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Great Lakes Restoration Initiative receives $20 million in additional funding EPA proposes allocations of FY 2020 funding increase

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Following Congress’ appropriation of an additional $20 million in Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) funding for FY2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that it anticipates using the increase to further its efforts to address persistent challenges affecting the Great Lakes including Areas of Concern (AOCs), invasive species control and prevention, excess nutrients, and habitat restoration.

“Eliminating water pollution and boosting restoration of the Great Lakes is a priority for me as Administrator at EPA,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “With this additional $20 million, we will be able to target many harder-to-solve challenge areas like invasive species and high nutrient loads.”

“Thanks to this boost in GLRI funding we can expect to see even more progress in protecting and restoring the Great Lakes,” said Region 5 Administrator and Great Lakes National Program Manager Kurt Thiede. “EPA looks forward to working with our partners on ballast water research, cleaning up Areas of Concern and keeping trash and litter out of the Great Lakes.”

The GLRI program represents a concerted coordination of federal agency resources to restore and protect the Great Lakes. Each year, Congress appropriates GLRI funding to EPA, which then transfers a significant portion of the GLRI funds to other federal agencies. The funds are used to implement projects that address the most important Great Lakes priorities. When contemplating how best to use the additional $20 million, EPA considered the GLRI Action Plan III, the traditional targets of GLRI funding, statutory and congressional directives, and current agency priorities.

EPA plans to use the additional $20 million as follows:

  • Accelerate the Cleanup and Restoration of Great Lakes AOCs ($7.5 million): The additional funds will be targeted to significant sediment remediation and habitat restoration projects to help meet the aggressive goals in GLRI Action Plan III to remediate, restore and delist U.S. AOCs.
  • Fund Research and Development of Ballast Water Treatment Systems ($5 million): The additional funds will support further invasive species prevention by funding research and development of ballast water treatment systems for cargo vessels that operate primarily, but not exclusively, within the Great Lakes.
  • Support the Great Lakes Trash Free Waters Grant Program ($2 million): The additional funds will continue efforts to provide healthy habitat for fish and wildlife by keeping trash out of the Great Lakes.
  • Support Great Lakes states activities to reduce excess nutrient loads, restore habitat, and control and prevent invasive species ($5 million): The additional funds will be targeted for the highest priorities of the Great Lakes states to reduce excess nutrient loads, protect or restore habitat, and prevent and control aquatic invasive species such as Asian carp.
  • Support Great Lakes National Program Office operations ($500,000): Additional funds are needed to support operations in the Great Lakes National Program Office.

Public Officials in the Great Lakes Region Applaud EPA’s Announcement:

Congressman Dave Joyce (OH-14), Co-Chair of the House Great Lakes Task Force: “I applaud the EPA for using Congress’ recent funding increase for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to build upon its efforts to clean up Areas of Concern, combat Harmful Algal Blooms, control invasive species, and keep trash out of the Great Lakes. As someone who grew up on the shores of Lake Erie, I am proud to have led the bipartisan effort in Congress to increase funding for this critical initiative and look forward to continuing to work with EPA and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to protect the invaluable natural resource and economic powerhouse that is the Great Lakes system.”

Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Co-Chair of the House Great Lakes Task Force: “The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative meets an enormous unmet need for our region and the millions of people who depend on the Great Lakes for their drinking water, work, and leisure. The Great Lakes are among our planet’s greatest gifts. They provide our nation with 90% of our fresh surface water, are home to thousands of unique plant and animal species, and generate over $60 billion in wages every year. Put simply, our Great Lakes cannot be replaced – they must be protected and deserve robust federal investment. Today’s announcement reflects the bipartisan Congressional effort to increase funding for GLRI in Fiscal Year 2020, a process set in motion by the House Appropriations Committee, on which I serve. The GLRI is reshaping the ecological future of our Great Lakes for the better. I look forward to the good these funds will do through a wide variety of projects and initiatives in the region.”

Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02), Co-Chair of the House Great Lakes Task Force: “The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has established an effective record of protecting, preserving, and strengthening the Great Lakes for future generations.  This announcement will build on that success by enhancing efforts to clean up legacy pollution, prevent the spread of invasive species, and restore critical habitats in West Michigan and communities across the Great Lakes Basin.”

