LINCOLN, Neb.&nbsp;–&nbsp;Today, the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ufcw.org/" target="_blank">United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) International Union</a>,&nbsp;which represents more than 250,000 meatpacking and food processing workers across the country, sent a&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ufcw.org/wp-content/blogs.dir/61/files/2020/04/AMP-Letter-to-NGA-Leadership-Meatpacking-PPE.pdf" target="_blank">letter</a>&nbsp;to National Governors Association as well as&nbsp;Nebraska&nbsp;Governor&nbsp;Pete Ricketts&nbsp;calling to protect meatpacking and poultry workers during the coronavirus outbreak. The letter from&nbsp;UFCW International&nbsp;and&nbsp;UFCW Local 293&nbsp;in Nebraska was sent as it was reported that President Trump was taking executive action to mandate that meatpacking and poultry plants remain open.&nbsp;

&nbsp;UFCW International President Marc Perrone&nbsp;released the following statement:

“Meatpacking and poultry workers have been working tirelessly through this health crisis so that millions of Americans continue to have access to the food they need. President Trump’s executive order now mandates that they continue to do so, without any language that ensures their safety. Let me be clear, the best way to protect America’s food supply, to keep these plants open, is to protect America’s meatpacking workers.&nbsp;

“Every governor has the ability to take key steps and additional safety actions to protect these workers and it is imperative that they do so immediately. To protect our food supply and workers, strong, enforceable safety standards must be implemented in every meatpacking plant. These safety standards must ensure all workers have&nbsp;access to testing and personal protective equipment, social distancing is enforced, and paid sick leave is provided to all workers so that no one comes to work sick.&nbsp;

“In order to protect our nation’s food supply as President Trump is calling for us to do, we must work together to keep the hard-working men and women in these plants safe. Now, more than ever, this must be a priority for all of our state and national leaders"

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/meat-poultry-processing-workers-employers.html" target="_blank">guidelines</a>&nbsp;on April 26 for meatpacking and poultry workers and employees. In the new letter to governors, UFCW calls the guidelines a step in the right direction but asks governors to both enforce those guidelines and issue additional protective measures.&nbsp;

The complete letter which can be seen&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ufcw.org/wp-content/blogs.dir/61/files/2020/04/AMP-Letter-to-NGA-Leadership-Meatpacking-PPE.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;calls on U.S. governors to enforce CDC guidelines and to issue the following additional measures to protect:

a.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Provide a new respirator at the beginning of every shift.

b.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Provide fit-testing.&nbsp; Replace respirators if damaged or contaminated.&nbsp;

c.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Follow the current CDC guidelines for disinfecting and storing respirators, if respirators are reused.

d.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Provide training on proper donning and doffing procedures, in languages workers understand.

e.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Provide additional time for hand hygiene and for proper donning and doffing of respirators.&nbsp;

News Release UFCWLINCOLN, Neb.&nbsp;–&nbsp;Today, the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ufcw.org/" target="_blank">United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) International Union</a>,&nbsp;which represents more than 250,000 meatpacking and food processing workers across the country, sent a&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ufcw.org/wp-content/blogs.dir/61/files/2020/04/AMP-Letter-to-NGA-Leadership-Meatpacking-PPE.pdf" target="_blank">letter</a>&nbsp;to National Governors Association as well as&nbsp;Nebraska&nbsp;Governor&nbsp;Pete Ricketts&nbsp;calling to protect meatpacking and poultry workers during the coronavirus outbreak. The letter from&nbsp;UFCW International&nbsp;and&nbsp;UFCW Local 293&nbsp;in Nebraska was sent as it was reported that President Trump was taking executive action to mandate that meatpacking and poultry plants remain open.&nbsp;&nbsp;UFCW International President Marc Perrone&nbsp;released the following statement:“Meatpacking and poultry workers have been working tirelessly through this health crisis so that millions of Americans continue to have access to the food they need. President Trump’s executive order now mandates that they continue to do so, without any language that ensures their safety. Let me be clear, the best way to protect America’s food supply, to keep these plants open, is to protect America’s meatpacking workers.&nbsp;“Every governor has the ability to take key steps and additional safety actions to protect these workers and it is imperative that they do so immediately. To protect our food supply and workers, strong, enforceable safety standards must be implemented in every meatpacking plant. These safety standards must ensure all workers have&nbsp;access to testing and personal protective equipment, social distancing is enforced, and paid sick leave is provided to all workers so that no one comes to work sick.&nbsp;“In order to protect our nation’s food supply as President Trump is calling for us to do, we must work together to keep the hard-working men and women in these plants safe. Now, more than ever, this must be a priority for all of our state and national leaders"Background:The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/meat-poultry-processing-workers-employers.html" target="_blank">guidelines</a>&nbsp;on April 26 for meatpacking and poultry workers and employees. In the new letter to governors, UFCW calls the guidelines a step in the right direction but asks governors to both enforce those guidelines and issue additional protective measures.&nbsp;The complete letter which can be seen&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ufcw.org/wp-content/blogs.dir/61/files/2020/04/AMP-Letter-to-NGA-Leadership-Meatpacking-PPE.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;calls on U.S. governors to enforce CDC guidelines and to issue the following additional measures to protect:<ol>
 <li>Enforce Physical Distancing: Plants must reconfigure the workplace to achieve physical distancing of at least 6 feet, between workers, both on the production floor and off.&nbsp; Barriers, such as plexiglass barriers, should be used only to reinforce the 6 feet distancing, not as a substitute for 6 feet distancing.&nbsp; CDC/OSHA does not make this statement, but this type of distancing may require the speed of the line to be reduced, in order to achieve a reduction or minimization in the spread of the virus.</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>Provide Respirators: All workers on the production floor should be provided with N-95 respirators, which will provide the level of protection needed to protect workers from inhaling virus particles.&nbsp; Employers must additionally do the following to maintain the integrity of the respirators;</li>
 </ol>a.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Provide a new respirator at the beginning of every shift.b.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Provide fit-testing.&nbsp; Replace respirators if damaged or contaminated.&nbsp;c.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Follow the current CDC guidelines for disinfecting and storing respirators, if respirators are reused.d.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Provide training on proper donning and doffing procedures, in languages workers understand.e.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Provide additional time for hand hygiene and for proper donning and doffing of respirators.&nbsp;<ol>
 <li>Provide Testing: All workers, including management, who are currently working in the plant, should be tested for COVID-19.&nbsp; Ideally, rapid testing of workers, as they enter the workplace, would ensure that workers carrying the virus are not entering the workplace.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>Provide Mandatory Paid Quarantine: Should a positive case of COVID-19 be identified in the workplace, those in close contact with the infected individual should be identified as well and paid to stay home for the full two weeks.&nbsp; This would ensure more workers are not infected, or exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, in order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace.&nbsp;</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>Protect Workers From Retaliation: The UFCW believes that strong, anti-retaliation protections must be in place in order to ensure that workers who feel ill, or who are suffering from COVID-19, can remain at home, in quarantine for the full period of time recommended by the CDC, until it is safe to return to work.&nbsp; Workers must be encouraged to report any symptoms of illness, or of COVID-19, while at work, as well as any other safety and health hazards, and not suffer any negative consequences for doing so.&nbsp;</li>
 </ol>

Union for meatpacking workers calls on all states to enforce safety standards

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A Nebraska state lawmaker announced Wednesday that his father has died from COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.

Sen. Tony Vargas, of Omaha, said his father, 72-year-old Antonio Vargas, had spent 31 days on a ventilator in a New York hospital. The elder Vargas died early Wednesday morning, the senator said.

"My father has always been a source of quiet strength for our family," Sen. Vargas said in a press release. "He has always been a fighter and, for the last month, fought for his life, to overcome this disease."

Tony Vargas said his mother, Lidia Vargas, contracted the virus as well but was able to remain quarantined at home. She has since recovered.

Vargas is originally from New York City, and his parents and two older brothers still live there.

