SENATORS POUNCE ON GOVERNORS' RFS REQUEST:

WASHINGTON – Politico reports that “A bipartisan group of senators called on the president to reject a previous request for Renewable Fuel Standard waivers from five oil-state governors.” According to Senators Joni Ernst and Tina Smith, “Waiving the RFS would cause further harm to the U.S. economy, especially our most vulnerable rural communities. It would also exacerbate the effects experienced by the biofuel sector as a result of COVID-19, causing far-reaching detrimental impacts on employment, farmers, food security, fuel prices, and the environment.” The Senators also stated that the pandemic has caused a 46% decline in ethanol production.

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DEMS’ BILL WOULD CUT FOSSIL FUELS OUT OF RELIEF PACKAGE:

WASHINGTON - Democratic lawmakers brought legislation Tuesday that would exclude fossil fuel companies from participating in coronavirus relief packages and prevent options that could be under consideration by the Trump administration to aid the oil sector. According to Politico, “The bill specifically bars fossil fuel companies from participating in the Federal Reserve's Main Street lending program, which the central bank expanded last week in ways that will enable more oil and gas companies to participate.”

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APPS AND ANTIBODIES

WASHINGTON - State health agencies using Apple and Google’s contact tracing technology will be barred from pinpointing users’ exact locations or using their data for other purposes including targeted ads. The tech giants outlined rules for public health officials Tuesday as they prepare to release the API later this month; they also plan to support only one app per country outside the U.S. but will work with state governments to support multiple apps.

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NOVEMBER REIGN

WASHINGTON - Senate Republicans are settling on their pandemic message as they fight to save their majority. The coronavirus has killed more than 70,000 Americans, tanked the once-soaring U.S. economy, and shows no signs of abating. Democrats pin the blame on President Trump. Still, nearly all Republican U.S. Senators have not seen it to be advantageous to break with Trump. If the economy recovers and the virus dissipates by the fall, Republicans could benefit by sticking with Trump.

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MEDICAID ADJUSTMENT

WASHINGTON - Medicaid, the largest budget item in most states, provides health insurance to roughly 70 million poor adults, children, pregnant women, and people with disabilities. As millions come on to the Medicaid roles due to the loss of jobs created by coronavirus, the program will be gutted. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine stated that “The cruel nature of the economic downturn is that at a time when you need a social safety net is also the time when revenues shrink.” State Medicaid programs in the last economic crisis cut everything from dental services to podiatry care — and reduced payments to hospitals and doctors to balance out spending on other needs like roads, schools, and prisons, but according to Medicaid officials, the gutting could be far worse this time.

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WHY WEREN’T WE READY FOR THE CORONAVIRUS?

NEW YORK – In 2006, the idea that a virus would spill out of an animal and into a human seemed distant to many people. But Ali S. Khan, of the National Center for Zoonotic, Vector-Borne, and Enteric Diseases, was tasked with dreaming that nightmare by daylight.

Many of the viruses that Khan ended up examining were zoonotic in nature, the West Nile virus, Ebola, and others. They emerge unexpectedly and are very difficult to treat.

SARS was most interesting according to Khan, despite only infecting around 8,000 people. Khan stated that “Because it was so contagious and so lethal,” we were very lucky to stop it.

Khan is now the dean of the College of Public Health at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, in Omaha. He went to Omaha in 2014, leaving the directorship of the C.D.C.’s Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response, which included overseeing the Strategic National Stockpile of emergency medical supplies, supervising eight hundred employees, helping assemble a national biodefense strategy against pandemic threats, and much else.

Khan stated that the poor response to COVID-19 is about “lack of imagination.” There were warnings of the virus, including Khan’s favorite, SARS. MERS was also a warning. Superspreading events also drove that outbreak. Khan stated that the COVID-19 response is partly due to “failure to appreciate the sars and mers warnings, both delivered by other coronaviruses; and loss of capacity at high government levels, within recent years, to understand the gravity and immediacy of pandemic threats.” Khan said that “The time has come for us to move beyond seeing public health as the ax in the display case, where the sign says in case of emergency, break glass.”

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U.S. UNEMPLOYMENT RATE HITS 14.7%, WORST SINCE GREAT DEPRESSION WITH 20.5 MILLION JOBS LOST IN APRIL

WASHINGTON- The Labor Department said Friday that the economy shed more than 20.5 million jobs in April, sending the unemployment rate to 14.7 percent — devastation unseen since the Great Depression.

The report underscores the speed and depth of the labor market’s collapse as the coronavirus pandemic took a devastating toll. In February, the unemployment rate was 3.5 percent, a half-century low. And even since the survey was taken, millions of people have filed claims for jobless benefits.The April job losses alone far exceed the 8.7 million in the last recession, when unemployment peaked at 10 percent in October 2009. The only comparable period came when the rate reached about 25 percent in 1933, before the government began publishing official statistics.

If anything, the report understates the damage. The government’s definition of unemployment typically requires people to be actively looking for work. And the unemployment rate doesn’t reflect the millions still working who have had their hours slashed or their pay cut. 

