Washakie County recommends large gatherings be cancelled

UPDATE: 2:45 p.m. In a letter to parents, Washakie County 4-H Educator Amber Armajo wrote, “From now through the end of month, March 31, all face-to-face 4-H activities are postponed or must use technology methods (Zoom, Google Hangouts, etc.). This includes all project, club, committee, council, foundation meetings, etc.Our decisions are not motivated by politics, money, the media, fear, or anything else other than being a good citizen and contributing to the greater effort of the health and well-being of our family, friends, loved-ones, neighbors, and communities."

Big Horn REA annual meeting set for March 21 has been postponed and tentatively rescheduled for May 30 in the Greybull High School Gym.

UPDATE: 2:12 p.m. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the WHSAA has suspended all extracurricular activities statewide, beginning Monday, March 16th through at least March 28, 2020, with schools having the option to extend the timeline should they choose.

UPDATE 1:49 p.m. Friday, March 13, 2020: Missoula Children's Theater production of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" has been cancelled. The event was scheduled for Saturday at the Worland Middle School Auditorium.

Washakie County School District No. 1 Superintendent David Nicholas said the district was considering cancellation of "non-essential gatherings on a case-by-case basis", which this weekend did include the MCT production and the East Side PTO Movie Night Friday night.

All future parent classes from the Educational Resource Center have been cancelled.

WORLAND - Following a recommendation made by Governor Mark Gordon on Thursday, Washakie County Health Office Dr. Ed Zimmerman of Worland on Friday issued a recommendation that large events greater than 250 persons in Washakie County be cancelled to protect the residents of the community."

During a press conference Thursday evening, Gov. Gordon said, "With an overabundance of caution (after the first Wyoming resident tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019), and as a proactive measure to protect the residents of Wyoming, I am recommending that we consider carefully whether large community gatherings and events of over 250 persons should take place. I encourage anyone planning large events to contact their county health officers and work with their elected officials."

According to the Washakie County Public Health press release, anyone with questions should contact the Public Health office at 347-3278.

Specific questions on the coronavirus (COVID-19) can be emailed to the Wyoming Department of Health at [email protected].

If this recommendations impacts any local events we will update this story.

Currently the Worland Gun Show that begins tonight through Sunday is still going as scheduled.

Organizers for the Bar J Wranglers concert in Thermopolis next week reported to the Northern Wyoming News on Thursday that at this time the concert is still on schedule for Saturday, March 21. The concert is a fundraiser for the H Diamond W Youth Camp.

CANCELLATIONS

Some gatherings have been cancelled. They are as follows:

—East Side Parent Teacher Organization cancelled movie night for tonight (Friday).

—The Basin City Arts Center in Basin cancelled its soup and cookie fundraiser Friday night.

—Girlfriends of Grace has been cancelled for this year. This was scheduled for Friday and Saturday, March 20-21.

-High Plains Power postponed its annual meeting that was originally scheduled for March 21 in Riverton. Per the announcement, "At this time we do not know how long the postponement will be as there is uncertainty about the duration and impacts of this virus.

-The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has temporarily suspended church gatherings worldwide.

Per a release from the church, Beginning immediately, all public gatherings of Church members are being temporarily suspended worldwide until further notice. This includes: Stake conferences, leadership conferences and other large gatherings; all public worship services, including sacrament meetings; branch, ward and stake activities.

-The Wyoming Democratic Party suspended all in-person presidential caucuses and county conventions as of Thursday night. The Washakie County presidential caucus was scheduled for Saturday, April 4.

According to the WDP press release, Wyoming Democratic Party (WDP) Chair Joe M Barbuto has announced that the in-person portion of the 2020 Presidential Preference Caucus, as well as county conventions, are suspended due to growing concern over COVID-19.

"Our priority is ensuring that people are healthy and safe. Holding public events right now would put that in jeopardy, so this is the responsible course of action," Barbuto said.

"Voters are highly encouraged to vote by mail; caucusing at drop-off locations on March 28 and April 4 is being evaluated. We will continue to work with public health officials, and assess local conditions, to ensure voters' health and safety."

The WDP is working with its partners around the state and nation to develop a plan that ensures necessary tasks and duties are achieved. Details will be released as they become available.

-The Wyoming 3A/4A State Basketball Tournament in Casper was cancelled yesterday, along with the Wyoming State Speech Meet.

-Per the Wyoming News Exchange, Visitors were restricted at VA Medical Centers in Cheyenne and Sheridan. In Sheridan, officials said no visitors will be allowed, while in Cheyenne, only visitors under the age of 18 were banned.

Sheridan College canceled all classes until April 5, adding two weeks to its spring break, while Eastern Wyoming College in added a week to its spring break. Northwest College in Powell added several days to its spring break.

-University of Wyoming officials announced Thursday the school's spring break would be extended by a week, to March 30, to give officials time to determine how they could offer classes online if the spread of the illness prevents the return of students.