Congressman Bob Gibbs (OH-07): “As I have said for years, the Great Lakes is one of our nation’s most important resources. From the commerce it drives regionally to the drinking water it provides locally, the ecological safety of the lakes is important to the lives and livelihoods of millions of Americans. As an advocate for the Great Lakes in Congress, I have fought to make sure the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative gets the funding it needs to maintain projects like pollution reduction and stopping invasive species. I am happy to see the EPA putting Congress’ funding to good use.”

Congressman Jack Bergman (MI-01): “Those of us who call Michigan home know the importance of our water and the need to protect, preserve, and restore this treasured natural resource. These additional funds for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative will further allow us to fight invasive species, conserve species habitats, and further protect our nation’s freshwater. The continued focus on the Great Lakes region by the Administration and Congress is critical to the health of our Great Lakes, our communities, our rich sportsman heritage, and the economy of northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.”

Congressman John Moolenaar (MI-04): “Right now, millions of Michigan residents are looking forward to when we can once again enjoy the Great Lakes with our friends and family. This new funding will go towards invasive species control, restoring habitats and protecting the Great Lakes for all of us. That’s why I worked in Congress on the House Appropriations Committee to support the GLRI and get this funding for Michigan. Finally, I want to thank the EPA for its support of the GLRI and for moving this funding forward.”

Congressman Paul Mitchell (MI-10): “Throughout my time in Congress I have advocated for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) because of its importance to Michigan and the entire Great Lakes region. I’m pleased to see the EPA’s announcement of an additional $20 million in GLRI funding. I will continue to support efforts like this that protect and restore this national treasure that our communities rely on for drinking water, recreation, and commerce.”

Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08): “Lake Superior is a national treasure and key pillar of our economy. The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is vital in preserving this special place for future generations to enjoy and guaranteeing continued economic prosperity for Minnesota’s Eighth District. I was happy to vote for this increased funding and am pleased to see it implemented.”

Ohio EPA Director Laurie A. Stevenson: “This additional funding can help Ohio and other states improve our areas of concern and support other important water quality priorities in the Lake Erie basin.”

Ohio Senate President Larry Obhof (R-Medina): “I’m grateful for the EPA’s continued focus on Lake Erie. This additional funding is critical to protecting the lake’s viability as an incredible natural resource and economic powerhouse, not only for Ohio but also for the United States.”

Indiana State Senator Ed Charbonneau, Chair of the Great Lakes Legislative Caucus: “Indiana’s water quality is one of my highest priorities, and protecting the Great Lakes is extremely important to ensuring clean water is available for the communities of northern Indiana and our entire nation. These bodies and channels of water are globally significant natural resources and ecosystems, and this increased funding will play a central role in our continued efforts to restore and protect the Great Lakes.”

Minnesota State Senator Jason Rarick (R-Pine City): “I’m very pleased our communities could benefit from the $20 million in additional funding for the Great Lakes Initiative. In the land of 10,000 lakes, caring for our waters is more than just maintenance, it’s about improving and restoring the lakes to their full beauty for future generations to enjoy. I appreciate having a federal partner in the effort to restore and improve our Great Lakes.”

Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller: “This additional investment in the health and continued improvement in our Great Lakes is both welcome and needed. Our magnificent Great Lakes are a national treasure, and continued funding of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative demonstrates our nations commitment to them.”

For more information about the GLRI, please visit: https://glri.us

Staying informed during COVID-19 pandemic by Wendy McNamara

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As the coronavirus pandemic continues to unfold, the health departments in Posey and Vanderburgh counties are working hard to keep us informed and providing updates.
The Posey County Health Department on Facebook gives updates on the latest number of COVID-19 cases in the county and state, key takeaways from Gov. Eric Holcomb’s announcements and new resources available for testing patients. To provide county-specific data, the Vanderburgh County Health Department started a COVID-19 dashboard featuring a social distancing scoreboard, a case-by-case tracker, patient demographics and more.

With a lot of misinformation being shared on social media, we need reliable sources for correct information. Local health departments are circulating accurate information and providing clarity for our community. The staff strives to serve our neighborhoods with integrity and assured preparedness against any threat or emergency.

To these dedicated workers and other local medical staff, we say “thank you.”

To contact the Posey County Health Department, call 812-838-1328 or visit poseycountyin.gov. The Vanderburgh County Health Department can be reached online at health.vanderburghcounty.in.gov or by calling
812-435-2400. For recent updates from the state, click here.

