NORTHERN BORDER TO CLOSE TO ‘NON-ESSENTIAL’ TRAFFIC

President Donald Trump announced on March 18 that the U.S.-Canada border will close to “non-essential traffic” in an effort to curb the spread of the new coronavirus. “We will be, by mutual consent, temporarily closing our northern border with Canada to non-essential traffic,” President Trump wrote on Twitter. “Trade will not be affected. Details to follow!”

Those details were not available by press time, but according to comments by Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau reported by The New York Times, the measure will ban travel for “recreation and tourism” but will continue to allow the crossing of trucks and trains carrying goods like food, fuel and parts for manufacturers.

“Our governments recognize that it is critical we ensure supply chains,” Trudeau told a news conference. Canadians and Americans who commute daily to each other’s countries, a category that includes many health care workers, will still be able to cross, Trudeau said.

Canada’s public safety minister, Bill Blair, urged Canadians currently in the U.S. to remain calm. “We know there are very many Canadians who are presently in the United States and are very quickly making their way home, and I want to assure them all, Canadians will always be allowed to return to Canada,” Blair said on March 17.

It was the latest of many steps being taken at the international, national, state, county and local levels to address the new virus, which had infected 7,038 people in the U.S. and resulted in 97 U.S. deaths as of March 18, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Also at the federal level, legislators were discussing an economic stimulus package that could include cash payments to U.S. taxpayers, in addition to relief for airlines and other industries affected by the pandemic.

SBA offers disaster assistance to Washington small businesses

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) began offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses in Washington suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the coronavirus, SBA administrator Jovita Carranza announced on March 16. The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in Whatcom County.

SBA customer service representatives will be available to answer questions about SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program and explain the application process, said Carranza.

“Small businesses, private non-profit organizations of any size, small agricultural cooperatives and small aquaculture enterprises that have been financially impacted as a direct result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) since January 31, 2020, may qualify for Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses which could have been met had the disaster not occurred,” said Carranza.

“These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. Disaster loans can provide vital economic assistance to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing,” Carranza added.

Eligibility for Economic Injury Disaster Loans is based on the financial impact of the coronavirus. The interest rate is 3.75 percent for small businesses. The interest rate for private non-profit organizations is 2.75 percent. SBA offers loans with long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years.

Governor orders restaurants, bars and other facilities to close

All bars, restaurants, entertainment and recreational facilities statewide must shut down, Washington governor Jay Inslee announced on March 15. Additionally, the governor prohibited all gatherings of more than 50 people.

Inslee said at a March 16 press conference that the ban would last for two weeks but could be extended. “The reason is quite clear. We represent about two percent of the population of the United States but we represent over 20 percent of the infections,” Inslee said.

In addition to restaurants and bars, Inslee’s order applies to food courts, coffee shops, donut shops, ice cream parlors, wine and beer tasting venues, breweries, distilleries, beauty salons, barbershops and nail salons, tattoo shops, theaters, bowling alleys, gyms, fitness centers, museums, art galleries, youth sports and youth clubs.

Restaurants will still be allowed to provide takeout and delivery. The order does not apply to grocery stores and pharmacies.

While some restaurants in downtown Blaine had closed by March 16, others stayed open as long as they were allowed.

“We’re just coming out for one final hoopla before everything shuts down,” said Blaine resident Lucille Donaldson, on March 16, outside the Wheelhouse Bar and Grill.

Donaldson works at Tony’s Tavern in Custer, and after her last day of work for at least two weeks, she wanted to support local businesses and see friends for one last time. Donaldson’s hands were dry from all the cleaning and disinfecting she had done in recent weeks at Tony’s, a tavern that never closes even for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

“It’s going to be hard. It’s going to be tough not seeing regular customers,” she said.

Blaine city manager issues emergency proclamation

On the afternoon of March 13, Blaine city manager Michael Jones issued a proclamation declaring a state of emergency related to the COVID-19 outbreak. The proclamation allows the city to modify policies and procedures so that the city can move more quickly and efficiently to address issues presented by the outbreak as they arise.

“Issuing the proclamation is a technical administrative step,” Jones said in a March 13 press release posted to the city’s website, cityofblaine.com. “It might sound alarming because it uses the word ‘emergency,’ but really it just allows the city to be more responsive to the needs that may arise over the next few weeks. Under a declaration, we can take steps such as expediting purchasing or changing rules related to the use of sick leave.”

According to the release, Jones consulted with city councilmembers in advance of the declaration. At a special city council meeting on March 16, councilmembers voted 6-0 (Eric Davidson was excused) to affirm Jones’ proclamation. The city’s new draft pandemic plan was also discussed; among other topics, the plan addresses the essential functions of various city departments and how authority can be delegated in the event of mass absenteeism.

School district begins meal service for all 18 and under

When the new coronavirus outbreak in Washington state began, health officials cautioned that the decision to close schools, then a distant and unlikely possibility, required weighing the pros and cons. It might be effective in slowing the virus’ spread, officials said, but for the large percentage of kids from families that qualify for free and reduced lunch, it could be devastating.

When the unthinkable became reality on March 13, the day Washington governor Jay Inslee ordered all K-12 schools statewide to close from March 17 to at least April 24, school districts scrambled to make plans to continue taking care of their communities.

On March 18, the Blaine school district began providing breakfast and lunch to all kids 18 and under in its district. At press time, the district planned to have a food collection station on its campus for drive-through pick-up from 11 a.m. to noon, and delivery service for those who live along bus routes, according to an announcement from the district. The drive-through pick-up location is behind the new grandstands. Families can pick up lunch and breakfast for the next day.

School bus drivers and food service staff are delivering food to every single normal bus stop in the district, including in Point Roberts. Parents should check the district’s website, blainesd.org, for route maps and estimated delivery drop-off times.

Drivers and walkers are welcome at the district campus and all drop-off locations. Walkers are encouraged to bring a backpack to carry meals home. Per legal requirements, the child must be present for a meal to be distributed for them, according to the district’s website.

In addition to food, Inslee also ordered school districts to provide childcare for health care workers, emergency personnel and low-income families. “We simply cannot have nurses leaving hospitals when they become deluged with patients, to do childcare, and same with first responders,” he said at a March 13 press conference.

The Blaine school district released a survey last week to get an idea of how many people in the district with critical jobs would need childcare. Currently, the district is waiting for more instructions from the state regarding who to provide childcare for and other details, said district public relations specialist Lisa Moeller.

District officials are also working to offer some non-required online educational “enrichment” resources. Learn more about the Blaine school district’s food program and its response to the new coronavirus at blainesd.org.

Meals on Wheels program continues for seniors

The Blaine Senior Center closed indefinitely starting on March 12. “While we have not been instructed to close, we feel it is our responsibility to protect our at-risk population by limiting interaction at this time,” said senior center director Kathy Sitker in a March 12 email.

In her email, Sitker said that there are currently no changes to the Meals on Wheels program. “The daily hot meal delivery will continue, Monday through Friday, and frozen weekend meals for Meals on Wheels clients if staffing and volunteer capacity allows,” Sitker said. If you are age 60 or older, homebound and in need of meals, please call 360/746-6480 or complete a request form online at whatcomcoa.org/request-meals.

The center’s congregate lunch program (in-house lunch service) will also continue Monday through Friday with to-go meals.