Vargas has represented District 7, which includes downtown and part of south Omaha, since 2017.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1588271962052.png" alt="Senator Tony Vargas" />
 <figcaption>Senator Tony Vargas</figcaption>
 </figure>LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A Nebraska state lawmaker announced Wednesday that his father has died from COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.Sen. Tony Vargas, of Omaha, said his father, 72-year-old Antonio Vargas, had spent 31 days on a ventilator in a New York hospital. The elder Vargas died early Wednesday morning, the senator said."My father has always been a source of quiet strength for our family," Sen. Vargas said in a press release. "He has always been a fighter and, for the last month, fought for his life, to overcome this disease."Tony Vargas said his mother, Lidia Vargas, contracted the virus as well but was able to remain quarantined at home. She has since recovered.Vargas is originally from New York City, and his parents and two older brothers still live there.Vargas has represented District 7, which includes downtown and part of south Omaha, since 2017.

Nebraska state lawmaker's father dies from COVID-19

O'FALLON, Mo. (AP) - The world's largest pork producer told a judge in Missouri on Thursday that it was working as quickly as it can to comply with federal guidelines that seek to slow the spread of the coronavirus but that it needs some flexibility in an industry where people typically work side by side.

The comments from a lawyer for Smithfield Foods came as a judge weighed whether to issue a mandatory injunction requiring a rural Missouri meat plant to abide by federal guidelines. The lawsuit, filed by a worker identified only as Jane Doe, accuses the Virginia-based company of not doing enough to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/26bf8fc20f2873d9701fd2ea95f87be4" target="_blank">protect workers.</a>

The worker's attorney, David Muraskin, told the judge that the pork processing plant in Milan, Missouri, is not requiring workers to stand 6 feet (1.83 meters) apart, is using "small, flimsy" plexiglass to separate workers in break rooms, and is not performing adequate testing for the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

The hearing came as the state health department revealed that 92 asymptomatic workers at another pork plant had tested positive for the virus. The health department this week tested more than 2,200 workers at Triumph Foods in St. Joseph, where 34 employees with symptoms had previously tested positive. The agency so far has results for 707 workers, with results for 1,500 others still pending. The plant remains open.

"Having this important information will now allow those individuals, who have not been showing symptoms, to self-isolate," the company said in a statement. "This is good for our workforce, their families and our community."

Also Thursday, Tyson Foods announced that it was closing a massive beef processing plant in Nebraska from Friday to Monday for deep cleaning after hundreds of people in surrounding communities tested positive for the virus.

President Donald Trump issued&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/fb38a5a53ac1a92039bc0a4b545b19d7" target="_blank">an executive order</a>&nbsp;this week requiring meatpacking plants to stay open amid the coronavirus crisis after more than 20 plants&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/cb9fd324e9e3276dd56075a78223b7bb" target="_blank">suspended operations</a>&nbsp;under pressure from local authorities and their own workers. The order was widely seen as giving processors protection from liability for workers who become sick on the job, and it came soon after the Missouri lawsuit against Smithfield Foods.

U.S. District Judge Greg Kays offered no timetable Thursday on when he would issue a ruling in the Missouri case. Kays earlier issued a preliminary order telling Smithfield to follow guidance from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Milan is in a remote area of northern Missouri. While hundreds of meat plant workers across the country have tested positive for the coronavirus, Sullivan County, where Milan is located, has no confirmed cases, according to the state health department. But Muraskin said the "risk of harm" merits the injunction.

During the court hearing, Muraskin also cited concerns that Smithfield is paying sick leave only to workers who have tested positive for the virus and are quarantined, while CDC guidance calls for workers with symptoms to stay home.

"They believe they can pick and choose which CDC guidelines to follow," Muraskin said.

Smithfield attorney Alexandra Cunningham told the judge that the company is doing everything it can to protect workers, consistent with OSHA and CDC guidelines. But she said addressing issues like social distancing "requires a level of judgment" that has some flexibility.

"We are doing what we can as fast as we can," Cunningham said.

Tyson Foods' decision to suspend operations at its Dakota City, Nebraska, beef plant followed a surge of coronavirus cases in the area, including in nearby Sioux City, Iowa. Tyson previously disclosed that some of the plant's 4,300 workers had tested positive for the virus, but it has not said how many. The Arkansas-based company said it was screening Dakota City employees for the virus this week with the help of the Nebraska National Guard.

In Kansas, four counties with packing plants - Seward, Ford, Finney and Lyon - are in the top five of the state's 105 counties in terms of number of confirmed coronavirus cases per capita. But U.S. Rep. Roger Marshall said that after a recent visit to some plants, he believes they are safe. He said he found that workers had adequate protective equipment, were using it properly and were keeping their distance from each other.

By JIM SALTER-Associated Press

O'FALLON, Mo. (AP) - The world's largest pork producer told a judge in Missouri on Thursday that it was working as quickly as it can to comply with federal guidelines that seek to slow the spread of the coronavirus but that it needs some flexibility in an industry where people typically work side by side.The comments from a lawyer for Smithfield Foods came as a judge weighed whether to issue a mandatory injunction requiring a rural Missouri meat plant to abide by federal guidelines. The lawsuit, filed by a worker identified only as Jane Doe, accuses the Virginia-based company of not doing enough to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/26bf8fc20f2873d9701fd2ea95f87be4" target="_blank">protect workers.</a>The worker's attorney, David Muraskin, told the judge that the pork processing plant in Milan, Missouri, is not requiring workers to stand 6 feet (1.83 meters) apart, is using "small, flimsy" plexiglass to separate workers in break rooms, and is not performing adequate testing for the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.The hearing came as the state health department revealed that 92 asymptomatic workers at another pork plant had tested positive for the virus. The health department this week tested more than 2,200 workers at Triumph Foods in St. Joseph, where 34 employees with symptoms had previously tested positive. The agency so far has results for 707 workers, with results for 1,500 others still pending. The plant remains open."Having this important information will now allow those individuals, who have not been showing symptoms, to self-isolate," the company said in a statement. "This is good for our workforce, their families and our community."Also Thursday, Tyson Foods announced that it was closing a massive beef processing plant in Nebraska from Friday to Monday for deep cleaning after hundreds of people in surrounding communities tested positive for the virus.President Donald Trump issued&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/fb38a5a53ac1a92039bc0a4b545b19d7" target="_blank">an executive order</a>&nbsp;this week requiring meatpacking plants to stay open amid the coronavirus crisis after more than 20 plants&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/cb9fd324e9e3276dd56075a78223b7bb" target="_blank">suspended operations</a>&nbsp;under pressure from local authorities and their own workers. The order was widely seen as giving processors protection from liability for workers who become sick on the job, and it came soon after the Missouri lawsuit against Smithfield Foods.U.S. District Judge Greg Kays offered no timetable Thursday on when he would issue a ruling in the Missouri case. Kays earlier issued a preliminary order telling Smithfield to follow guidance from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Milan is in a remote area of northern Missouri. While hundreds of meat plant workers across the country have tested positive for the coronavirus, Sullivan County, where Milan is located, has no confirmed cases, according to the state health department. But Muraskin said the "risk of harm" merits the injunction.During the court hearing, Muraskin also cited concerns that Smithfield is paying sick leave only to workers who have tested positive for the virus and are quarantined, while CDC guidance calls for workers with symptoms to stay home."They believe they can pick and choose which CDC guidelines to follow," Muraskin said.Smithfield attorney Alexandra Cunningham told the judge that the company is doing everything it can to protect workers, consistent with OSHA and CDC guidelines. But she said addressing issues like social distancing "requires a level of judgment" that has some flexibility."We are doing what we can as fast as we can," Cunningham said.Tyson Foods' decision to suspend operations at its Dakota City, Nebraska, beef plant followed a surge of coronavirus cases in the area, including in nearby Sioux City, Iowa. Tyson previously disclosed that some of the plant's 4,300 workers had tested positive for the virus, but it has not said how many. The Arkansas-based company said it was screening Dakota City employees for the virus this week with the help of the Nebraska National Guard.In Kansas, four counties with packing plants - Seward, Ford, Finney and Lyon - are in the top five of the state's 105 counties in terms of number of confirmed coronavirus cases per capita. But U.S. Rep. Roger Marshall said that after a recent visit to some plants, he believes they are safe. He said he found that workers had adequate protective equipment, were using it properly and were keeping their distance from each other.

Pork producer says it needs flexibility on virus guidelines

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska received nearly 8,200 new unemployment claims last week as the fallout from coronavirus-related restrictions on business continued, according to new data released Thursday.

