Balancing community health and the local economy during the COVID-19 crisis

As the coronavirus continues to impact so many different aspects of life for people here in Cook County and throughout the state of Minnesota, one question that continues to loom in the background of day-to-day discussions is when and how will the local economy recover?

It’s a question on the minds of nearly everyone in the local business community, as well as those who live outside the area and are anxious to plan their next trip to the North Shore.

At the heart of the question is how do we balance community health, both physical and mental health, while giving consideration to a local economy that relies on tourists visiting the region?

In this WTIP Community Conversation, host Joe Friedrichs explores these questions with a panel of five community leaders and healthcare professionals. The program aired live on WTIP April 30.

Joining WTIP for the discussion were:

-Rena Rogers, the interim Cook County administrator and member of the Cook County School District (ISD 166) Board;

-Dan Shirley, co-owner of Sawbill Canoe Outfitters, ISD board chair;

-Linda Jurek, the executive director of Visit Cook County;

-Dr. Kurt Farchmin, a local physician from Sawtooth Mountain Clinic;

-Grace Grinager, the public health supervisor for Cook County.

Funding for COVID-19 coverage on WTIP is provided in part by the Facebook COVID-19 News Grant.
 
The audio below is the full program as it aired live on WTIP.