#Kids and and youths are getting affected with covid19 | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

oneinanarmy · 5 years ago

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#OurRemedyIsARMY: Join our campaign to help tackle Covid19 crisis

Today, our world is fighting a serious battle with Covid19, also known as Novel Coronavirus, a global pandemic that has taken over 170K lives. And, the numbers are increasing at an exponential rate. This viral contagion has not just affected people's health but has also gravely impacted the economy and education, leaving people with uncertainty and hopelessness for their future. Considering the urgency of the situation, One In An ARMY has launched some campaigns to support relief efforts carried out by non-profit organizations.

For our April 2020 Project, we are reaching out to the non-profits we have worked with for our previous campaigns. These organizations are working hard to provide necessary medical, food, and other emergency supplies but due to shortage of staff and the ongoing economic crisis, they are in dire need for support. The detailed step-by-step process for the donation drive has been explained here. In this blog, you will get the details for all the non-profits we are supporting, their aim, and the minimum contribution you can make to help them in their social endeavor:

Medical Teams International

In April 2018, OIAA collaborated with Medical Teams International for our inaugural campaign to support them for their relief campaign in Syria. With programs in the US, Columbia, Guatemala, Tanzania, Uganda, Liberia, Lebanon, and Bangladesh, MTI provides life-saving health care and supplies to people.

To combat the healthcare crisis due to Covid19, Medical Teams International needs support to help local health systems in promoting good hygiene, ship PPEs, and repurpose Dental Vans to make them serve as drive-thru screening sites. Your contribution will help them complete their goal.

Minimum Donation Requirement: $2

Donate here: bit.ly/MTIxCovid19 Fill out this form: bit.ly/OIAACovid19Form

Thirst Relief

We collaborated with Thirst Relief for our July 2018 campaign. The organization provides clean water solutions to people in need, across the globe. Water is deemed to be a basic human right but a lot of people lack access to clean water, leaving them vulnerable to diseases. Thirst Relief collaborates with local partners to provide solutions ranging from Biosand Filters, Well Drilling, Well Repair, and W.A.S.H.

Covid19 crisis has made it mandatory for people to maintain their personal hygiene by keeping their hands clean. Thirst Relief aims to provide a safe way to wash hands and stop the spread in the homes of 120 at-risk children who attend a school in Kampala, Uganda. Your contribution will help the organization deploy safety measures and minimize virus transmission.

Minimum Donation Requirement: $1 ($5 Recommended)

Donate here: bit.ly/TRxCovid19 Fill out this form: bit.ly/OIAACovid19Form

Korean Kids and Orphanage Outreach Mission (KKOOM)

OIAA first collaborated with KKOOM for our August 2018 campaign. Organized as a corporation in the State of Michigan, KKOOM provides access to education, funding for pre-school and college scholarships to orphans. The organization also helps in providing clothing and household items at Korean Orphanages.

With Covid19 hitting South Korea and affecting a large part of the country's population, mandatory quarantine has been adopted as a safety norm. Placed in quarantine for the last 7 weeks, KKOOM is concerned about the well-being of the kids and aims to reach out to them with care packages. You can help the non-profit with donations to ensure safety to these kids.

Minimum Donation Requirement: $1 ($5 Recommended)

Donate here: bit.ly/KKOOMxCovid-19 Fill out this form: bit.ly/OIAACovid19Form

MindLeaps

A wonderful organization we once had a chance to partner with, MindLeaps uses dance as a part of their curriculum to help their students develop cognitive and social-emotional skills, vital in school and work. During this pandemic crisis, they are trying to continue providing meals to their students at the Rwanda Centre. The organization is also making an effort to provide food and sanitation packages to vulnerable families. ARMYs' support will act as a catalyst to their present mission and help them reach out to as many people as possible.

Minimum Donation Requirement: $1

Donate here: bit.ly/MLxCovid19 Fill out this form: bit.ly/OIAACovid19Form

Cuatro Por Venezuela

In November 2018, we chose Cuatro Por Venezuela to help raise funds for their food & formula programs for infants. The organization strives to fight issues such as but not limited to hunger, malnutrition, and shortage of medical supplies in Venezuela, a consequence of the economic crisis. They run various support programs including Food Program, Health Program, Education Program, Formula Program, and some Special Programs.

Unprepared for a pandemic like Covid19, Venezuela needs help. Cuatro Por Venezuela aims to fund protective supplies for health care workers and provide hand sanitizers and soap. ARMYs contribution to their campaign will help people gain access to sanitation products and fight this contagious disease effectively.