The latest number from the U.S. Department of Labor is about 4,000 lower than the previous week, but is still higher than average. The number of new claims&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/b6ce5de0b5925689af6ad649a5e6254a" target="_blank">has been falling</a>&nbsp;since it peaked at a record-setting surge of 26,700 in early April.

Unemployment has soared in Nebraska and nationally due to state-mandated social distancing restrictions on businesses as well as Americans who are staying sheltered at home to avoid spreading the coronavirus. Some businesses have closed while others have had scale back their operations and lay off employees.

Nebraska has now seen well over 100,000 new claims in the past six weeks.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska received nearly 8,200 new unemployment claims last week as the fallout from coronavirus-related restrictions on business continued, according to new data released Thursday.The latest number from the U.S. Department of Labor is about 4,000 lower than the previous week, but is still higher than average. The number of new claims&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/b6ce5de0b5925689af6ad649a5e6254a" target="_blank">has been falling</a>&nbsp;since it peaked at a record-setting surge of 26,700 in early April.Unemployment has soared in Nebraska and nationally due to state-mandated social distancing restrictions on businesses as well as Americans who are staying sheltered at home to avoid spreading the coronavirus. Some businesses have closed while others have had scale back their operations and lay off employees.Nebraska has now seen well over 100,000 new claims in the past six weeks.

Nebraska received about 8,200 new jobless claims last week

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Big meatpacking companies that have struggled to keep plants open during the coronavirus crisis say they welcome President Donald Trump’s executive order that plants must remain open. But unions, some employees and Democrats raised questions about whether workers could be kept safe. 

Trump has used the Defense Production Act to classify meat processors as critical infrastructure to try to prevent supermarket shelves from running out. 

Some employees and unions say the president’s order was not enough.

 They are calling on authorities to ensure social distancing in plants and to offer greater protections such as priority access to testing and protective equipment.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Big meatpacking companies that have struggled to keep plants open during the coronavirus crisis say they welcome President Donald Trump’s executive order that plants must remain open. But unions, some employees and Democrats raised questions about whether workers could be kept safe. Trump has used the Defense Production Act to classify meat processors as critical infrastructure to try to prevent supermarket shelves from running out. Some employees and unions say the president’s order was not enough. They are calling on authorities to ensure social distancing in plants and to offer greater protections such as priority access to testing and protective equipment.

Meatpackers welcome Trump order; others question virus risks

DAKOTA CITY, Neb. (AP) - Tyson Foods said Thursday that it was temporarily suspending operations at a Nebraska beef processing plant that serves as the largest employer for neighboring Sioux City, Iowa, after a surge of coronavirus cases in the area.

Tyson announced in a news release that it would close the Dakota City plant Friday through Monday to perform a deep cleaning of the facility.

State health officials in recent days have reported hundreds of new coronavirus cases in both Nebraska's Dakota County, where the plant is located, and Woodbury County, Iowa, where Sioux City is located. Tyson previously disclosed that some workers at the plant had tested positive for the virus, but it has not said how many. The Arkansas-based company said it was screening Dakota City employees for the virus this week with the help of the Nebraska National Guard.

The Dakota City facility is one of the largest beef processing plants in the country, employing about 4,300 people. The move follows recent closures of other meat processing facilities across the country due the coronavirus, which spreads rapidly among workers who often stand shoulder to shoulder on production lines.

It also comes after President Donald Trump this week issued an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/67cb4bad7ffe500beabdf8e7e7efea5d" target="_blank">executive order&nbsp;</a>requiring meat processing plants to stay open during the coronavirus crisis. The order was widely seen as giving processors protection from liability for workers who become sick on the job.

The order followed a lawsuit accusing Virginia-based Smithfield Foods of not doing enough to protect employees at its plant in Milan, Missouri. A hearing on that suit was scheduled for Thursday morning.

DAKOTA CITY, Neb. (AP) - Tyson Foods said Thursday that it was temporarily suspending operations at a Nebraska beef processing plant that serves as the largest employer for neighboring Sioux City, Iowa, after a surge of coronavirus cases in the area.Tyson announced in a news release that it would close the Dakota City plant Friday through Monday to perform a deep cleaning of the facility.State health officials in recent days have reported hundreds of new coronavirus cases in both Nebraska's Dakota County, where the plant is located, and Woodbury County, Iowa, where Sioux City is located. Tyson previously disclosed that some workers at the plant had tested positive for the virus, but it has not said how many. The Arkansas-based company said it was screening Dakota City employees for the virus this week with the help of the Nebraska National Guard.The Dakota City facility is one of the largest beef processing plants in the country, employing about 4,300 people. The move follows recent closures of other meat processing facilities across the country due the coronavirus, which spreads rapidly among workers who often stand shoulder to shoulder on production lines.It also comes after President Donald Trump this week issued an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/67cb4bad7ffe500beabdf8e7e7efea5d" target="_blank">executive order&nbsp;</a>requiring meat processing plants to stay open during the coronavirus crisis. The order was widely seen as giving processors protection from liability for workers who become sick on the job.The order followed a lawsuit accusing Virginia-based Smithfield Foods of not doing enough to protect employees at its plant in Milan, Missouri. A hearing on that suit was scheduled for Thursday morning.

Tyson temporarily closes Nebraska beef plant for cleaning

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. (AP) - Offutt Air Force Base south of Omaha has shut down an off-base child care center after a child care provider there tested position for COVID-19.

The infected person had been in contact with staff and children at the Child Development Center 1 before self-quarantining, Offutt officials said in a news release Wednesday.

Contact tracing is currently being conducted by the Offutt Public Health section, which will contact those who may have been exposed, the release said. Offutt said the Child Development Center will be professionally sanitized before reopening.

No date has been set to reopen the center.

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. (AP) - Offutt Air Force Base south of Omaha has shut down an off-base child care center after a child care provider there tested position for COVID-19.The infected person had been in contact with staff and children at the Child Development Center 1 before self-quarantining, Offutt officials said in a news release Wednesday.Contact tracing is currently being conducted by the Offutt Public Health section, which will contact those who may have been exposed, the release said. Offutt said the Child Development Center will be professionally sanitized before reopening.No date has been set to reopen the center.

Virus shuts down Offutt Air Force Base child care center


Central District Health Department (CDHD) sadly
reports a total of 10 new Covid-19 related deaths in the district,
bringing the total number of deaths to 35, with a total of 28 in Hall
County, 7 in Hamilton and none in Merrick County.  CDHD
additionally reports a total of 1,035 lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases as
of 2:00 p.m. today. The total breakdown by county is Hall: 972,
Hamilton: 49, and Merrick: 9. We have continued wide-spread COVID-19
in our district.

The
availability of testing is now increasing. The Nebraska National
Guard will again be testing for COVID-19 Thursday and Saturday this
week 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. We anticipate the roll out of
TestNebraska in Grand Island early next week. This will
greatly increase the number of COVID-19 tests. More
testing means more positives, but more importantly it means that we
will identify more persons who are contagious and advise them to
quarantine. 


CDHD
has access to a team of local, state and national public health
experts to provide input on efforts to contain the spread of
COVID-19. We are evaluating what has worked and what can be improved.
Key additions include providing case management and community health
worker support for persons being tested and especially for persons
and their families testing positive.  


We
ask that all members of our community make the continued commitment
to social distance, to self-isolate when sick, and to stay home when
sick. Keep your family safe by reducing their exposure to others.
Take every precaution to avoid getting sick. Register at
TestNebraska now at: <a href="https://www.testnebraska.com/en">https://www.testnebraska.com/en</a>

News Release
Central District Health Department (CDHD) sadly
reports a total of 10 new Covid-19 related deaths in the district,
bringing the total number of deaths to 35, with a total of 28 in Hall
County, 7 in Hamilton and none in Merrick County. CDHD
additionally reports a total of 1,035 lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases as
of 2:00 p.m. today. The total breakdown by county is Hall: 972,
Hamilton: 49, and Merrick: 9. We have continued wide-spread COVID-19
in our district.The
availability of testing is now increasing. The Nebraska National
Guard will again be testing for COVID-19 Thursday and Saturday this
week 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. We anticipate the roll out of
TestNebraska in Grand Island early next week. This will
greatly increase the number of COVID-19 tests. More
testing means more positives, but more importantly it means that we
will identify more persons who are contagious and advise them to
quarantine. 
CDHD
has access to a team of local, state and national public health
experts to provide input on efforts to contain the spread of
COVID-19. We are evaluating what has worked and what can be improved.
Key additions include providing case management and community health
worker support for persons being tested and especially for persons
and their families testing positive. 
We
ask that all members of our community make the continued commitment
to social distance, to self-isolate when sick, and to stay home when
sick. Keep your family safe by reducing their exposure to others.
Take every precaution to avoid getting sick. Register at
TestNebraska now at: <a href="https://www.testnebraska.com/en">https://www.testnebraska.com/en</a>

Central District Health Dept. reports 10 new COVID-19 deaths, increasing death toll to 35

WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans are grappling with an essential question as they try to get the information they need to stay safe during the coronavirus crisis: Whom do you trust? 