Gov. Holcomb Announces Taskforce to Track COVID-19 Spending

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INDIANAPOLIS — Governor Eric J. Holcomb today announced a taskforce to plan, administer and account for federal relief funds the state of Indiana receives from the CARES Act.

Indiana’s Economic Relief and Recovery Team will be chaired by Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Cris Johnston and Secretary of Commerce Jim Schellinger.

A committee of business leaders with extensive public service background will advise the chairs.

  • Al Hubbard, former economic policy advisor and director of the National Economic Council for President George W. Bush
  • Luke Kenley, former Indiana state senator
  • Ryan Kitchell, former OMB director
  • Kristin Marcuccilli, Indiana Economic Development Corporation board member
  • Becky Skillman, former lieutenant governor

The slides from today’s press conference are attached.

Click here to download public service announcements (PSAs) recorded by the state for your use: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/egf210ognxxyx4h/AADYd7E-tBn7P6gtiLSZUiVBa?dl=0

 

EPD REPORT

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EPD REPORT

VANDERBURGH COUNTY RECENT BOOKING RECORDS

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

Peace, Love, Prosperity, Good Health On This Happy Easter Day

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 Easter Quotes To Share This Holiday

By KATHRYN KATTALIA

Obviously, you know that Easter is a religious holiday. If you are Christian, it celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which forms the entire foundation of the Christian faith.

But, as these non-religious Easter quotes prove, for many people, Easter has also come to represent wider tropes of springtime, fertility, happiness, transformation, and rebirth.

So, whether you are in need of a little inspiration to get yourself into the seasonal spirit of the holiday, or are just looking for some wise words to share on Facebook (hey, no judgment), these quotes can be your guide. They might not be quite so sweet as a Cadbury Creme Egg, but they are still just as fitting.

Much has been written about Easter, and spring in general — both from a religious point of view and otherwise. Of course, it’s probably been years since you cared about things like the Easter Bunny or getting the most candy in your Easter basket, but like Christmas, Easter still gets a pretty bad rap these days for being a commercialized holiday mired in stress and unnecessary spending. But, it doesn’t have to be that way.
Regardless of how seriously you celebrate Easter, these quotes get to the bottom of what the holiday is all about — new life, hope, and fresh starts. This season, find a quote that speaks to you.
A LITTLE INSPIRATION TO YOU AND YOUR LOVE ONES
Easter spells out beauty, the rare beauty of new life.  S. D. Gordan
“For I remember it is Easter morn, and life and love and peace are all newborn.” — Alice Freeman Palmer
 “No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow.” — Proverb
 “Easter is meant to be a symbol of hope, renewal, and new life.” — Janine di Giovanni

“Despite the forecast, live like it’s spring.” ― Lilly Pulitzer

“Easter is very important to me, it’s a second chance.” — Reba McEntire

Peace, love, prosperity, and good health be with you and your family. – CCO Staff.

More than 2,200 Coronavirus Deaths In Nursing Homes, But Federal Government Isn’t Tracking Them

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By Suzy Khimm, Laura Strickler, Andrew Blankstein and Peter Georgiev of NBC NEWS
 
The numbers are likely a significant undercount, given the limited access to testing and other constraints, state officials and public health experts say.
Nearly 2,500 long-term care facilities in 36 states are battling coronavirus cases, according to data gathered by NBC News from state agencies, an explosive increase of 522 percent compared to a federal tally just 10 days ago.

The total dwarfs the last federal estimate on March 30 — based on “informal outreach” to state health departments — that more than 400 nursing homes had at least one case of the virus.

The full scale of the virus’s impact is even greater than NBC News’ tally, as key states including Florida did not provide data, and nursing homes across the United States are still struggling for access to testing.

The toll of these outbreaks is growing. NBC News tallied 2,246 deaths associated with long-term care facilities, based on responses from 24 states. This, too, is an undercount; about half of all states said they could not provide data on nursing home deaths, or declined to do so. Some states said they do not track these deaths at all.

Nursing home residents are among those most likely to die from the coronavirus, given their advanced age and the prevalence of other health conditions. But the federal government does not keep a formal tally of the number of coronavirus deaths in nursing homes or the number of facilities with infections, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

Experts say more comprehensive data is critical to battling the virus and understanding why it is spreading faster in some nursing homes than others.

“It’s impossible to fight and contain this virus if we don’t know where it’s located,” said David Grabowski, a professor of health care policy at Harvard Medical School, who added that more information-gathering and transparency could help protect against future outbreaks. “You could see where it could be headed next,” he said.

