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With school buildings closed for the rest of the school year and students learning remotely due to the public health emergency, parents may need additional resources to keep their children engaged and on track. Here are some of the resources our state offers:
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| E-LEARNING HELP
The Indiana Department of Education offers a trove of information and resources on its website to help children continue their education at home. Lessons are available in all core subjects and tailored toward different age groups. There are also guides for how to talk with kids about COVID-19 to help ease their concerns. INTERNET ACCESS |
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FREE CONTENT
WNIN, the local Indiana Public Broadcasting Station affiliate, is partnering with Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. to provide customized content during e-learning days in 30 minute segments for K-8 students. Parents can find their local TV program schedule through the DOE’s COVID-19 website or by visiting wnin.org. Students and parents can also visit PBSLearningMedia.org to find grab-and-go activities, lesson plans, interactive lessons and other materials.TUTORING Students needing help with math and science homework can visit askrose.org or call 877-ASK-ROSE (275-7673) for free tutoring. Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology provides the service to all students in grades 4-12. Help is available every day of the week by calling, emailing or chatting online with trained tutors who guide students through solving problems. CHILD CARE For a list of resources and the latest information on what Indiana is doing to address the coronavirus, visit IN.gov/Coronavirus. |
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Parents, Here’s Some Extra Help
JANIE’S SERMON
JANIE’S SERMON
Gavel Gamut By Jim Redwine
My sister, Jane Redwine Bartlett, is a retired psychology assistant professor and a working lay minister. She gave the following Easter message electronically. As she received some Good personal News the following week she may see that as a reward. It is a nice thought.
“Good Morning! We gather in worship on this strangest of Easter Sundays—almost as strange as that first Easter 2000 years ago. When in your life have you ever given up so much for Lent? Forget giving up chocolate or starches or alcohol. Forget, “Don’t give something up; get out and do something good for others.†This year Lent has called for big time sacrifice.Â
We have given up freedom of movement, freedom of choice, jobs we love, family time around Easter ham, Mom’s brownies and colored eggs. We also mostly gave up Shrove Tuesday Pancake Breakfasts, Maundy Thursday’s fellowship meals and Good Friday’s Stations of the Cross.Â
Some have given up income. Students have given up school and the important social interaction with friends, settling for parents REALLY as teachers—with results sometimes good; sometimes not so good. Many Moms and Dads have jobs or are trying to work from home. Teaching six different subjects to three different kids at three different grade levels while stirring the fried potatoes just isn’t fun.
As writer David Brooks says, we humans are social animals. We have always been stronger and served our God better when we reach out to others. Now we are cautioned against reaching out. Touch has always healed yet now touch can carry a death sentence. Because kids aren’t in school, child abuse reports have dwindled—school is about more than education; school is often the only ‘safe’ place for hungry, abused and neglected children.
Most worrisome for many of us is the giving up of our sense of safety and security—the, silent, unseen Covid 19 virus may be insidiously waiting just around the next corner or next aisle, not only for us but more importantly for one or more of our loved ones or friends. We may still have a job but are waiting for another round of layoffs. Almost 20 million unemployed boggles our minds as do the miles and miles of bread lines.
When shopping for groceries or taking a walk in the park turns in to a possible contamination of self or others, our world is rocked. Few of us have ever experienced such restrictions, and most of us have not experienced such pernicious fear or anxiety. When all has passed, what will our nation and our world resemble? Will we recognize those things we hold dear or will they have been forever changed? How about each of us? How are we being changed by this pandemic?
Today’s scripture finds Jesus’ disciples in a very similar situation. Their leader has been crucified, killed, buried. Roman and Jewish authorities are attempting to herd and capture them. They are frightened, hiding and fearing what will come next.
Hear the words from John 20: 1-18. As you listen, put yourself in the place of each character—Jesus, the Angels, Peter, John, Mary. How do you think each was feeling? Just as everyone around us now is reacting differently to what is going on, Mary, Peter, John and the others each react differently to Jesus’ arrest, trial, crucifixion and the empty tomb. Some with awe; some with fear; some with disbelief, some with action.
As observant Jews, the disciples and faithful followers of Jesus had to leave his body unattended until the next day or bury him quickly. Two of the Sanhedrin took charge—both wealthy enough to receive favors from their fellow Sanhedrin and from Pilate, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea. I wonder if they were present for Jesus’ trial and chose not to speak? What gave them courage now, these secret followers, to claim the body of this homeless, itinerant carpenter?
