Health district personnel issued caution on CC Fair

Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department (SWNPHD) Director Myra Stoney didn’t pull any punches during a conference call with the Chase County Commissioners July 14.
During the call to discuss the Chase County Fair, Stoney and staff nurse Melissa Propp told the commissioners  that “Things that have worked for years and years will not work this year.”
“The last thing we want to do is have someone take this home to a loved one,” Propp said.
Any activity during the fair would have required keeping people to groups of eight at least six feet apart. Plans for events, such as the Ranch Rodeo and Demo Derby, would need to be approved by SWNPHD. Stoney said the beer garden at the fair during the concerts was not approved.
Commissioner Dennis Kunnemann questioned if the concert would be “financially feasible” according to SWNPHD guidelines. The fair board had talked about moving the stage farther from the grand stand to allow for social distancing. Stoney said no one would be allowed to stand during the concerts.
At Stoney’s frank assessment of the situation, the commissioners said she wasn’t beating around the bush.
“My staff and I have been running a sprint since February,” Stoney said, “We’re done with being nice. It’s our way, or not at all. We don’t have gray anymore, it’s black or white.”
“It’s in the fair board’s hands for now,” Commissioner Chuck Vette said.
Two days later the fair board decided to cancel all fair activities except for the 4-H/FFA animal competitions.
People may visit the SWNPHD’s website, www.swhealth.ne.gov, to see any plans approved by the organization. The list includes everything from fairs to auctions to wedding receptions and graduations.

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