Home Blog Page 2855

State Expands Testing As It Looks To Reopen Economy

0

State Expands Testing As It Looks To Reopen Economy

April 28, 2020    Posted by:

By Victoria Ratliff
TheStatehouseFile.com

INDIANAPOLIS—Indiana will expand COVID-19 testing across the state to work toward its goal of testing every symptomatic Hoosier as Gov. Eric Holcomb looks to reopen more areas of the state’s economy.

The state will partner with OptumServe Health Services to open 20 testing sites across the state next week, and eventually a total of 50 sites by mid-May.

The expansion of testing will cost the state just short of $18 million, with the state hoping the tab will be covered by federal grants.

Dr. Lindsay Weaver, chief medical officer of the Indiana State Department of Health, announced Tuesday that the state has a $17.9 million contract with OptunServe Health Services to provide as many as 100,000 COVID-19 tests per month. Photo by Janet Williams, TheStatehouseFile.com

“This will provide a more complete picture about the spread of the virus, not only in high-risk populations but across the entire state,” Dr. Lindsay Weaver, chief medical officer of the Indiana State Department of Health, said at Holcomb’s daily virtual press briefing Tuesday.

Weaver said the sites initially will be able to test 30,000 Hoosiers per week, with 100,000 Hoosiers who show symptoms of COVID-19 tested per month, to bring the state closer to its goal of testing all symptomatic individuals.

So far, the state has tested only 87,181 of the 6.7 million Hoosiers. Those tests added 650 new cases of COVID-19 to the state’s tally, bringing the total to 16,588 positive cases. An additional 57 deaths were reported Tuesday, with 901 Hoosiers now dead from the virus.

Holcomb said while the daily reported cases are still high, reopening the economy isn’t based solely on the number of new cases. He said he will continue to look at how hospitals and the health care systems are handling the cases.

“It’s not just focusing on the positive (test result) cases that will continue. This could be with us, folks, for a year. It’s how we manage our way through this and how we keep that curve flat enough so that our health care system can care for those folks in need,” Holcomb said.

To help reduce the spread of the virus, the 20 new testing sites will test any symptomatic Hoosier, whether they are part of a high-risk group or not. The tests also will be free for those without insurance. Locations opening next week will be in Angola, Columbus, Connersville, Danville, Elkhart, Elwood, Huntington, Jasper, Johnson County, Lafayette, LaPorte, Logansport, Muncie, Peru, Richmond, Scottsburg, South Bend, Terre Haute, Valparaiso, and Vincennes.

Gov. Eric Holcomb at his virtual press briefing Tuesday. Photo by Janet Williams, TheStatehouseFile.com

Holcomb is using this week to focus on his decision due Friday: Whether to once-again extend the stay-at-home order or allow certain areas to reopen with a “new normal” of precautions.

He said he will use all the time he can to make a decision regarding whether to extend the order or what businesses to open and guidelines to set in place.

While Holcomb said he does not know yet what his Friday executive order will contain, at least one business is anticipating a reopening. Simon Property Group has said they plan to open malls across the country beginning Saturday.

Holcomb said he has talked to David Simon, chief executive officer of the company, but said he hasn’t shared any reopening plans with the group. He said they should still adhere to any guidelines he sets in place Friday.

Another question mark hangs over the now-closed Tyson meatpacking plant in Cass County, which has accounted for much of the recent large increase in positive COVID-19 cases in Indiana. President Donald Trump said Tuesday he will sign an executive order classifying meat processing as critical infrastructure and reopening plants to avoid a shortage of poultry, pork, and other meats.

Holcomb and Weaver said strike teams from the State Department of Health visited the facility, testing all employees, and giving advice on how to clean the facility and keep workers protected. But they did not directly respond to a question on Trump’s plan to reopen the Cass County and other plants.

FOOTNOTE: Victoria Ratliff is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

DeVos To States: For Extra Relief Money, Create A Virtual School Or Voucher-Like Program

0

DeVos To States: For Extra Relief Money, Create A Virtual School Or Voucher-Like Program

By Matt Barnum May 10
Chalkbeat Indiana 
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos will use $180 million in federal coronavirus relief earmarked for the hardest-hit states to create voucher-like grants for parents and to expand virtual education.
The education department will allow states to apply for a share of that money — a chance for the Trump administration to leverage the budget crunch facing states to advance its education policy priorities and a miniature echo of the Obama-era Race to Top competition.

For DeVos, those priorities include directing more public education dollars to families, rather than school districts, and creating alternatives to traditional schools and instruction.

“The current disruption to the normal model is reaffirming something I have said for years: we must rethink education to better match the realities of the 21st century,” DeVos said in a statement Monday. “This is the time for local education leaders to unleash their creativity and ingenuity.”

