State-ordered isolation is testing Valley resources, well-being
BY ERIC VALENTINE
As Blaine County grinds through its first full week under state-ordered self-isolation, a tenuous relationship between Valley residents and Valley resources is taking shape. On the one hand, neighborly and community support is popping up in abundance. We’re all in this together.
Shutdown Crackdown
But on the other hand, a disconnect between complying with the law and complying with what’s practical is emerging, too. By early Monday morning, the Hailey Police Department issued this message on its social media page: “HPD found numerous social distancing requirements were disregarded throughout this past weekend. We helped to educate those found not to be in compliance from a safe distance, and hope to see a vast improvement in the coming days.”
It was a fair warning reminding folks here that if they are out and about for anything other than the essentials—picking up groceries, medication or gasoline—they are risking fine or jail time. The police department, which is offering prescription-delivery service, followed the warning with a lighthearted, popular meme—an image of an infant’s foot with an arrow that says “Be like this little piggy” and points to a toe (the one that went home).
Trouble In Paradise
Meanwhile at Sun Valley Resort, some seasonal employees living in the dorms received a scare when they received a two-day eviction notice from management. The letter told the workers that since they were “not currently listed as an active full time employee” they would have to vacate the Alpine building by Wednesday morning, March 25.
The letter also stated that “all seasonal employees (including anyone on a J1 type visa) are no longer eligible for employee housing.” J1 visas—or so-called Exchange Visitor Visas—is a non-immigrant visa issued by the U.S. Department of State that provides opportunities for international candidates looking to travel and gain experience in the United States. The resort has long used this process to ramp up its workforce during peak season.
With travel bans in place worldwide, returning home is not always feasible for non-American citizens. And with the housing shortage already in the Valley, even the employees who are citizens working and living at the resort may not have a place to return to.
Spokesperson Kelli Lusk explained how the resort’s hands are a little tied, but that plans are being worked out to accommodate its staff. In an email to Wood River Weekly, Lusk stated:
“The well-being of our employees is of utmost importance as we respond to the COVID-19 situation. The ski, hospitality, and tourism industries are all seeking ways to best address early closures and a shortened winter season, which has been impactful on all levels.”
Lusk added, “We have been working closely with community health officials on their recommendations on social distancing and shelter-in-place policy and their concern about the density of our employee housing. With that guidance and a shared interest for the number of people in our employee housing, we are working to close the Aspen building, due to the communal-style layout, and moving employees to the apartment-style Alpine building. Employees who need to remain in housing will be allowed to stay as we continue to adhere to the Blaine County Order to Self-Isolate.”
According to a source close to the matter, employees are being asked to actively resolve their housing issue. In other words, they should try to find housing elsewhere as soon as they can. “I love working for this company and I truly believe they’re going to do the best they can,” the source said. “There’s no manual for this. None of us have had to live through this before.”
At Least The Food Is Good
All efforts from the top down are aimed at trying to keep Valley residents at home. But as long as people are allowed to travel for essentials—like food—keeping social distance is an uphill battle. Enter Julian Cook, who used his Facebook profile and website development savvy to build www.WRVfood.com which lists all the Valley restaurants still offering curbside pickup and delivery.
Dozens of restaurants are still offering service. They could use the support, and residents could use the social distance a trip to the market can’t provide.
“I was surprised that some businesses like Wiseguy made the decision to completely stop. That was from an email I got directly from them,” Cook said.