Governor Mike Dunleavy held a press briefing alongside Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer, to update Alaskans on the state of the COVID-19 pandemic on Monday night.

Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer, was joined by Dr. Alexander Eastman, senior medical officer at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, to take a tour of fishing communities in Alaska, as well as rural portions of the state. The doctors were also joined by Adam Crum, Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. Their tour took place last week.

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services reported three new positive COVID-19 cases in their Monday update. That makes the total positive case count in the state 399. One of the new cases is out of Anchorage while the other two are out of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough.

Representative Ben Carpenter was responding to proposed protocols aimed at guarding against the virus as lawmakers prepare to reconvene Monday. The protocols suggest stickers be worn to confirm someone at the Capitol had been screened.  In an e-mail chain, Carpenter asked about the screening process: “If my sticker falls off, do I get a new one or do I get public shaming too? Are the stickers available as a yellow Star of David?”

Governor Dunleavy announced that Alaska’s 14-day self-quarantine for folks traveling into Alaska from other states has been extended. He believes that the travel restriction has helped tremendously, given the limited routes into Alaska. He said that none of these decisions are permanent, that they will be adjusted and revised based on the numbers with evaluations taking place daily.

Plant a tree. Take a walk in the woods. Start recycling paper products. Whatever you choose to do, the Alaska Division of Forestry encourages Alaskans to take time to celebrate Arbor Day on Monday, May 18.

Much to the dismay of those out hunting for the KSRM Easter Egg, it has been found. Michelle, Renee, and Jillian Gagnon returned the winning egg to the KSRM studios on Friday to claim their $2,000 prize.

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services reported one new positive COVID-19 case in their Friday update. That makes the total positive case count in the state 388. The new case is out of Anchorage.

Alaskans can support local agriculture by celebrating Alaska Agriculture Day on Friday, May 15, by seeking out and purchasing products produced in Alaska, and by educating young people about the vital role agriculture plays in Alaska’s economy.

In the city of Kenai, May 18 – 24 will allow a window for residents to clean up their neighborhoods and leave bags on the side of the road to be picked-up, free of charge.