Peter fearfully and shamefully denied he was a follower of Jesus’, yet he almost beats John to the tomb on that first Easter Sunday morning and as the story plays out is still seen as a leader. Mary, grieving deeply over this man who accepted her with all her wrongdoing, came to anoint Jesus’ body, but finds him missing. Mary rushes to tell Peter and John then returns to linger and mourn her loss. John, the disciple who the Bible tells us,†Jesus lovedâ€, raced Peter to the tomb– John’s ability to beat Peter at this race might have something to do with John’s youth. But apparently John didn’t have the nerve to enter the tomb, leaving that to Peter. When they saw the grave cloths were not disturbed but folded neatly, they were amazed.
Fear that the Roman or Jewish leaders had stolen Jesus’ body coupled with fear of what was going to happen in this new world environment had to be as disturbing as our fears of what our new world environment offers. As Christians we celebrate Easter as a day of Life Breaking Death—we rejoice over the renewal and rejuvenation of all things that have been lost. What a relevant celebration for this scary time.
Just as Mary didn’t recognize Jesus until he called her name, we too have difficulty seeing God and Jesus in the midst of this pandemic—particularly since we not only have to winnow out what is true and right and good, but because we must discard so much misinformation and despair. As Mr. Roger’s said when asked what you tell children to do in times of disaster or despair, “You look for the helpers. Keep your eye on the helpers.â€
Excellent advice for all ages. I would say to you that God is in our midst, despite our inability to see God’s continual creating. In moments of doubt and confusion, darkness and struggle, fear and anxiety, it is normal for even faithful Christians to fail to see God, to find his loving goodness in the midst of despair.
If we remember our mandate to “Love One Another as Jesus Loved,†we can see sparks of hope, in the dainty pink tulips I discovered on my front porch, in the effort of my eldest brother who called to play, “The Holy City†on his saxophone for his siblings on National Sibling Day, in caring neighbors who bring soup and cinnamon rolls, in parents and teachers working together; in research scientists searching for a cure, in medical personnel who continue to treat Covid 19 patients even at risk of their health, in the RV’s for MD’s program New Song is investigating—we have the land and facilities; hopefully we can provide a service.Â
The fear and pain are huge right now. The message of Easter is that we are called to act in large and small ways to mitigate that pain wherever we can, including not encouraging others to gather—even in small groups.Â
The church has never been about the building but about our individual relationship with God and with one another. We will continue to Seek God, Create Community and Serve Humanity—that’s who we are.
The message of the empty cross and the empty tomb is that Jesus lives. As long as he lives within our hearts, as long as we continue to step up and serve others, being safe and cautious as we push through our fears, being faithful to our calling to love as Jesus loved, Easter may be celebrated differently; Easter might feel strange; but we each can come out of this quarantined, physically distanced world more connected, more loving, more kind and assured that God is alive, God is in our midst. He has risen; he has risen indeed.â€
For more Gavel Gamut articles go to www.jamesmredwine.com
Or “Like/Follow†us on Facebook & Twitter at JPegRanchBooks&Knitting
Public Notice of Virtual Meeting EVSC
In compliance with the Executive Orders from Governor Holcomb and the most recent guidance from the Indiana Public Access Counselor, the Board of School Trustees of the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation will meet virtually to conduct the regularly scheduled meeting of the EVSC Board of School Trustees on Monday, April 20, 2020. The media and public can listen to the meeting by tuning in to EVSC’s radio station WPSR on FM 90.7 or stream live from the internet at: https://nkstreaming.com/WPSR-HD1/.
“Right Jab And Middle Jab And Left Jab†APRIL 19, 2020
“Right Jab And Middle Jab And Left Jab†APRIL 19, 2020
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 JABâ€Â 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.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES 26 NEW COVID-19 DEATHS, UPDATES STATEWIDE CASE COUNT
The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) today announced that 529 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 10,641 the total number of Indiana residents known to have the novel coronavirus following corrections to the previous day’s total.
A total of 545 Hoosiers have died to date. Deaths are reported based on when data are received by ISDH and occurred over multiple days.
To date, 56,873 tests have been reported to ISDH, up from 54,785 on Friday.
Marion County had the most new cases, at 123. Other counties with more than 10 new cases were Allen (22), Clark (10), Elkhart (18), Hamilton (25), Harrison (20), Hendricks (29), Johnson (21), Lake (69), Madison (20), Porter (17) and St. Joseph ((37). The Lake County totals include results from East Chicago and Gary, which have their own health departments.