It’s the latest example of the department aligning its coronavirus response to the Trump administration’s political preferences, including limiting dollars going to teachers unions and undocumented immigrants.

In awarding these grants, the department says it will consider the coronavirus’ impact on a state — the stated purpose of the money, as allocated by Congress. But its criteria go far beyond that, raising the possibility that grants will end up in states that have not been hit hardest by the virus. Forty of the 100 points of the scoring rubric relate to a state’s coronavirus cases and ability to transition to remote instruction.

Democratic Rep. Rosa DeLauro, a frequent DeVos adversary, sharply criticized the move. “The Secretary is exploiting emergency relief legislation to insert Secretarial priorities not outlined in this section of the CARES Act,” DeLauro said in a statement. “At worst, the Secretary is deliberately misreading the law to conjure up purposes for these resources.”

State education agencies can apply for federal money by proposing one of three things.

The first is “microgrants” — what some would call “vouchers” — meant to give families more options for remote learning. Those grants could be used to pay for tutoring, summer programs, tuition to a private or public school online program, counseling, test prep, or textbooks, among other things. The state must allow private organizations to provide those services.

The idea is strikingly similar to education savings accounts, an idea backed by private school choice supporters like DeVos and recently adopted in Tennessee.

The second option is for states to create a statewide virtual school or another program allowing students to access classes that their regular school doesn’t offer. States can either expand an existing program or create one from scratch.

The department cites research on Florida — a state long promoted as a model by DeVos — showing that a state-wide virtual school “may produce similar outcomes at a lower overall cost.” (But the department omits mention of a broader body of research showing that virtual charter schools produce much worse test scores than traditional schools.)

The final option is nebulously defined: For a state to create “models for providing remote education not yet imagined, to ensure that every child is learning and preparing for successful careers and lives.”

The department says it expects to award grants of $5 million to $20 million for winning states — a tiny fraction of state education budgets and of the main pot of coronavirus response relief money headed to states. But during an economic downturn, states will likely be eager to get any extra money they can, and some of the ideas, like the creation of a statewide virtual school, could have a lasting impact.

The department’s regulations emphasize that students who attend private schools must be eligible to participate.

Senator Braun’s Weekly Update | Smart Restart, Protecting Small Business from PPP Tax Liability

0

Senator Braun joined MSNBC Live to discuss how to protect the most vulnerable in nursing homes from COVID-19, Indiana’s plan for a smart reopen of the economy and how to reopen the country at large on a county-by-county, state-by-state basis.

Senator Braun joined Bloomberg’s Balance of Power to discuss the smart reopening of Indiana’s economy, and protecting our fruit and vegetable supply chains from destruction by expanding the Trump administration’s use of the Defense Protection Act to include them.

Meet the Press Daily: Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) says he is “OK with adjusting the approach” in response to reports of White House coronavirus task force winding down.

Senator Braun joined Stu Varney on Fox Business’s Varney & Co. to discuss Indiana’s play to reopen the Hoosier economy and why Congress needs to fix its budget dysfunction sooner with new COVID-19 relief spending.

U.S. Senator Mike Braun announced his intent to introduce legislation when he returns to Washington to fully protect small businesses from tax liability associated with loans forgiven under the Paycheck Protection Program. The Safeguarding Small Business Act clarifies that there is no tax liability associated with loans forgiven under the Paycheck Protection Program. 

Northeast Indiana Rep. Jim Banks and Sen. Mike Braun were both recognized by one of the country’s leading conservative political action committees for their voting records.

Braun also scored highly in his first-ever ranking, recording a 95% match with the ACU’s priorities. 

For Coronavirus Assistance, please visit braun.senate.gov/coroanvirus-assistance.

To subscribe to this newsletter and see other updates from Senator Braun, visit his official website. 

To unsubscribe from Senator Braun’s Weekly Update, please contact press@braun.senate.gov. 

Temporary Entrance Opens May 13 at the East Wastewater Treatment Plant

0

A temporary entrance at the East Wastewater Treatment Plant, located at 1500 Waterworks Road, is scheduled to open on Tuesday, May 13. The temporary entrance is south of the existing entrance and closer to the raised levee embankment.

It is important for motorists traveling near the plant on Waterworks Road to slow down, observe the 30 mph speed limit and watch for traffic entering and exiting the plant. Message boards will be placed near the temporary entrance on Waterworks Road urging motorists to reduce speed.

The existing entrance will remain closed for approximately one year while improvements are constructed at the East Plant. The expansion project will increase the plant’s wet weather capacity to 40 million gallons a day in compliance with the federal consent decree.

For reference, Veterans Memorial Parkway is located near the top of the photograph.

