GOV. RICKETTS EXTENDS STATEWIDE SOCIAL DISTANCING RESTRICTIONS UNTIL APRIL 30TH & NEW UNEMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS

LINCOLN – Monday, Governor Pete Ricketts held a press conference to announce that the State of Nebraska has extended statewide social distancing restrictions through April 30th.  Earlier in March, the State of Nebraska issued social distancing restrictions for the entire state.  
In addition to these social distancing restrictions, 30 counties are currently covered by a Directed Health Measure. 

At the news conference, Gov. Ricketts detailed new unemployment programs being implemented in Nebraska as a result of federal legislation to aid the pandemic response.  The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Donald J. Trump on March 27, 2020. These programs include: 

• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) – Allows unemployment benefits to individuals who have exhausted all other unemployment benefits, and those not eligible for other unemployment benefits, including workers who are self-employed and independent contractors.  The minimum PUA weekly payment will be $174 and top out at $440.

• Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) – This emergency increase in Unemployment Insurance Benefits adds $600 per week in federal benefits to the unemployment benefit amount for COVID-19 unemployment claims, including PUA claims.

• Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) – Allows 13 weeks of federally funded benefits to be added to the end of the normal 26 weeks of benefits.

• Short Time Compensation Programs (also known as Work Share) – Provides federal funding of Short-Time Compensation, a program that allows businesses to uniformly reduce their teammates’ hours while the workers receive a partial unemployment benefit

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NEBRASKA MEDICINE STUDY SUGGESTS COVID-19 PATIENTS LIKELY CONTAMINATE THEIR SURROUNDINGS

OMAHA - A study released Sunday by Nebraska Medicine/UNMC suggests people with COVID-19 can produce widespread contamination of their environment.

The study, based on samples taken from the rooms of COVID-19 patients, does not prove the virus spreads in airborne fashion, according to Nebraska Medicine researchers.The report noted that COVID-19 found in air samples provided only limited evidence that there is the potential for airborne transmission.

But the research found high levels of the virus on commonly-used surfaces and in the air of rooms of COVID-19 patients. In a news release, Nebraska Medicine also reported evidence in COVID-19 in air samplers outside of rooms where COVID-19 patients were treated.The study also suggests COVID-19 patients with even mild symptoms may be spread the virus and contaminate surfaces through coughing.

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GOV. RICKETTS TELLS CNN THAT NEBRASKA WILL MAKE DECISIONS ON CORONAVIRUS RESTRICTIONS

OMAHA - Gov. Pete Ricketts, speaking on Jake Tapper’s Sunday show on CNN, said Nebraska will follow its own plans and guidelines on when to open local schools and businesses. The governor, video chatting from his Omaha home, said Nebraska will not change its novel coronavirus plans based on the federal government’s efforts to speed at least some reopening.

Ricketts said Nebraska has performed about 2,000 tests for COVID-19, the abbreviation for coronavirus disease 2019. The state’s plans were designed for being short on tests, he said. That will be adjusted as more become available.Tapper asked Ricketts how prepared Nebraska’s rural health system is to handle the spread of coronavirus and on the need for ICU space, which is spare in much of the state.

Ricketts said the key to helping rural hospitals is managing the spread of the virus and making sure testing protocols and availability are the same in rural areas as urban.

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'TO-GO' COCKTAILS OF UP TO 1 GALLON ALLOWED UNDER RICKETTS' EMERGENCY ORDER

LINCOLN — Let the good times roll, but roll at least 6 feet apart.

Nebraskans can purchase cocktails to go of up to 1 gallon in size under the emergency order signed Thursday evening by Gov. Pete Ricketts. The governor waived current laws against such sales in an effort to help taverns and lounges shuttered by the coronavirus outbreak.

But the state liquor commission warned that such “to-go” cocktails can’t be opened in a vehicle or just outside the tavern, or the purchaser risks violations of laws banning open containers of alcohol.

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13 NEW COVID-19 CASES IN NEBRASKA BRING STATE'S TOTAL TO 81

Health officials reported 13 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, raising the known number of cases in Nebraska to 81. Douglas County Health Department Director Adi Pour announced that four more people have tested positive for the coronavirus, bringing the county total to 44.

Sarpy County health officials reported two new cases, bringing that county's total to eight. The South Heartland District Health Department reported two cases. One involves a man in his 40s who is currently hospitalized in Adams County. The other is a man in his 50s who is a Colorado resident currently hospitalized in Adams County.  

Kearney County reported one case, a man in his 20s who is self-isolating. Two Buffalo County residents tested positive — a woman in her 80s and a man in his 90s who are currently hospitalized.The Central District Health Department, which covers Hall, Hamilton and Merrick Counties, reported two cases but did not specify which counties the cases are in. 

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EXECUTIVE ORDER ALLOWS TAKEOUT FOR MIXED DRINKS WITH LIDS

LINCOLN- Gov. Pete Ricketts issued a new executive order Thursday that will allow restaurants and bars to provide mixed drinks with lids for takeout. The executive order comes as bars and restaurants have been shuttered to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Ricketts' action ordered the Liquor Control Commission to temporarily change an existing law that mandated that alcohol be sold in its original package as a way of providing relief for struggling restaurants and bars.

