Commissioner Masthead
 
State of Emergency

Dakota County has declared a State of Emergency in our efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Dakota County has declared a State of Emergency due to COVID-19. This comes as the state’s number of COVID-19 cases grow, with the Twin Cities metro at the epicenter.

We closed all public-facing services Starting Wednesday, March 18th, to protect residents, including our own staff. This means all libraries, service and license centers, the employment center, and park buildings will be closed to the public. The closure will be in effect at least through Wednesday, April 1st. Park trails and restroom facilities will remain open.

County employees will continue their work but are being encouraged to conduct their work online or by phone as much as possible.

Local cities within Dakota County are also declaring states of emergency.

These actions are taken to slow the spread of COVID-19, especially to our most vulnerable populations within Dakota County. We have one of the largest senior populations of any county in Minnesota. In fact, by 2025, the number of residents older than 65 is expected to exceed the number of school-age children for the first time Dakota County's 170-year history. Protecting the public and our staff is our priority in this unprecedented time

While Dakota County is among the first counties in Minnesota to declare a State of Emergency in our efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19, we most certainly will not be the last. During this emergency, we will work hard to promote mitigation strategies, deliver core services, and deploy resources where they are needed most.

By declaring local states of emergencies, local emergency management departments can request funding from and coordinate with other layers of government, including the state and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

COVID-19 ONLINE TOWN HALL MEETING. This Saturday, March 21st, at 10:00am I am hosting a virtual town hall meeting with Congresswoman Angie Craig, Dakota County Board Chair Mike Slavik, and Christine Lees, Dakota County's Disease Prevention & Emergency Preparedness Supervisor. You can join the meeting online at:
http://www.facebook.com/DakotaCountyMN
https://www.facebook.com/Commish.Joe.Atkins/
https://www.facebook.com/RepAngieCraig/.
The town hall meeting will include federal and local updates as well as Q & A. The town hall meeting will also be recorded and replayed by TownSquare TV on local access channels.

THINGS TO KNOW. The CDC has posted information about what to know about COVID-19 here.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP? The #1 thing to do right now to slow the spread of COVID-19 is to stay home when sick. For those who are healthy and need to go out, practice social distancing. This means keeping at least 6 feet between yourself and another person. In a future update, I will provide ways to help others in our community, like this next item.

THANK YOU... I am so proud of our community right now. Sure, COVID-19 is fueling fear and anxiety, but it is also causing an epidemic of kindness and people helping people. Folks are offering free babysitting, they are cooking and delivering groceries to vulnerable senior citizens, and local restaurants are offering free lunches to kids off school. Neighbors are checking on neighbors and walking their dogs. The weeks and months will challenge us. While fear brings out the worst in some people, crisis brings out the best in our community and in Minnesotans. I see it happening every day. It is my firm hope we will emerge stronger from this than we began. To all those who are stepping up during these challenging times, thank you.

Please continue taking care of yourself, your family and loved ones, as well as our larger community.

In these uncertain and challenging times, please do not hesitate to contact me with questions or concerns at Joe.Atkins@co.dakota.mn.us, or if you need help accessing services. I can also be reached by phone at (651) 438-4430.

Joe

 
 
Powered by Mad Mimi®A GoDaddy® company