Sixty-eight percent of Americans say they have high trust in the information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sixty-six percent highly trust their doctor or health care provider, and 52% said the same about their state or local government. 

That's according to an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll published last week. Just 23% of Americans say they have a great deal or quite a bit of trust in the coronavirus information provided by President Donald Trump.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans are grappling with an essential question as they try to get the information they need to stay safe during the coronavirus crisis: Whom do you trust? Sixty-eight percent of Americans say they have high trust in the information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sixty-six percent highly trust their doctor or health care provider, and 52% said the same about their state or local government. That's according to an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll published last week. Just 23% of Americans say they have a great deal or quite a bit of trust in the coronavirus information provided by President Donald Trump.

AP-NORC poll: Seeking virus data, people struggle with trust

LINCOLN –&nbsp;Thirteen deaths related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were recently reported to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) bringing the state total to 68.

Deaths were reported in the following counties:

Local health departments are reporting deaths and cases in their jurisdictions. In the event of a discrepancy between DHHS dashboard data and deaths or cases reported by local public health officials, data reported by the local health department should be considered the most up-to-date.

DHHS continues to work to remedy technical difficulties with the COVID-19 Data Dashboard. Yesterday, numerous records came into the electronic tracking system from a lab, which affected the functionality of the system.&nbsp;As of tonight, the number of deaths reported to DHHS are fully reflected on the dashboard. However, the state's COVID-19 case totals are only partially reflected. It is always the aim of the Department to share timely and accurate information and we expect to have the issue resolved soon. &nbsp;

All 93 Nebraska counties are covered by state Directed Health Measures (DHMs).&nbsp;<a href="http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus">http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus</a>. An updated state DHM is posted. It extends the state DHM for Douglas, Sarpy and Cass Counties through May 3. The DHM also extends the statewide closure of all beauty/nail salons, barber shops, massage therapy services, gentleman's clubs, bottle clubs, indoor movie theatres, indoor theatres, and tattoo parlors/studios to May 3.

DHHS supports Governor Ricketts in urging Nebraskans to follow the&nbsp;Six Rules to Keep Nebraska Healthy.&nbsp;

Recent studies show that a significant portion of people with COVID-19 lack symptoms and those who eventually develop symptoms can pass the virus to others before showing symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC now recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (grocery stores, pharmacies, etc.) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-faq.html" target="_blank">https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-faq.html&nbsp;&nbsp;</a>.

Cloth face coverings are not a substitute for social distancing. Public health officials continue to emphasize that maintaining 6-feet social distancing is crucial to slowing the spread of the virus.

Here's where to find tools and resources for individuals and families, schools, communities, businesses, healthcare facilities, and first responders on the DHHS website -&nbsp;<a href="http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus">http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus</a>&nbsp;and CDC's website –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/covid19" target="_blank">https://www.cdc.gov/covid19&nbsp;&nbsp;</a>.

DHHS opened a statewide COVID-19 information line to help answer general questions and share the latest information and resources with Nebraskans to help keep them informed. The number is (402) 552-6645 or toll free (833) 998-2275; hours of operation are 8 a.m.-8 p.m. CDT, 7 days a week.

LINCOLN –&nbsp;Thirteen deaths related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were recently reported to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) bringing the state total to 68.Deaths were reported in the following counties:Adams County – 1Custer County – 1Douglas County -1Hall County – 8Hamilton County - 2Local health departments are reporting deaths and cases in their jurisdictions. In the event of a discrepancy between DHHS dashboard data and deaths or cases reported by local public health officials, data reported by the local health department should be considered the most up-to-date.DHHS continues to work to remedy technical difficulties with the COVID-19 Data Dashboard. Yesterday, numerous records came into the electronic tracking system from a lab, which affected the functionality of the system.&nbsp;As of tonight, the number of deaths reported to DHHS are fully reflected on the dashboard. However, the state's COVID-19 case totals are only partially reflected. It is always the aim of the Department to share timely and accurate information and we expect to have the issue resolved soon. &nbsp;All 93 Nebraska counties are covered by state Directed Health Measures (DHMs).&nbsp;<a href="http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus">http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus</a>. An updated state DHM is posted. It extends the state DHM for Douglas, Sarpy and Cass Counties through May 3. The DHM also extends the statewide closure of all beauty/nail salons, barber shops, massage therapy services, gentleman's clubs, bottle clubs, indoor movie theatres, indoor theatres, and tattoo parlors/studios to May 3.DHHS supports Governor Ricketts in urging Nebraskans to follow the&nbsp;Six Rules to Keep Nebraska Healthy.&nbsp;<ol>
 <li>Stay home.&nbsp; No non-essential errands and no social gatherings.&nbsp; Respect the ten-person limits.</li><li>Socially distance your work.&nbsp; Work from home or use the six-foot rule as much as possible in the workplace.&nbsp;</li><li>Shop alone.&nbsp; Do this only once a week and do not take your family with you.</li><li>Help kids social distance. Play at home, no group sports and no playgrounds.</li><li>Help seniors stay at home.&nbsp; This can be done by shopping for them.&nbsp; Do not visit long-term facilities.&nbsp;</li><li>Exercise daily.&nbsp; Do your best to stay as healthy and safe as you can.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
 </ol>Recent studies show that a significant portion of people with COVID-19 lack symptoms and those who eventually develop symptoms can pass the virus to others before showing symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC now recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (grocery stores, pharmacies, etc.) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-faq.html" target="_blank">https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-faq.html&nbsp;&nbsp;</a>.Cloth face coverings are not a substitute for social distancing. Public health officials continue to emphasize that maintaining 6-feet social distancing is crucial to slowing the spread of the virus.Here's where to find tools and resources for individuals and families, schools, communities, businesses, healthcare facilities, and first responders on the DHHS website -&nbsp;<a href="http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus">http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus</a>&nbsp;and CDC's website –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/covid19" target="_blank">https://www.cdc.gov/covid19&nbsp;&nbsp;</a>.DHHS opened a statewide COVID-19 information line to help answer general questions and share the latest information and resources with Nebraskans to help keep them informed. The number is (402) 552-6645 or toll free (833) 998-2275; hours of operation are 8 a.m.-8 p.m. CDT, 7 days a week.

Nebraska COVID-19 related deaths increase by 13, now 68 total

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — A surge in unemployment stemming from the coronavirus shutdown of large parts of the U.S. economy is starting to push some state jobless funds toward insolvency.

At least a half-dozen states already have notified the federal government that they could need to borrow billions of dollars to pay unemployment benefits because their own trust funds are running out of money.

While the shortfalls won't prevent unemployed workers from getting government aid, the federal loans could lead to higher taxes for businesses in future years to repay the debt.

U.S. Treasury data shows&nbsp;California,&nbsp;Connecticut&nbsp;and&nbsp;Illinois&nbsp;all expect to borrow soon from the federal government to prop up their unemployment funds. Officials in&nbsp;Massachusetts,&nbsp;New York&nbsp;and&nbsp;Texas&nbsp;confirmed to The Associated Press that they also have notified the federal government of their anticipated need for loans.

All six of those states' unemployment funds ranked among those at the greatest risk of insolvency because they didn't have adequate reserves to weather a recession, according to a U.S. Department of Labor report released before the coronavirus outbreak. Many more states also could need federal loans given the widespread economic damage.