“Our restaurants and bars have been some of the hardest hit businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Ricketts said. “I've signed an executive order to help them by allowing takeout for pre-made cocktails and other alcoholic beverages as long as they are sealed with a lid.”

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LINCOLN COUNCIL TO CONSIDER 'ARENA TAX' DEFERMENT FOR BARS, RESTAURANTS TO BOLSTER CASH FLOW IN HARD TIMES

LINCOLN- Restaurant and bar owners in Lincoln could put off making their occupation tax payments to the city while they adapt to restricted operations and reduced revenue stemming from the pandemic.

The proposal by City Councilwoman Tammy Ward suspends the payment of the 2% occupation tax collected after March 1 to June 25, without penalty or interest. 

Ward looked into what could be done to help bars and restaurants after hearing from a Haymarket restaurant owner who had seen sales fall 90% after the spread of the coronavirus led city officials to recommend social distancing. That owner told Ward he was already falling behind on remitting occupation taxes to the city, so she crafted her proposed ordinance to provide these businesses with slightly more cash flow at a time when owners and managers are weighing which bills to pay and how long to keep on employees, she said. 

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OMAHA POLICE OFFICER AND FIREFIGHTER TEST POSITIVE FOR CORONAVIRUS

OMAHA - An Omaha police officer and Omaha firefighter have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, city officials said Thursday.

The officer, who is not being identified by The World-Herald, said Thursday on his Facebook page that he will be treated at the Nebraska Medical Center while battling COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus.

The officer had recently traveled to Hawaii. Police Chief Todd Schmaderer has ordered any officer who traveled to self-quarantine for two weeks.

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COLLEGES DONATE LEFTOVER MEDICAL SUPPLIES TO SOUTHEAST NEBRASKA HOSPITALS, HEALTH CENTERS

LINCOLN - With no college students in the biology and chemistry labs for the remainder of the semester, there's also no demand for gloves, masks and hand sanitizer.

Where there is demand, however, are the local hospitals and health clinics where doctors, nurses and other health care professionals are on the front lines against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nebraska Wesleyan University and Southeast Community College donated their remaining caches of personal protective equipment and cleaning products this week as testing and treatment of the novel coronavirus continues to expand in the state.

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NEBRASKA IS 'AHEAD OF THE CURVE' IN SLOWING THE SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS, RICKETTS SAYS

LINCOLN — Nebraska is “well ahead of the curve” in slowing the spread of the coronavirus, Gov. Pete Ricketts said Monday, while encouraging Nebraskans to continue to practice “social distancing” and other preventive measures.

“We have a plan, we’re working our plan and will continue to work our plan,” Ricketts said at his daily update with news media at the State Capitol. 

The governor said that Nebraska’s plan of attack against the virus was developed in conjunction with the University of Nebraska Medical Center, which has national experts on pandemics, and that the spread of coronavirus in Nebraska has been slower than in states like New York. The state’s plan, he said, does not include shelter-in-place orders, like those placed on residents of California, Illinois and other states, and restrictions should get no worse than those imposed in the Omaha area, which have led to the closure of restaurant dining rooms and bars.

Still, Ricketts wouldn’t predict when things might return to normal.

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NEBRASKA SEES A 'TIDAL WAVE' OF UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS

LINCOLN - Unemployment claims skyrocketed in Nebraska last week, mirroring an unprecedented surge across the U.S. There were 15,668 initial unemployment claims filed in the state for the week ending March 21. That was a more than 1,800% increase from the 799 claims the previous week.

The number of claims was nearly four times bigger than the previous record for weekly claims, which occurred in January 2010, said Labor Commissioner John Albin, who referred to the number of claims as a "tidal wave."

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$71 MILLION FRAUD CASE IN SOUTH DAKOTA PUTS HARSH SPOTLIGHT ON ORGANIC SUPPLY CHAIN

LINCOLN - A $71 million fraud case in South Dakota is the latest blow to the organic supply chain. Federal prosecutors in February accused Kent Duane Anderson, a Rapid City businessman, of passing off conventional grain and seed as organic for more than five years.Anderson pleaded not guilty to charges of wire fraud and money laundering.

The case is the second large-scale organic fraud case in the Midwest to attract federal prosecution in less than a year and comes amid ongoing concern over fraudulent organic imports. The South Dakota case is frustrating but unfortunately not a surprise, said Erin Heitkamp, a vice president at Pipeline Foods, a Minneapolis-based organic supply-chain company. Her firm has reported concerns, often about middlemen such as Anderson buying and selling grain from a desk, to certifiers and government regulators.

“There will likely be more investigations and prosecutions,” Heitkamp said. “I expect to see more and more shoes drop over time.”

