All in Coronavirus
Vidant Health and the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University are calling on all of eastern North Carolina to do their part to flatten the curve. We need to act quickly and definitively. When you watch what is happening in other communities and are scared about what you see, you should ask yourself a few questions: Will it hit my own community? Why can’t we stop this? What should we do? These are difficult questions, but the answers are clear.
Governor Roy Cooper has waived restrictions to increase access to caregivers to provide flexible child care and elder care during the coronavirus emergency. The Order provides flexibility to local health departments working to adapt to the increased need for their resources.
Additionally, it provides for ways for Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offices to enact social distancing protections, and waives some registration requirements to ensure resources can be delivered by truck throughout the state.
Representative Chris Humphrey (R-Lenoir, Pitt) has been appointed to the Economic Support Working Group of the North Carolina House Select Committee on Covid-19 by Speaker Tim Moore. The committee will meet remotely to prepare immediate and long-term legislative responses to the developing crisis.
Under the State of Emergency, the ultimate goal of all the executive orders, requests and other rules has been to reduce exposure of all people to this virus. In our line of work it is hard to limit exposure, but there are some things that we can do to limit our exposure during this time. Therefore, the Sheriff's Office has implementing the following changes in accordance with County of Lenoir decisions:
An update from Dr. Bert Bright: In the interest of safety and after consultation with many authorities, we have decided to keep our campus closed and continue online instruction through April 17, 2020. All school-related activities and ceremonies that were planned from March 16 through April 17 have been canceled, including Terra Nova testing and our prom. (Given the stated importance of the prom to our students, if we return to school later this spring we will consider rescheduling a modified prom event.)
We are all hearing new, terrible rumors every day. You should probably assume that the rumors will be grow in their audacity and there will be at least one a day.
Effective 5 p.m. Friday, March 20
Due to the spread of COVID-19 in eastern North Carolina, Vidant is prohibiting visitors across all hospitals and emergency departments.
In an email to its students, Lenoir Community College has made the following changes:
Public Service Announcement: Casey Stevens with the American Red Cross issues a plea for blood drive locations as they're experiencing a shortage due to COVID-19. If you'd like to help, please contact her at Casey.Stevens@redcross.org.
Jones County is officially under a State of Emergency as of 7:00 am today, Friday, March 20, 2020.
Yesterday, Dr. Pradeep and Rep. Humphrey took part in a special live Coronavirus segment with Neuse News Publisher BJ Murphy. They answered questions on the statistics regarding Coronavirus, took medical questions from our viewers, discussed small business and unemployment economic assistance and more.
Governor Roy Cooper has announced that 2-1-1 is the number to call for assistance and resources related to the COVID-19 coronavirus. NC 2-1-1 is an information and referral service, operated by United Way of North Carolina, where families and individuals can obtain free and confidential information on health and human service resources within their community 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Resources are available in most languages.
Effective Thursday, March 19, State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) branches statewide will temporarily transition to drive-thru only for the majority of its services to reduce the possibilities of transmission of the coronavirus to members, their families and SECU employees.
Due to the spread of coronavirus / COVID-19 in North Carolina, UNC Lenoir Health Care announced today that several policies have been put into place to ensure the safe and efficient care of our patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. (NC-03) provided the following statement amid the coronavirus pandemic. “The first funding package Congress passed on March 4th enables the Small Business Administration to distribute $7 billion in low-interest loans to small businesses affected by global supply chain disruption. These loans can be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t wait throughout this time of isolation. Congress is proactively working on two more packages as well to help families in need.” (read more)
On Tuesday afternoon Dr. Patrick Miller gave a brief update on Greene County Schools. In this video, he discusses remote feeding sites and the use of buses beginning Thursday. He also noted that 80% of families picked up packets for students, and how they're reaching the other 20%.
In an email to Arendell Parrott Academy's parents, Headmaster Dr. Bert Bright stated, “It’s safe to say that last week was likely one of the most impactful and challenging weeks of our lives. Our hearts truly ache for all APA students, especially our seniors. In the same breath, we are increasingly excited about the possibilities ahead for a new style of learning – for our students, for our faculty, for our administration and for our school.”
Kinston office to be by appointment only.
Due to concern for the health and safety of its customers and staff during the coronavirus outbreak, the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles will consolidate in-person services to offices large enough to maintain social distancing as defined by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), effective Wednesday, until further notice.
LCPS Superintendent Brent Williams stated in an email to parents this evening, “Please remember our no-cost meal service each day from 10:30am -12:30pm to various school sites. We served over 900 students today a breakfast and lunch meal for a total of over 1,800 meals served. We would like to see even more young people--- students or anyone else age 18 and younger--- take advantage of this opportunity.”
At this afternoon’s press conference Governor Roy Cooper discussed five key points to Executive Order No. 118. Now you can read the order in its entirety, which limits restaurant and bar operations across our state. And you can watch the press conference.