“I can't imagine a state that's not going to have to borrow by the end of this year,” said Michele Evermore, a senior policy analyst at the National Employment Law Project, a New York-based group that advocates for low-wage workers and the unemployed.

As of mid-April, about 26 million Americans had filed unemployment claims in the first five weeks since governments began ordering people to stay home and some businesses to close as a precaution against spreading the virus that causes the COVID-19 disease. It's already the worst stretch of job losses in U.S. history. New unemployment data to be released Thursday is expected to push that total even higher.

State unemployment benefits are funded by special taxes on employers and paid through state trust funds. Each state sets its own tax rate and benefit payment amounts. When trust funds run low, states can get federal loans that must be repaid with interest. Loans taken out this year would need to be repaid by November 2022, or else the federal government could raise taxes on businesses to recoup the money.

A law signed by President Donald Trump last month waived the interest on state unemployment loans through the end of this year. But that's a shorter reprieve than was granted during the Great Recession, when interest was waived from February 2009 through December 2010.

The last recession led to the insolvency of unemployment trust funds in 35 states that collectively racked up more than $40 billion of debt to keep paying unemployed workers. It took years for states to repay that.

“Unfortunately, many of them got caught in this vicious cycle now, where they spent most of the 11 years of economic growth looking backwards, paying off the prior accrued debt rather than being able to save and invest for this current crisis,” said Jared Walczak, director of state tax policy at the Tax Foundation, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit.

From the beginning of March through mid-April, state unemployment trust funds have declined by a median of 10%, according to an AP analysis of U.S. Treasury data. But the drop has been far more dramatic in states that were among the first to shut down their economies and among the quickest to pay benefits to the unemployed.

Massachusetts, which provides among the most generous unemployment benefits nationally, saw its trust fund cut in half from early March to mid-April, from $1.6 billion to less than $750 million. That marked the largest percentage decline nationally.

In a letter to the U.S. labor secretary, Gov. Charlie Baker estimated the state could need to borrow $1.2 billion in May and June to pay unemployment benefits.

New York's unemployment trust fund also declined by nearly half during that six-week period, from almost $2.5 billion to less than $1.3 billion. The state has applied for up to $4 billion in federal loans, said New York Department of Labor spokeswoman Deanna Cohen.

How much help New York ultimately needs will depend on how many more people seek unemployment benefits and how long they are without work, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said.

“But it’s in the billions of dollars," he said. “There’s no doubt about that.”

At the start of this year, California's trust fund had barely one-fifth of the recommended amount needed to weather a recession, the worst rating among all states. It's trust fund balance fell from $3.1 billion in early March to $1.9 billion in mid-April and has continued to slide.

The state could need to start borrowing from the federal government by the beginning of May, said Barry White, a spokesman for the California Employment Development Department.

Officials in Connecticut and Texas also said they could need to start borrowing in May to pay unemployment claims.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1588193128049.png" alt="Empty gas pumps at station in Kansas-google image" />
 <figcaption>Empty gas pumps at station in Kansas-google image</figcaption>
 </figure>JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — A surge in unemployment stemming from the coronavirus shutdown of large parts of the U.S. economy is starting to push some state jobless funds toward insolvency.At least a half-dozen states already have notified the federal government that they could need to borrow billions of dollars to pay unemployment benefits because their own trust funds are running out of money.While the shortfalls won't prevent unemployed workers from getting government aid, the federal loans could lead to higher taxes for businesses in future years to repay the debt.U.S. Treasury data shows&nbsp;California,&nbsp;Connecticut&nbsp;and&nbsp;Illinois&nbsp;all expect to borrow soon from the federal government to prop up their unemployment funds. Officials in&nbsp;Massachusetts,&nbsp;New York&nbsp;and&nbsp;Texas&nbsp;confirmed to The Associated Press that they also have notified the federal government of their anticipated need for loans.All six of those states' unemployment funds ranked among those at the greatest risk of insolvency because they didn't have adequate reserves to weather a recession, according to a U.S. Department of Labor report released before the coronavirus outbreak. Many more states also could need federal loans given the widespread economic damage.“I can't imagine a state that's not going to have to borrow by the end of this year,” said Michele Evermore, a senior policy analyst at the National Employment Law Project, a New York-based group that advocates for low-wage workers and the unemployed.As of mid-April, about 26 million Americans had filed unemployment claims in the first five weeks since governments began ordering people to stay home and some businesses to close as a precaution against spreading the virus that causes the COVID-19 disease. It's already the worst stretch of job losses in U.S. history. New unemployment data to be released Thursday is expected to push that total even higher.State unemployment benefits are funded by special taxes on employers and paid through state trust funds. Each state sets its own tax rate and benefit payment amounts. When trust funds run low, states can get federal loans that must be repaid with interest. Loans taken out this year would need to be repaid by November 2022, or else the federal government could raise taxes on businesses to recoup the money.A law signed by President Donald Trump last month waived the interest on state unemployment loans through the end of this year. But that's a shorter reprieve than was granted during the Great Recession, when interest was waived from February 2009 through December 2010.The last recession led to the insolvency of unemployment trust funds in 35 states that collectively racked up more than $40 billion of debt to keep paying unemployed workers. It took years for states to repay that.“Unfortunately, many of them got caught in this vicious cycle now, where they spent most of the 11 years of economic growth looking backwards, paying off the prior accrued debt rather than being able to save and invest for this current crisis,” said Jared Walczak, director of state tax policy at the Tax Foundation, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit.From the beginning of March through mid-April, state unemployment trust funds have declined by a median of 10%, according to an AP analysis of U.S. Treasury data. But the drop has been far more dramatic in states that were among the first to shut down their economies and among the quickest to pay benefits to the unemployed.Massachusetts, which provides among the most generous unemployment benefits nationally, saw its trust fund cut in half from early March to mid-April, from $1.6 billion to less than $750 million. That marked the largest percentage decline nationally.In a letter to the U.S. labor secretary, Gov. Charlie Baker estimated the state could need to borrow $1.2 billion in May and June to pay unemployment benefits.New York's unemployment trust fund also declined by nearly half during that six-week period, from almost $2.5 billion to less than $1.3 billion. The state has applied for up to $4 billion in federal loans, said New York Department of Labor spokeswoman Deanna Cohen.How much help New York ultimately needs will depend on how many more people seek unemployment benefits and how long they are without work, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said.“But it’s in the billions of dollars," he said. “There’s no doubt about that.”At the start of this year, California's trust fund had barely one-fifth of the recommended amount needed to weather a recession, the worst rating among all states. It's trust fund balance fell from $3.1 billion in early March to $1.9 billion in mid-April and has continued to slide.The state could need to start borrowing from the federal government by the beginning of May, said Barry White, a spokesman for the California Employment Development Department.Officials in Connecticut and Texas also said they could need to start borrowing in May to pay unemployment claims.

Unemployment surge pushing state funds toward insolvency

Public Health Command Center Update from North Platte on April 29, 2020.

Public Health Command Center Update from North Platte on April 29, 2020.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fwcdhd%2Fvideos%2F3257171820961952%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>

🎥 Public Health Command Center Update from North Platte (April 29, 2020)

OMAHA (UNMC)-Hospitalized patients with advanced COVID-19 and lung involvement who received remdesivir recovered faster than similar patients who received placebo, according to a preliminary data analysis from a randomized, controlled trial involving 1,063 patients, which began on Feb. 21.

The trial (known as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.niaid.nih.gov/news-events/nih-clinical-trial-remdesivir-treat-covid-19-begins" target="_blank">Adaptive COVID-19 Treatment Trial</a>, or ACTT, sponsored by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.niaid.nih.gov/diseases-conditions/coronaviruses" target="_blank">National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)</a>, part of the National Institutes of Health, is the first clinical trial launched in the United States to evaluate an experimental treatment for COVID-19.&nbsp;

The first trial participant in the ACTT trial was an American who was repatriated after being quarantined on the Diamond Princess cruise ship that docked in Yokohama, Japan, and volunteered to participate in the study at the first study site, the University of Nebraska Medical Center/Nebraska Medicine, in February 2020. A total of about 450 people across 68 sites ultimately joined the study—47 in the United States and 21 in countries in Europe and Asia.&nbsp;

Andre Kalil, M.D., a physician and researcher at UNMC and its hospital partner, Nebraska Medicine, has been leading the trial at UNMC.

