WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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Later in the program, WFHB News breaks down Governor Eric Holcomb’s executive stay-at-home order which expires Friday, May 1st. Also coming up in the next half hour, Better Beware, our weekly-consumer watchdog segment hosted by Richard Fish with Richard Fish. That’s all coming up later in the show.
But first, your local headlines:
As the governor contemplates his Friday deadline for the stay-at-home order, Indiana’s coronavirus numbers continue to climb. Indiana State Health Department reported 605 new cases in the past 10 days and 63 deaths which occurred in the past two days. That brings the total number of positive cases to 17,182 people and 964 deaths.
Jeremy Kahn, Contributor for Fortune, reported there may be 22 hidden coronavirus hotspots in states poised to lift restrictions. Among those states is Indiana. Among the counties in Indiana, Monroe County sits on the list. The Fortune report said emerging coronavirus hotpots likely already exist undiscovered in the eight U.S. states planning to ease social distancing restrictions.
This report was based on a study by technology firm, Dataminir. The firm uses artificial intelligence to scrutinize social media posts on platforms such as Twitter and Reddit. Fortune says the company also looks at 10,000 public data sources in more than 100 languages. Its technology is used by both governments and companies, to predict emerging events.
Fortune says it is also used by the World Health Organization and the United Nations. Among the areas where Dataminir has spotted emerging hotspots are counties in Indiana and Michigan. Indiana’s lockdown is set to expire this Friday, May 1st. Governor Holcomb debates whether or not to extend the order or start re-opening the economy.
Dataminir is forecasting likely surges in the following counties in Indiana: Monroe County, St. Joseph County, Tippecanoe County and Vigo County.
On Saturday May 2nd, the city Farmers Market will return to its Showers Common location, or 401 North Morton Street.
According to a city press release the market will be merging its online ordering system with a “physically distanced walk-through customer order pickup.” Customers who pre-ordered their goods will be assigned a pickup time and are allowed to pick up orders directly from the vendors on site.”
Only 75 customers will be permitted on the site at a time.
However, the market will, “offer the opportunity for on-site purchases, live entertainment, or representation by community organizations at Information Alley.”
Customers will pick up their orders by vendors alphabetically through a one way pedestrian traffic aisle. The city is requiring each endor to wear a face mask, gloves, and provide hand sanitiser. Customers could begin placing orders on Tuesday, April 28th at 6am. The city has also implemented an online ordering capacity of 750 orders.
IU Cinema and IU Media School are partnering to organize an online student film festival on Thursday.
The festival, Montage: A Celebration of Moving Pictures, will be online after the coronavirus pandemic disrupted the in-person academic semester.
The event is free to attend. Viewers can find the link on IU Cinema’s website. Indiana Daily Student says viewers can stream the program until May 3rd.
President of Indiana University Health Brian Shockney said IU is performing an antibody study during an April 24th COVID-19 Press Conference.
Schockney said, on Saturday, the hospital also performed prevalence testing. County Health Administrator Penny Caudill said the study of tests was randomized and invitational.
Shockney said IU Hospital plans to partially reopen their surgical unit on May 4th. He said they would be allowing no essential surgical procedures.
Schockney said some surgical unit social distancing procedures are still being worked through. He said the hospital is also working to reopen non urgent clinic visits. He said after non-urgent visits are permitted, virtual clinic visits will continue to be an option for patients.
The Bloomington City Council approved an ordinance to conduct municipal government during a state of emergency in compliance with the State Board of Accounts. City Clerk Nicole Bolden presented the amendment at their April 22nd meeting.
City Attorney Phillipa Guthrie said the ordinance was prompted by the State Board of Accounts. She said the ordinance would allow flexibility to permit fast action to COVID-19 related help. Controller Jeff Underwood described a recent scenario that followed this ordinance’s flexibility.
Council member Matt Flaherty presented language specifying the mayor’s ability to wave procedures and the controller’s ability to approve expenditures would ONLY be effective during this COVID-19 emergency. He also presented a whereas clause clarifying the council’s alignment with the State Board of Accounts.
Council member Rosenbarger presented an amendment recognizing an ordinance in the Bloomington municipal code regarding controller expenditures.
Council members unanimously approve the three amendments. Council member Jim Sims said accountability is important for all departments involved. Council members unanimously approved the ordinance as amended.
Feature Reports:
- WFHB News Director Kade Young reports on the future of Governor Holcomb’s executive order to stay at home. That executive order expires on Friday, May 1st. For more, we turn to Kade Young.
- Our weekly consumer-watchdog segment, Better Beware, hosted by Richard Fish.
