ELY - Since the nationwide onsite of COVID-19, several local agencies have been working together as part of the Community Care Team’s (CCT) COVID-19 Response Team to address the immediate community needs related to the coronavirus pandemic and how to help meet those needs.
Partners include Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital, Essentia Health – Ely Clinic, St. Louis County Public Health, Well-Being Development, Northwoods Partners, Ely Area Food Shelf, St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, and community members.
“Initially, the team identified a need to coordinate the making and distribution of homemade masks,” said CCT Leader Heidi Favet. “To date, volunteer sewers have produced over 1,600 masks that the Response Team has distributed to area frontline service agencies and high-risk community members.”
The team also saw a need to provide support and information to public housing tenants. Since April, information packets have been hung every few weeks on each apartment door. “These packages have contained homemade masks and information on how to stay safe and healthy during the pandemic,” Favet said.
The latest initiative is part of the statewide Minnesota Department of Health’s “Mask Up, MN” project. The group has partnered with the Ely Chamber of Commerce to produce a photo poster campaign to promote positive reasons why wearing masks is important.
“A variety of community leaders from Ely, Babbitt, and Tower were approached to volunteer for the project,” Favet said. “Local photographers produced images of community members that explain the reason why they wear a mask. The photos are displayed in the windows of local businesses. The photos will remain throughout the summer and will be used as part of a social media campaign to continue to serve as a reminder for why wearing your mask is essential.”
Projects completed by the COVID-19 Response Team are funded in part through contributions to the Ely Area COVID-19 Response Fund hosted on Go Fund Me. To contribute, visit https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/ely-area-covid-19.
For more information about the Ely COVID-19 Response Team or to offer assistance, please contact Favet at 218-305-0187.

Why I Wear a Mask
Over the past week, I personally came in contact with more than 200 people.  We did three days of lodging visits to over 30 locations.  We visited with owners, managers, some guests, and when not out on the road doing visits, we were assisting visitors at the Chamber.  I also made purchases at several local stores filled with shoppers. 
So, if I came in contact with over200 people, how many people did each person I interacted with come in contact with this week?  Many who contract Covid-19 are asymptomatic.  Everyone I came in contact with appeared healthy, but were they?  Am I currently COVID-19 free?
As the director at the Ely Chamber of Commerce, I want to make sure my staff are safe.  In addition, visitors need to know they can interact with me in a safe manner.  Finally, I don’t want to bring COVID-19 home to my family or friends.  
I wear a mask to ensure that if I become sick, the spread of COVID-19 is minimized.  I also wear a mask because I value my staff, friends, and family.  Right now, keeping those around me safe is my most important job.
–Eva Sebesta