Toby Edelman, senior policy attorney at the Center for Medicare Advocacy, a nonpartisan legal advocacy organization, agreed.

“It’s critical to have accurate information about which nursing homes have residents with confirmed cases of COVID-19,” she said, referring to the disease caused by the coronavirus, “and which facilities need more staff and personal protective equipment so that states can target additional resources where the need is greatest.”

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services — the division of the federal government that oversees long-term care facilities — said states must comply with state and local reporting requirements for coronavirus cases. The agency referred questions to the CDC, which declined to comment.

Absent federal reporting requirements, there is a large variation in state efforts to gather information on coronavirus infections in nursing homes and their willingness to disclose it.

Nearly 60 percent of the deaths tallied by NBC News occurred in New York, where more than 1,300 residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities have died, according to the state health department. In Washington state, which had the country’s first nursing home outbreak, there are 221 deaths associated with long-term care facilities. Illinois, Louisiana, New Jersey, and Connecticut all reported more than 100 deaths.

The death tolls in most states include only nursing home residents. But a few states, such as Washington, include staff members.

Some states with the largest coronavirus outbreaks — including California, Michigan, and Pennsylvania — did not provide the total number of deaths in long-term care facilities.

Sixteen states released the names of the nursing homes with infections. Some states have only published such details after public pressure for greater disclosure. Two Democratic senators sent a letter to federal health officials last week demanding a complete list of affected U.S. facilities.

Maryland and Ohio declined to release the names of affected facilities or the total number of nursing home deaths because of state privacy laws, state officials said, despite an outbreak that has killed 18 residents in a single Maryland nursing home and at least 40 nursing home deaths in Ohio.

Georgia provided a list naming the facilities with infections, but declined to specify the numbers of coronavirus cases and deaths in nursing homes because the figures were “too dynamic,” according to Nancy Nydam, a state health department spokeswoman.

Other states say they are actively working to bring such information to light: In Massachusetts, officials say they aim to include nursing home deaths as part of the state’s daily report on the virus, published online, as Connecticut already does. Colorado, South Carolina, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and Virginia also said they were working to provide more detailed information.

Some states, however, said they lacked the technology and resources to gather basic information on nursing home infections and deaths.

“This is not information consistently entered into the Michigan Disease Surveillance System reporting system by local health departments, and we don’t currently have the infrastructure within that system to collect the information and report it out,” said Lynn Sutfin, a spokeswoman for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

Kansas, South Dakota, Alaska and Washington, D.C., did not respond to requests for data.

One Nursing Home Offers Grim Advice: Take Your Loved Ones Home

Even numbers provided by state health departments are likely to significantly undercount the total, given the limited access to testing and other constraints, state officials and public health experts say.

Nevada, for example, reported 20 long-term care facilities with COVID-19 infections but said the data only reflected facilities “that proactively reported symptomatic staff and residents and have had laboratory-confirmed cases or suspect cases with laboratory testing in process,” according to a document provided by the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health.

“Universal testing for COVID-19 is not available for all staff and residents,” the Nevada document added.

The same obstacles also mean that many coronavirus deaths are not being counted nationwide.

Meanwhile, the virus has continued to rage through nursing homes across the country, many of which lack adequate equipment to protect their residents and staff.

A leading industry group said that more data would not affect nursing homes’ response to the crisis.

“We are suggesting that providers act as if COVID is already in their building, even if there are no confirmed cases,” the American Health Care Association, which represents nursing homes, said in a statement. “While more data is helpful, knowing the number of infections will not change the way our providers are reacting to prevent and contain the spread of the virus.”

In the Atlanta area, coronavirus cases are quickly rising, and eight nursing home residents have died as of Friday, according to the Fulton County Board of Health.

“At first, it was just a trickle, and it seems like it just multiplied dramatically over the last week or so,” Dr. S. Elizabeth Ford, the county’s interim district health director, said. “We need to know where the clusters are so we can direct those resources.

Gov. Beshear Asks for Kentuckians’ Best Efforts in COVID-19 Fight

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Gov. Beshear Asks for Kentuckians’ Best Efforts in COVID-19 Fight

Amid Passover and Easter celebrations, Governor urges compliance as cases continue to grow

FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 10, 2020) – Gov. Andy Beshear on Friday urged Kentuckians of all faiths to stay strong in the fight against the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as cases continue to grow.

