| Many of us are feeling overwhelmed as we focus on the tremendous impact of COVID-19, whether it’s worrying about our health, loved ones, community or nation. | ||
While we establish a “new normal,” the stress of working remotely, teaching our children at home and practicing social distancing can also be a lot to handle. To help cope and protect your mental health, try these tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
The CDC also offers specific guidance for adults and first responders, and the Indiana Department of Education offers guidance for parents on talking to kids about the coronavirus. There are also local, state and federal resources available for those who are struggling and need extra assistance: |
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Tips for managing stress during COVID-19 pandemic
Summer I Classes Moved to Online Instruction
Our highest priority at the University of Evansville is the health and well-being of our community. As the COVID-19 virus continues to be a significant threat in our region, the University has decided that Summer I classes (May 18 – June 19) will continue to be offered through online instruction. For our full community-wide message, please visit or coronavirus section of our website at: https://www.evansville.edu/coronavirus/update-2020-04-06-summer-I.cfm.
Students at the University of Evansville shape powerful and enduring change. UE is the first in Indiana to be designated as an Ashoka U Changemaker Campus, and its changemaking culture empowers students to improve the world around them as UE Changemakers. With over 80 majors in the arts and sciences and pre-professional programs, UE’s diverse student body represents 44 states and 52 countries. U.S. News & World Report recognizes UE as the #6 Best College in the Midwest among private schools. For more information, please visit www.evansville.edu
View Online: http://evansville.meritpages.com/news/Summer-I-Classes-Moved-to-Online-Instruction/15048
EPA to Donate Personal Pr​otective Equipment to State and Local Responders Fighting COVID-19 Across the Country
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it has identified approximately 225,000 pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) available to support the COVID-19 response.
“EPA is working hard to support our nation’s first responders as they risk their own safety to save lives during the coronavirus pandemic,†said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “After searching our inventory of personal protective equipment, we identified excess supplies and sent them to those on the frontlines of this fight. At EPA we are here to help in any way we can and I encourage everyone else to do the same.â€
Over the coming days, EPA will develop a plan for rapid distribution of available personal protective equipment to FEMA or state and local governments in need, that are working COVID-19 operations. Among the items are protective disposable gloves, and full-body protective cover-all suits.
EPA maintains a supply of personal protective equipment as part of the Agency’s emergency response functions, such as responding to chemical, oil, radiological, biological and hazardous incidents. EPA also provides additional response assistance when state and local first responder capabilities have been exhausted or when additional support is requested. The Agency identified the excess personal protective equipment after assessing how much equipment would be needed to support EPA’s essential functions. EPA will donate excess equipment while still maintaining its emergency response readiness.
For information about EPA’s involvement with the COVID-19 response, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus.
Gov. Beshear Issues Urgent Call for PPE Donations in COVID-19 Fight
Gov. Beshear Issues Urgent Call for PPE Donations in COVID-19 Fight
Fourteen More Kentuckians Deceased Related To COVID-19
FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 6, 2020) – Gov. Andy Beshear on Monday made a call to action for any person, organization or business that can donate more personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline workers in the fight against the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“I know we still have more PPE out there, and we need it. This is a call to action, and you all have responded, but I know there’s more,†the Governor said.
Gov. Beshear and others have said latex-free gloves, gowns, and N95 and surgical masks remain in tight supply. He said his administration is making constant efforts to purchase more PPE but has faced significant challenges.
“Almost every lead we get is like going down a rabbit hole, or it is diverted by the federal government or to a different place,†the Governor said.
A new hotline (1-833-GIVE PPE) and website (giveppe.ky.gov) have streamlined the entire donation process. In addition, PPE donations now are being accepted at all 16 Kentucky State Police posts across the commonwealth and at Transportation Cabinet offices in Louisville and Lexington.
Gov. Beshear also said he spoke Monday with members of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce about help the business community here can provide in purchasing and manufacturing during this crisis.
The Governor also noted that earlier in the day, Vice President Mike Pence warned that Americans would experience “heartbreaking loss†this week.
“Our goal in Kentucky is, while we know there will be lost and we know it will be heartbreaking, that we control our own destiny by what we do and we minimize the loss that we are going to have here,†Gov. Beshear said.
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.