“My colleagues and I are pleased to be part of this study which is showing good preliminary results,” said Dr. Kalil, a professor of infectious diseases in the UNMC Department of Internal Medicine. “We all are working diligently and swiftly to do the science in the appropriate way to help in this pandemic. It also gives us hope that soon this drug may be used widely.”

In its National Quarantine Unit in Omaha, UNMC/Nebraska Medicine housed 13 people who were repatriated Feb. 17 by the U.S. State Department from the Diamond Princess cruise ship. Eleven of the 13 tested positive for COVID-19 and were monitored and have since been released. Nebraska Medicine also monitored and/or treated other hospitalized patients in the community.

An independent data and safety monitoring board overseeing the trial met on April 27 to review data and shared their interim analysis with the study team. Based upon their review of the data, they noted that remdesivir was better than placebo from the perspective of the primary endpoint, time to recovery, a metric often used in influenza trials. Recovery in this study was defined as being well enough for hospital discharge or returning to normal activity level.&nbsp;

Preliminary results indicate that patients who received remdesivir had a 31% faster time to recovery than those who received placebo (p&lt;0.001). Specifically, the median time to recovery was 11 days for patients treated with remdesivir compared with 15 days for those who received placebo. Results also suggested a survival benefit, with a mortality rate of 8.0% for the group receiving remdesivir versus 11.6% for the placebo group (p=0.059).

More detailed information about the trial results, including more comprehensive data, will be available in a forthcoming report. As part of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s commitment to expediting the development and availability of potential COVID-19 treatments, the agency has been engaged in sustained and ongoing discussions with Gilead Sciences regarding making remdesivir available to patients as quickly as possible, as appropriate. The trial closed to new enrollments on April 19. NIAID also will provide an update on the plans for the ACTT trial moving forward. This trial was an adaptive trial designed to incorporate additional investigative treatments.

Remdesivir, developed by Gilead Sciences Inc., is an investigational broad-spectrum antiviral treatment administered via daily infusion for 10 days. It&nbsp;<a href="https://www.niaid.nih.gov/news-events/antiviral-remdesivir-prevents-disease-progression-monkeys-covid-19" target="_blank">has shown promise in animal models for treating SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) infection</a>&nbsp;and has been examined in various clinical trials.

OMAHA (UNMC)-Hospitalized patients with advanced COVID-19 and lung involvement who received remdesivir recovered faster than similar patients who received placebo, according to a preliminary data analysis from a randomized, controlled trial involving 1,063 patients, which began on Feb. 21.The trial (known as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.niaid.nih.gov/news-events/nih-clinical-trial-remdesivir-treat-covid-19-begins" target="_blank">Adaptive COVID-19 Treatment Trial</a>, or ACTT, sponsored by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.niaid.nih.gov/diseases-conditions/coronaviruses" target="_blank">National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)</a>, part of the National Institutes of Health, is the first clinical trial launched in the United States to evaluate an experimental treatment for COVID-19.&nbsp;The first trial participant in the ACTT trial was an American who was repatriated after being quarantined on the Diamond Princess cruise ship that docked in Yokohama, Japan, and volunteered to participate in the study at the first study site, the University of Nebraska Medical Center/Nebraska Medicine, in February 2020. A total of about 450 people across 68 sites ultimately joined the study—47 in the United States and 21 in countries in Europe and Asia.&nbsp;Andre Kalil, M.D., a physician and researcher at UNMC and its hospital partner, Nebraska Medicine, has been leading the trial at UNMC.“My colleagues and I are pleased to be part of this study which is showing good preliminary results,” said Dr. Kalil, a professor of infectious diseases in the UNMC Department of Internal Medicine. “We all are working diligently and swiftly to do the science in the appropriate way to help in this pandemic. It also gives us hope that soon this drug may be used widely.”In its National Quarantine Unit in Omaha, UNMC/Nebraska Medicine housed 13 people who were repatriated Feb. 17 by the U.S. State Department from the Diamond Princess cruise ship. Eleven of the 13 tested positive for COVID-19 and were monitored and have since been released. Nebraska Medicine also monitored and/or treated other hospitalized patients in the community.An independent data and safety monitoring board overseeing the trial met on April 27 to review data and shared their interim analysis with the study team. Based upon their review of the data, they noted that remdesivir was better than placebo from the perspective of the primary endpoint, time to recovery, a metric often used in influenza trials. Recovery in this study was defined as being well enough for hospital discharge or returning to normal activity level.&nbsp;Preliminary results indicate that patients who received remdesivir had a 31% faster time to recovery than those who received placebo (p&lt;0.001). Specifically, the median time to recovery was 11 days for patients treated with remdesivir compared with 15 days for those who received placebo. Results also suggested a survival benefit, with a mortality rate of 8.0% for the group receiving remdesivir versus 11.6% for the placebo group (p=0.059).More detailed information about the trial results, including more comprehensive data, will be available in a forthcoming report. As part of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s commitment to expediting the development and availability of potential COVID-19 treatments, the agency has been engaged in sustained and ongoing discussions with Gilead Sciences regarding making remdesivir available to patients as quickly as possible, as appropriate. The trial closed to new enrollments on April 19. NIAID also will provide an update on the plans for the ACTT trial moving forward. This trial was an adaptive trial designed to incorporate additional investigative treatments.Remdesivir, developed by Gilead Sciences Inc., is an investigational broad-spectrum antiviral treatment administered via daily infusion for 10 days. It&nbsp;<a href="https://www.niaid.nih.gov/news-events/antiviral-remdesivir-prevents-disease-progression-monkeys-covid-19" target="_blank">has shown promise in animal models for treating SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) infection</a>&nbsp;and has been examined in various clinical trials.

UNMC: Results from NIH clinical trial shows remdesivir accelerates recovery from advanced COVID-19

Nebraska Joint Information Center Update (April 29, 2020)

NORTH PLATTE, Neb.-Officials with the West Central District Health Department (WCDHD) say another Lincoln County resident has tested positive for COVID-19.

Officials said Wednesday that a Lincoln County man in his 60s has tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently self-isolating at home and recovering.

There are now 23 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the six-county WCDHD service area, with two deaths.&nbsp;

Testing is available and WCDHD officials encourage people to get tested. Anyone who is symptomatic and/or believes they have possibly been exposed to the virus is strongly encouraged to get tested. This will allow for quarantining and contact tracing.

Officials say 561 people have been tested which is 1.6% of the Lincoln County population. Currently, three cases are "under investigation."

If you are interested in testing, contact WCDHD at&nbsp;(308) 696-1201 or the Great Plains Health COVID Line at (308) 568-8040.&nbsp;

Antibody testing is available at Pathology Services, P.C in North Platte or by contacting the Great Plains Health COVID Line.

NORTH PLATTE, Neb.-Officials with the West Central District Health Department (WCDHD) say another Lincoln County resident has tested positive for COVID-19.Officials said Wednesday that a Lincoln County man in his 60s has tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently self-isolating at home and recovering.There are now 23 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the six-county WCDHD service area, with two deaths.&nbsp;Testing is available and WCDHD officials encourage people to get tested. Anyone who is symptomatic and/or believes they have possibly been exposed to the virus is strongly encouraged to get tested. This will allow for quarantining and contact tracing.Officials say 561 people have been tested which is 1.6% of the Lincoln County population. Currently, three cases are "under investigation."If you are interested in testing, contact WCDHD at&nbsp;(308) 696-1201 or the Great Plains Health COVID Line at (308) 568-8040.&nbsp;Antibody testing is available at Pathology Services, P.C in North Platte or by contacting the Great Plains Health COVID Line.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fwcdhd%2Fvideos%2F3257171820961952%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>

Officials report 23rd confirmed case of COVID-19 in Lincoln County

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Lincoln Public Schools has announced it will pay $80,000 to provide some 1,000 Wi-Fi hotspots for students without internet access at home who are now having to learn remotely - and mostly online - as classrooms have closed to slow the spread of COVID-19.