Minimum Donation Requirement: $1

Donate here: bit.ly/CPVxCovid19 Fill out this form: bit.ly/OIAACovid19Form

Purple Community Fund (PCF)

OIAA worked with ARMYs to help raise funds for PPF in their mission to support poverty-stricken families by providing them with education, health, and welfare programs to lead a financially stable life. Covid19 has forced governments around the world to impose lockdowns. The same happened in the Philippines too. 24/7 lockdown has left people with no jobs and as a result, with a shortage of food and medical supplies. PCF is working to provide life-saving supplies to them and your help will accelerate this process.

Minimum Donation Requirement: $3

Donate here: bit.ly/PCFxCovid19 Fill out this form: bit.ly/OIAACovid19Form

Children Healing Art Project (CHAP)

For Taehyung's birthday project, we collaborated with CHAP to help them continue with their art programs and support children and families facing medical challenges. The programs range from in-house, art clubs, and outreach and are provided free of charge to the families affected by pediatric illness, disability or special needs.

In their mission to provide art for healing, CHAP is now working to build an online community for interaction and provide art supplies, to be dropped off at area hospitals and distributed by the nursing staff for children to enjoy.

Minimum Donation Requirement: $10

Donate here: bit.ly/CHAPxCovid19 Fill out this form: bit.ly/OIAACovid19Form

Playing for Change

Inspired by Yoongi's passion for music, we chose Playing for Foundation for our March 2019 campaign and helped raise funds for their music-oriented programs. Aimed for at-risk youth, Playing for Change provides classes in vocals, dance, instruments, and music theory. They work with their partners to support primary education and provide humanitarian aid such as clean water, solar power, food, medicine, clothes and much more.

Playing for Change also provides tools and training to support micro-enterprise in vulnerable areas, facing a shortage of economic resources.

During this pandemic, they are running donation drives to help people and healthcare workers in Argentina by purchasing supplies required for the production of protective masks and providing hygiene items.

Minimum Donation Requirement: $1

Donate here: bit.ly/PFCFxCovid19 Fill out this form: bit.ly/OIAACovid19Form

100Cameras

The organization empowers kids experiencing challenges to use photography and tell their stories. The reason why we chose them for our January 2020 campaign! When Covid19 has forced most of us to stay inside, 100Cameras is working to support kids through an online program. This program will be suited to the individual needs and will aim to connect children with each other, without the need for physical presence.

Minimum Donation Requirement: $1

Donate here: bit.ly/100CxCovid19 Fill out this form: bit.ly/OIAACovid19Form

BTS in their latest album "Map of the Soul: 7" said, "we are only seven with you". ARMYs have time and again proved themselves to be a driver for change through their ideas, discussions, donations, and initiatives. Today, the world needs us more than ever. We have the power to start the revolution! So, if you are able to contribute to our campaigns, follow our guide.

We completely understand that not everyone will be able to contribute financially. Therefore, we have compiled a list of some fun activities that do not require spending money and can be used to raise funds for social good. Check out our Ways To Donate Without Money post to learn more.

Let's work together to support front line workers, help people in need, and defeat this pandemic!

Written By: A

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covid19updater · 3 years ago

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COVID19 Updates: 08/09/2021

Malaysia: JUST IN : The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) urges the government to delay the relaxing of restrictions for the fully vaccinated until cases are significantly reduced. #COVID19

US: JUST IN - Top Biden officials are growing frustrated with the lack of internal visibility into #COVID19 data being collected by the CDC: "Where the hell are the data?," a source describes the tension to Axios behind the scene.

Arkansas: Arkansas hospitalizations for Covid-19 have risen nearly fourfold in just over a month, said a Republican state legislator and emergency room doctor. The patients he is seeing are younger and younger. “It’s never looked like this.”

Texas: Austin, Texas, activates emergency alert system as COVID crisis reaches "critical" point LINK

US: The nation's top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, says he is optimistic the Food and Drug Administration will give full approval to the vaccine by month’s end. LINK

World: Holy GoF! They aggregated VOC-associated spike substitutions into a single polymutant spike protein and showed 20 mutations were sufficient to confer near-complete resistance to neutralizing Abs generated by convalescents and mRNA vaccine recipients. LINK

Israel: A third of Israeli adults over the age of 60 have already received a coronavirus booster shot, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said LINK

China: Several Chinese virologists and biologists who have worked with US peers shared concerns about #US’ unclear #biosecurity system. “There is possibility a single researcher or team may have secretly created a virus like #COVID19 without permission.” LINK

