All in Politics
On Thursday afternoon, Governor Roy Cooper announced a new Executive Order with three main parts. The first focuses on the number of people inside at one time and marking six feet of distance at places where people need to gather. The second part of this order includes mandatory protective measures for nursing homes that had previously been recommended as guidance. The third part makes it easier for employers to file a batch of claims on behalf of their employees.
In a press conference Wednesday afternoon, Governor Cooper stated, “Overnight, test results revealed a hotspot of transmission in Orange County. A series of tests for COVID-19 has revealed at least 60 positive results in a skilled nursing facility in Orange County with more likely to come. Of those, seven are hospitalized and two have died. These are shockingly large numbers, and I wanted to share information about what the state is doing to control and combat outbreaks at long-term care facilities to protect the residents and staff.”
On Monday, April 6, Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. (NC-03) joined a bipartisan and bicameral group of federal lawmakers in sending a letter urging Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy to include funding for broadband internet in any further legislative response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Executive Order No. 129 streamlines the hiring to frontline pipeline for law enforcement jobs. Governor Roy Cooper issued the order to create more flexibility in law enforcement training schedules during the state of emergency so that people training for new positions can pause their training and resume at a later date.
Governor Cooper is not ready to commit to a stay-at-home order for the month of May. He also shared in a Tuesday afternoon press conference that 400,000 people have applied for unemployment benefits with 110,000 recipients so far at a cost of $26 million. He also highlighted how some retail stores are restricting the number of customers in a store based on square footage, including having a staff member stand at the door. He hinted at a soon-coming Executive Order to place restrictions on retail locations across the state.
NCDHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen announced the creation of an Emergency Child Care Subsidy Program to support essential workers. “Through this new program – essential workers can get help finding childcare and get help paying for that child care.”
In a conference call meeting of the North Carolina Council of State, Governor Roy Cooper ended the call by giving the latest statistics to be released by NCDHHS. As of this morning, NC has 3,221 positive cases of Covid-19 in 90 counties and 46 deaths. Governor Cooper stated, “Unfortunately we have lost 46 people to this very cruel disease that also makes it so people die alone or to get well alone without the family being around. It makes it particularly tough on everyone.”
Governor Cooper held a press conference on Friday afternoon. He warned, “This virus is still spreading quickly, no one is immune, there is no vaccination, and social distancing is our best protection. Now is not the time for beach trips or neighborhood cookouts.”
We welcome Congressman Greg Murphy, MD on this edition of Coronavirus Chat with Publisher BJ Murphy. Dr. Murphy discussed the recent CARES Act passage and its impact on small businesses, unemployed and medical supplies.
On March 27, 2020, President Donald Trump signed a $2 trillion stimulus package after Congress passed it on Friday. Governor Roy Cooper has also ordered people in the state of North Carolina to stay at home for thirty days to slow the spread of COVID-19. Cooper’s Executive Order No. 121 takes effect on Monday, March 30 at 5 pm and reduces any gatherings to 10 people. (Link to IRS Coronavirus page is included.)
Governor Roy Cooper stated in a press conference, “To continue our aggressive battle to slow the spread of COVID-19, today I have signed a Stay At Home order for the entire state of North Carolina. Enforcement begins at 5 p.m. Monday. It is what we have to do to save lives. It has the force of law. This order directs you to stay home unless you need to leave for essentials, such as your job, food, medicine, outdoor exercise, or to help others. It bans gatherings of more than 10 people and directs everyone to stay at least six feet away from each other.”
While Executive Order 120 DOES NOT APPLY to the following businesses, social distancing and mass gathering provisions apply:
The City Council of Kinston provides information and updates to all residents regarding COVID-19 including recent executive orders, the state of emergency in Kinston, the continuation of public services, continued police and fire protection, and contact information for additional resources surrounding COVID-19.
“We will be issuing additional orders soon,” stated Governor Roy Cooper in a press conference this afternoon.
Yesterday’s announcement prioritized social distancing by lowering the threshold on large gatherings to ban crowds of more than 50 people. To stay consistent with this number, it will require certain businesses to close, including:
Bingo Parlors, including Bingo sites operated by charitable organizations
Bowling Alleys
Indoor Exercise Facilities (e.g. gyms, yoga studios, martial arts facilities, indoor trampoline and rock-climbing facilities)
Health Clubs
Indoor Pools
Live Performance Venues
Movie Theaters
Skating Rinks
Spas
Sweepstakes Lounges
Video game arcades
Barber Shops
Beauty Salons (including waxing and hair removal centers)
Hair Salons
Nail Salons/Manicure/Pedicure Providers
Massage Parlors
Tattoo Parlors
Grocery stores and restaurants providing takeout and delivery will remain open.
