Articles written by Erin Kirkland
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Alaska senior centers differ in approach to activities during pandemic
When the novel coronavirus COVID-19 reared its head in March, senior citizens were advised to take notice. This new illness was hard on those age 65 or older, people were told, and indeed, four months later, statistics bear this out: 80% of COVID-19...
Talkeetna activities promote a 'together apart' state of mind
Just after Independence Day, I jumped in my car and for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began, drove beyond the boundaries of Anchorage to the village of Talkeetna, two hours north. A...
Quarantine, test or just stay home?
Since the end of March, Alaska has been under a mandatory two-week quarantine for anyone entering the state. Under that regulation, titled “Health Mandate 10.1 - International and Interstate Travel - Order for Self Quarantine,” individuals...
Settlement reached on Pioneer Home rate increase lawsuit
A lawsuit filed in November 2019 related to massive rate hikes at Alaska’s Pioneer Homes has been settled out of court, Alaska State Attorney Kevin Clarkson said on May 6. In a statement released by the Department of Law, Clarkson addressed the dis...
Travel will look different forevermore: Are you ready?
Normally by mid-May I've come and gone several times from my home in Anchorage, sometimes unpacking and re-packing in the same day. It usually feels both frenetic and satisfying to finally be on the...
Alaska ferries increase COVID-19 protocols
In an effort to protect the health and safety of passengers and crew, the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) has announced a revised procedure for coronavirus mitigation, effective immediately. These protocols will be visible in all AMHS facilities...
COVID-19 grief and loss assistance available through Red Cross
The American Red Cross recently launched a Virtual Family Assistance Center (VFAC) at https://www.redcross.org/virtual-family-assistance-center.html to support families struggling with loss and grief due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. “This...
Rent, mortgage assistance available to Anchorage residents
Applications are now open for the Municipality of Anchorage’s $1 million COVID-19 Rent and Mortgage Assistance Pilot Program, offering rent and mortgage support for individuals economically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Municipality is par...
Four tips for COVID-19 shopping
Alaskans may be good at maintaining distance from each other, but if you’re a caregiver (and even if you’re not), eventually you’ll have to leave the house to get groceries, replenish medications, or gather other supplies. If you usually stock...
Stuck at home? Take a 'virtual vacation'
If one thing is certain in this time of uncertainty, it's that humans love to travel. The World Tourism Organization reported that 1.4 billion people traveled globally in 2018, taking boats, planes,...
Alaska State Parks Seeks Volunteer Camp Hosts
With much of the United States and Canada still gripped by COVID-19 travel restrictions, volunteers are needed to fill a number of campground host positions usually filled by Lower 48 retirees. Alaska State Parks says it will need to rely upon Alaska...
Web series focuses on diabetes and COVID-19 care
The Stanford Center for Continuing Medical Education is offering a new national ECHO program series to address the urgent needs of primary care providers caring for patients with complex diabetes during the time of COVID-19. Part of an 18-month pilot...
COVID-19 digest, April 2, 2020
Alaska’s current case count As of April 1 at 3 p.m., Alaska had 10 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of affected citizens statewide to 143. There are nine individuals hospitalized, no new deaths, with 5,000-plus coronavirus tests...
Learn about walk-and-bike-friendly communities at Sitka conference
Located on remote Baranof Island at the gateway to the Pacific Ocean, the city of Sitka is probably the last place one would expect to be at the forefront of the walking-biking movement. Yet this...
COVID-19 digest, April 3, 2020
Current COVID-19 statistics from State of Alaska At the time of Thursday’s press briefing, the novel coronavirus had affected 157 Alaskans, with 11 new cases, 15 total hospitalizations, and no new deaths related to the disease. Governor Mike...
COVID-19 digest, April 6, 2020
Weekend brings additional COVID-19 cases to Alaska The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) announced on Sunday, April 5, one new death and 14 new cases of COVID-19 in four Alaska communities – Anchorage (4), Fairbanks (7),...
Alaska COVID-19 digest, April 7, 2020
State of Alaska coronavirus case count As of April 6, 2020, there are 191 Alaskans who have tested positive for COVID-19. Six new cases were identified during the evening press briefing, with two cases in Anchorage, one in Eagle River, one in Petersb...
Alaska COVID-19 digest, April 8, 2020
State of Alaska releases data hub for coronavirus tracking Governor Mike Dunleavy and the State Department of Health and Social Services released a comprehensive tool to help the public track cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). https://coronav...
COVID-19 digest, April 13, 2020
Alaska sport fish season still open The Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced on Monday that sport and personal use fishing will remain open for the 2020 season, as long as individuals stay in compliance with State of Alaska public health...
New web portal available for COVID-19 economic impact payment information
Earlier this week, the Treasury Department launched a new web tool to allow registration for individuals seeking payment through the recently-passed CARES Act who do not normally file a federal income tax return. Qualified individuals who typically...
Municipality of Anchorage releases plan for relaxation of mandates
At a community briefing held late afternoon Monday, April 20, Mayor Ethan Berkowitz gave the first indication Anchorage is on the verge of reopening some businesses. Citing a plan called “Safe Anchorage: A Roadmap To Reopening the Municipality of A...
Golden, Colorado shines for senior travelers
Wild West, here we come; cowboy boots, big belt buckles, and a sense of adventure in tow. It's Golden time. Located just 20 minutes from downtown Denver, the small city of Golden packs a punch for...
Safe and successful shopping during COVID-19
Alaskans may be good at maintaining distance from each other, but if you’re a caregiver (and even if you’re not), eventually you’ll have to leave the house to get groceries, replenish medications, or gather other supplies. If you usually stock...
COVID-19 Digest update, March 30
The Denali Center, a 75-bed rehabilitation and senior center in Fairbanks, recently began testing its residents and staff after one confirmed case of COVID-19 was established on Saturday, March 28. The facility, run by Foundation Health Partners,...
COVID-19 digest update: March 31, 2020
Current COVID-19 cases continue to increase across Alaska At the nightly press briefing on Tuesday, March 31, Dr. Anne Zink, of the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) today announced 14 new cases of COVID-19 in five Alaska...