“This is a time and weekend, a whole week for multiple faiths, that is about faith. It’s about knowing we have faced as people – as Christians, as Jews, as members of many faiths – many difficult, dark times, and we have prevailed,” the Governor said. “We know that the weeks or the months ahead will be difficult. We know that there are going to be tougher days before there are easier days. But we also know because we have faith that we are going to get through this and we are going to get through it together. We are going to pass this test of humanity.”

While getting compliance and support from a vast majority of leaders and Kentuckians in the faith community, Gov. Beshear is warning anyone planning to attend an in-person mass gathering this weekend that they will face quarantine orders.

“This is the only way we can ensure that your decision doesn’t kill someone else,” the Governor said. Gov. Beshear has noted that an outbreak in Hopkins County that sickened dozens and led to multiple deaths was traced to a church revival there in mid-March.

He said officials are aware of only about six churches in the commonwealth that are still planning to hold in-person services.

Anyone attending such a gathering will be notified it is a misdemeanor violation of the emergency orders issued by the Governor and Kentucky Department for Public Health. The Governor said the order is for all mass gatherings and not just worship services.

Gov. Beshear said Kentucky State Police will be recording the license plate numbers of any vehicle seen at the gatherings. Local health officials then will contact the people associated with those vehicles and require them to self-quarantine for 14 days.

“Folks, we shouldn’t have to do this,” the Governor said. “What we’re asking is for you to love your neighbor as yourself. We shouldn’t have to do this.”

Gov. Beshear also played a video featuring faith leaders from around the commonwealth, who all stressed that Kentuckians need to stay healthy at home this weekend.

“I want to encourage you to meet together separately this Sunday, to remind you that on that first Easter Jesus came to people behind locked doors,” Chris Michael, pastor of the First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ in Owensboro said. “He will come to you as well.”

While mass gatherings are banned and many travel restrictions are in place, the Governor has told Kentuckians not to worry about the Easter Bunny, who has been deemed an “essential worker” and will be able to travel and work this weekend.

The long-term care task force

Gov. Beshear on Friday convened a new task force aimed at addressing concerns in Kentucky’s long-term care facilities, where residents and staffers are at elevated risk to coronavirus outbreaks.

The new 10-member advisory board is comprised of professionals who represent a range of specialties and perspectives.

“This fast-moving situation,” said Eric Friedlander, acting secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. “We’ve asked a very small group of individuals – 10 individuals, most of the physicians – to come and help us think through how to balance all these different things, and to make sure we’re protecting our loved ones.”

The board’s initial goal is to develop a variety of protocols to help the facilities operate safely while dealing with COVID-19 cases amid residents and staffers.

Sign language lesson
Virginia Moore, executive director of the Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, provided a lesson Friday in American Sign Language.

Moore took to the lectern and explained how to sign the phrase that Gov. Beshear repeats at the beginning of each news conference on the coronavirus: “We will get through this, and we will get through this together.”

Gov. Beshear participated in learning ASL and promised that Moore will continue to offer lessons at future news conferences “so as we go through this each and every day so that all of us can better communicate with each and every brother and sister here in the commonwealth.”

Case information
As of 5 p.m. April 10, Gov. Beshear said there were at least 1,693 coronavirus cases in Kentucky, 242 of which were newly confirmed. The total included a revision after a duplicate report was discovered.

“It is here. We are in the midst of our surge and escalating cases. Now is the time we have to be at our very best,” the Governor said. “The next couple of weeks being absolutely critical not only to us blunting or flattening the curve but really protecting those that are most vulnerable, especially our seniors that are in different types of assisted living facilities.”

Even amid the escalating cases, Gov. Beshear noted a hopeful sign as Kentuckians recover from the illness.

“We can report – this is really good news – that we have had at least 464 Kentuckians recovered. That’s 27 percent,” he said. “And when you think about the period of time that it takes to recover because it’s not really short, that’s really positive news already.”

Sadly, Gov. Beshear said 11 new deaths were reported Friday, raising the state’s toll to 90 deaths related to the virus.

The newly reported deaths include six men from Jefferson County, ages 66, 68, 75, 92 and two 73-year-olds; a 77-year-old man from Butler County; a 75-year-old woman in Meade County; a 75-year-old man in McCracken County; an 80-year-old man in Hopkins County; and an 81-year-old from Daviess County.

As a sign of compassion and renewal, the Governor asked Kentuckians again to join him in lighting their homes green tonight in honor of the lives lost.

