Sporting his trademark beard with a dark red polo shirt, River Falls mayor Dan Toland gave his latest update on COVID-19 on September 1st, 2020. Chief among the changes to the local area was a fall population explosion, as a reported 2,000 students of UW-River Falls returned to campus for the school year. As always, the city would roll out its welcome mat for the college students, Toland made known.

“However, as you know, it will be a very different kind of fall,” he said, going on to elaborate this point somewhat.

“The University has taken every precaution recommended by public health, and then some,” he said. To read up on precautions, viewers of the Mayor’s weekly update were directed to a web link at www.uwrf.edu/covid-19, from which the Journal took some the following key cliff notes.

• As of August 7, 2020, Emergency Financial Aid Grants had been distributed to some 4,126 student who met the eligibility requirements. Among the requirements for students receiving the funds totaling $2,213,733 was that they had lived on campus as of March 13th, 2020, with the monies meant to help “with expenses like food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and childcare related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus pandemic.”

• Going into more detail, those students whose Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) exceeded Pell eligibility received the same as those within Pell eligibility if living with their parents, while those students exceeding Pell eligibility received less than Pell-eligible students if they didn’t live with their parents. For those able or choosing to live with their parents, the kickback was $580 for full-time students and $355 for part-time students. Those not living with their parents were slightly better compensated then those who did, but not by much.

As an example, those falling within Pell eligibility receiving $880 if they were full-time and lived on campus, compared to $780 if they were full-time living off campus. For those students within Pell eligibility who were-part-time (meaning they were registered for at least six credits), the extra aid was calculated at $505 if they lived on campus and $455 if they lived off campus. Students exceeding Pell eligibility received $100 less for full-time status and $50 less for part-time status.

• Switching to health measures taken in relation to COVID, face coverings are required in all indoor public spaces at River Falls, including classrooms, and are strongly encouraged outside when physical distancing is not possible. Reasonable accommodations will be made for individuals unable to wear a face covering, with these decided “on a case-by-case basis.”

• If a student develops COVID-19 symptoms, they should contact Vibrant Health Family Clinic at 715-425-6701 for a virtual or in-person appointment. Testing for students with and without COVID-19 symptoms will also be offered weekdays on the second floor of Hagestad Hall from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Common symptoms of COVID-19 include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, a sore throat, congestion or a runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea. A self-check tool is available at the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov, thereby allowing individuals to decide themselves whether they should seek testing.

Returning to Mayor Toland’s weekly COVID update, there was also news unrelated to the university return.

“I am pleased that the majority of businesses in our town have taken the recommended measures to keep their patrons safe,” Toland said of coronavirus precautions, next switching to the younger generation of students.

“To all of our pre-K to grade 12 students who started inperson hybrid or online classes, welcome back. We are proud of our district employees for making River Falls Schools as safe as they can be.” Toland next exhorted River Falls families to encourage their students to follow the precautions set in place, then switching to the basic COVID numbers update for the area.

“We are happy to see these numbers come down,” he said of a drop of 19 cases in the past two weeks throughout Pierce County, from 38 to just 19 with a cumulative total of 243, including five deaths.

“The activity level remains high in Pierce County,” Toland said. “The activity level in St. Croix County is high as well.” In light of this, Toland had a note of reassurance for the city and its residents.

“We have received a lot of questions about the November general election,” he said. “Please know that we have an extremely capable city clerk and staff, who are working hard to insure accessibility and safety during the election process. More information on voting including requesting for an absentee ballot is available at myvote.wi.gov, and those River Falls residents who have requested one will have it mailed in mid-September. Ballots may be returned via mail or by using locked drop boxes in the city hall parking lot and entry area. Ballots can also be handed to city hall staff during normal business hours through Monday, November 2nd, Toland said, with in-person absentee voting during the third week of October. Updates will be posted on the city website and Facebook page. Having thus informed residents, Toland had one last reminder.

“All ballots are due by 8 p.m. on November 3rd,” he said. “Absentee ballots cannot be received at voting locations.”