All in Coronavirus
“The N.C. General Assembly, in legislation approved this past weekend and signed into law by Gov. Roy Cooper on Monday, set opening day of the 2020-2021 school year as August 17, a week earlier than usual,” said LCPS Patrick Holmes. “District administrators will use that guidance to produce a revised calendar for the next school year during May and plan to present that calendar to the Lenoir County Board of Education at its June meeting.”
In a press conference today, Governor Roy Cooper stated, “Because the combination of our indicators tell us that our trends are mostly decreasing or leveling, I have signed an Executive Order to move North Carolina into Phase 1 of easing restrictions. This order begins this Friday, May 8, at 5 pm. Phase 1 removes the designations of essential and non-essential businesses. Retail stores can increase to 50 percent capacity as long as they implement social distancing. The order allows people to leave home to visit open businesses and it encourages parks and trails to re-open. Businesses that were specifically closed in the last order will remain closed such as salons, barbers, theaters, bars, gyms and pools. Restaurants will continue to be open for takeout or delivery only. These businesses will have the opportunity to open and do more in Phase 2.”
Senator Jim Perry and Representative Chris Humphrey joined their colleagues in unanimously approving two COVID-19 response packages, including over $1.5 billion in much-needed relief for families, students, workers, businesses and hospitals to help deal with the coronavirus pandemic.
I should have written this column about two months ago. Like most of us, I have been distracted. Today’s subject is crucial to our local, state and national government. The census still contains a few questions I think are unnecessary. For instance, I am not sure what questions about ethnicity or marital status have to do with apportioning representation in the U.S. House, but I answered those anyway.
Gov. Roy Cooper signed two relief bills into law on Monday, May 4, that will provide assistance to the state as it deals with COVID-19. The two bills, House Bill 1043 and Senate Bill 704, include almost $1.6 billion in relief measures related to public health and safety, education, small business assistance and state government operations.
To assist N.C. Division of Motor Vehicle customers and partners in dealing with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, a provision included in the COVID-19 bill signed into law today by Governor Cooper grants a five-month extension of the expiration date on more than two dozen DMV credentials.
Today, the Golden LEAF Board of Directors took action in response to House Bill 1043. The bill includes $125 million to provide grants to entities for the purpose of making loans to assist small businesses affected by the economic impact of COVID-19. Effective today, loans made from the program to small businesses will include a limit on the number of employees per business, a minimum interest rate for the first six months of the loan term, and an increased time for repayment.
Twenty-two cases of COVID-19 have now been confirmed in Greene County. The Greene County Department of Public Health received notification of 4 lab-confirmed COVID-19 positive cases throughout the weekend. Out of the 22 lab-confirmed positive cases, 15 of the individuals have recovered, are doing well, and are out of isolation. The Greene County Department of Public Health is currently monitoring six individuals and the other individual is hospitalized.
Our community shows veterans at the NC State Veterans Home how much we love them with a parade of thanks.
Kinston Teens and City of Kinston crisis relief drive-thru food distribution at the Kinston Community Center sponsored by Mount Carmel H.E.L.P.S. Disaster Relief Team with support from Groundbreakers Global Ministries and Hands for Humanity Community Development.
Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. (NC-03) released the following statement after Governor Roy Cooper announced elective surgeries may resume effective immediately in the state of North Carolina.
Southwood Elementary School staff surprise Principal Christel Carlyle with a drive-by parade on Principal's Day
As of 11:00 a.m., May 1, 2020, NCDHHS has reported 10,923 confirmed cases and 399 deaths. NCDHHS also released data showing COVID-19 cases by zip code. Link included.
The NC State Veterans Home and Spring Arbor of Kinston are among dozens of facilities in NC experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak according to NCDHHS. NCDHHS now has clarified how many cases are of staff and residents.
ICYMI: Watch the F-15E flyover at UNC Lenoir Health Care. The flyover in eastern NC was dedicated to our healthcare employees and emergency services personnel on the front lines of COVID-19.
Three Lenoir County moms began a quest to recognize this year’s seniors as school shut down for the remainder of the academic year. Lori Turner Eason, Carla Williams, and Christi Collins are all senior moms. The three ladies have launched an effort to ensure that the class of 2020 in Lenoir and Greene Counties feel some sense of normalcy through gifts and encouragement from complete strangers.
Lenoir County Public Schools is headed to the internet and social media to put a virtual spotlight on Class of 2020 events that are typically touchstones for seniors wrapping up their high school career.
“Last week we shared details on key indicators we’re watching to ensure data and facts guide our decisions. Those graphs are updated daily on the Case Count Dashboard at http://nc.gov/covid19. We remain optimistic the trends will be stable enough to move us into Phase 1 next week.”
F-15E Strike Eagles from the 4th Fighter Wing will show appreciation and support for Eastern North Carolina medical professionals and first responders during a regional flyover, Friday, May 1. The fighter jets will be over UNC Lenoir Health Care at 10:00 am.
One more question about the Wuhan Virus: What was China's purpose for its development in the first place? If the purpose was to wage warfare on the rest of the world, which seems to be the case, then it's the equivalent of China sending its aircraft over our country and reigning bombs down on us indiscriminately.