Texas: Half of Texas' hospital regions are reporting 10 or fewer ICU beds available. Corpus Christi is reporting 0 staffed ICU beds available. They reported 52 on Monday. The state passed 9,000 COVID hospitalizations today. Most since Feb. 9. New info from DFW Hospital Council: There are now 55 children hospitalized with COVID-19 in the region…“which are some of the highest levels of pediatric COVID-19 patients we have ever treated.” They add pediatric hospitals are at 97.7% capacity because RSV cases are high too

World: Head of notorious Wuhan lab warns more COVID-19 mutations are coming LINK

World: ‘This Is Really Scary’: Kids Struggle With Long CovidLingering physical, mental and neurological symptoms are affecting children as well as adults, including many who had mild reactions to the initial coronavirus infection. LINK

California: Beginning Aug. 11, visitors to any of California’s hospitals will only be allowed access if they are vaccinated against COVID-19, or provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test LINK

US: Some Americans altering vaccine records to get unauthorized 3rd shot LINK

US: 12h Rolling 7-day average of daily coronavirus cases in the U.S.: 4 weeks ago: 19,145 3 weeks ago: 32,217 2 weeks ago: 51,323 1 week ago: 79,892 Today: 112,147

District of Columbia: DC giving away AirPods to encourage youth vaccinations LINK

Israel: Despite its record-setting vaccination campaign, #Israel is struggling to contain the spread of the delta variant of the #coronavirus. LINK

US: A Doomsday COVID Variant Worse Than Delta and Lambda May Be Coming, Scientists Say LINK

France: An extension to France’s “health pass” covering activities including going to restaurants and cafes, taking long-distance train journeys and visiting hospitals has come into effect after a fourth weekend of protests;

Australia: Australia expanded its NSW LD, amid fears that covid has spread from Sydney. The rural town of Tamworth, 257 miles NW of Sydney & Byron Bay, a popular tourist spot 478 miles from the city, entered a week long LD on Monday - despite neither having recorded a single case;

Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka holds mass cremations as Covid cases surge LINK

Philippines: Hundreds of Philippine hospitals near full capacity as virus cases surge LINK

China: China punishes dozens of officials as Covid-19 Delta outbreaks spread LINK

UK: Extremely tense interaction at bbc studios between police and protestors demanding no jabs for children. Jabs for over 16 and 17 year olds are set to go ahead soon without parental consent.

Georgia: Metro Atlanta hospitals report packed emergency rooms as COVID-19 cases surge LINK

Georgia: As of Friday, Camden County was seeing the highest transmission rate in Southeast Georgia -- 1,014 cases per 100,000 residents.

World: #BREAKING No need yet to adapt BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine for Covid variants: BioNTech chief

RUMINT (Florida): Just heard on the news that one in every five kids tested in Florida is COVID-19 positive.

Mississippi: There were ZERO available ICU beds in Mississippi as of early this morning. None. That means hospitals across the state may not be able to provide the level of care needed to you or your loved one. Not just for COVID-19 but FOR ANY EMERGENCY CARE.

World: ‘Goldilocks virus’: Delta vanquishes all variant rivals as scientists race to understand its tricks LINK

Ohio: Judge adds COVID-19 vaccine condition to man's probation LINK

UK: Wrexham father in intensive care after refusing Covid vaccine LINK

Texas: Texas woman with COVID-19 arrested after allegedly spitting on officer who was executing a search warrant at her home.

UK: 16 and 17-year-olds across the UK are being invited to book their Covid vaccine. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tells #BBCBreakfast she would support vaccinating children of an even younger age. LINK

Canada: Dozens of vehicles with U.S. plates line up at B.C. border as COVID-19 restrictions lifted LINK

Florida: Orange County wastewater shows significant increases of Covid-19 virus LINK

North Dakota: North Dakota hospitals bracing for rise in delta variant COVID-19 cases. Are they prepared? LINK

World: Remember Beta? New data reveal variant’s deadly powersPeople infected with a variant first identified in South Africa are more likely to die than those infected with other variants. LINK

UK: Anger at overflowing Covid test drop boxes LINK

World: Op/Ed: The really worrisome thing about the Delta variant LINK

Texas: Texas is reporting 394 staffed ICU beds available statewide. That's the lowest number since the start of the pandemic. However, we are NOT are a record high for COVID patients in ICU and still well below our total hospitalization peak so it could be more of a staffing issue

Texas: LBJ Hospital in Houston has set up tents to treat patients. They don’t have medical personnel to staff them. Sheila Jackson Lee has requested for Abbott to help TX hospitals that are overwhelmed by the rise of COVID hospitalizations paired with a shortage of nursing staff.