Dr. Steven Stack, a commissioner for the Department for Public Health, offered a warning on testing results now that more are being conducted in the commonwealth.
“This is actually really important,†he said. “A positive test does mean you have the disease, but a negative test does not guarantee you do not have the disease. That’s because sometimes if you test too early when someone is not showing symptoms, you may not have enough virus in your body for us to find it when we test you.â€
Dr. Stack said that in such cases people would test negative for coronavirus but could remain contagious and become ill later.
Vowing to keep consumers from unfairly being overcharged for goods or services during the pandemic, Gov. Beshear again extended his executive order prohibiting price gouging by another 15 days. Anyone with information about unfair sales or billing practices is encouraged to contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection hotline at 888-432-9257 or fill out the complaint form online.
The Governor also talked about how important Kentuckians’ actions are right now.
“Our actions every single day make a difference. Just remember those traits from the Greatest Generation: personal responsibility, integrity, work ethic, and faithful commitment. Those same traits can guide us through this coronavirus,†Gov. Beshear said. “I know this generation – us – we can be great, too. We can be great bypassing this test of humanity, protecting the people around us and throughout Kentucky.â€
The Governor also played a video message from Dr. F. Bruce Williams, senior pastor at Bates Memorial Baptist Church in Louisville.
“I know that we have faith, but we also know that we are guided by faith and wisdom and both of those are important,†said Dr. Williams. “They’re not mutually exclusive. God has given us faith, but he’s also given us consecrated common sense, so let’s join them in making sure that the flock that we guide – that we are the shepherds that not only feed them but also we’re the kind of shepherds who protect them.â€
State parks
Gov. Beshear announced the state would begin allowing first responders and front-line health care workers to quarantine in cabins at state parks in five locations across the commonwealth, which would allow them to quarantine away from their families and other loved ones if necessary.
“It’s a good use of those state parks and we’re excited to do it,†the Governor said Monday.
First responders and health care personnel interested in accommodations should contact their local emergency management operations center or visit kyem.ky.gov.
Case information
As of 5 p.m. April 6, Gov. Beshear said there were at least 1,008 cases in Kentucky, 54 of which were newly confirmed. There were 14 new deaths reported Monday, raising the state’s toll to 59 confirmed deaths related to the virus. The deaths announced Monday include: in Kenton County, a male who was 96 and females who were 89, 92 and two who were 91; in Jefferson County males who were 74 and 86 and females who were 56 and 85; a female, 81 and a male, 63, from Campbell; a male, 96, from Boyd; female, 74, from Fayette; and an 81-year-old male from McCracken.
As a sign of compassion and renewal, the Governor asked Kentuckians to join him in lighting their homes and businesses green tonight in honor of the lives lost.
The Governor also spoke Monday of the loss of June Hill, a McLean County native. Jamey Temple, June Hill’s granddaughter wrote a guest column for The Courier-Journal, which was published yesterday. The Governor showed June’s photo and read an excerpt from the article to help tell June’s story and bring greater awareness to those who have been lost to the cruel virus.
Recent Updates
CDC recommends using cloth masks
Gov. Beshear said Saturday that Kentucky is adopting on a voluntary basis the new guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommending that people wear cloth masks in some situations. The new CDC guidance on masks can be found here. “Cloth masks do not eliminate the need for you to do all of the social distancing,†Dr. Stack said.
National Guard helping food banks
Gov. Beshear said 334 members of the Kentucky National Guard have been activated to help at hospitals and food banks.
Read about other key updates from the week by visiting Gov. Beshear’s website, governor.ky.gov.
More information
Gov. Beshear has taken decisive action to protect all Kentuckians since the first case was confirmed in the commonwealth. To read the full list of actions Gov. Beshear has taken to limit the spread of the coronavirus, visit the official page for Kentucky’s Response to COVID-19.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages people to follow these steps to prevent illness. Kentuckians who want advice can call the state hotline at 800-722-5725 or call their local health care provider. To read Gov. Beshear’s news releases and watch other news regarding COVID-19 visit governor.ky.gov.
Each day at 5 p.m. ET, Gov. Beshear holds briefings for Kentuckians that are streamed online at his Facebook and YouTube pages.
