Douglas County cancels public holiday events due to increase in COVID-19 cases

MINDEN — After consultation with the Douglas County Officials, the Towns, public safety agencies, and Douglas County Emergency Management it was determined in-person public holiday events at the Towns of Gardnerville, Genoa, and Minden, as well as the 25th Annual Parade of Lights hosted by the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce have been cancelled.

The action was deemed necessary for the safety of the community, due to the most recent State directive limiting public gatherings to no more than 50 people.

“This was a difficult decision. We know how important these events are to our community, but this is necessary for our fight against this pandemic,” Patrick Cates, Douglas County Manager. “Douglas County has seen a significant increase in the number of COVID-19 cases with positive testing rates increasing rapidly. Hospitalizations for COVID-19 is increasing. It is essential to do everything we can to reduce the spread and relieve the stress on our healthcare system until there is widespread availability of an effective vaccine.”

Alternative opportunities for celebration are:
— Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce Holiday Decorating Contest
View decorated doors, storefronts, and sidewalks of local businesses & residents this coming weekend, December 5th. For details go here.

Or participate in the First Annual Holiday Decorating Contest and be entered into the following categories: Best Holiday Door, Most Creative, People’s Choice, and Best of Show. Judging will take place after dark on December 5th. Find a content application here.

— Douglas County Historical Society
Walk through the beautiful gallery of trees on display at the Carson Valley Museum and Cultural Center for the entire month of December. For hours of operation, visit http://historicnv.org/.

— Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce Light Up the South Shore Holiday Lights Contest
We’re dreaming of a BRIGHT Christmas, so get out your jingle bells, your silver bells, your boughs of holly, and your LIGHTS! Enter your home or business in the holiday lighting contest to compete for awesome prizes and a full year of bragging rights! Spread your Christmas cheer in one of the five categories: Best in Show, The Clark Griswold Award, Best Window Display, Neighbor that Sleigh-d Award, and People’s Choice.

All entries will be included on a Holiday Light Tour map of the South Shore. Participants should be willing to share their home and/or business address (private residents will not have their names listed). You do not need to be a Chamber Member business to participate. Homes and businesses submitted for the competition will be collectively judged by the Merry & Bright Ambassadors on December 21. Trophies will be awarded for each award category as part of the winning prize.

Don't be a cotton-headed ninny muggins, sign up today at, https://bit.ly/LightUptheSouthShore

“Due to the increase in cases and the tax on our healthcare system, now is the time to increase our vigilance,” said Cates. “We are staying apart now so that when we come together again no one is missing.”

Douglas County is experiencing the fastest increase in cases yet. If COVID-19 continues to spread at this rate, it could quickly overwhelm our health care system. Protect yourself, family, friends, health care workers and community by following these prevention measures:

— Staying home except for essential needs/activities and following local and state public health guidelines when visiting businesses that are open

— Staying close to home, avoiding non-essential travel

— Keeping gatherings small, short and outdoors and limit them to those who live in your household

— Wearing a face mask when out in public

— Washing hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds

— Avoiding touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands

— Covering a cough or sneeze with your sleeve, or disposable tissue and your hands afterward

— Avoiding close contact with people who are sick

— Staying away from work, school or other people if you become sick with respiratory symptoms like fever and cough

— Answer the call if a contact tracer from your local health department tries to connect

Go here for the most current information on COVID-19 in Douglas County including statistics and testing information.