The district is paying AT&amp;T Mobility Holdings for the two months of data through the phones provided by the company at no cost, the Lincoln Journal Star&nbsp;<a href="https://journalstar.com/news/local/education/lps-gets-1-000-phones-with-hot-spots-for-lps-students-without-internet-access/article_dbb64011-9e6b-5bf7-8008-bb469310f30d.html" target="_blank">reported</a>. The phones will provide up to 100 gigabytes of data a month to allow students to access Google Classroom through their school-provided laptops, LPS chief technology officer Kirk Langer said.

The devices will be hooked up directly to laptops and won't work on other devices or access any content not provided by the district.

The district will pay $80,000 to AT&amp;T Mobility Holdings for two months of data through phones provided by the company at no cost, said Kirk Langer, LPS chief technology officer.

The phones will provide up to 100 gigabytes of data a month to allow students to access Google Classroom through their Chromebooks. The devices will be hooked up directly to the Chromebooks and won't work on other devices or to access any content but that provided by LPS.

Langer said AT&amp;T representatives reached out to the district and offered what other companies had not: the free phones and the ability to use the data without a contract.

"We can discontinue at any time," he said.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Lincoln Public Schools has announced it will pay $80,000 to provide some 1,000 Wi-Fi hotspots for students without internet access at home who are now having to learn remotely - and mostly online - as classrooms have closed to slow the spread of COVID-19.The district is paying AT&amp;T Mobility Holdings for the two months of data through the phones provided by the company at no cost, the Lincoln Journal Star&nbsp;<a href="https://journalstar.com/news/local/education/lps-gets-1-000-phones-with-hot-spots-for-lps-students-without-internet-access/article_dbb64011-9e6b-5bf7-8008-bb469310f30d.html" target="_blank">reported</a>. The phones will provide up to 100 gigabytes of data a month to allow students to access Google Classroom through their school-provided laptops, LPS chief technology officer Kirk Langer said.The devices will be hooked up directly to laptops and won't work on other devices or access any content not provided by the district.The district will pay $80,000 to AT&amp;T Mobility Holdings for two months of data through phones provided by the company at no cost, said Kirk Langer, LPS chief technology officer.The phones will provide up to 100 gigabytes of data a month to allow students to access Google Classroom through their Chromebooks. The devices will be hooked up directly to the Chromebooks and won't work on other devices or to access any content but that provided by LPS.Langer said AT&amp;T representatives reached out to the district and offered what other companies had not: the free phones and the ability to use the data without a contract."We can discontinue at any time," he said.

Lincoln Public Schools students getting free hotspot service

OMAHA (Union Pacific)-To protect the health and safety of its shareholders, employees and other stakeholders during the coronavirus pandemic, Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP) today announced that its 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) will be conducted through a live audio meeting only, and will no longer include an in-person event. The previously announced date and time of the Annual Meeting (May 14, 2020, at 8:00 a.m. Central Daylight Time, and the business items to be considered at the Annual Meeting, remain the same. However, shareholders will not be able to attend the meeting in person. Union Pacific's decision to host an audio annual meeting relates only to its 2020 Annual Meeting.

As described in the proxy materials previously distributed for the Annual Meeting, all Union Pacific shareholders as of the close of business on March 20, 2020, the record date for the Annual Meeting, are invited to access and participate in the live audio meeting. Any eligible shareholder who wishes to join the meeting, vote or submit questions for the meeting can do so by visiting&nbsp;<a href="http://www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/UNP2020" target="_blank">www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/UNP2020</a>; entering the eligible shareholder's 16-digit control number found on the proxy card, voting instruction form, notice of internet availability of proxy materials or email, as applicable, previously sent or made available to shareholders; and following the available instructions.

Online check-in will be available approximately 15 minutes before the Annual Meeting starts. Any shareholder who encounters difficulties accessing or participating in the Annual Meeting should call the support team at the numbers listed on the log-in screen.

In the event a technical malfunction or other situation delays the start of the Annual Meeting by more than thirty minutes, the chair or secretary of the Annual Meeting will convene the meeting at 9:00 am CDT on May 14, 2020 and at 1400 Douglas Street, Omaha, Nebraska solely for the purpose of adjourning the meeting to a date, time and location announced at such time by the meeting chair or secretary. In such circumstances, Union Pacific will post information regarding the chairman's announcement on its website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.up.com/up/investor/index.htm" target="_blank">https://www.up.com/investors</a>.

All shareholders are encouraged to vote and submit their proxies in advance of the meeting by one of the methods described in the proxy materials. The proxy card, voting instruction form or notice of internet availability that were previously distributed will not be updated to reflect this change in meeting format and may be used to vote shares in connection with the Annual Meeting. Shareholders who previously sent in proxies, or voted by telephone or by internet, do not need to take any further action.

Any additional details about the Annual Meeting will be available at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.up.com/up/investor/index.htm" target="_blank">https://www.up.com/investors</a>

News ReleaseOMAHA (Union Pacific)-To protect the health and safety of its shareholders, employees and other stakeholders during the coronavirus pandemic, Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP) today announced that its 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) will be conducted through a live audio meeting only, and will no longer include an in-person event. The previously announced date and time of the Annual Meeting (May 14, 2020, at 8:00 a.m. Central Daylight Time, and the business items to be considered at the Annual Meeting, remain the same. However, shareholders will not be able to attend the meeting in person. Union Pacific's decision to host an audio annual meeting relates only to its 2020 Annual Meeting.As described in the proxy materials previously distributed for the Annual Meeting, all Union Pacific shareholders as of the close of business on March 20, 2020, the record date for the Annual Meeting, are invited to access and participate in the live audio meeting. Any eligible shareholder who wishes to join the meeting, vote or submit questions for the meeting can do so by visiting&nbsp;<a href="http://www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/UNP2020" target="_blank">www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/UNP2020</a>; entering the eligible shareholder's 16-digit control number found on the proxy card, voting instruction form, notice of internet availability of proxy materials or email, as applicable, previously sent or made available to shareholders; and following the available instructions.Online check-in will be available approximately 15 minutes before the Annual Meeting starts. Any shareholder who encounters difficulties accessing or participating in the Annual Meeting should call the support team at the numbers listed on the log-in screen.In the event a technical malfunction or other situation delays the start of the Annual Meeting by more than thirty minutes, the chair or secretary of the Annual Meeting will convene the meeting at 9:00 am CDT on May 14, 2020 and at 1400 Douglas Street, Omaha, Nebraska solely for the purpose of adjourning the meeting to a date, time and location announced at such time by the meeting chair or secretary. In such circumstances, Union Pacific will post information regarding the chairman's announcement on its website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.up.com/up/investor/index.htm" target="_blank">https://www.up.com/investors</a>.All shareholders are encouraged to vote and submit their proxies in advance of the meeting by one of the methods described in the proxy materials. The proxy card, voting instruction form or notice of internet availability that were previously distributed will not be updated to reflect this change in meeting format and may be used to vote shares in connection with the Annual Meeting. Shareholders who previously sent in proxies, or voted by telephone or by internet, do not need to take any further action.Any additional details about the Annual Meeting will be available at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.up.com/up/investor/index.htm" target="_blank">https://www.up.com/investors</a>

Union Pacific announces changes to 2020 shareholders meeting

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Gov. Pete Ricketts on Wednesday announced plans to ease coronavirus restrictions in Lincoln and other parts of Nebraska, including some of the state's least-populated counties, even though the number of confirmed cases has surged.

Ricketts said he will extend the state's current public health restrictions in the Lincoln area through May 10, and will then relax them to match the less stringent rules that are set to go into effect in Omaha on Monday. The Lincoln-area restrictions were originally set to expire on May 6.

Ricketts, a Republican, said the decision to extend the restrictions before relaxing them was based in part on conversations with Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird, a Democrat, and the county's public health director.

"It was a collaborative process," he said at a news conference.

Public health officials in Lincoln have said they believe they have enough capacity to handle a surge in new cases and hospitalizations.

But Gaylor Baird said Wednesday that she reserves the right to reinstate the tougher restrictions if conditions in the city worsen. She said she and Ricketts agreed to wait until May 11 to lighten the restrictions out of concern over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/37a52f22147243a3f06468967ff2d225" target="_blank">Crete,</a>&nbsp;a meatpacking town about 25 miles from Lincoln that has seen a spike in cases.

"We are fully cognizant of the difficult balance between protecting public health and our economic vitality," Gaylor Baird said at a city news conference.

