WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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3/16/2020 @ 8:45 p.m.
Governor Holcomb and State Health Commissioner Dr. Box on the coronavirus today. http:/https://www.facebook.com/GovHolcomb/videos/280770232909362/
3/16/2020 @ 4:30 p.m.
Good afternoon. You’re tuned to the WFHB Local News Brief, where we bring you live updates on the coronavirus.
As reported earlier, Indiana has its first confirmed death due to the coronavirus. State officials say the Indianapolis woman was over 60 and suffered other medical problems as well as COVID-19.
Pantry 279 in Ellettsville said it will continue during normal business hours, however starting today they will switch to a drive-through style pantry over concerns with COVID-19.
According to its website, Pantry 279 needs Diapers of all sizes, toilet paper, baby wipes, feminine hygiene products and soap.
According a press release, Bloomington Public Transportation is taking a number of precautions to deal with the pandemic. A break schedule will operate next week on Routes 6, 6 Limited, 7, 9 and 9 Limited during the IU spring break.
During the period after spring break when IU classes are held online, Bloomington Transit will keep Routes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8 operating normally. BT Access service also will operate normally during the same time period. Expect an announcement next week from Bloomington Transit on service reduction plans on Routes 6 Campus Shuttle, 6 Limited, 9 IU Campus and 9 Limited during the period that IU classes are held online.
Bloomington Transit also announced it will be providing employees with hand sanitizer, surgical masks and gloves as may be needed.
Bloomington Animal Care and Control announced a new protocol Saturday on its website. They wrote, “In compliance with recommendations of the State Board of Health the Bloomington Animal Shelter will be limiting public visitations temporarily. If you are interested in adopting an animal, please visit our Adoptable Animals page, select an animal you would like to meet, fill out an application in the link below and sign up for a time to visit the shelter to complete the adoption process. You must follow the link at the completion of the application to sign-up for a time slot.”
According to Indiana University’s website, the Men’s and Women’s Little 500 bike races are canceled for this academic semester. The university reported all proceeds from the Little 500 help to support emergency student scholarships. For those who have purchased tickets but would like a refund, please contact the IU Athletics Ticket office at 1-866-IUSPORTS or [email protected]
That’s all for your WFHB Local News Brief. Stay tuned for more coronavirus updates.
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3/16/2020 @ 3:30 p.m.
Approximately an hour ago today Indiana Governor Holcomb reported the first death in the state due to COVID-19.
The infected patient was over the age of 60 with additional health issues, according to the Community Health Network.
Coronavirus is impacting more than just health, it is also affecting the local economy. As reported earlier, Governor Holcomb has ordered all restaurants, bars and nightclubs to close in-person dining with a few still offering carry out options. This has resulted in many service industry employees, mostly paid on an hourly wage, losing their jobs or are temporarily without work. Therefore neighbors are filing for unemployment, losing health insurance, and fear for future rent payments or how they would afford to contract COVID-19 themselves.
Local business owners also feel the effects, questioning how their business’ rent will be paid over the time of closure.
Indiana’s Department of Workforce Development has launched a site to help those who may have lost (or will lose) their jobs due to COVID-19. The DWD’s site reports that rules requiring certain unemployment insurance claimants to physically appear at a Work One location to engage in reemployment services have been suspended for the next four weeks. This allows individuals who may be symptomatic to NOT have to physically appear to continue their unemployment insurance eligibility; and The DWD is assessing flexibility under federal and state law to expand eligibility for claimants and ease burdens on employers.
That website is www.in.gov/dwd/19.htm
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3/16/2020 @ 1:30 p.m.
First up, IU will be operating under virtual classes for the remainder of the semester. Spring break will be extended until March 30th. Students have until March 20th to leave campus housing.
As of now, there are 24 positive cases of coronavirus according to the Indiana State Department of Health. There are likely many more of unconfirmed, milder cases in the Hoosier state. However, this results in an unclear amount of coronavirus cases due to lack of testing capability.
Total Deaths in Indiana are at zero. The total number of those tested by the state department of health is 139 as of 10 a.m. today.
The number of tests conducted reflects only those performed at ISDH and CDC.
Now, we turn to WFHB Correspondent Braydyn Lents for an explanation of “WHAT IS CORONAVIRUS?”
What is Coronavirus?
What exactly is coronavirus and what is COVID-19?
According to the World Health Organization, coronavirus is “a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases.”
The Coronavirus family creates other respiratory diseases notably the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome or SARS to the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome or MERS. Both have reportedly been contracted from animals or people.
Two examples were reported in 2002-2004 when SARS was transmitted from civet cats to humans. MERS recently broke out from dromedary camels then spread.
According to fact checks from the Center For Disease Control and Prevention, Coronavirus can also spread from person to person. The prime examples of person to person contacts could be from quote, “Healthcare workers to household members” end quote.
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3/16/20 @ 1 p.m.
Good afternoon. Welcome to your WFHB Local News Brief for March 16, 2020.
First up, WNDU reports that Indiana restaurants, bars and nightclubs are being required to close to dine-in customers through the month of March, according to one of several new directives from Governor Eric Holcomb.
Those restaurants may provide take-out and delivery services.
WNDU also reported, “Hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers should cancel and/or postpone elective and non-urgent surgical procedures immediately. This action will help the healthcare system conserve resources and personnel necessary to meet emerging health needs
Physicians should continue to perform critical procedures necessary to prevent short-term and/or long-term adverse effects to their patients’ overall health.
In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, Citizens Action Coalition and the Indiana Community Action Association are calling on Governor Holcomb to not only extend Indiana’s Winter Disconnect Moratorium,[1] which officially ended yesterday, but also to put in place a statewide moratorium on any and all utility disconnects until this crisis passes.
What can you do to prevent it?:
Well, the CDC says you can:
- Clean your hands often. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- Avoid close contact. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
- Stay home if you’re sick. Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care.
- Cover coughs and sneezes. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow. Throw used tissues in the trash. Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Wear a facemask if you are sick: If you are NOT sick: You do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a facemask). Facemasks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers.
- Clean and disinfect. Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks. If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
IU Health said it, “has launched a virtual clinic to offer individuals in Indiana regardless of age free Coronavirus (COVID-19) screenings using the IU Health Virtual Visit app. Staffed 24/7 with IU Health physicians, advance practice providers and registered nurses, the clinic will screen patients from home, potentially eliminating the need to visit physician offices, urgent cares or emergency departments.
The team will recommend and facilitate appropriate pathways for care, and provide direct access and communication with local hospitals as medically appropriate.
How can you access the hub? Download the free IU Health Virtual Visits app (Google Play or iTunes) or enroll on your computer. Enroll by creating a free login and completing your personal profile. Connect with the virtual hub, select “Coronavirus Screen” and find the appropriate pathway for care. Be sure to allow access to your camera and microphone if you are using the app. If you are connecting via desktop, be sure to test your computer settings. You can call at 800.248.1199.”
That’s all for your local news brief. Stay tuned for more updates.
