By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

COVID-19 is changing our lives by the second.

While the number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the Lake Region is minuscule, every aspect of life has been affected. Here’s a snapshot of some of the early fallout:

Patient tests positive at Bridgton Hospital. On Monday, Central Maine Healthcare released a press release that its system saw the number of confirmed virus cases rise to three. One case involved an individual who visited the emergency room at Bridgton Hospital last Friday for respiratory symptoms after traveling to a high-risk area. The patient, whose sex or place of residence was not identified in the press release, is in self-quarantine at home.

The other patient was tested last Saturday at Central Maine Medical Center after being identified as having exposure to a known COVID-19 positive individual.

“This brings to three the total of positive tests from the Lewiston-based healthcare system. An Androscoggin County woman, who had been exposed while traveling in Italy, tested positive last week,” the release reported. “CMH has taken multiple steps to protect patients, staff and the community, including rescheduling certain elective inpatient surgeries, restricting visitors and restricting entry to its hospitals. Clinic and doctor’s office visits are continuing and the retail pharmacy and lab services are open for business.”

Patients with scheduled surgeries will be contacted to reschedule well in advance. But not all surgeries will be postponed. Necessary surgeries including heart and vascular procedures and some cancer procedures will continue.

Schools closed. SAD 61 and SAD 72 closed schools starting this past Monday for the next two weeks.

In a statement posted on the district website, SAD 61 Superintendent Al Smith said, “This situation will be monitored daily. Any further developments or adjustments needed to our students’ scheduled will be shared with you as soon as possible.”

SAD 61 opened “drive-thru” meal sites on Tuesday, March 17. The locations include: Lake Region High School, Stevens Brook School, Naples Town Beach, Casco Community Center and Sawyer Circle Housing in Bridgton. District staff will man the sites from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to hand out meals to children ages 18 and younger, Monday through Friday. Cars can pull up and a lunch and breakfast will be given for free.

Superintendent Smith released via the website a more detailed action plan on Monday. “We very much appreciate your flexibility as our district navigates through this unprecedented school closure. The COVID-19 situation seems to change hourly, and this closure is the most responsible action to take at this time for our students, staff and communities,” Smith wrote.

It included:

• Remote Learning. All elementary students will receive a bag from their homeroom teacher with lessons and activities to do during the next two weeks. This packet includes a daily schedule that will provide a much-needed sense of routine for all children. Teachers will communicate with their families through e-mail and/or “virtual” office hours. These bags will be delivered to your homes by district personnel between the hours of 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18.

• Grades 6 to 12 students will access their lessons and assignments through Schoology (the system’s online program). Teachers will communicate with students and parents through the conference option on Schoology or e-mail. Both students and teachers will maintain a daily class schedule, and teachers will be available “virtually” to guide students with their work and answer questions.

• Students may retrieve laptops, personal belongings or materials they will need for their remote learning from Lake Region Middle School and Lake Region High School until 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17. However, the doors will be locked and staff will escort students to and from their destinations

• Building Access. After 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17, all school buildings were closed to the public during the closure period. Custodial staff will use this time to do a “deep clean.”

• Administrators will be available during the school closure. Please call or e-mail them as needed.

• The Central Office and School Offices will continue to operate during the school closure. Please call or e-mail as needed.

“Please remember this is an extremely fluid situation. As we monitor this pandemic, you will continue to receive communications from the school/district administrators and myself through e-mail, the district’s website and automated phone calls,” Superintendent Smith wrote. “Thank you for your patience and support as we endeavor to make the best of this very challenging experience.”

In addition, the high school sports season has been delayed until April 27, while SAD 61 has canceled scheduled band concerts, plays, choral performances, and PTO events. All school field trips have been cancelled until further notice.

Adult Education Enrichment classes are cancelled until further notice.

Community groups who use District facilities will be contacted to reschedule their meetings at a later date.

Athletic Director Paul True sent an e-mail to his coaching staff to offer some guidelines as the school charts through this “uncertain challenge.” He mentioned:

• You may have online communication with your players.

• He recommended that athletes do not get together for workouts or practices in groups or as a team since it would defeat the purpose of social distancing.

• The Maine Principals Association has invoked a no-coach involvement with players ban until April 27 (True noting that the April 27 date is subject to change depending on the state of affairs).