UE Virtually Celebrates with 2020 Graduates

0
U E

The University of Evansville celebrates with the graduating class of 2020. President, Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz stated, “Today is the day our graduates to celebrate their tremendous success. Although they are not walking across the stage at the Ford Center, it is still a powerful moment they can reflect on their accomplishments. While at the University of Evansville, students transform their life through years of study, gaining skills for their future career and making life-long friends. This year’s class has a unique journey, but we didn’t want this day to go by without recognizing and celebrating with them and their families.”

The University has created a Commencement Corner web page that was emailed to students this morning at 10am, which would have been the start of the originally scheduled commencement. This web page includes:

  • A message to congratulate you on students on their academic success and an opportunity for them to have tassel practice prior to the new Commencement date on September 19.
  • The announcement of the commencement speaker.
  • A video looking back video over the past few years.
  • This year’s video from the Leadership Awards Program.
  • Steps on how students can start their journey as a member of the Alumni Association.

“I hope our students and their families join us virtually in celebrating this day and take great pride in saying I Aced It!,” said President, Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz.

Death List Report

0

Death Lists Report 05-04-2020 TO 05-08-2020

“Right Jab And Middle Jab And Left Jab” MAY 10, 2020

0

“Right Jab And Middle Jab And Left Jab” MAY 10, 2020

“Right Jab And Middle Jab And Left Jab” was created because we have a couple of commenters that post on a daily basis either in our “IS IT TRUE” or “Readers Forum” columns concerning National or International issues.
The majority of our “IS IT TRUE” columns are about local or state issues, so we have decided to give our more opinionated readers exclusive access to our newly created “LEFT JAB and Middle Jab and RIGHT JAB”  column. They now have this post to exclusively discuss national or world issues that they feel passionate about.
We shall be posting the “LEFT JAB” AND “MIDDLE JAB” AND “RIGHT JAB” several times a week.  Oh, “LEFT JAB” is a liberal view, “MIDDLE JAB” is the libertarian view and the “RIGHT JAB is representative of the more conservative views. Also, any reader who would like to react to the written comments in this column is free to do so.

HOT JOBS IN EVANSVILLE

0
‌
Medical Receptionist
The Eye Group of Southern Indiana – Evansville, IN
Medical Receptionist needed for busy ophthalmology practice Monday – Friday 8am to 5pm. Requires professionalism, excellent customer service skills, computer…
Easily apply
Apr 30
Medical Front Desk Registration and Reception
Mercy Urgent Care 3.8/5 rating   15 reviews  – Evansville, IN
Mercy Urgent Care has two (2) full time openings for an experienced Medical Front Desk Registration & Receptionist with a positive attitude.
Easily apply
May 8
Receptionist
Pine Haven Health & Rehabilitation Center – Evansville, IN
Offering Competitive Wages & Benefits Package. Pinehaven Health and Rehabilitation Center. Pinehaven Health and Rehabilitation Center is a Long Term Care…
Easily apply
May 4
Office Assistant – OB/Gyn
St. Vincent, IN 3.7/5 rating   5,194 reviews  – Evansville, IN
Full-Time, Days, Monday – Friday, 8AM-4:30PM. Vincent Medical Group – Partners In Women’s Health. Vincent operates 24 hospitals in addition to a comprehensive…
May 5
Office Assistant – Dr. Sash
St. Vincent, IN 3.7/5 rating   5,194 reviews  – Evansville, IN
Vincent operates 24 hospitals in addition to a comprehensive network of affiliated joint ventures, medical practices, and clinics.
May 5
Receptionist (Full-Time Weekends)
North Park Nursing Center 3.1/5 rating   858 reviews  – Evansville, IN
Bring your heart to work! Caring people make the difference at American Senior Communities! Compassion, Accountability, Relationships and Excellence are the…
May 4
Office Assistant – Primary Care
St. Vincent, IN 3.7/5 rating   5,194 reviews  – Evansville, IN
MOB Primary Care Suite 110 E. Vincent operates 24 hospitals in addition to a comprehensive network of affiliated joint ventures, medical practices, and clinics.
May 5
Receptionist (Part-Time Evening)
North Park Nursing Center 3.1/5 rating   858 reviews  – Evansville, IN
Bring your heart to work! Caring people make the difference at American Senior Communities! Compassion, Accountability, Relationships and Excellence are the…
May 4
Clerical Assistant (Temporary FT)
Audubon Area Community Services, Inc. 3.7/5 rating   55 reviews  – Henderson, KY
$9.18 an hour
Working 30 hours per week until funds are no longer available. Will enter data, answer phone calls, copy documents, provide customer service, and accept phone…
Easily apply
May 8
Security Receptionist – Seasonal
Ellis Entertainment, LLC – Henderson, KY
Maintain regular and punctual attendance including working odd and unusual hours, weekends and holidays.  Work in cooperation with other system development…
Easily apply
May 8
MEDICAL OFFICE ASSISTANT- HENDERSON HEALTHPLEX
Owensboro Health 3.8/5 rating   163 reviews  – Henderson, KY
Responsible for a variety of clinical and administrative tasks related to patient registration, assessments, and scheduling while maintaining confidentiality,…
May 6
Office Coordinator
Holiday Health Care 3.4/5 rating   13 reviews  – Evansville, IN
$10.00 – $10.82 an hour
The Village is seeking an applicant with a welcoming demeanor to make our visitors and residents feel at home. Must be able to work weekends.
Easily apply
May 7
Administrative Assistant to the Chief of Staff – Part Time
Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation 3.8/5 rating   60 reviews  – Evansville, IN
$22.50 an hour
Greet visitors and determine whether they should be given access to specific individuals. Act as liaison between EVSC Administration and liability insurance…
May 5
GRAVEYARD Front Desk Receptionist (part-time)
Redbanks Towers and Apartments – Henderson, KY
$8.00 – $8.25 an hour
Serves visitors by greeting, welcoming, and directing them appropriately. Notifies company personnel of visitor arrival. High school or equivalent (Required).
Easily apply
May 5
PSE MAIL PROCESSING CLERK
United States Postal Service 3.5/5 rating   25,476 reviews  – Mount Vernon, IN
$17.19 an hour
Citizens, lawful permanent resident aliens, citizens of American Samoa or other territory owing permanent allegiance. This job has an exam requirement.
May 4
Front Desk Clerk (Check-in/Check-out)
WOMEN’S HEALTH CARE P.C. – Newburgh, IN
If/when scheduling appointment, carefully screens patients for new address, new patient visit or update registration and informs patient of adequate information…
Easily apply
Mar 12
Administrative Assistant
Medical Staffing Solutions 3.6/5 rating   85 reviews  – Evansville, IN
$13 an hour
If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail or call 812-469-6877 and let us…
Easily apply
May 6
Medical Assistant/Receptionist
Hoosier Foot and Ankle – Indiana
$11 – $14 an hour
Medical Assistant for Podiatrist office. Position requires travel between offices. Must be able to work front and back office.
Easily apply
May 6