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US SHELVES CDC REPORT THAT ADVISES ON REOPENING THE COUNTRY.

LINCOLN - President Trump has decided to shelve a document that was created by the nation’s top disease investigators with step by step advice to local authorities on how to loosen restrictions on restaurants and other public facilities. The report title, “Guidance for Implementing the Opening Up America Again Framework,” was supposed to be published last Friday. The AP received a copy from a federal official who was not authorized to release it. 

A CDC official said that the report, that was designed to inform faith leaders, business owners, educators, and state and local officials, “would never see the light of day.”

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RICKETTS: MEAT PROCESSING APPROACH SIMILAR TO WYOMING’S UNREALISTIC FOR NEBRASKA

SCOTTSBLUFF – Nebraska cannot take an approach similar to Wyoming with respect to its meat processing plants during the pandemic because, according to Governor Ricketts, Nebraska suffers from overcapacity of meat processing plants and the lack of a state meat inspection. For context, Wyoming has passed a law that allows meat producers to sell directly to consumers without USDA inspections to circumvent some of the challenges posed by COVID-19. Ricketts has also stated that status quo law in Nebraska does not have a state inspection process, so Nebraska must rely on the USDA.

Melody Benjamin, Nebraska Cattlemen Association’s vice president of members services has said that a majority of Nebraska meatpackers are at full capacity for up to a year scheduled in advance due to the pandemic. Ricketts has stated that producers can look for national help through the USDA.

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NEBRASKA CORONAVIRUS MAP AND CASE COUNT

LINCOLN- As of Tuesday morning Nebraska has at least 6,125 cases of cornoavirus, and 79 deaths. Leading counties with cases include Hall with 1,281 confirmed cases and 28 deaths, Dakota with 1,005 cases and 2 deaths, and Douglas county with 977 cases and 16 deaths. The New York Times continuously tracks county, state, and national data regarding confirmed cases and deaths. Current considered 'hot-spots' include Lancaster, Saline, Dodge, Colfax, and Platte counties, where the virus is seeing the fastest doubling of case rates- ranging from 2 day sin Colfax county, to 5.5 days in Lancaster. 

Health officials say 34,675 Nebraskans have been tested for the virus, 28,526 of them came back with no virus detected 

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THE WORST IS PROBABLY STILL IN FRONT OF US

WASHINGTON – As movie theatres and restaurants begin to re-open as local officials relax restrictions, the number of new cases will rise. According to a new paper written by Michael Osterholm, a University of Minnesota epidemiologist, COVID won’t be contained until about 60 to 70 percent of the population becomes infected or has immunity. As of now, it is estimated that 5 – 15% of Americans have been infected. This means that the virus will continue to spread for another 18 to 24 months.

The exact path the disease will take is unclear, but with no vaccine and a global population that had no immunity to the new coronavirus, COVID-19 could follow patterns seen in previous pandemics.

That means that governments will need to continually adjust their pandemic responses to waves of infections, which could have several peaks, rather than a distinct period of illnesses that burns out in a matter of months.

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TELEHEALTH BASELINE

WASHINGTON – A group of researchers looked at hospitals’ ability to deliver medicine from a distance in 2018 — and finds spotty capabilities. Specifically, “Under half of hospitals were able to provide telehealth consultations and office business; just over a quarter reported tele-ICU capabilities. In general, hospitals with strong telehealth capabilities were academic and urban hospitals. There were wide regional differences: Puerto Rico, for example, had no hospitals with tele-ICUs.” The researchers concluded that telehealth requires great investment so that patients can be treated well remotely.

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EVEN WARREN BUFFETT WONDERS IF PEOPLE WILL RETURN TO OFFICES

OMAHA - Warren Buffett has stated that COVID-19 may lead to a long-term shift with regard to how people do their jobs. Buffett stated that the supply and demand for office space may dramatically shift.

During Berkshire Hathaway’s streamed annual meeting in Omaha, Buffett focused his energy on making a case that helps ensure the long-term health of the economy and the future of jobs. While Buffett stated that Berkshire Hathaway’s manufacturing business may experience a drop in demand and lay-offs to ensue, he is still optimistic that the company will expand and employ more people over the next few years.

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RICKETTS ACKNOWLEDGES PRESSURE TO EASE CORONAVIRUS RESTRICTIONS

LINCOLN - During Governor Ricketts stated during his daily coronavirus news briefing that "A lot of communities feel it's time to loosen up the rules.” A constituent from Ainsworth placed a call on his early morning call-in radio program and said, "You've got to throw the doors wide-open.” Another constituent called and disagreed with the approach that Governor Ricketts has taken. The constituent stated that while she knows that the lockdowns are hard on commerce, it is way too soon to open back up.

Monday saw the first wave of reduced restrictions, which allowed restaurants in Omaha to re-open for indoor dining with special conditions. Barbershops and salons opened too with the stipulation that everyone wears masks. Lastly, churches were cleared for services, as long as social distancing protocol is adhered to.

