The big one

With more than 300,000 Americans dead and millions sickened, there's no denying the biggest story of 2020.

The first local COVID-19 story to grace the pages of the Sentinel-News ran in the March 5 edition. Eventually, the virus shut down schools, canceled countless events and affected local residents in numerous ways, be they personally, economically or otherwise.

The following timeline focuses on some of the biggest local headlines from the pandemic during the last nine months.

• 'Prepping for an outbreak' – March 5

In the first COVID-19 story featured in the Sentinel-News, local public health experts urged northwest Iowans to practice routine illness prevention tactics as the dangerous new virus spread across the globe.

No cases had been confirmed in Iowa as of the article's printing, and the virus' American death toll was at nine. Former O'Brien County Public Health Nurse Administrator Judy Nieuwenhuis and her staff were keeping up to date on COVID-19 from state health experts.

"There are many questions about the COVID-19 because it is a new virus and not a lot is known about it yet," she said. "The Iowa Department of Public Health is doing everything they can to prepare for a potential threat and also preparing local public health departments like us. The CDC is working on developing a vaccine, but it will be many months before it will be provided to the public."

• 'Shutdown' – March 19

Life as we knew it had changed dramatically by mid-March.

The COVID-19 threat closed schools, restaurants, gyms, bars and theaters, and also canceled nearly every social event in Iowa. The developments led to a rush on grocery stores as people scrambled to stock up during their open-ended quarantines.

Greg and Cathy Musch, owners of Fiesta Foods in Hartley, said sales began to spike at the grocery store during the second week of March and remained steady. Toilet paper, disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer, bottled water, disinfectant spray and bleach were popular among customers, as were bread, eggs and milk.

Greg admitted he had "never seen anything like this."

"It's weird. When it gets close to a holiday like Christmas, people just go a little bit crazy, like they're panicking," he said. "That's how this week has been. I've seen people here that I've never seen before."

Gov. Kim Reynolds ordered the temporary closure of several businesses and banned all social, community, spiritual, religious, recreational, leisure and sporting gatherings. Events of more than 10 people were also barred, per the Center for Disease Control's recommendations.

• 'COVID-19 cases confirmed in O'Brien, Clay counties' – April 2

It was never a matter of if, but when.

COVID-19 was officially confirmed in O'Brien and Clay counties on March 31. As of April 1, a total of 497 cases of the virus had been confirmed statewide; however, very few people had tested positive in northwest Iowa.

• 'With sirens blaring, Hartley Fire Dept. brings birthday joy' – April 9

The Hartley Fire Department made things a little brighter for local kids challenged with celebrating their birthdays during a new era of social distancing.

Firefighters started visiting Hartley-area children in March and April on their special day. They brought with them the department's formidable fleet of vehicles, which arrived at each residence with sirens blaring and lights flashing.

"It's been kind of fun. Every one we've done, all the kids appreciate it," said Chief Brad Meendering. "We've haven't had a disappointed kid yet."

Since social gatherings with more than 10 people were banned due to the threat of coronavirus, most birthday parties were canceled. The Hartley firefighters wanted to play a small part in bringing a lot of joy to local kids amid the pandemic.

"As long as people keep calling, we'll keep coming if we can," Meendering said.

Other socially-distanced "social" events in April included a motorcade featuring H-M-S staff members and scoopin' the loop in downtown Hartley. Residents and staff at Community Memorial Health Center in Hartley also received flower bouquets thanks to generous donations.

• 'Governor allows some businesses to reopen' – April 30

Despite an uptick in infections and deaths, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds outlined plans on April 27 to reopen certain businesses and other gathering places that were shuttered by COVID-19.

Reynolds signed an order allowing malls, restaurants, fitness centers, libraries and retail stores to reopen in 77 of Iowa's 99 counties beginning Friday, May 1. The order required them to operate only at 50 percent capacity and implement social distancing rules like limiting tables at restaurants to six and banning buffets and child play areas.

"We must learn to live with COVID virus activity without letting it govern our lives," Reynolds during a news conference.

All counties in northwest Iowa except Woodbury County were allowed to lift restrictions May 1. Churches were allowed to open as well, but theaters, casinos, barbershops, salons, museums, playgrounds and swimming pools were to remain closed statewide through May 15.

As of April 28, there had been 6,376 positive cases of COVID-19 in Iowa and 136 deaths.

• 'CMHC gets praise for prevention' – May 7

State inspectors gave Community Memorial Health Center in Hartley big praise for COVID-19 prevention efforts.