The complete list of counties with cases is included on the ISDH COVID-19 dashboard at www.coronavirus.in.gov. Cases are listed by county of residence. Private lab reporting may be delayed and will be reflected in the map and count when results are received at ISDH. The dashboard will be updated at noon each day.
Donutting Drunk Driver Dares to Ditch Deputies
Shortly after 03:00 AM on April 17, 2020 a Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s deputy observed a blue 2005 Dodge Dakota with no headlights on doing “donuts†in a parking lot near University Drive and Rosenberger Avenue. As the deputy attempted to make a traffic stop, the driver ignored the deputy’s emergency equipment and fled at a high rate of speed.
The vehicle drove over a curb and attempted to drive down a steep embankment which caused it to roll over onto its passenger side. The deputy was able to get the driver out of the vehicle and placed him into custody. Once in custody the driver was transported to a local hospital for minor injuries.
During the course of the investigation the driver, identified as Jacob Randall Nugent, was found to be under the influence of alcohol. Once Nugent was treated for the minor injuries he was transported to the Vanderburgh County Jail.
Arrested: Jacob Randall Nugent (pictured above), 24, of Evansville, Indiana has been charged with: Resisting Law Enforcement as a Level 6 Felony, OMVWI as a Class A Misdemeanor, Criminal Recklessness as a Class B Misdemeanor, Violation of State Emergency Order as a Class B Misdemeanor, Reckless Driving as a Class C Misdemeanor, Operating a Motor Vehicle Without Proof of Insurance with a Prior Conviction as a Class C Misdemeanor and Driving on a Suspended License as an Infraction
Presumption of Innocence Notice: The fact that a person has been arrested or charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
COVID-19 To Unleash Torrent Of Lawsuits Against Insurers
COVID-19 To Unleash Torrent Of Lawsuits Against Insurers
Businesses and not-for-profits in Indiana and across the country have begun suing their insurers in coronavirus-related claims disputes—and attorneys predict a flood of additional cases will follow.
Among the first out of the gate locally are the Indiana Repertory Theatre Inc. and Tom James Co., an Indianapolis-based maker of custom clothing and fabrics. Both filed suits in Marion Superior Court this month, saying their insurers improperly denied their claims for COVID-19-related financial losses.
IRT is suing the Cincinnati Casualty Co. and its insurance agent, Indianapolis-based McGowan Insurance Group LLC. Tom James Co. and 10 of its affiliated companies are suing suburban Chicago-based Zurich American Insurance Co.
The insurance industry is taking the position that most business-insurance policies don’t cover pandemic-related losses.
“The scope of this is just not an insurable event,†said Neil Alldredge, senior vice president of corporate affairs at the Indianapolis-based National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies. “It’s just such a widespread, large-scale event. It’s just not something that any private industry can manage on its own.â€
Indianapolis attorney Nick Reuhs, a partner at Ice Miller who represents policyholders in insurance disputes, said COVID-19 represents “an existential threat†to insurers because of the potential for such widespread losses.
Some specialty policies, such as event-cancellation insurance or loss-of-attraction coverage, should cover pandemic-related losses, Reuhs said, but these specialty policies represent only about 5% of all business insurance policies. “The other 95%, there’s going to be a dispute.â€
Reuhs added: “These are going to be tested over the next years in every state, in all different contexts. … Most policies are an uphill battle [for plaintiffs], but there are going to be some wins.â€
Fighting For Cash
In their suits, Tom James and the IRT say the pandemic has forced them to shut down, which has resulted in financial losses. But each presents a slightly different argument for why its insurer should cover claims.
The Indianapolis firm of Plews Shadley Racher & Braun is representing the plaintiffs in both cases. Attorney George Plews, who is involved in the cases, declined to comment.
The Cincinnati Casualty Co. and Zurich American also declined to comment.
Tom James makes standard and custom-tailored clothing as well as interior decor fabrics. It’s based in the Allison Pointe Office Park just west of Allisonville Road in Castleton and has manufacturing sites around the United States and abroad. The company sells its clothing via appointment at customers’ homes and offices.
In its April 10 lawsuit, Tom James said it bought $200 million in coverage from Zurich in the form of an “all risks†policy that covers physical loss or damage to the insured property.
Tom James also says it bought several additional special coverages, one of which covers business suspensions caused by a civil or military order that is related to physical loss or damage to property not covered by the policy.
Tom James is asking the court to declare that its policy covers its claims, and to order Zurich to pay these claims as well as unspecified damages.
