Following North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper declaring a State of Emergency, Mecklenburg County declared a state of emergency on Sunday, on March 15th, 2020. Below is a list of information, breaking news, and helpful tips to get through this time.
Things to Know
General Information: Mecklenburg County health officials have reported four additional presumptive positive cases in Mecklenburg County, bringing the total to 11. Officials said all four people are self-isolating at home. This number jumped from 7 cases as of Monday afternoon. The state’s total now sits at: 504 cases as of March 25, with 2 deaths.
Healthcare:
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2020
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has sought authority from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to temporarily waive certain Medicaid and NC Health Choice policies as part of North Carolina’s response to the COVID-19. The waivers will provide flexibility to NC Medicaid and providers to address the urgent health care needs of beneficiaries during this public health emergency on Wednesday, March 18, 2020.
Atrium Health, Wake Forest Baptist Health and Novant Health are rescheduling non-essential surgeries, procedures and ambulatory appointments effective Wednesday, March 18.
Gov. Roy Cooper said there is likely community spread of coronavirus in the state which has yet to show up in testing.
OrthoCarolina in Charlotte said one of its physicians has tested positive for coronavirus. The physician, who works at OrthoCarolina inside Mercy Hospital on Vail Avenue, is at home in quarantine.
Restaurants/Bar: Governor Cooper announced an executive order that will close restaurants and bars to sit-down service and limit them to take-out and delivery starting at 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 17th.
Wondering if Starbucks, McDonalds, or your other drive throughs are serving? A great article by Good Housekeeping outlining fast food and other restaurant plans for business and special offers or hours can be found here. (note subject to change)
Businesses: The Executive order also removes barriers to unemployment benefits in five ways:
- It removes the one-week waiting period to apply for unemployment benefits for those workers who lose their jobs.
- It removes the requirement that a person must look for another job during this time when many potential employers are closed and social distancing guidelines are in effect.
- It allows employees who lose their jobs or, in certain cases, have their hours reduced due to coronavirus issues to apply for unemployment benefits.
- It waives the requirement that part of the application process be in person.
- It directs that these unemployment losses won’t be counted against employers.
THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2020 RALEIGH: The U.S. Small Business Administration granted Governor Roy Cooper’s request for a disaster declaration for small businesses that are suffering economic losses due to the new Coronavirus, COVID-19. “Many small businesses are desperate right now and this SBA approval will help,” said Governor Cooper. “Even more is needed and we will continue to push for additional assistance while we work to protect the health of North Carolinians.”
Education: All NC public schools are closed for two weeks, starting Friday, March 13. More updates as they come available.
The University of North Carolina Charlotte- Chancellor DuBois has announced all on-campus students are required to leave residence halls by Friday, March 20th, at 5 p.m. In addition, the school said all classes and lab sections will be online, effective March 23 and for the rest of the semester.
Things to Do
Museums: The Smithsonian Institution is releasing 2.8 million high-res images from its massive collection into the public domain, putting them online for anyone to use and download for free. The open-access online platform will include 2D and 3D images from its 19 museums, nine research centers, archives, libraries, and the National Zoo, Smithsonian Magazine reports.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art , founded in 1870,has a collection has grown to represent more than 5,000 years of art from across the globe—from the first cities of the ancient world to the works of our time. View them online here.
Entertainment for Adults: Learn a new foreign language, check out a #D virtual tour of earth, and more on this list of 50 Things to do online when you are bored. (note, charges may apply)
Binge watch: Of course. Stream new and old favorites on sites like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, HBO or download your favorite movies into your personal archive at Vudu. (charges apply)
Volunteer: Some organizations may need added assistance to feed families during this time. For example, Loaves & Fishes, which operates several food pantries locally, added protections against the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus. Volunteers are now packing meals themselves rather than have clients shop for their items. Check with your favorites (and don’t forget our furry friends!) and see if they need you.
Get Outdoors: There is plenty to see and do in nature in and around the Charlotte area. Get some green time in (while keeping yourself at a safe distance) at a hiking or biking trail, or if you prefer to stay closer to home, now is a great time to spruce up your landscape. Remember to self quarantine if you are experiencing symptoms of illness!
For Kids: Actor and comedian Josh Gad is hoping to brighten some days amid the growing fear and ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak by reading storybooks on Twitter. Check him out here.
Broadway performer Laura Benanti took to Twitter and asks kids to share their school performances after coronavirus cancellations. See the video here.
Discover amazing animals from all over the world without leaving your home by visiting Active Wild online. Discover amazing animals and use the free downloadable worksheets.
As always, we wish you to stay safe and healthy in all you do in the Charlotte Area!