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LAWMAKERS QUICKLY ADVANCE $83.6 MILLION EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION TO HELP BATTLE CORONAVIRUS

LINCOLN — Nebraska lawmakers advanced an $83.6 million emergency appropriation to battle the novel coronavirus Monday with no dissent and virtually no debate.

The 44-0 vote on the appropriation came after State Sen. John Stinner of Gering, the Appropriations Committee chairman, urged his colleagues to show unity in support of the state.

“It’s our turn to lay down our partisan politics and pass the bill,” he said.

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CORNHUSKER HOTEL LATEST IN LINCOLN TO CLOSE

LINCOLN-  Marcus Hotels & Resorts on Tuesday announced it will close a number of hotels it owns temporarily, including the Marriott Cornhusker Hotel in Lincoln.Marcus said the closures will start this week, although it did not give an exact day.

"The lodging industry is facing unprecedented challenges due to the nationwide COVID-19 pandemic. In light of these challenges and our current business levels, we have made the difficult decision to close a select number of properties across our portfolio,” Michael R. Evans, president of Marcus Hotels & Resorts, said in a news release.

 Graduate, Kindler hotels closed indefinitely; others weighing their options

“Our sincere hope is that these closures will not be for an extended period of time and that our dedicated teams will all be back together again very soon and welcoming guests to our hotels," he said.

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CHIEF JUSTICE: COURTS CAN'T PUT MORATORIUM ON EVICTIONS IN NEBRASKA DURING PANDEMIC

LINCOLN- The Nebraska Supreme Court lacks the authority to halt evictions amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Chief Justice Mike Heavican said in a news release Monday. 

Late last week, organizations began calling on Heavican and the court to temporarily suspend evictions so people were not being kicked out of their homes as public health officials urged people to stay home. In the release, Heavican said he is mindful of the difficulties presented to some people. State law requires the court to hold an eviction hearing between 10 and 14 days after a tenant has received their eviction notice, the chief justice said.

"The Supreme Court cannot, nor can the Chief Justice, in the guise of an administrative order, order otherwise," Heavican said. 

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ST. ELIZABETH TURNING 6TH FLOOR INTO COVID-19 WARD

LINCOLN- CHI St. Elizabeth is preparing for a potential surge of COVID-19 patients by turning its sixth floor into an isolation ward for those with the illness. The floor will have up to 40 beds to house patients with the novel coronavirus who are sick enough to be in the hospital but who don't need to be in intensive care.

"The idea for this unit is to act as a backup plan in the event that we get a lot of COVID-19 patients," said Derek Vance, president of CHI St. Elizabeth and CHI Nebraska Heart.

Vance said the plan was formulated over the past several weeks in consultation with Gov. Pete Ricketts. St. Elizabeth is one of two CHI Health hospitals that will host a short-term unit. The other is CHI Midlands in Papillion.

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BRYAN'S FIRST DAY OF DRIVE-THRU TESTING GOES 'VERY SMOOTHLY'

Lincoln's first attempt at a drive-thru coronavirus testing clinic seemed to go smoother than many others around the country.

Bryan Health began the clinic at 2 p.m. Tuesday at its LifePointe location south of 27th Street and Pine Lake Road. An hour into it, things were orderly, with about four or five cars waiting in the registration line, said Edgar Bumanis, director of public relations and marketing at Bryan Health. After registration, cars pulled underneath large tents so that nurses in full protective gear could collect specimens for a battery of tests without the patients getting out of their vehicles. 

Bumanis said Bryan tested 54 people in the drive-thru clinic Tuesday, which is about the number it estimated it could handle.

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WEIGHING ONE DISEASE AGAINST ANOTHER: RECOVERY DOORS CLOSE (AND OPEN) IN LINCOLN

The Meeting Place’s board of directors was torn when it met last week. The volunteers knew the role they play in the 12-step recovery community: Every month, up to 4,000 people battled their addictions — to alcohol, drugs, sex, overeating — in 58 weekly meetings at the former church on North 28th Street.

“We recognize that meetings can save lives,” said Bill Ganzel, the board chair. “Getting into the program, whatever the addiction is — going to meetings, seeing other people, working the steps, getting sober — it can literally save lives.”

And as churches started canceling the meetings they hosted to limit the threat of the coronavirus, the Meeting Place became even more important. A large and long-standing Alcoholics Anonymous group from St. Paul United Methodist Church moved over. A vets-only group followed. But temporarily closing the Meeting Place, which had been open since 1990, was painful. Ganzel called it one of the toughest decisions he’s had to make.

The board invested in a conference-call system, and encouraged meetings to continue by phone.

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DAWSON COUNTY WOMAN IS NEBRASKA'S NEWEST CORONAVIRUS CASE

LINCOLN- Nebraska's newest case of the coronavirus involves a Dawson County woman in her 40s, according to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.

The woman traveled recently, so her case may be related to that. She is self-isolating at home, health officials said. Dawson County stretches along Interstate 80 and includes the cities of Lexington, Cozad and Gothenburg.

Nebraska now has 51 known cases. Iowa had 90 confirmed cases as of Sunday night, including two in Pottawattamie County. 

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