WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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Good afternoon. This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, December 3rd, 2020.
Later in the program, we have an excerpt from the latest episode of Bring It On! – where IU Professors Talk about Black Theater and Post-Trump Civil Rights. That’s coming up later in today’s feature reports.
Also coming up in the next half hour, the Monroe County Public Library changed its policies back to curbside-services-only by appointment through early 2021. We will hear from Mandy Hussey, Communications & Marketing Manager for the Monroe County Public Library later in the broadcast.
But first, your local headlines:
Governor Holcomb Provides Covid-19 Update
In a press conference on Wednesday, Governor Eric Holcomb said the state of Indiana prepares for a coronavirus surge after the Thanksgiving holiday.
However, the governor did not tighten statewide Covid-19 restrictions, despite the expectation of rising cases.
This comes after Indiana hospitals have seen a surge in new Covid-19 patients. The Associated Press reports that Indiana hospitals are treating more than quadruple the number of Covid-19 patients, as compared to late September.
As of Wednesday, there are 3,362 total Covid-19 hospital patients. 243 admissions were reported on Wednesday alone, according to the Indiana State Department of Health.
Right now, 45.2 percent of ICU beds are in use for the treatment of Covid-19 patients. 34.5 percent of ICU beds are in use for non-Covid patients. That means only 20.5 percent of ICU beds are available across the state.
As for ventilators, almost 70 percent of ventilators are currently available.
Dr. Kristina Box, state health commissioner, provided a breakdown of Covid-19 across the state in the Wednesday press conference.
On Thursday, ISDH reported a single-day record of 8,500 new Covid-19 cases.
Monroe County Commissioners Meeting
Jail Commander Sam Crowe requested an amendment to the Provision of Health Care for Incarcerated Patients Agreement during the December 2nd Monroe County Commissioners meeting. He said the amendment would increase mental health services.
Community member Janet Arthur questioned who would be hired for the position. Crowe said the position would be employed through Advanced Correctional Healthcare.
Commissioner Julie Thomas said the amendment would cost approximately 62 thousand dollars. Commissioners unanimously approved the amendment.
Bloomington City Council
The Bloomington City Council discussed the Comprehensive 2020 Year End Appropriation Request from the General Fund during their December 2nd meeting. Controller Jeff Underwood said the total appropriation is approximately one million six hundred and thirty thousand dollars.
Underwood stated the ordinance has no impact on city tax rates. He presented an amendment to the Sanitation fund request.
Council members unanimously approved the ordinance as amended.
MCPL: Curbside-Services-Only through Early 2021
The Monroe County Public Library is changing its policies back to curbside-services-only by appointment through early 2021.
Back in September, the library reopened with limited in-person services. Mandy Hussey, communications and marketing manager for MCPL, said this recent change was anticipated – as coronavirus cases were expected to increase during the winter months.
Here’s Hussey speaking with us earlier in the day in a phone conversation.
“The return to curbside services was preemptive,” said Hussey. “We really wanted to emphasize an abundance of caution at a time when that’s pretty much the only thing we can control.”
She provided a breakdown of what services library patrons can receive in the updated curbside model.
Earlier in the week, the WFHB Local News reported an inaccuracy. We referenced an Indiana Daily Student report that said the library will remain in curbside-services-only through mid-2020. Hussey clarified this error in our reporting.
“At this point, it’s really unknown when we will reopen, but we’re looking at it as early 2021 right now, but of course that remains to be seen with Covid and vaccines and what the community numbers look like,” said Hussey.
She said it is difficult to determine what library-goers can expect in early 2021. However, she said the library is trying to adapt to the times. She said safety for employees and the general public is priority number one.
“We’re doing our best to continue to evolve – as everyone else is,” she said, “we will move forward in a way that is safe for everyone.”
Lastly, Hussey touched on why the Monroe County Public Library is an important community resource – especially during a pandemic.
“I think the library is for everyone. It is that public institution that everyone is aware… that they can use regardless of their financial status, or any other barriers that might exist,” said Hussey.
Time will tell what the library plans to do once early 2021 comes around. We will have more reporting then on what the future holds for the Monroe County Public Library.
Monroe County Board of Health
The Monroe County Board of Health discussed a request from Muddy Fork Bakery to allow a third employee at the Farmers Market booth. Chief Food Sanitarian Nicole Wagner said an additional employee could be a risk during their December 2nd meeting.
The County Health Administrator suggested a runner position, rather than another employee behind the work station. Board member Kay Leach contemplated allowing more booth employees dependent on the booth size.
Monroe County Health Officer Dr. Thomas Sharp said three people should not be behind a table. He mentioned an additional runner could reduce line capacity. Board members unanimously agreed additional employees would work as runners.
Feature Report:
Today, we bring you an excerpt from this week’s episode of Bring It On. You will hear from IU Professors talking about Black Theater and Post-Trump Civil Rights. We now turn to hosts Clarence Boone and William Hosea for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Jake Jacobson, Kade Young and Sydney Foreman, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Bring It On.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
