BEATRICE – Beatrice area officials are hoping a Directed Health Measure extension through May 31st may be moved up to an earlier date, during this coronavirus pandemic. A Beatrice Health Board was holding its third meeting on Thursday. Mayor Stan Wirth says the hope is for the date on the current Directed Health Measure to be changed to May 18th.

"It would be a bit of a compromise, but that would allow salons and restaurants and businesses like that, to open at some level and follow the necessary protocals that are in place. That would include in some instances masks, the ten-person rule and social distancing"

Counties in the Public Health Solutions Health District are Gage, Saline, Jefferson, Fillmore and Thayer Counties.

Wirth says Gage County’s close proximity to Saline County, where several COVID-19 cases have been registered, means there are employees of the Smithfield Foods Plant that come from around the area.

"The compromise that we're asking for is loose restrictions, but regardless, I think the core strategy in this virus fight remains in effect. We need to stay at home as much as possible, work from home if that's possible, keep doing what CDC tells us to do. I think, in my opinion, we're in for a long, slow recovery with the restrictions in place today, and with relaxed restrictions".

Wirth says there is input from both sides on the question of how quickly to reopen business locally.

"There are those who are impatient. There are those who want to open, yesterday....and I get it. It's an economic situation people are struggling with. There are those who say we need to hold off, and wait and see if we aren't going to reach some level or peak, and then it levels off and declines. So, it's all over the board".

Even with less restrictions, Wirth says the local area must be smart about how business is conducted.
He describes it as a 50-50 chance that the Directed Health Measure in place would be moved up to an earlier date, by the Governor’s Office.