HEALTH DEPARTMENT UPDATES STATEWIDE COVID-19 CASE COUNTS, ANNOUNCES DRIVE-THRU TESTING CLINICS

0

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) today announced that 606 additional Hoosiers have been diagnosed with COVID-19 through testing at ISDH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and private laboratories. That brings to 23,732 the total number of Indiana residents known to have the novel coronavirus following corrections to the previous day’s total.　

Intensive care unit and ventilator capacity remain steady. More than 40 percent of ICU beds and 81 percent of ventilators were available as of Saturday.　

A total of 1,362 Hoosiers have been confirmed to have died of COVID-19, an increase of 34 over the previous day. Another 128 probable deaths have been reported based on clinical diagnoses in patients for whom no positive test is on record. Deaths are reported based on when data are received by ISDH and occurred over multiple days.

To date, 135,686 tests have been reported to ISDH, up from 130,128 on Friday.　

Marion County had the most new cases, at 170. Other counties with more than 10 new cases were Allen (22), Bartholomew (10), Cass (13), Clark (16), Elkhart (28), Hamilton (19), Hancock (18), Hendricks (25), Jackson (23), Johnson (21), Lake (33), LaPorte (15), Madison (18), Montgomery (11), Morgan (12), St. Joseph (13) and Tippecanoe (20). The Lake County totals include results from East Chicago and Gary, which have their own health departments. A complete list of cases by county is posted at www.coronavirus.in.gov, which is updated daily at noon. Cases are listed by county of residence.　

To ensure Hoosiers have greater access to testing, ISDH has launched a large-scale testing effort at 20 sites around the state, with an additional 30 sites scheduled to open next week. Individuals can register online at https://lhi.care/covidtesting or by calling (888) 634-1116. 　

Individuals who have symptoms of COVID-19 and those who have been exposed and need a test to return to work are encouraged to visit a testing site. Individuals without symptoms who are at high risk because they are over age 65, have diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure or another underlying condition, as well as those who are pregnant or a member of a minority population that’s at greater risk for severe illness, also are encouraged to get tested.　

Individuals should bring proof of Indiana residency such as a state-issued ID, work ID or utility bill. This testing is free to individuals, and health insurance is not required. However, if individuals have private health insurance, they should bring their insurance information with them to their testing appointment.

VANDERBURGH COUNTY RECENT BOOKING RECORDS

0

https://www.vanderburghsheriff.com/jail-recent-booking-records.aspx

1...2,8542,8552,856...7,299Page 2,855 of 7,299