RUMINT (US): So a friend just called me up who lives in Tennessee... tested positive after thinking she had a cold. In the summer. Just a sore throat so far, and general feeling like crap. No loss of smell or taste. Not vaccinated. Asked how she was doing on food or if the kids were gonna bring her by stuff... she said no was all set as she stopped by the grocery store to load up on stuff to ride out the quarantine.

Florida: #BREAKING: @GovRonDeSantis office released a statement to #CBS4 that @EducationFL could withhold the salaries of superintendents and school board members who implement #maskmandates.

Georgia: Georgia school district shuts down within a week of opening due to COVID-19 LINK

California: Shortly after 14 y.o. Daniel Salinas recovered from COVID, his behavior began to change. He developed a migraine, then began talking to himself. He was rushed to UC Irvine and diagnosed with COVID psychosis. He's still hospitalized. LINK

Canada: Steinbach COVID testing site turning people away due to large #'s, and sending them to Winnipeg. Not a good sign.

US: Dr. Scott Gottlieb says the Covid delta surge may be the ‘final wave’ in U.S. LINK (Wishful thinking)

Maine: #BREAKING: Maine Medical Center says it reported a COVID-19 outbreak to the Maine CDC last Thursday. Maine Medical Center says it reported a COVID-19 outbreak to the Maine CDC last Thursday. The hospital says the outbreak consisted of nine employees in its Emergency Department, including staff who were fully vaccinated. LINK

Iowa: More than 50 Iowa nursing homes have experienced a #COVID19 outbreak since the #vaccine roll-out in December, and the home with the highest number of outbreaks is run by the state itself. LINK

Florida: .@ProfDrAMarty "Our hospitals in Miami-Dade are somewhere between 100% and 160% capacity. This is also affecting urgent care centers and children's hospitals and it's overwhelming our staff & impacting not just the care of COVID victims, but all health care." #AMRstaff

Canada: Alberta adds over 1,000 new COVID-19 cases over the weekend LINK

Texas: Greenville Texas Hospital Using Tents Outside To Triage Patients Amid COVID-19 Case Increase LINK

World: Update: CDC warns against travel to Israel amid surge in Delta variant cases

US: "We are hospitalizing record numbers of children," a New Orleans doctor tells @ABC News. "Half of the children in our hospital today are under two years of age. Most of the others are between five and ten years of age—too young to be vaccinated just yet." LINK

Florida: BREAKING: Both Volusia County and Advent Health Orlando are finalizing the purchase of fleets of refrigerated mobile morgues amid Florida's COVID surge, a rep from Mopec confirms @WJCTNews

Florida: ABC News #DavidMuir just reported Florida has ordered 300 ventilators Expert saying “ if this continues another 4-5 days which it looks like it will, it will collapse the hospital system”

Texas: NEW: Texas Governor Greg Abbott asking hospitals to postpone some elective procedures to avoid a shortage of hospital capacity

Iceland: US CDC has become wary of #Iceland: it has now been escalated to "LEVEL 4 - Very High Level of #COVID19" (bear in mind, Iceland has a 90%+ vaccination rate)

Australia: NSW recorded 356 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.

Texas: Governor: Today I announced new measures to respond to the spread of COVID-19: * bring in additional medical personnel to staff hospitals * expand Antibody Infusion Centers to prevent hospitalization of those with COVID * make it easier to get a vaccination

US: BREAKING: U.S. reports 164,153 new coronavirus cases as many states dump weekend backlogs

Iowa: Blank Children’s hospital has suspended elective surgeries (that is, non emergency) that would require a hospital stay.

Iceland: COVID-19 in Iceland: “We’re nearing the limits of our infrastructure” LINK

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the-record-newspaper · 5 years ago

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Wilkes reacts to COVID-19

From Record Staff Reports

With schools called off statewide in North Carolina for at least two weeks, Wilkes County Schools will offer breakfasts and lunches for children ages 1 through 18.

The meals started being offered on Tuesday, March 17. Meals may be picked up at the school site in the car line with the exception being Wilkes Early College High School, which is on the campus of Wilkes Community College.

Breakfasts will be served from 7:30 a.m. until 8:30 a.m. and lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.

This information was released Monday afternoon following a minimal two-week school cancellations which was announced over the weekend.

On Tuesday The Governor closed dinning rooms in restaurants limiting food services to only take out and deliver. He assured that grocery stores would remain open, but urged citizens not to hoard and to leave items for people who can’t afford to stockpile food and other commodities.

Wilkes County has suddenly become a different world.

If you’ve been to the grocery store recently, you’ve bound to have noticed the toilet paper section.

It’s basically empty.

Why?

