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Chisago County Emergency Operations Manager Scott Sellman gave the Chisago County Board an update Wednesday on the county response and operations efforts connected to the covid-19 virus situation.

The Board called the emergency meeting March 25 mainly to be brought up to speed on what’s happening locally and where everything stands as far as county services.  Each department has a plan for providing continuity of operations, the county administrator explained.  The utmost essential activities will be offered, such as 9-1-1 operations, etc.

The Board also adopted a resolution calling for official information to come through the county’s Public Information Officer, who is also the Administrator.  

Specifically, commissioner postings of inner communications onto Facebook won’t be allowed, unless the text is vetted and cleared for public consumption by PIO Chase Burnham.  

The Board must speak through one designated spokesperson, Chair Ben Montzka stated.  He feared that in conversations and reports from the county’s various health pandemic partners there will be a reluctance to be completely forthcoming, if partners feel their remarks will be posted on-line.

Chair Montzka said he wants a free and open exchange of information and doesn’t want to do anything to alienate healthcare providers, law enforcement or any other agency that might have proprietary information to share.

The EOC Manager Sellman said the virtual operations are on track and all parties have good plans.  “We are writing the book on this one,” Sellman added. He said in after-review sessions things will certainly be analyzed and revised.

Courtney Wehrenberg, Public Health, assured the commissioners that the department has good relations with entities like long term care facilities, etc.  The department is getting input from boots on the ground, she stated.

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