“These are 11 individuals that are loved by their families, their communities,” Gov. Beshear said. “That means we’ve lost 90 amazing Kentuckians, which is a loss to all of us. So for 90 separate Kentuckians, let’s commit to doing better. I know you’re working hard; let’s commit to doing better.”

Gov. Beshear also offered an update on the racial breakdown of COVID-19 patients, which has been the subject of news stories across the country.

The Governor said with about 69% of the known cases accounted for, Kentucky’s cases included about 81.72% Caucasian, 11.70% African-American, 3.54% other race, 2.5% Asian, 3.86% multiracial and 0.1% Native American or Alaskan Native.

On fatalities attributed to the coronavirus, with about 81% of the known cases accounted for, Kentucky deaths included about 79.45% Caucasian, 19.17% African-American and 1.36% Asian.

More information
The Governor is asking all Kentuckians to continue to fight the spread of the virus by following his 10-step guidance, which includes practicing social distancing and staying healthy at home. Gov. Beshear says these efforts have the potential to save the lives of as many as 11,000 Kentuckians.

Read about other key updates, actions and information from Gov. Beshear and his administration at governor.ky.gov, kycovid19.ky.gov, and the Governor’s official social media accounts Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Watch the Governor’s social media accounts at 5 p.m. ET each day for his regular briefing.

Commentary: The Way We Live Now

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By Mary Beth Schneider
TheStatehouseFile.com

INDIANAPOLIS— I tried to remember the last day that felt normal. The old normal.

It was March 11. That was the last day of this year’s session of the Indiana General Assembly. Bills were being passed, or dying, in the final minutes of the legislature. Lawmakers sat inches from each other in the chambers. Reporters sat elbow to elbow. In the hallways outside the Senate and House chambers, lobbyists huddled in bunches.

There were handshakes and close conversations. No one was wiping down anything with Purell. I remember one lawmaker rolling his eyes when someone mentioned New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo had called out the National Guard in that state to help with the coronavirus epidemic.

That day there were 1,267 coronavirus cases confirmed in the United States and 38 deaths.

Not even a month has passed.

As of Thursday, Indiana alone had a reported 3,039 cases with 78 deaths.

Nationwide, there were 232,837 confirmed cases of COVID-19 — the label given this novel coronavirus — and 5,557 deaths.

By the time you read this, all of those numbers will have grown. By the time you read this, you or I might be one of those numbers.

That is the new normal. I made my first new normal grocery venture on March 13 to find massive lines and empty bins where potatoes and bananas had been, empty shelves where toilet paper and paper towels had been. Days later when I found everything I needed on another trip — toilet paper! Clorox disinfecting wipes! — I felt the thrill of victory. I’ll never take them for granted again.

This new normal is like nothing before in most of our lives. I was too young to remember what it was like in the 1950s when polio terrified parents across the nation, who saw children awake just fine in the morning and struggling to breathe by the afternoon.

I have only a vague memory of my mom taking my sister, brother and me to a nearby school where we joined a queue of children to get a little cup of a sugary liquid. It was the polio vaccine. Thanks to that vaccine, polio was eliminated in the United States by 1979. A polio-free America became the new normal.

Today, we know scientists are working on a vaccine for COVID-19 and we know they will succeed. The new normal, someday, will be a world where a shot wards off this virus. But that is not our normal.

Our new normal also does not compare to the terrorist attacks of 9/11. Then we were shocked and grief-stricken, afraid to turn away from our TVs while longing to turn away. But when we did we could turn to each other to hug, to mourn, to cry. We didn’t know the words “social distancing.” We only knew the power of a hand to hold and a shoulder to cry on.

Flipping through Twitter and Facebook, I see the virtual gathering people do now, sharing both anger and grief with stories of optimism and triumph. We take hope from the 102-year-old woman in Italy and the 104-year-old man in Oregon. If they can survive, so can we! And then we cry as we read of the six-week-old baby who died of the virus.

Many of us know someone infected by this virus, some critically, some fatally. All of us are impacted, whether it’s seeing jobs and paychecks that once seemed secure vanish as stores and restaurants close, or seeing our retirement funds evaporate as the stock market plunges in reaction.

This is a war and we are all soldiers. We are all casualties.

Our new normal is fighting by staying home. It is talking to friends and family via FaceTime or Skype. It is washing our hands over and over. It is taking your temperature, just in case. It is going online to learn how to make a face mask; I now can do it with a cloth napkin and stretchy hair ties. It is standing six feet away from the next person in line at the cashier.

