Cooperation necessary

There was some debate stirred up this week among Martin County commissioners, the sheriff and the County Attorney regarding what Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s shelter-in-place order means. The question centers on whether the order carries any teeth to make it enforceable. It appears it does, but violations apparently are misdemeanors that would only elicit citations.

So the sheriff’s point is well taken that he and other law enforcement cannot succeed without the public’s help. People need to self-enforce the order to stay away from others. Cooperation is vital given the crisis.

Their work appreciated

Amid the growing number of virus cases in the Fairmont area, there are many unfortunate things occurring, including hoarding and some panic. We also believe there are people who are not really taking the governor’s stay-at-home order seriously enough.

On the flip side, we would be remiss not to point out all the good things happening as the area deals with the COVID-19 pandemic. Public officials, essential workers, health care workers, police, educators and others are busy taking action and planning their next important steps. We appreciate all they do and wish them good luck and good health.

Leaders forge aid deal

What has happened to the U.S. economy and our area business community amid the pandemic is another depressing aspect of the viral outbreak. America was firing on all cylinders before the virus arrived on its shores and began forcing government officials and business leaders to limit economic activity (i.e. human interaction) to help save lives.

Congress on Friday approved and President Trump signed an unprecedented $2.2 trillion relief package. This offers people and businesses help and hope. We appreciate our leaders coming together to act on this deal.

Check on, help seniors

The federal government has issued a warning about scumbags who are attempting to use the COVID-19 pandemic to their advantage by ripping off unsuspecting people, including senior citizens. We hope friends, families and neighbors are doing all they can to help warn seniors of these scams, and also just checking in regulary to make sure these vulnerable individuals have enough supplies or just some outside contact.

Scams aimed at seniors are just tricks to get access to personal information. The crooks use the data to bill federal and state health programs, something that hurts every taxpayer.