Pawnee Republican News Editor Ray Kappel asked for comments on Facebook about whether we should celebrate Halloween and if so how should we celebrate. The CDC has issued guidelines which follow the reader’s comments. Here is a sampling of what we heard. The name appears above the person who posted it.

I will be retiring at the end of this year after working in Pawnee City for over 40 years. My first experience was when Dr. Dokken spoke to me about coming here. I agreed to work a long weekend so Dr. Jackson could have a few days off. He was on call every day for many weeks at a time.

It is time for flu shots and the Pawnee Rural Health Clinic is doing things slightly different this year, due to COVID. Through the month of October, we will be offering walkin flu shots on Tuesdays from 8:30 a.m.-10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. and Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m.- 10:30 a.m. We do request that you call the clinic at 402-852-2311 prior to 5 p.m. the day before you plan to come, so we can be better prepared for your arrival. If you already have a clinic appointment scheduled, we will be able to give you a flu shot at the time of your appointment. A mask will be required and provided to you when you come for your flu shots at the Pawnee Rural Health Clinic. We will also be offering our flu shot clinics at satellite locations later in October. On October 16th, we will be at Pawnee City Public Schools from 7:30 a.m.-9 a.m. and the Pawnee Village from 9:30 a.m.- 11:30 a.m. On October 23rd, staff will be at Humboldt Table Rock Steinauer Schools from 7:30 a.m.-9 and the Steinauer Firehall from 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. On October 30th, we will be at Lewiston Public Schools from 7:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m. and at the Burchard Community Center from 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Our final flu shot clinic date will be November 3rd at the Table Rock Senior center from 8 a.m.-9 a.m. and the Dubois Village Office from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. A mask will be required at all flu shot clinics. We encourage you to bring your own mask if able, but we will have some available for those in need. Please note that while we plan to have flu shot clinics on the dates above, we may have to reschedule based on flu shot availability. We encourage you to watch the newspaper and our Facebook page for announcements on date changes. An important thing to remember is at the time of getting your flu shot, an insurance card, Medicare card, or payment will also need to be provided. The cost this year is $30 for the regular flu shot (recommended for anyone 6 months and older), $65 for the Flublok (anyone over the age of 18, but strongly recommended for ages 50-65), and $65 for the high dose flu shot (recommended for patients ages 65 and older). Nursing may also recommend a certain type of flu shot based on your comorbidities but those can be discussed on a case by case basis. We strongly encourage everyone get a flu shot this year and we hope everyone stays healthy through the fall and winter.

Merck Animal Health announces the appointment of Dr. Scott Stehlik to lead its U.S.