By Jill Fennema –

After nearly two weeks of learning what life in a pandemic can look like, students and teachers at the local Christian schools are navigating the waters of distance learning through programs like Google Classroom, Zoom, and Skype. Meanwhile, teachers at the Edgerton Public School have been using the last two weeks to make their plans for how to continue to teach students with no face-to-face classroom time.

It was not just students and teachers who were facing changes as state and federal government officials sent out mandates and press releases several times a day. Eating and drinking establishments were closed to dine-in customers by Governor Tim Walz on Monday, March 16. That was followed by the closing of all salons and barbershops on Tuesday evening.

In Edgerton, Tally Ho Koffie was promoting their take-out menu and asking folks to call in for orders. The tables and chairs at the Cenex convenience store were removed and the booths at the Edgerton Food Center deli were blocked off.

The government was promising paid leave and unemployment support for those workers who were affected by the mandatory closures.

In Edgerton, businesses that were told to close were quick to comply. Non-compliance would have resulted in a $1,000 fine per day and up to 90 days in jail.

First State Bank Southwest is currently open for business only through the walk-up and drive-up windows. Patrons were told that if they needed access to lobby services, they should call the bank.

Waddell and Reed Financial Advisors closed their lobby, but are continuing with phone, email, or face-to-face meetings by appointment only. The Edgerton Vet Clinic has also locked the clinic doors and are limiting contact with customers with arranging pickup by calling the office. However, many other businesses on Main Street remained open to the public.

Edgebrook Care Center was on lockdown. To protect the health and safety of their residents and employees they are limiting visits to only those who need entry, including employees. These measures were being taken at all Good Samaritan Society locations.

“Edgebrook is working closely with our local, state, and federal officials to evaluate the COVID-19 emergence, and we are actively and rigorously following all current infection control protocols,” Edgebrook Administrator Michael Redinger said. “We know that the virus is much more severe in the elderly.”

All Pipestone County offices were closed to the public starting March 20. The decision was made by the Pipestone County Board of Commissioners who held a special meeting in the County Board Room on Thursday afternoon, March 19.

Exceptions will be made for Pipestone County transactions that require an in-person visit and cannot be postponed. Those exceptions will require an appointment. While the offices are closed to the public, normal county services and operations will continue to be provided to the community through phone and email. Citizens were also encouraged to use the county website for as much as they could.

District Court services for essential appearances or business were not closed. The lobby of the Pipestone County Sheriff’s office was closed and inmate visits suspended. Non-threatening reports were to be handled over the phone when possible. Civil process papers outside of court orders will not be accepted at this time. New permits to carry firearms applications are also not being accepted at this time. However, the sheriff’s office was still processing permits to purchase firearms through the county website and via email.

The county board meeting was still held on Tuesday, March 24. A report on that meeting will be published next week.

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