The IRT filed its suit April 3. Initially, the sole defendant was Cincinnati Casualty Co. But a week later, the theater amended its complaint to add Indianapolis-based McGowan Insurance Group LLC.
In its suit, the IRT says it has done business with McGowan since 1998, but the agency never advised the organization about specialty insurance it might purchase, including event-cancellation policies, until after COVID-19 had been discovered in the United States.
The theater says it is seeking unspecified damages against McGowan because of the agency’s “negligent failure†to advise IRT about the availability of such specialty policies.
In the lawsuit, the IRT said The Cincinnati Casualty Co. denied its claim on March 23 on the grounds that the theater had not suffered a “direct physical loss or damage†to its covered property.
The IRT says Cincinnati is now trying to define direct physical loss or damage as “a physical effect on covered property, such as deformation, permanent change in physical appearance or other manifestation of a physical effect.†However, the theater organization says that verbiage appears nowhere in the policy.
The IRT says its loss of use of its theater qualifies as a direct physical loss. It also asserts that, if its insurer had intended to exclude virus-related losses, it should have specified that in the policy.
Key Issues
The definition of “physical loss or damage†will likely be a key issue in many COVID-19 insurance court cases, said Indianapolis attorney Tom O’Gara, a partner at Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP.
“The question is probably really going to hinge on what a court interprets physical loss or damage to be,†O’Gara said. “The wording [in the contract] could be very critical.â€
Another key issue will be whether policies specifically exclude coverage of virus-related losses. Though the SARS epidemic of 2003 was far less severe than the COVID-19 pandemic, it prompted more insurers to write that exclusion into their policies, Alldredge said.
But even that issue might not be black and white. A policy that includes civil authority coverage — meaning it covers losses stemming from government shutdown orders — might also have a virus exclusion, which could pave the way for a dispute about how broadly the virus exclusion should be applied.
“Was the policy clear and nonambiguous about what was covered and what was excluded?†O’Gara said. “There’s going to be a fair amount of litigation, both in Indiana and across the country, about this.â€
Gov. Beshear Outlines 7 Benchmarks to Reopen Commonwealth’s Economy
Gov. Beshear Outlines 7 Benchmarks to Reopen Commonwealth’s Economy
Governor urges cautious optimism, reminds Kentuckians to remain flexible and patient
FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 17, 2020) – On Friday, Gov. Andy Beshear discussed benchmarks that the commonwealth must meet in order to start reopening the state’s economy while keeping Kentuckians safe from the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). The steps reflect federal guidance announced Thursday by the White House.
“We believe our approach is very much in line with the White House. The plan put out by the White House has certain thresholds that states should meet before we start taking certain steps,†Gov. Beshear said. “The benchmarks are being driven by public health. We are all on the same page about what keeps people safe.â€
The Governor acknowledged Kentuckians’ sacrifices and said we must all stay resilient as we work our way out of this.
“We have to make sure we do it smartly, we do it safely,†he said. “That we don’t let our guard down, that we don’t start focusing on the next game until we win this game.â€
Gov. Beshear said that the state’s seven benchmarks to be assessed will determine the phases for reopening parts of the economy.
Benchmark criteria for Kentucky to move to the first stage
- 14 days where cases are decreasing
- Increased testing capacity and contact tracing
- Personal protective equipment (PPE) availability
- Ability to protect at-risk populations
- Ability to social distance and follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines on large gatherings
- Preparedness for possible future spike
- Status of vaccine and treatment
 Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Department for Public Health said, “Normal going forward is not the same as normal going into this. When we start lifting restrictions, I want to be very clear, there will be more disease. More people will get infected. There is a counterbalancing need with people’s need to go on with life and people need to remain safe. We have recognized that all along.â€Â
Once Kentucky meets certain first stage benchmarks, the White House provided guidance on what the first stage of reopening could like, which could include:
Guidance for the first stage of reopening
Individuals
- Individuals should continue to practice good hygiene
- People who feel sick should stay home
- All vulnerable individuals should continue to shelter in place
- All individuals, when in public, should maximize physical distance from others
- All individuals should avoid gatherings of more than 10 people unless precautionary measures can be strictly observed
- Minimize non-essential travel and adhere to CDC guidelines regarding isolation following travel
Employers
- Should continue to encourage telework
- If possible, should return to work in phases
- Close common areas
- Minimize non-essential travel and adhere to CDC guidelines regarding isolation following travel
- Strongly consider special accommodations for personnel who are members of a vulnerable population
Specific types of employers
- Schools and organized youth activities that are currently closed should remain closed
- Visits to senior living facilities and hospitals should still be prohibited
- Large venues (sit-down dining, movie theaters, sporting venues, places of worship) can operate under strict physical distancing protocols
- Elective surgeries can resume, as clinically appropriate, on an outpatient basis at facilities that adhere to CMS guidelines
- Gyms can reopen if they adhere to strict physical distancing and sanitation protocols
- Bars should remain closed
For more information on the White House’s criteria and all three proposed phases of reopening, visit whitehouse.gov/openingamerica.
