COVID-19 Tips for Bozeman: Water Bills and Kid’s Meals

If we're doing this right, we're spending LOTS of time at home. That will probably translate into larger heating and water bills. More dishes, more laundry, more water.

Daily Update / Tip: Spending more time at home due to Covid-19 might bring an unexpected surprise when your next utility bill arrives. Here are a few tips to conserve water, electricity and gas from PG&E: Don't waste money on electronics or appliances that aren’t in use. Turn off and unplug unused televisions and DVD players, computers, phone chargers, coffee makers and other devices. Wash full loads of laundry using cold water. Modern detergents work great in cold water, and about 90 percent of the energy used by clothes washers goes to water heating. Use your clothes dryer for consecutive loads. The built-up heat means less energy spent. Make sure the lint trap in the clothes dryer is clean before you press start. Add a tennis ball or a clean, dry towel to improve air circulation and reduce drying time. Run cold water when using your garbage disposal. Hot water requires energy to warm. Cold water solidifies grease, moving it more easily through the disposal and pipes.

FAQ: Q: I was told by my employer not to report to work because of Covid-19. Am I eligible for unemployment? A. Governor Bullock announced emergency rules to make unemployment benefits accessible to workers laid off due to Covid-19. If an employee is directed by their employer to leave work or not report to work due to Covid-19, they qualify as being temporarily laid off and they are eligible for benefits.

Pulling Together: The Bozeman Schools Foundation – with considerable help from Sarabeth Rees – managed to raise over $31,500 in 40 hours to provide 250 schoolkids with meals for the remainder of the school year – a total of 21,000 meals. The fund was created to provide meals to kids whose families are unable to receive meals through the drive-in meal distribution sites set up by the Bozeman School District. There’s nothing we can’t overcome as a community!

What Can I Do? Wear face coverings while in public. According to healthygallatin.org: Wear a simple face covering when out in public especially when social distancing cannot be maintained such as visits to the grocery store and pharmacy. Face coverings should not be medical grade and can be made from common household materials. The CDC recommends tightly woven cotton such as quilting fabric or cotton sheets, and can even be made from a T-Shirt.