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ELECTIVE SURGERIES TO RESUME AT OMAHA HOSPITALS - WITH CORONAVIRUS SCREENING

OMAHA - Nonessential surgeries have been on hold in Omaha since mid-March, but hospitals and surgery centers in Omaha and Lincoln announced that they will resume elective surgery procedures and other procedures on Monday. However, patients will be selected carefully, and the patients will be screened for COVID-19 prior to the surgery, either through testing or questionnaires. Many of the hospitals are limiting the procedures to those that can be completed in a short stay. Procedures will also be spread out so to adhere to social distancing. Additionally, no-visitor policies will continue. Dr. William Lydiatt, vice president of medical affairs and chief medical officer at Methodist and Methodist Women’s Hospitals, stated that strict measures will be taken to ensure patient safety.

Governor Ricketts stated that hospitals and surgery centers can begin elective surgeries because Nebraska has enough ventilators and beds for COVID-19 patients. Specifically, “hospitals must have 30% of overall beds available, as well as 30% of intensive care beds and 30% of ventilators. The governor’s announcement also freed dental and veterinary offices to resume nonelective procedures, as well as eye care facilities and ambulatory surgery centers.”

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ERIN GRACE: HEALTH CARE WORKERS FACE EXHAUSTION, PTSD ON FRONT LINES OF CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

OMAHA - Many health care workers have begun to experience extreme exhaustion associated with the unrelenting working hours demanded by COVID-19. Experts have stated that there is a worry that health care workers will experience burnout “and an affliction usually ascribed to soldiers, post-traumatic stress disorder.” Last week, a top emergency room doctor in New York committed suicide.

To help attenuate the negative consequences on health care workers, a new doctor hotline has been created for free psychiatric care. Also, various hospitals, universities, and other workplaces have taken it upon themselves to institute resilience training for their employees. Dr. Randy Pritza, chief medical officer of CHI Health’s physician enterprise, called it a “super-collaborative.” Priza stated that it is important for health care workers to take care of themselves during this unique time. Sleep is needed, and the front-lines must be cognizant of the health of their fellow workers.

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MENTAL HEALTH WORKERS URGE 'PATIENCE WITH OURSELVES, PATIENCE WITH OTHERS'

OMAHA - Both calls to suicide and mental health hotlines have dramatically increased due to COVID-19. Providers have stated that there are several factors that cause this. In particular, the chaos caused by the closure of public places, the speed, and the uncertainty about timelines have caused mental illness symptoms to be exacerbated. Providers have stated that "There is a lot of trauma to being alone." 

Providers have articulated, however, that it is necessary to emphasize patience. Executive Director of Kountze Commons, Taylor Brown, said she’s worried about compassion fatigue, which occurs when human service workers absorb the trauma of their clients.

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OPEN DOOR MISSION RECORDS FIRST CORONAVIRUS CASES AS NEBRASKA TOPS 6,000

OMAHA - A confirmed case of COVID-19 has now emerged in an Omaha homeless shelter. In total, six people associated with the Open Door Mission tested positive. The cases confirmed at Open Door Mission have been contracted by both staff members and homeless people.

As of now, the other two largest homeless shelters in Omaha, the Siena Francis House and Stephens Center, have not developed any positive COVID-19 cases. The two shelters are now “testing people with symptoms of COVID-19, but so far, none of those tests have come back positive.”

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FREEMONT CHICKEN PLANT WORKER DIES; PLANTS IN MADISON, SCHUYLER TO CLOSE TEMPORARILY; PORK PLANTS CLOSURE CREATES EXPECTED EUTHANIZING OF PIGS

OMAHA - An employee of a Freemont plant that supplies chickens to Costco has died from COVID-19. A spokeswoman for the chicken processing plant stated that the employee had an underlying health condition. The worker had not been working at the plant since the date of April 17 after the employee voiced concerns regarding an underlying health condition and the virus. In total, 28 workers have tested positive at the plant. The plant has 1,100 workers in its employ.

Tyson Foods pork plant in Madison County and a Cargill beef plant in Schuyler announced they will temporarily close. As a result, several thousand workers will be affected and the slaughter process of hogs and cattle will slow. Similar closures in South Dakota have lead to a 25% production cut for pork products. The predicament of pigs reaching their market size with no where to go is leading to a predicted 3 million to 7.2 million pigs needing to be euthanized over the next two months. 

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NEBRASKA STATE LAWMAKER'S FATHER DIES FROM COVID-19

LINCOLN- Sen. Tony Vargas, of Omaha, says his father, 72-year-old Antonio Vargas, has died from COVID-19. The elder Vargas had spent 31 days on a ventilator in a New York hospital before passing on Wednesday morning. Tony Vargas says his mother, Lidia Vargas, contracted the virus as well but was able to remain quarantined at home. She has since recovered. 

“My father has always been a source of quiet strength for our family. He has always been a fighter and, for the last month, fought for his life, to overcome this disease. Words cannot describe what this loss means for me, my mother and brothers, and all of our family and friends here in the U.S. and in Peru,” said Senator Vargas. 

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