Folks across Wilkes, the state and the country are hoarding such items including hand sanitizers and bottled water it seems in case there is a mass mandated quarantine to halt or slow the spread of COVID-19.

But…toilet paper?

The New York Times quoted Health Secretary Alex M. Azar II as saying, “Toilet paper is not an effective way to prevent getting the coronavirus, but they’re selling out.”

Although there may be humor in that statement, local, state and national officials are not taking the threat of the spread of COVID-19 lightly.

And as of Sunday afternoon, the virus was knocking at Wilkes’ door with one confirmed case in Watauga County and possible cases under investigation in Yadkin County.

Although there have been talk of COVID-19 already being in Wilkes, no such report had been substantiated.

The Tribune in Elkin reported that there are two persons under investigation who have been tested for the corona virus, or COVID-19 as of Friday at 12:30 p.m. in Yadkin County. These individuals have been informed about the virus and how it is spread and are self-monitoring while waiting test results, according to a news release from Yadkin County Human Services Agency.

WBTV, a Charlotte-based television station, reported that a Boone-based staff member of the international relief charity Samaritan’s Purse tested positive for the coronavirus shortly after returning from an overseas trip.

According to the company, the employee returned nine days ago from countries “considered to be at lower risk at the time of travel.”

The staff member didn’t return to work and self-quarantined upon their return home. They were tested at their home by the Watauga County Health Department.

“We are working in full cooperation with the local health department in identifying other staff who may have been in contact with the employee who has tested positive, and though we can’t know for sure whether their contact was prior to or after the virus was contracted, each of these employees has also self-quarantined,” the organization said. The organization said it is reducing staff on its Boone headquarters and Wilkes campus effective immediately and moving many employees to work-from-home status, the WBTV report stated.

In Wilkes, and across North Carolina, schools are cancelled, MerleFest has been cancelled as well as many church services and most any other event where people usually gather in significant numbers.

As of Tuesday there have been 32 confirmed cases reported statewide. The counties which reported confirmed cases are: 14 in Wake County; four in Mecklenburg; two apiece in Hartnett, Johnston and Forsyth counties; and one apiece in Durham, Brunswick, Craven, Chatham, Cabarrus, Onslow, Wayne, Brunswick, Craven, and Watauga counties

***

According to the website for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention you should call your doctor if you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing.

Watch for symptoms.

Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.

The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.*

· Fever

· Cough

· Shortness of breath

*This is based on what has been seen previously as the incubation period of MERS-CoV viruses.

If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. Emergency warning signs include*:

· Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

· Persistent pain or pressure in the chest

· New confusion or inability to arouse

· Bluish lips or face

*This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.

***

Record Editor Jerry Lankford asked some of his Facebook friends their thoughts on the virus. Here’s what they said:

Ashley Osborne Jones: “I’m not afraid. I am not stocking up on anything. I don’t live in fear. I have faith that I will be OK. If not I have already on hand two weeks worth of food and supplies.”

Melissa Triplett: “I’m not afraid. ‘Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God, I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:103.’”

Rebecca Davis: “I could stand to shed some pounds. So with what food we have it will make do. We have growing grandchildren to feed in the home. They love to eat cereal. So milk, cereal, bread, peanut butter, jelly and eggs.”

Leslie Michelle Rivera-Cruz: “Not afraid at all. I’m only afraid of the consequences of fear.”

William M. Harden: “I’m not afraid but it’s because I have done my research on it. At the same time I’m not recklessly acting like it’s no big deal. I’m a young healthy man, but not everyone has my immune system. Not afraid of catching it (is very likely at some point) but am concerned for the elderly/youth/immune compromised that will have a harder time fighting it off. Stay educated and don’t panic you guys, it will only make the situation worse.”

Kellene Wells Bock: “I have a healthy respect for the virus but I’m not afraid. I think the steps being taken now should keep it to manageable status in the U.S. Not stocking up on anything because I don’t foresee steps taken in foreign countries being necessary in the U.S. (if people will just be smart) so we should be able to get what we need, once shelves get restocked.”

Anne Privette Johnson: “As an elderly woman with underlying health concerns Mom plans to stick close to the house. I made sure her prescriptions were filled and we have all her OTC meds. We keep toilet paper and paper towels on hand. I checked the pantry and inventoried cleaning supplies. We were in pretty good shape, so I picked up just a few things we needed. With schools closed I will be here more. I bought some breakfast items and sandwich fixings. I guess I didn’t stock up - just the normal grocery shopping. Prayers for everyone.”

Andy Rhodes: “I’m more afraid of main stream media hype than Covid19. Get your info from the CDC, not the nightly news frenzy of doom and gloom. Will I get Covid19, probably so, I am a nurse in a health care setting, am I worried? A little, but I’m confident all will be OK.”