“At this time, we do not know what the preseason might look like. We are encouraging the high school student athletes to continue working out with both individual lifting and running programs. Staying well-conditioned is important, as we do not know how long a preseason period each sport will have,” True wrote in a letter to athletes. “Student athletes should be prepared to come to practice on April 27, already in good physical condition.”

While sports may have come to an abrupt halt, True is still planning for days ahead. He is looking for middle school baseball and softball coaches. “I have been shaking a lot of trees with no luck. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!” he said. Interested candidates can e-mail: paul.true@lakeregionschools.org

In SAD 72, the school board Monday night held an emergency meeting and approved a Continuity Distance-Learning Plan created by administration and teaching staff.

At a previous meeting, Superintendent Jay Robinson expressed concerns that since many students do not have access to reliable technology or Internet access beyond a cellphone, “using a remote learning approach to maintaining instruction is not an option for our district.”

Students were allowed to return to schools to retrieve items, including books and other educational materials to be used during the shutdown. On the district’s website, a Q/A section read (dated March 16): What is the Distance-Learning Plan? Our goal is to provide students with legitimate educational opportunities at home during the closure. However, that is going to look different for each student. Administrators have met with teachers and have provided guidance on creating/finishing plans. While it is ideal if “new learning” can occur at home, this is the ideal and not practical for all students given the variety of resources in households. We expect that our teachers will use appropriate materials and/or technology that is both developmentally — and contextually-appropriate for their students. We will all do our best under the circumstances.

• What if I don’t have Internet/WIFI? We recognize that some of our families may not have access to a reliable Internet service. Please let your child’s teacher know if this is a difficulty and they will make sure your child has paper options. Parents may access the Internet from the Molly Ockett School parking lot. Network: MSAD 72 Wi-Fi, Password: internet

Spectrum is offering free service. Call 1-844-488-8395 for details.

On the municipal front. Towns are taking various measures to limit employee exposure to the general public. While transfer stations remain open, patrons will be asked to dispose of trash and recyclables themselves, without town employee assistance.

Towns also will rely upon websites to release updated information regarding services and meetings, as well as encouraging residents to use online services (such as licensing, permitting, vital records and payments). Some offices will be closed to the public, but will remain operational. Communication will be by e-mail or phone. Drop boxes in office lobbies will provide hard copies of applications and permits.

In Bridgton, general assistance applications will be processed by phone only.

On the recreation front. Shawnee Peak announced Monday that the resort is closing early for the season. The ski resort was due to be open on March 16, but ceased operation to follow guidelines instituted by Maine’s Governor Janet Mills and the CDC.

“We are sorry for the inconvenience, but the safety of our employees and guests is top priority,” Shawnee Peak released in a statement. “We are following guidance set forth by the authorities including the CDC, which has recommended the halt of gatherings of more than 50 people. Thank you all for your support and understanding. Be smart and safe! We are all in this together.”

• Rec Departments: Bridgton’s Rec Director Gary Colello announced the cancellation of all rec programs and closure of the towns hall starting Tuesday.

“The Town of Bridgton Recreation Department will cancel all recreation programs and close the Town Hall gym facility beginning March 17 to March 31, due to the coronavirus pandemic. Program cancellations include ALL Town Hall gym facility programs,” Colello said. “At this time, spring sports programs including pre-season baseball, softball and lacrosse and current after-school programs have all been suspended until further notice with the intent to still have spring programming and a sports season. The Recreation Department will still accept registrations for all spring and summer programs, however it is highl- recommended to use our online services.”

An update will be provided on or close to March 31, Colello added.

Earlier, Bill Preis had sent an e-mail noting that Ping Pong (played at the Town Hall on Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m.) was still on.

“Due to the relatively small turnout of players and the spacial separation of players, we don’t think Ping Pong presents a significant health risk,” organizer Bill Preis said.  “This could change if the town decides to close all activities.”

It did change Monday with Colello’s hall closure announcement. 

• Denmark Hikers have canceled the remaining hikes on the calendar for March because of concerns about the coronavirus.

“I’m not concerned about the hiking in the open air, but I am about cramming a car full of seniors and driving long distances to the trailhead. I will reconsider hikes in April as we see how this pandemic settles out,” reported organizer Allen Crabtree.