Recently someone posted that we can’t forget to stop and smell the roses. My new normal is smelling flowers — and even the cat litter — just to make sure I can, ever since I read that people infected with COVID-19 lose their sense of smell.

But I still notice the flowers. And I know someday the new normal will be smelling them for their fragrance alone.

FOOTNOTE:  Mary Beth Schneider is an editor with TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalists.

Unemployment Climbs As COVID-19 Ravages The Economy

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Unemployment Climbs As COVID-19 Ravages The Economy

April 9, 2020     Posted by

By Victoria Ratliff
TheStatehouseFile.com

INDIANAPOLIS—Indiana, like the rest of the country, saw a near-record number of people applying for unemployment last week as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to roil the economy and upend lives.

During Gov. Eric Holcomb’s daily press conference, Fred Payne, commissioner of the Department of Workforce Development, said the state is breaking all records for unemployment claims. During the week of March 28, a little more than 139,000 Hoosiers filed for unemployment. Claims were slightly down during the week ending April 4, with slightly more than 133,000 unemployment claims filed.

Fred Payne, a commissioner of the Department of Indiana Workforce Development, describes the work being done to make sure unemployed Hoosiers received benefits to help them through the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by Janet Williams, TheStatehouseFile.com

“Although we’re seeing a high number of claims being filed in Indiana, we’re also tracking an extremely large number of claims being paid,” he said as he described the work of his office. Since the beginning of April, the state has already made about 175,000 payments, compared to 71,000 payments in the entire month of April 2019.

The skyrocketing increase in employment comes as the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise, with Holcomb cautioning that the state has not yet hit the apex of the pandemic. Dr. Kristina Box, the commissioner of the Indiana State Department of Health, said there were 430 new cases of the virus for a total of 6,351, and 42 new deaths to report for a total of 245.

Holcomb continued to express the importance of social distancing and limiting gatherings to no more than 10 people. He and Box both urged people to continue to adhere to these guidelines during this holy week of both Christian and Jewish faiths.

“My only desire, our only desire is for your family, your congregation, the very definition of the word congregation, if for you to be as safe and as strong and as health next week as you are this week,” Holcomb said. “I would just say to everyone on these coming days, get the word and then get home.”

Box said the possible spread of the virus can be limited if participants stay home or attend services in their vehicles.

Dr. Kristina Box, the commissioner of the Indiana State Department of Health, provides the daily COVID-19 update Thursday. Photo by Janet Williams, TheStatehouseFile.com

“If you do feel the need to go into a field or go into a parking lot, I would say communions should be brought from your own home,” she said. “Bring your own crackers, your own juice or sparkling wine, and take that in remembrance of our Lord.”

The holiday season this year comes at a time when the nation is experiencing levels of unemployment that haven’t been seen since the Great Depression. More than 16.6 million people nationwide have applied for unemployment since the beginning of the outbreak.

Some of those who have been hit hard are those who are self-employed, who are eligible for special unemployment benefits under the federal pandemic recovery legislation.

However, Payne said the state isn’t currently able to process claims filed by self-employed workers, including independent contractors, because the state needs to build a new system to accommodate them.

“Once we identify a date certain when that new system or the program will roll out, we will let you know,” he said. The claims will be paid retroactive to March 29, he added.

Unemployment claims can be filed online here.

House Minority Leader Phil GiaQuinta, D-Fort Wayne, said in a statement that those who are still working through the pandemic need to be sure they are protected. He wrote a letter to Holcomb asking that employers provide paid sick leave to Hoosier workers amidst the COVID-19 outbreak to ensure they don’t accidentally spread the virus.

In his letter, he said the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which requires certain employers to provide workers impacted by COVID-19 with 80 hours of paid sick leave, was a step in the right direction. But, he said, this law doesn’t protect Hoosiers that work for a private company with more than 500 employees.

“I firmly believe that all Hoosiers should have access to paid family and medical leave regardless of the size of the company they work for,” he said in the letter.

He said that the state’s $2 billion surplus and financial resources dedicated to the state should be used to offset the financial impact on the state.

“During this pandemic, paid family and medical leave are essential to ensure that individuals who are infected (or have been exposed to COVID-19 due to caring for a sick family member) can remain home to help prevent the spread of this deadly virus,” he said.

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

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