Skorzewski details COVID-19 plan, response in Hill City

This is the fourth part of our series looking at the economic and community impact of COVID-19

At the end of March, Hill City set forth guidelines in the form of a resolution as to how businesses and citizens should handle the COVID-19, also commonly known as coronavirus, pandemic.

The resolution says businesses and people should be following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for COVID-19, and those businesses who do not follow guidelines will be treated as a nuisance.

Hill City mayor Kathy Skorzewski said — when the resolution was created — there was a lot of information out there and the city wanted to be consistent with any ordinance or resolution passed.

“(The resolution) has been referred to as a good neighbor policy, but I don’t like that,” Skorzewski said. “People need to do the same thing and be consistent.”

Hill City has been following CDC guidelines and measures for a few months now, and are getting the information on how to act and address the COVID-19 pandemic from the CDC and from the state government.

One reason why Skorzewski said she was hesitant to put in a full closure of non-essential businesses in town is because South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has said she herself does not feel comfortable doing so.

“If (Noem) says she can’t do that, then I don’t feel comfortable doing it at a city level,” Skorzewski said. “What happened is that we had...Rapid City pull the trigger and go to def-con five and threw things out of whack.”

Skorzewski, though, said she feels torn. At some point it makes sense, she said, but a staggered approach would have been a good way to handle it.

If the disease crosses the state and Pennington County (who as of Tuesday has seen nine cases) sees numbers like in the eastern portion of the state, then perhaps stronger measures could be taken here in Hill City, Skorzewski said.

However, the entire situation is fluid, and one hour could bring something entirely different than a previous hour.

A closure needed to be done on a more global level to be effective, she added. 

“But none of us can play armchair quarterback at this point,” she said. “I think us having a slow spread on this side of the state is indicating what we are doing is working. It is going to come here, but the goal is when it does get here is to reduce the risk to those at risk.”

Skorzewski said it is situations such as this why she became mayor. She said if one can guide people, that’s what it’s all about.

Skorzewski said Hill City Senior Center and city hall are working to answer all questions that come in.

“I’m interested in what people want to hear and what they need,” Skorzewski said. “I am taking a guess on what is the right thing. None of us have the right answers. You can call city hall (574-2300) or the senior center (574-2988) and let us know. I still encourage people to let us know what’s on their minds.”

Skorzewski also encourages emails to her, and she said that she is checking in on as many people as she can. Skorzewski’s email address is kathyskor@gmai.com.