The facility was commended in late April by the Iowa Department of Inspection and Appeals for keeping residents safe during the global COVID-19 pandemic. The facility was closed to visitors in mid-March and employees implemented several prevention methods to keep potential infections at bay.

"They said that our protocols were above and beyond what they normally see, and they had no suggestions for improvement," said CMHC administrator Dr. Janette Simon. "They felt that our residents feel safe. That was a positive, and it makes us feel that we're all doing a good job at keeping people out."

The inspection was conducted remotely via phone interviews, emails and fax due to the threat of COVID-19. State officials talked with both staff and residents, and Simon said they were particularly pleased with CMHC residents' knowledge of both protocol and the virus itself.

• 'Pandemic shelves Hartley Summer Celebration' – June 18

Summer Celebration was canceled June 15 by the Hartley Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. With the end of the COVID-19 pandemic uncertain, board members were left with little choice.

"It was just hard to know what was going to happen in August as far as the restrictions we'd have to follow, events we'd be able to hold and reservations we'd be able to keep," said Rachel Wilson, Chamber vice president. "It was just about the time and money we'd have to put in and not knowing where we're going to be at."

Summer Celebration wasn't the only thing canned last summer. The Clay County Fair was a victim of COVID, as were all entertainment attractions at the O'Brien County Fair. However, both events still held youth livestock showcases.

• 'Coronavirus outbreak hits Sanborn nursing home facility' – Aug. 3

Fourteen cases of COVID-19 had been confirmed at Prairie View Campus as of July 31. Those affected were placed in isolation and additional testing of residents and staff was ordered by the Iowa Department of Public Health.

Prairie View Campus was the first long-term care facility in O'Brien County to report a COVID-19 outbreak, which occurs when three or more cases of coronavirus are identified among residents of a facility. Another outbreak occurred in the fall at Sanford Health Sheldon Senior Care.

• 'Welcome back!' – Aug. 27

School was back in session Aug. 24 following a five-month hiatus.

Classes were held at Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn for the first time since March 13. Gov. Kim Reynolds eventually canceled school for the remainder of the year, and students were forced to take all coursework online.

Coupled with COVID-19 protocol, H-M-S was also trying to adjust to a new elementary building.

"These first days are very busy. Teachers are getting into routines, following procedures and reviewing protocol," said elementary Principal Cathy Jochims. "All the while, they are reminding students about social distancing and hygiene practices that we need to follow."

• 'The bad kind of No. 1' – Nov. 5

O'Brien County was the winner of a dubious title in late October.

According to state public health data, the county on Oct. 30 had the highest two-week COVID-19 positivity rate in the Hawkeye State with 23.4 percent. The rate is derived from the number of coronavirus-positive tests in a county over a 14-day time period.

O'Brien County Public Health issued a plea to local residents to adhere to CDC guidelines and slow the spread.

"There is significant community spread of COVID-19 occurring in O'Brien County. We need your help in reducing the transmission of COVID-19," the agency wrote in a statement. "The increase in COVID-19 cases is impacting our local healthcare facilities and agencies."

Public health officials urged residents to wear face coverings in public when a six-foot distance could not be achieved between other people. Later in the month, Gov. Kim Reynolds issued new masking guidelines that affected people in public spaces, including students in schools. The Clay County Board of Supervisors later implemented stricter rules to bolster preventative measures.

• 'First CMHC resident tests positive for COVID-19' – Dec. 10

After remaining coronavirus-free for the first nine months of the pandemic, Community Memorial Health Center in Hartley reported the first infection among its residents on Dec. 7.

The individual was immediately isolated from other residents in the facility's containment area, where they remained for 10 days. CMHC's protocol helped mitigate any other infections among staff or residents and the individual recovered.

"Usually when COVID gets inside a long-term care facility it spreads like wild fire," CMHC Administrator Dr. Janette Simon said a week later. "We were able to contain to one resident and the containment area will be dismantled."

• 'Quite the Christmas present' – Dec. 24

The end of the COVID-19 pandemic came closer to reality in Hartley in late December.

Community Memorial Health Center received its first shipment of vaccinations on Dec. 21. According to administrator Dr. Janette Simon, CMHC was the first nursing home in O'Brien County to receive doses.

One-third of the staff and all consenting residents received their first shots Dec. 21. The second dose will be administered 28 days later.

"It is difficult to express to you how relieved we all are to have made it through this," said Simon, noting it was the "best day ever" in 2020.

A total of 46 staff members received a shot. The rest of CMHC employees will get inoculated in the coming weeks.