Northern included in coronavirus restrictions hitting Montana

Although novel coronavirus 2019 is yet to be confirmed inside Montana, it is having an impact in the state including in Havre.

Montana State University-Northern said, in accordance with direction from the Montana commissioner of higher education, it is changing how it will present classes and is restricting activities on campus.

“MSU-Northern is starting the processes of transitioning as many classes as possible to online and WebEx, hands on labs and clinical will continue as usual,” Northern Chancellor Greg Kegel said in a statement.

He said the campus will remain open, which includes the residence halls, food service, financial aid, admissions, the registrar’s office, the library, the Student Union Building and the rest of campus, adding that all large events of 20 attendees or more, not including outside labs, are canceled and or postponed through Sunday, April 12.

That includes the resident theater on campus.

Montana Actors’ Theatre announced Thursday night that opening night for its production of “Mamma Mia!,” scheduled for tonight, has been postponed until mid-April.

Kegel said the restriction extends off-campus as well.

“To safeguard our campus population, I am implementing a travel restriction on all campus-sponsored travel outside of the state through the end of the semester,” Kegel said, in a statement.

He said the campus will continue to monitor the situation and will post any updated changes on the university website at http://www.msun.edu .

The virus also has had an impact on some Havre High School students, although not in Havre.

Havre High School choir teacher Danna Stoll said Thursday that the All Northwest Honor Choir, scheduled to rehearse this week and perform Saturday in Spokane, Washington, has been canceled due to the threat of the coronavirus, also called COVID-19, and she and the four Havre High students who qualified, Brigham Blackwell, Kate Hemmer, Allie Messinger and Hannah Pratt are on their way home.

Gov. Steve Bullock announced Thursday that Montana is in a state of emergency related to the COVID-19, though no cases have been reported in the state.

“Now is the time to plan, not to panic. Our state has been preparing for coronavirus to come to Montana and we will be prepared to respond all along the way,” Bullock said in a release. “Just like we do when any challenging situation hits our communities, we stick together to make sure that we mitigate the impact, that we have an appropriate response, and that we slow the spread.”

The release said the emergency order allows the governor to direct a coordinated response to an outbreak of communicable disease, which can include deploying all available state resources and allow the governor to take additional steps as affirmed.

  Montana Department of Health and Human Services and local health departments have protocols prepared for action for the virus appearing in Montana, the governor’s office release said.

Bullock is a candidate for the U.S. Senate and faces John Mues of Loma in the Democratic primary.

The public university campus restrictions are statewide.

Thursday, Montana Commissioner of Higher Education Clayton Christian announced all Montana University System campuses will be transitioning to online classes beginning Monday, March 23.

Commissioner of Higher Education Communications Director Karen Ogden said the vast majority of the coursework across the system will be delivered online to reduce large gatherings, such as in classes and lecture halls.

“We anticipate that many of our students who are able to take all of their classes online will choose to stay home and not come back to campus immediately,” she said. “Our campuses will remain open, so our dorms, dining halls and computer labs will still be operating.”

Students who do need to be on campus in-person for classes will be able to return, she said, adding that for example those classes could include pharmacy labs or welding, where students need equipment to complete the course.

She said she is not sure at this point on how long campus courses will remain online as the coronavirus is a fast-moving Illness.

“We are monitoring it day-by-day and hour-by-hour, we will be making decisions as we see how it unfolds,” Ogden said. 

At the Commission of Higher Education, she said, they are looking at what kinds of problems this could cause in the transition of courses moving to online, and the office is going to be working with the faculty on how to make this move as smoothly as possible for the faculty and the students.

Ogden added that, all this said, the spring semester 2020 will be continuing.

“We ask students to check their university email account frequently, for updates,” Ogden said. “Our office does not oversee community colleges or tribal colleges, so we encourage those students to check with their instructors and their administration for updates.”

MAT said in its release Thursday that it is included in the canceled activities and will suspend productions accordingly.

“Mamma Mia will be presented in mid-April,” the release said. “Dates will soon be made available to the public.”

The release said people who already have purchased tickets will be contacted by MAT personnel in the next few days with options for refunds or exchanges.

Upcoming MAT events including the “Ticked Off!” dinner theater and the production of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” will also be rescheduled.

The release said people can email [email protected] or [email protected] with questions or concerns. Those emails are the best way to contact MAT with questions or concerns, the release said.

The troupe will continue to provide information to its patrons and supporters via email, social media, print media and the radio, the release said.

Montana Department of Justice Attorney General Tim Fox cautioned people in a release today about their financial health as well, related to the coronavirus-related scams out there.

“Scammers are taking advantage of coronavirus fears in other parts of the country, and it’s important to be wary of con artists who want to capitalize on the uncertainty that accompanies this time of heightened concern,” Fox said in a release. “Montanans should be cautious of bogus claims for products to prevent or cure coronavirus, in addition to unexpected messages or offers that are suspicious. My Office of Consumer Protection stands ready to advise folks who have questions about any offers that seem suspect, so consider contacting OCP before responding in questionable situations.”

Fox is a candidate for governor and faces U.S. Rep. Greg Gianforte, R-Mont., and state Sen. Al Olszewski, R-Kalispell, in the Republican primary.

Fox said that his office has yet to report any complaints, but scammers who violate Montana law face up to five years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines.

The release said the Federal Trade Commission and the Food and Drug Administration have written a set of letters to companies that have scammed people in selling products such as essential oils, teas and colloidal silver that can treat or prevent the coronavirus.

“According to the FDA, there are currently no approved vaccines, drugs or investigational products available to treat or prevent the virus,” the release added.

For complaints about coronavirus related scams, people can call the Montana Office of Consumer Protection at 800-481-6896 or 406-444-4500 or fill out the Office of Consumer’s Protection form on it’s website at https://app.doj.mt.gov/apps/Oscar/default.aspx .