STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

The Blaine County Recreation District announced Tuesday afternoon that it will offer free use of its Nordic and snowshoeing trails as long as snow levels permit.

Director Jim Keating noted that the opportunity to get out and exercise might offer a measure of sanity in a world that has been turned upside down by the coronavirus. And it will offer a way for people to get exercise, what with the BCRD’s Pickleball, Indoor Soccer, Over 60 & Fit, FitWorks and othere valley gyms closed.

“Over the last few days, it has warmed my heart to see so many families and community members using the Wood River Trail as a way to get fresh air, exercise and visit with neighbors and friends while maintaining social distancing,” he said.

• As governors and mayors shut down restaurants around the country, some local restaurants are getting creative in order to continue to serve customers while respecting attempts to slow the coronavirus.

  A few, like Perry’s Restaurant, have always offered takeout and delivery. But others are warming up to the idea.

  Among them, Café Della in Hailey. “We have closed our dining room and are getting creative with a pick-up “window” and curbside delivery, and we will be doing dinner and staple market items starting tomorrow,” said Liza Green. “We can make the home delivery non-contact.”

• The Sun Valley Culinary Institute had barely opened before canceling all events and classes through May. Community members can help local restaurants and businesses during this time by ordering takeout meals and buying gift cards, said Mindy Meads, chair of the Sun Valley Culinary Institute.
• The Attic announced that has closed temporarily and will not accept donations for the time being due to limited staff.
• The Bellevue Library is offering drive-up service beginning today—Wednesday, March 18. Call or email ahead at 208-788-4503 or kgearhart@bellevueidaho.us. Pick up between noon and 3 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. Late fees will be waived and checkouts must remain in your care until further notice.
• And Sun Valley Museum of Art representatives announced that they will not open the museum’s new exhibition, “Free Play,” on March 20, as originally planned. Instead, all museum programs will be cancelled through April 17 at which time museum representatives will reassess the situation.
• Idaho PBS will air an Idaho Reports special “Coronavirus in Idaho” on Thursday, March 19. It appears to be running at 7 p.m. in this community It isavailable for streaming at video.idahoptv.org/show/Idaho-reports. 

A spokesperson for the South Central Public Health Department said it’s okay for individuals to pick up a few items at the supermarket. But public information officer Brianna Bodily suggested that people  schedule their shopping when fewer people are likely to be in the store.

Don’t linger, she said. And space yourself at least six feet apart from others in line to avoid coming in contact with respiratory droplets should someone sneeze or cough.

South Central Public Health Department has been suggesting that people avoid gatherings of 50 or more, although President Trump downsized that number to 10 on Monday.

It’s thought that larger gatherings will attract people from outside the area who could bring the coronavirus with them, said Bodily. But events with fewer than 50 people are not as likely to do that.