Gov. Beshear continues to urge Kentuckians to be cautious of rumors and depend on proven and good sources of news, including governor.ky.gov, kycovid19.ky.gov and the Governor’s official social media accounts Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Governor Issues New Stay at Home Order
INDIANAPOLIS — Governor Eric J. Holcomb today issued a new two-week Stay At Home order designed to limit interactions among Hoosiers to increase containment of COVID-19. As of today, 4,944 people have tested positive and 139 people have died from the disease. There are now positive tests in 89 of 92 counties. Click here to see the executive order: https://www.in.gov/gov/2384.htm
As a part of this action, Gov. Holcomb also extended for two weeks the orders that limit in-person public activity at state government offices and put restrictions on the operation of restaurants, bars, and nightclubs.
“Hoosiers have done a great job adapting to the new rules put in place during this public health emergency, but I believe the next two weeks to month could be the most critical for all of us,†said Gov. Holcomb. “So I am asking you to take even more precautions: only make in-person purchases when absolutely needed and use other delivery and pickup options when available. Limit who is traveling with you and entering stores.â€
While the Stay At Home order chiefly continues as is, modifications and restrictions have been made to limit interactions among people. Here are some highlights of EO 20-18:
- Retail businesses that provide necessities of life may remain open but should limit the number of customers in the establishment at any given time; implement hours for elderly and other vulnerable populations, as well as limited hours of operation, to restock and clean;Â and comply with all mitigation measures to protect employees and the public. A list of such businesses is included in the executive order.
- All other retail businesses may remain open if they restrict sales to online or call-in ordering with delivery or curbside pickup.
- Professional services should be conducted virtually or by telephone.
- All campgrounds will be closed except for those who use recreational vehicles or cabins as their primary residence. State parks remain open to daily visitors.
- Hoosiers are reminded that all public and private gatherings of any kind that include more than 10 people are prohibited.
- All employers, regardless of type, must continue to comply with the Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration (IOSHA) standards and safety and health standards established and enforced by IOSHA. IOSHA is actively accepting and investigating complaints of violations. The complaint process may be accessed at https://www.in.gov/dol/
- In addition to IOSHA investigations, Gov. Holcomb has directed the creation of a multi-agency enforcement response team, led by the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission to respond to and investigate other violations of the new order. Much like the enforcement of the restaurant, bar, and nightclub executive order, this team will be charged with helping business owners comply with the order before issuing a directive to close a business.
To allow retail, campgrounds and other establishments to make adjustments, enforcement will not begin until 24 hours after the order takes effect. The effective date and time of the order are 11:59 p.m. on April 6 (today).
The Critical Industries Hotline will be available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday to respond to business and industry questions about whether a business is considered essential. The center may be reached by calling 877-820-0890 or by emailing covidresponse@iedc.in.gov.
Answers to frequently asked questions and instructions to file for COVID-19-related unemployment are available at Unemployment.IN.gov.
A link to an updated Stay-At-Home Order FAQ may be found here: https://www.in.gov/gov/3232.htm Please refer to this FAQ page for guidance and clarifications.
Commentary: A Free South Korea Knows How To Face A Parasite
Commentary: A Free South Korea Knows How To Face A Parasite
By Michael Leppert
MichaelLeppert.com
The U.S. response to COVID-19 is difficult to explain. If the goal of the explanation is to convince American voters to vote for four more years, good luck.
I watched a clip of Seema Verma, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, in an interview on Fox News on Thursday. Then I cringed. I am confident Verma knows that South Korea is a “free†country. However, her spin for the day was clear. “If you look at China and South Korea, right, they had very different approaches. We are a free country… we are giving recommendations to the American people and hoping they adhere to those.â€
She didn’t actually say it wasn’t, but yes, South Korea is a free country too. Americans really ought to know this – we fought a war over it. My dad served in the Army for it, though he was stationed in Japan. There is an awe-inspiring memorial on the Mall in Washington for the Korean War Veterans on the opposite side of the Reflecting Pool from the Vietnam War Veterans Memorial. It is one of my absolute favorites.
The White House doesn’t want Americans to compare our situation to South Korea for obvious reasons. To be blunt, their government has risen to the occasion and ours has not.
At this stage in the pandemic, it is too early to quantify final rates of infection and death tolls. Those numbers are rolling like a downhill train off its tracks. They are incorrect almost as soon as they are written. That is the situation in America though, which is profoundly different than the one in South Korea.
