Coronavirus

Sustainable Alaska: Reopening Alaska Responsibly

Sustainable Alaska: Reopening Alaska Responsibly

Today, we face an all-new challenge and it’s time to work together.

Sustainable Alaska: Reopening Alaska Responsibly
As the state government allows bars to reopen beginning Friday at 25% capacity, safety concerns, unclear guidelines and widespread maintenance will prevent many of Juneau’s bars, like Imperial Billiards and Bar, pictured here, from opening up, May 7, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

Bars and barbells: What reopening means for local businesses

Renovations, regulations, and readiness are all keeping most bars quiet this weekend.

As the state government allows bars to reopen beginning Friday at 25% capacity, safety concerns, unclear guidelines and widespread maintenance will prevent many of Juneau’s bars, like Imperial Billiards and Bar, pictured here, from opening up, May 7, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
Wary but accepting, city leaders mull reopening

Wary but accepting, city leaders mull reopening

There are concerns about gatherings and bars.

Wary but accepting, city leaders mull reopening
Increased demand may put capacity to the test

Increased demand may put capacity to the test

Opening many services may over-stress testing capability.

Increased demand may put capacity to the test
Dunleavy unveils next phase of reopening

Dunleavy unveils next phase of reopening

Social distancing is still a must.

Dunleavy unveils next phase of reopening
Uncertain financial picture not expected to stop cruise line’s waterfront purchase

Uncertain financial picture not expected to stop cruise line’s waterfront purchase

Trying to stay afloat.

Uncertain financial picture not expected to stop cruise line’s waterfront purchase
Juneau residents gather at the Gold Town Nickelodeons pop-up drive-in theatre to watch Star Wars: A New Hope on Star Wars Day, May 4, 2020. Screenings at the temporary outdoor theater will continue this week. (Christopher Miller | csmphotos.com)

Juneau celebrates Star Wars, stays far, far away

Crowds cheered the sci-fi classic from their cars.

Juneau residents gather at the Gold Town Nickelodeons pop-up drive-in theatre to watch Star Wars: A New Hope on Star Wars Day, May 4, 2020. Screenings at the temporary outdoor theater will continue this week. (Christopher Miller | csmphotos.com)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a press conference in Anchorage on Friday, April 10, 2020. (Courtesy photo | Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)

Opinion: It’s time for Alaska to safely reopen

We must normalize this new normal to ensure our economic future.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a press conference in Anchorage on Friday, April 10, 2020. (Courtesy photo | Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)
A virtual ceremony doesn’t do it for some graduates

A virtual ceremony doesn’t do it for some graduates

No handshakes.

A virtual ceremony doesn’t do it for some graduates
A special quarantine tent set up outside Bartlett Regional Hospital’s emergency room on Monday, March 30, 2020. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire File)

Hospital changes visitor policy

It coincides with resumption of elective procedures.

A special quarantine tent set up outside Bartlett Regional Hospital’s emergency room on Monday, March 30, 2020. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire File)
Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire file Jan Reece, outreach/training specialist for Juneau Suicide Prevention Coalition, holds up a card with contact information for suicide prevention resources after a screening of “The S-Word” at Gold Town Theater in March 2019.

Making your house safe can save a life, Suicide Coalition says

Alcohol and firearms are present in most suicides in Alaska.

Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire file Jan Reece, outreach/training specialist for Juneau Suicide Prevention Coalition, holds up a card with contact information for suicide prevention resources after a screening of “The S-Word” at Gold Town Theater in March 2019.
The Juneau Family Health and Birth Center, April 28, 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)

Special delivery? Juneau home birth center poised to take up slack from hospital

Could be an option for those who want to avoid taking resources or exposure to the coronavirus.

The Juneau Family Health and Birth Center, April 28, 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)
For now, Assembly agrees with state reopening

For now, Assembly agrees with state reopening

Testing levels are good, cheif medical officer said.

For now, Assembly agrees with state reopening
Ferries will receive $10M in federal relief funding

Ferries will receive $10M in federal relief funding

It’s a cut of the state’s COVID-19 money.

Ferries will receive $10M in federal relief funding
Mindy Roggenkamp, co-owner of Franklin Street Barbers, cuts hair while wearing her personal protective equipment on Friday, April 24, 2020. She already has reservations booked two weeks ahead, but under the new regulations only one barber can be working in their shop at a time. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)

City plotting its own course forward as state eases off restrictions

Some businesses are easing open as the state throttles back regulations.

Mindy Roggenkamp, co-owner of Franklin Street Barbers, cuts hair while wearing her personal protective equipment on Friday, April 24, 2020. She already has reservations booked two weeks ahead, but under the new regulations only one barber can be working in their shop at a time. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)
One building remains busy during quiet time

One building remains busy during quiet time

They’re processing tests.

One building remains busy during quiet time
Businesses can open, whether local leaders like it or not

Businesses can open, whether local leaders like it or not

It’s happening.

Businesses can open, whether local leaders like it or not
Courtesy Photo | Erin Pratt Erin Pratt (top left), an ICU nurse in a hospital outside of New York City, is one of the many people Juneau at the forefront of the coronavirus crisis.

FOMO to exhaustion: Juneau locals at forefront of pandemic across country

Medical professionals from Juneau are digging in nationwide

Courtesy Photo | Erin Pratt Erin Pratt (top left), an ICU nurse in a hospital outside of New York City, is one of the many people Juneau at the forefront of the coronavirus crisis.
Alaska’s congressional delegation, from left to right: Sens. Dan Sullivan, Lisa Murkowski and Rep. Don Young, all Republicans.

Next wave of aid on its way, Alaska delegation says

No other option.

Alaska’s congressional delegation, from left to right: Sens. Dan Sullivan, Lisa Murkowski and Rep. Don Young, all Republicans.
No cruises till July at the earliest mean these tourist-targeted shops downtown will likely remain shuttered for months longer, March 20, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

Optimism and apprehension greet decision to ease open restaurants

A slow open could ease supply line strain and mitigate outbreak risk.

No cruises till July at the earliest mean these tourist-targeted shops downtown will likely remain shuttered for months longer, March 20, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)