Alayna Taylor Harden: “I’m far more bothered by/afraid of the hysteria than the actual virus. I know it’s a threat to certain people in our communities (and I say this as someone who has a compromised immune system and small kids), but this is far beyond reasonable precautions. The fact that sheer panic has been manufactured by the media is a very scary thing on its own.”

Lisa De Maio Brewer: “This is a very concerning virus. We've never seen anything like this in our lifetime. If we do not take it seriously, we will face the sad consequences. Seek wisdom!”

Terrie Byrd: “Yes I'm self quarantined due to my immune system not functioning properly. I'm both immune deficient and immune compromised. What I have in terms of antibodies fighting germs comes from 1,000 to 1,500 people in the form of plasma which I need to live. This is serious folks. Even with infusions, we are not protected from COVID 19. Please take care of yourself and follow the CDC guidelines. It's not a joke. It's real and it's here. Stay ahead of the curve. God bless us all. I'm in no way panicking, just being vigilant and exercising caution.”

Rita Roman: “I've been preparing for this for years and years.... food and water...oops forgot about the toilet paper. I'm staying motivated and happy. P.S. Just got off a cruise last Sunday. Everyone is staying in touch via Facebook. No one is sick. Living my life!!!”

Cheryl Shumate: “Well I’m 63 yrs old and yes I’m taking this very seriously. I have diabetes and an immune deficiency disorder along with several other problems. I’m staying in away from people as much as I can. I’m not one that bought 100 rolls of TP but I would like to have gotten a bottle of hand sanitizer for when I am out. Thinking of all the elderly we have in our county. I do pray daily for our nation and watch CDC updates.”

Jill Minton Woodie: “I remember when I was a young girl hearing a preacher talking about a pandemic that would affect the entire World and there would be thousands of people die from it. I really hadn’t thought of this message until this pandemic. This is very serious and I’m afraid it is going to get a lot worse. It is no joking matter. We are dealing with a virus that the mortality rate is 10 times worse than the flu, no medicine or vaccine. Also, a person can have the virus and show no symptoms and that is why we need to stay home. The United States don’t have enough ventilators to handle this crisis. We all have got to work together and help stop the spread of this virus. People if at all possible stay home and use common sense that the LORD gave you. GOD HELP US.”

So far, there have been no reports of business closures in Wilkes due to the virus.

Tyson Foods has released its virus-related policy:

The company announced that it is only allowing visitors considered essential into its offices and facilities. The determination of who is essential will be made by Enterprise Leadership Team (ELT) members.

Tyson Foods also announced changes impacting hourly employees, including:

• relaxing attendance policies in processing plants by eliminating punitive effect for missing work due to illness;

• waiving the five-consecutive day waiting period for short term disability benefits;

• waiving the co-pay, co-insurance and deductible for doctor visits for COVID-19 testing as well as eliminating pre-approval or preauthorization steps;

• waiving co-pays for use of telemedicine;

• relaxing refill limits for 30 day prescriptions of maintenance medication.

Many corporate Tyson employees will work remotely through March 27.

Management will determine which business personnel will be asked to continue working in the corporate offices while others operate from home.

Late last month, Tyson Foods suspended all international business travel on commercial carriers. Effective immediately, all U.S. commercial business travel has also been suspended. Exceptions must be approved by an (ELT) member.

The company encouraged Tyson personnel to avoid personal travel via cruise ships, airplanes and other common carriers.

“Depending on where you travel, you may be subject to self-quarantine for 14 days when you return. You should consider this and your ability to work remotely before traveling.”

The CDC says “currently there is no evidence to support transmission of COVID-19 associated with food.”

In addition, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported, “There is no evidence at this time to suggest that the Coronavirus is a foodborne pathogen.”

The USDA also said, “We are not aware of any reports at this time of human illnesses that suggest COVID-19 can be transmitted by food or food packaging.”

Tyson has an internal coronavirus page with access to videos and information about the virus, as well as the company’s efforts to address it.

Schools Closed

Wilkes County Schools will be closed for at least two weeks.

This comes as a directive from N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper who ordered all K-12 public schools in North Carolina to close for a minimum of two weeks in response to COVID-19. The executive order also bans gatherings of more than 100 people.

Cooper stated: “We do not have the luxury of a wait-and-see approach. These are hard decisions but they are necessary so we can learn more about the virus,” Cooper said. “We do not want any regrets in the rearview mirror, and I am guided by one objective – doing what we must to keep people from getting sick and to make sure that those who do can get excellent care.”