Tim Mullaney published an important piece in the Independent on Thursday that frames the two-country comparison in a way that will hang around the Trump administration’s neck for the next seven months. And it should. Both countries received their first local case of the coronavirus on the same day, Jan. 20. After that, our shared experiences with it drastically parted ways.
Mullaney details that “the (South Korean) government summoned every maker of medical tests in the country to a Jan. 27 meetings and told them to develop a test for the virus right away. The winning design was approved by government regulators on Feb. 4 and shipped within days.†The aggressive and successful testing strategy was followed by isolation and tracing of the spread in each case. Their results are remarkable in contrast to ours: a little under 10,000 cases and 169 deaths as of Thursday.
In the U.S., we have seven states with more deaths than that. By this time next week, I expect that number to be at least 10.
On Feb. 28, President Trump referred to the coronavirus as a “new hoax.†On March 9, he tweeted a comparison of the pandemic to seasonal flu statistics.
In a detailed Wall Street Journal article, last updated on March 19, the performance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is detailed. It is a horrifying failure. The CDC has largely become silent in recent weeks as the agency’s failure has become more well known. CDC Director Robert Redfield was an early fixture at President Trump’s side during the “coming to grips†period of the nation’s pandemic experience, but now he and his agency are nowhere to be found. The once impeccable reputation of this scientific institution now reels in the wake of the coming devastation.
In her Fox News interview, Verma clearly wanted to compare the U.S. response to Italy’s experience. Vice President Mike Pence was making the same comparison on Wednesday in an interview with CNN, saying at least two sources of “modeling†confirm the similarities. In an attempt to inspire, he went on to say to the American people “over the next 30 days, the future is in our hands.â€
Correct, Mr. Vice President. But there is no escaping that the 60 days prior to this one is all on the leadership of the Trump administration and its catastrophic failures.
America is left to root for a new source of national inspiration, possibly a newfound coalition of state leaders, to see us through this. The primary element missing from the daily briefings at the White House is that they are not instructing Americans to do anything. Governors and mayors are.
Parasite, the masterpiece film that won four Oscars in February, was a cultural story based in Seoul. The movie title might imply it was foreshadowing of today’s crisis, but of course, it isn’t. Though it is yet another example of how Americans should watch and learn from South Korea, instead of painfully hiding from it.
FOOTNOTE: Michael Leppert is a public and governmental affairs consultant in Indianapolis and writes his thoughts about politics, government and anything else that strikes him at MichaelLeppert.com.
City-County Observer posted this article without opinion, bias or editing.
IPS Unveils Remote Learning Plans
IPS unveils remote learning plans, including online lessons in high school and paper packets for younger students
When school resumes — following canceled days and a two-week spring break — the state’s largest district will rely on paper school work being mailed to elementary and middle school students. Teachers will also make videos and hold office hours, according to a video from Superintendent Aleesia Johnson posted Friday.
High school students, who must earn credits to graduate, will take courses online. District staff has been calling families to see whether high schoolers have access to devices and the internet at home. Starting next week, the district will send devices to students who need them, Johnson said.
IPS gathered more than 6,000 laptops from schools to distribute to high school students and middle school students in high school-level classes, according to a press release.
“This is a crisis unlike any we’ve ever had to navigate,†Johnson said in the video. “Please know we are taking all the measures we can to support our staff, our students, and our families.â€
As classrooms across Indiana closed due to the coronavirus, some districts were able to swiftly shift to online instruction. In places where they routinely used e-learning for snow days, for example, there was already a model in place — although educators say long-term remote education is a new challenge.
A Chalkbeat analysis found that 30% of Indiana schools used an e-learning day last year, and wealthier schools were almost twice as likely to have taken advantage of online learning than those with high poverty rates.
But districts serving lower-income families and rural communities face significant technological barriers to online instruction because students may not have devices or access to the internet.
IPS has been running a technology access survey for families, but it has not yet released results. When schools closed three weeks ago, IPS officials estimated that about half of students were prepared for online learning at home.
That’s a sharp contrast with some suburban Indianapolis districts where students as young as kindergarten all have devices issued or required by the school system. And some township districts with large populations of students from low-income families have been able to provide devices to many children.
Schools across Indiana will be closed for the remainder of the academic year, State Superintendent Jennifer McCormick announced Thursday.