC’s guidance on things to consider prior to travel.

For additional travel guidance and advisories, check here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html

Caroline Lobsinger can be reached by email at clobsinger@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @CarolDailyBee.