Wilkes County School Superintendent Mark Byrd in a recorded message sent out Sunday.

Byrd stated, “Monday, March 16 will be a required teacher workday. Bus drivers, teacher assistants and child nutrition workers should not report to work until you have further information.

“Parents will be contacted early this week by your child’s school with information about how you can help your child focus on learning during this two-week window. Our website and social media will be updated with information about what students can do to obtain meal service during this closure, beginning Tuesday, March 17.”

Wilkes Community College

All classes on all campuses of Wilkes Community College have been cancelled for a week.

The college website states: Wilkes Community College is adjusting its class schedule in accordance with guidance from state and local officials to proactively limit the spread of COVID-19.WCC will cancel all classes (Curriculum, Workforce Development, Career and College Readiness) for the week of March 16-22, 2020. Cancelled classes include all classes regardless of delivery method, including online, on-campus, and off-campus. All WCC facilities will be closed to students including Wilkes Campus, Ashe Campus, Alleghany Center, and Herring Hall.All full-time college employees should report to work on Monday, March 16, unless they are in self-quarantine.On March 23, the college plans to shift to a modified schedule with most classes transitioning to an online, hybrid, or otherwise adjusted format.An update will be provided by Friday, March 20 regarding the following week of classes and campus activities.

MerleFest 2020 Cancelled

For following is a press release posted by MerleFest officials at 4 p.m., on Friday, March 13:

In response to directives from North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper and growing concerns about the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Wilkes County officials have cancelled all mass gatherings of more than 100 people in Wilkes County through the end of April. Therefore, MerleFest 2020 has been cancelled. While this decision is disappointing for all of us, we fully support the directive from our county officials. The health, safety, and well-being of all involved with MerleFest is, and always will be, our primary concern.

As you all know, MerleFest serves as the largest fundraising event in support of the students of Wilkes Community College. The WCC Foundation, which plans and manages the festival each year, has already incurred significant costs in the lead up to MerleFest 2020.

We need your help. We are calling on all our loyal MerleFest fans and supporters to help alleviate the financial burden this puts on the college in this unprecedented moment of crisis. Please consider converting your festival purchase this year to a 100 percent tax deductible donation. This will help sustain the mission of MerleFest and its impact on WCC students.

We will be offering three options for those who have purchased MerleFest 2020 tickets through the official MerleFest ticketing system:

Option 1: Convert your purchase to a donation. Convert your festival purchase to a 100 percent tax deductible contribution to the WCC Foundation to help sustain the mission of MerleFest and its impact on WCC students.

Option 2: Roll your tickets forward. Ticket holders may roll purchases over to MerleFest 2021. This option allows fans to retain the same seat, package, parking, ticket, etc. at 2020 prices. The dates for next year’s festival are April 29 – May 2, 2021. Please consider the roll forward option in support of the festival.

Option 3: Refund. If for any reason, you feel that neither option 1 nor 2 is appropriate for you, we can certainly offer you a refund for your ticket order. All refunds must be requested by April 15. We will refund everything except service charges which are non-refundable.

IMPORTANT: All ticket holders must contact the MerleFest box office between March 16 and April 15 to confirm the option you are choosing. Failure to contact the box office by April 15 will result in an automatic roll forward of your tickets to 2021. You can contact the MerleFest box office Monday-Thursday 12 p.m.-5 p.m. and Friday 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Here are four ways to contact us:

Email: [email protected]

Mail: MerleFest Tickets, P.O. Box 120, Wilkesboro, NC 28697

Phone: (800) 343-7857

Visit our box office located in the Walker Center at Wilkes Community College, Wilkesboro, NC

We ask for your patience while we work through the transition process. We will add staff to handle your requests as quickly as possible, but it will just take time. Thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing you at MerleFest in April of 2021!

MerleFest, a four-day Americana music festival was set to run from Thursday, April 23, to Sunday, April 26, on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro. The event draws upwards to 80,000 participants from all over the country and the world each year and pumps million of dollars into the local economy and is WCC biggest fundraiser.

The Walker Center, also on the college campus, cancelled its Haggard Brothers with Special Guest Emi Sunshine concert that was scheduled for Friday, March 13. Center officials says they’re going to try to reschedule the event.

YMCA

Starting Monday and running through at least March 29, Wilkes Family YMCA in Wilkesboro and all other facilities of the YMCA are closed due to the coronavirus.

It was stated in a press release: “After much thoughtful consideration for the health of our members, staff and community as a whole, the YMCA of Northwest North Carolina will temporarily close all facilities. As we navigate these challenges ahead, please know that we never make a decision to close Y facilities in haste.”

