All in Coronavirus
Over the past week, we’ve had some good news in that there hasn’t been any sign of a national second wave of infections. In fact, the spread rate dipped below 1 percent for the first time on two days, and case growth seems to have stabilized to around 20,000 per day. From an economic perspective, the news is good, as the reopening is proceeding smoothly. Let’s take a look at the details.
On Thursday, June 11, 2020, Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. (NC-03) introduced H.R. 7179, the Pandemic Liability Protection Act. If passed, the legislation would protect covered providers who have operated during the coronavirus outbreak from state and federal lawsuits related to harm that arose from COVID-19.
The proposed budget for next year anticipates steep drops in revenue. It eliminates capital outlay and calls for positions to remain unfilled while raising the possibility of employee furloughs if revenues drop more than expected. Under the proposed budget, city council members and the mayor would receive a raise.
Today, the State Board of Education approved N.C. Department of Public Instruction’s Lighting Our Way Forward: North Carolina's Guidebook for Reopening Public Schools. We have included links to the summary document and full document.
Today, the NC House approved a bipartisan bill to temporarily waive the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) road tests to allow teen drivers to receive their level two limited provisional license during the COVID-19 outbreak. The bill is now waiting for Governor Cooper’s signature.
The Town of La Grange filed a declaratory judgment action in Lenoir County Superior Court, asking the Court to review Governor Roy Cooper’s Executive Order No. 124. The filing also asks the court to enter a declaration that Section 1 of the order unlawfully interferes with the ability of utility service providers to exercise their own discretion and judgment in collecting charges for utility services provided to their customers.
“This case is not about disconnecting customers,” said Town Manager John Craft, “it’s about preserving the Town’s ability and discretion to operate its electric system in a manner that balances the needs of customers undergoing financial difficulties with the Town’s obligation to maintain the fiscal health of its system and meet its debt service obligations.”
“Small cities and towns in rural North Carolina that provide utility services, such as electricity and water/sewer, cannot survive extended government overreach enacted by Executive Order 124,” said Representative Chris Humphrey.
New health guidelines released Monday represent a first step to help North Carolina K-12 public schools find a safe way to open to in-person instruction for the 2020-21 academic year, health and education leaders announced Monday. Schools are asked to plan for reopening under three scenarios – Plan A: Minimal Social Distancing, Plan B: Moderate Social Distancing, or Plan C: Remote Learning Only. NC DHHS, in consultation with the State Board of Education and Department of Public Instruction, will announce by July 1 which of the three plans should be implemented for schools to most safely reopen.
Lenoir County reports 8th COVID-19 death. Also, here are the latest updates from Greene County and Jones County.
High school seniors who battled through the disruptions caused by two flood-inducing hurricanes and a global pandemic to earn their diplomas got a welcomed dose of encouragement from speakers at five Lenoir County Public Schools commencement exercises last week.
Together, 567 seniors were awarded diplomas by Kinston, North Lenoir and South Lenoir high schools, Lenoir County Early College High School and Lenoir County Learning Academy in ceremonies arrayed over four days and ending Thursday.
Jones Senior High School held a commencement ceremony for its 2020 graduates, with friends and family viewing the ceremony from vehicles in the school parking lot.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is reporting the first COVID-19-associated pediatric death in North Carolina. "We extend our deepest sympathies to this child’s family," said State Epidemiologist Dr. Zack Moore. “While most COVID-19 cases in children are not severe, this is a tragic reminder for all of us that COVID-19 can be a serious illness for anyone.”
Today, Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order 143 to addresses the social, environmental, economic, and health disparities in communities of color that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Order directs state agencies and offices to provide targeted measures to help communities of color that have been affected by the pandemic.
Jones County Health Department is pleased to announce that it will be partnering with StarMed Healthcare to host a COVID-19 drive-thru testing event this Thursday, June 4, 2020 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Jones County Civic Center, which is located at 832 Hwy 58 South, Trenton, NC. Any county resident wanting to be tested at the event must complete a virtual health screening prior to receiving a COVID-19 test.
When Kinston local Elliana Sylvia dreamt of her 16th birthday, she didn’t imagine it would be taking place during a global pandemic. With DMV road tests canceled, she turned her disappointment over not getting her license into action.
Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order No. 142 to extend the prohibition of utility shut-offs and implement a moratorium on evictions. The Order went into effect on Saturday with the Governor’s signature.