The Governor reminded Kentuckians how important it is to stay fluid and flexible based on the severity and number of cases in the state and the status of a vaccine and treatment options.
“We think that following these benchmarks, possibly before May we could see some loosening in the health care area,†Gov. Beshear said. “We could see the ability to open up in some small ways before May, during May and beyond, but this will be a phased approach based on our benchmarks and recommendations from many groups. We have to ensure any actions we take to protect the sacrifices that so many Kentuckians have made.â€
 Kentucky reports first incarcerated offender death related to COVID-19
Friday morning, an offender from Green River Correctional Complex passed away in the hospital after battling COVID-19. The 49-year-old man was admitted to the hospital on April 8, and tested positive for COVID-19 the following day. His family has been notified.
The offender was serving a nine-year sentence out of Jefferson County for assault second and escape second and had approximately three years left to serve of his sentence. He was not eligible for the conditional commutations issued by Gov. Beshear.
The Kentucky Department of Corrections has approximately 12,000 incarcerated offenders in 13 prisons and 4,000 employees. Currently, 19 inmates and 15 staff have tested positive for COVID-19. Five have recovered. The agency also supervises about 50,000 offenders in the community through probation and parole.
The Kentucky DOC is working closely with the Kentucky Department for Public Health and is committed to following the proposed guidance from the CDC on Correctional and Detention Facilities.
4.6 million meals
Kentucky schools provided more than 4.65 million meals, including breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, to students in March through feeding sites, according to the Kentucky Department of Education. On average, 230,000 children were served meals each day.
Case information
As of 5 p.m. April 17, Gov. Beshear said there were at least 2,522 coronavirus cases in Kentucky, 134 of which were newly confirmed. Gov. Beshear said the now 11-day-old baby, who had tested positive and announced yesterday, is now at home. He said he was very thankful for that news.
Unfortunately, Gov. Beshear also reported eight new deaths Friday, raising the state’s toll to 137 deaths related to the virus.
Gov. Beshear continued to encourage Kentuckians to light up their homes and businesses green for those we have lost as a sign of compassion and renewal.
The newly reported deaths include two 80-year-old women from Jefferson, a 64-year-old man from Jefferson, an 83-year-old man from Russell, a 93-year-old woman from Graves, a 96-year-old man from Russell, a 73-year-old man from Jefferson and a 49-year-old man from Muhlenberg.
At least 979 people have recovered from COVID-19 in Kentucky.
To date, at least 30,596 people have been tested. At least 1,008 people have ever been hospitalized with 360Â currently hospitalized.
At least 514 have ever been in the ICU with at least 227 people currently in the ICU.
Gov. Beshear also offered an update on the racial breakdown of COVID-19 patients and victims, which unfortunately highlights existing disparities in health and health care access.
The Governor said with about 76.38% of the known cases accounted for, 79.30% of Kentuckians who tested positive were Caucasian, 12.33% were African-American, 4.87% were multiracial, 3.43% were Asian and 0.06% were Native American or Alaskan Native.
The Governor also said with about 69.99% of the known cases accounted for, 93.11% of people who tested positive were non-Hispanic and 6.89% were Hispanic.
On fatalities attributed to the coronavirus, with about 81.75% of the known cases accounted for, Kentucky deaths are about 77.68% Caucasian, 21.43% African-American and 0.89% Asian.
On fatalities attributed to the coronavirus, with about 81.75% of the known cases accounted for, Kentucky deaths are about 99.11% non-Hispanic and 0.89% Hispanic.
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 account Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Watch the Governor’s social media accounts at 5 p.m. ET each day for his regular briefing. Kentuckians can also access translated COVID-19 information and daily summaries of the Governor’s press conference at tinyurl.com/kygovespanol (Spanish) and tinyurl.com/kygovtranslations (more than 20 additional languages).
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.