N.C. Courts

Chief Justice Beasley Announces Judicial Branch Response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus)Effective Monday, March 16, superior court and district court proceedings will be rescheduled for at least 30 days, with some exceptions.

In an order entered today (Friday, March 13), the Chief Justice has directed that local courts postpone most cases in district and superior court for at least 30 days. While the work of the courts must continue and courthouses remain open, the first priority of the court system must be the health and safety of the public and of the employees who serve them.

“We must be proactive in taking steps to prioritize the health and safety of our fellow North Carolinians while also maintaining the integrity of our judicial system,” said Chief Justice Beasley. “Today’s order will allow us to drastically reduce the exposure caused by crowded sessions of court, which often bring hundreds of people at a time into our courthouses.”

Although the superior courts and district courts remain open, effective Monday, March 16, superior court and district court proceedings will be rescheduled for at least 30 days, with some exceptions. These exceptions include (see more in the Supreme Court Order)

the proceeding will be conducted remotely;

the proceeding is necessary to preserve the right to due process of law (e.g. a first appearance or bond hearing, the appointment of counsel for an indigent defendant, a probation hearing, a probable cause hearing, etc.);

the proceeding is for the purpose of obtaining emergency relief (e.g. a domestic violence protection order, temporary restraining order, juvenile custody order, judicial consent to juvenile medical treatment order, civil commitment order, etc.); or the senior resident superior court judge, chief business court judge, or chief district court judge determines that the proceeding can be conducted under conditions that protect the health and safety of all participants.

This emergency directive does not apply to any proceeding in which a jury has already been empaneled or to any grand juries already empaneled. It also does not prohibit a judge or other judicial officer from exercising any in chambers or ex parte jurisdiction conferred by law upon that judge or judicial officer, as provided by law.

Additionally, the superior courts and district courts are encouraged to liberally grant additional accommodations to parties, witnesses, attorneys, and others with business before the courts who are at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

All counties will post a notice at all court facilities directing any person who has likely been exposed to COVID-19 to not enter the courthouse. Any person who has likely been exposed and has business before the courts should contact the clerk of superior court’s office by telephone or other remote means for further instruction.

As the courts work to postpone thousands of cases, court officials will notify parties and their attorneys of new hearing and trial dates.

The Judicial Branch will be providing continuous updated information and answers to frequently asked questions on our website, NCcourts.gov. The public is encouraged to visit NCcourts.gov as a first resort to determine if a question can be answered without calling the local courthouse.

Sports and Field Trips

Also on Thursday, March 12, Wilkes County Schools released the following announcement:

“Effective March 12. 2020, Wilkes County Schools will suspend all field trips and will reevaluate this in early April. Wilkes County Schools will follow the recommendation of the NCHSAA (North Carolina High School Athletic Association)

and suspend the Spring Sports Season at the conclusion of tonight’s games (Thursday, March 12, 2020). This decision impacts practices as well as scheduled games for both middle and high schools.

Per the Governor’s recommendation, all gatherings of more than 100 people should be postponed. The governor did not recommend school closings at this time.

Again, we appreciate your understanding as we make decisions to ensure the safety of our students and our staff.”

Other cancellations

VFW: The Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans day, scheduled for Saturday, March 28, at VFW Post 1142 in North Wilkesboro, has been cancelled due to health concerns.

The post also cancelled its popular Saturday night dances until further notice.

The Veterans Coffee Call, that has been held the second Tuesday of each month, has been cancelled until further notice.

Shinetopia, a benefit concert, cook-off and bike show scheduled April 18 in North Wilkesboro has been cancelled.

Wilkes Senior Resources has cancelled all instructor-led classes until further notice, effective immediately. The center remains open for individual exercises and other individual activities.

Wilkes-Yadkin Home Builders Association’s annual raffle drawing set for March 19, at the Wilkesboro Civic Center, has been postponed. The drawing, which raises funds for the Joe Faw Scholarship and SkillsUSA, will be held at a later date.

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But back to the hoarding hysteria

Apparently it has become somewhat out of hand.

One local business manager was heard saying that law enforcement had to be on hand as guards when trucks hauling restock items arrive at their store, and added that thefts of items were becoming more commonplace.

Another manager told about how some were taking advantage of the situation and buying up the most sought after goods and attempting to pirate them on the internet. They were allegedly caught and stopped.

According to one internet report a bottle of hand sanitizer bought for $8 at a drug store sold the same day for $138 on a website.

And there are cases of downright rudeness.

“Some people act like it’s my own personal fault that we’re out of certain items,” another manager said.

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