Nebraska's current statewide restrictions prohibit restaurants from offering dine-in services and have forced the closure of salons and tattoo parlors. They also limited day care centers to allow no more than 10 children in one room.

The new, lighter rules will allow salons, tattoo parlors and restaurant dining rooms to reopen with limits on the number of people who can be present. Restaurant employees will have to wear masks, and dining groups will have to be seated at least 6 feet apart. Day cares will be allowed to have up to 15 children per room.

Ricketts announce last week that the first wave of lighter restrictions will&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/6a6f29bac43471481a2780cfc60116df" target="_blank">go into effect</a>&nbsp;May 4 in 59 of Nebraska's 93 counties, including Omaha's Douglas County.

The new order unveiled Wednesday will apply to 10 more, including the counties that encompass Lincoln, Fremont, North Platte, Blair and Wahoo. It also will ease restrictions in some of Nebraska's most sparsely populated counties, including Arthur, McPherson, Thomas and Hooker - each with less than 750 people.

Nebraska's total confirmed cases stood at 3,374 by Wednesday morning, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services. There have been at least 55 virus-related deaths in the Nebraska. The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested and people can be infected without feeling sick.

The governor's announcement came as a third Nebraska prisons department employee has tested positive for COVID-19.

The staffer works at the Nebraska State Penitentiary in Lincoln and has been isolated at home, according to the state Department of Correctional Services. Director Scott Frakes asked that anyone who may have had close contact with the employee in the last three days to self-quarantine until they are medically cleared to return to work.

Earlier Tuesday, the prisons department had announced that an employee at its Diagnostic and Evaluation Center in Lincoln had tested positive for the virus. The department says no inmates have tested positive.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness and death.

By GRANT SCHULTE-Associated PressLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Gov. Pete Ricketts on Wednesday announced plans to ease coronavirus restrictions in Lincoln and other parts of Nebraska, including some of the state's least-populated counties, even though the number of confirmed cases has surged.Ricketts said he will extend the state's current public health restrictions in the Lincoln area through May 10, and will then relax them to match the less stringent rules that are set to go into effect in Omaha on Monday. The Lincoln-area restrictions were originally set to expire on May 6.Ricketts, a Republican, said the decision to extend the restrictions before relaxing them was based in part on conversations with Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird, a Democrat, and the county's public health director."It was a collaborative process," he said at a news conference.Public health officials in Lincoln have said they believe they have enough capacity to handle a surge in new cases and hospitalizations.But Gaylor Baird said Wednesday that she reserves the right to reinstate the tougher restrictions if conditions in the city worsen. She said she and Ricketts agreed to wait until May 11 to lighten the restrictions out of concern over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/37a52f22147243a3f06468967ff2d225" target="_blank">Crete,</a>&nbsp;a meatpacking town about 25 miles from Lincoln that has seen a spike in cases."We are fully cognizant of the difficult balance between protecting public health and our economic vitality," Gaylor Baird said at a city news conference.Nebraska's current statewide restrictions prohibit restaurants from offering dine-in services and have forced the closure of salons and tattoo parlors. They also limited day care centers to allow no more than 10 children in one room.The new, lighter rules will allow salons, tattoo parlors and restaurant dining rooms to reopen with limits on the number of people who can be present. Restaurant employees will have to wear masks, and dining groups will have to be seated at least 6 feet apart. Day cares will be allowed to have up to 15 children per room.Ricketts announce last week that the first wave of lighter restrictions will&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/6a6f29bac43471481a2780cfc60116df" target="_blank">go into effect</a>&nbsp;May 4 in 59 of Nebraska's 93 counties, including Omaha's Douglas County.The new order unveiled Wednesday will apply to 10 more, including the counties that encompass Lincoln, Fremont, North Platte, Blair and Wahoo. It also will ease restrictions in some of Nebraska's most sparsely populated counties, including Arthur, McPherson, Thomas and Hooker - each with less than 750 people.Nebraska's total confirmed cases stood at 3,374 by Wednesday morning, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services. There have been at least 55 virus-related deaths in the Nebraska. The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested and people can be infected without feeling sick.The governor's announcement came as a third Nebraska prisons department employee has tested positive for COVID-19.The staffer works at the Nebraska State Penitentiary in Lincoln and has been isolated at home, according to the state Department of Correctional Services. Director Scott Frakes asked that anyone who may have had close contact with the employee in the last three days to self-quarantine until they are medically cleared to return to work.Earlier Tuesday, the prisons department had announced that an employee at its Diagnostic and Evaluation Center in Lincoln had tested positive for the virus. The department says no inmates have tested positive.For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness and death.

Nebraska to ease restrictions in Lincoln and other regions

COVID-19 update from Great Plains Health.

COVID-19 update from Great Plains Health.Speakers:&nbsp;Mel McNea, CEODr. Freitas, Infectious diseaseNicki Tomlinson, RN ICUDr. Vuksanovic, HospitalistElisha Pueppka, Respiratory therapyCassie Penn, Laboratory Director<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fnorthplattepost%2Fvideos%2F576603983253835%2F&show_text=1&width=560" width="560" height="406" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>

🎥 COVID-19 Update from Great Plains Health (April 29, 2020)

Wearing a cloth face mask can help prevent the spread of coronavirus. BUT it only works if you wear it correctly. Check out the flyer below for information on how to properly use a face mask and please share!

To download and print this flyer in English and Spanish please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nalhd.org%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR21gY5J-9BuMIeMtCCtsKBlhEox7qH8eYvnbTN6E3kBqRgLhfIsZzXy2_Q&amp;h=AT1YpWMMWut6CYGnatZiodzXnzt-B41CleJMRPgX8q0ttD8xRuVYBQpqE_wYpZun6gg-mEUrvYZzNzxf_Y7hjqFWctpVwHF_44ivsudFdH1Lu_0Z3FchmLjnUFV-4FLA58cM_sBecblfNYRMdKBVZpgF9wVkF6-v94rre6-NqyD1xnJSh9Rt-vces1ixK_VgtVN82dkyIDJydlPleVP0A8xAFSBgfYK7C9Kl5Zrzum6oXGTqUp9mnqDQTnVn2nzD6IE6JGVrtCxGBF3pZnEa1yOs9LIfx3yOfMsqqBR9FAVHmLcXcA974o_wXS2J2QACxdnOO1xFnVKy6C_HDMTAGrvi6hBqD96HjS8WNQaOujM01Oyc61OK0RsFYdfEo419ujp_WKNeF1Kkyk23y9iLiWPH5yBPkXNfGzTikTd4gxMC9_cLZ6ovGMct1WeIyg5UmxFhk0TA_E5gIz2eSYGzDwzcUfOsziSU3IqR2gC1oxcoxral3TrCj_YE3mGSAAtj38h9zODlX8EmPHwnzygRcC4-tBm1jxr_BGb1-eTGjQBucBqW0H6M5VeK1-cUKQ8u7osKfdQa0UbjXbJJc0jJS8IHbThjCUzeyw7xuCU1tjOaMy6ibTji36nqduNbLEQTnGTZMw" target="_blank">www.nalhd.org</a>

Wearing a cloth face mask can help prevent the spread of coronavirus. BUT it only works if you wear it correctly. Check out the flyer below for information on how to properly use a face mask and please share!To download and print this flyer in English and Spanish please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nalhd.org%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR21gY5J-9BuMIeMtCCtsKBlhEox7qH8eYvnbTN6E3kBqRgLhfIsZzXy2_Q&amp;h=AT1YpWMMWut6CYGnatZiodzXnzt-B41CleJMRPgX8q0ttD8xRuVYBQpqE_wYpZun6gg-mEUrvYZzNzxf_Y7hjqFWctpVwHF_44ivsudFdH1Lu_0Z3FchmLjnUFV-4FLA58cM_sBecblfNYRMdKBVZpgF9wVkF6-v94rre6-NqyD1xnJSh9Rt-vces1ixK_VgtVN82dkyIDJydlPleVP0A8xAFSBgfYK7C9Kl5Zrzum6oXGTqUp9mnqDQTnVn2nzD6IE6JGVrtCxGBF3pZnEa1yOs9LIfx3yOfMsqqBR9FAVHmLcXcA974o_wXS2J2QACxdnOO1xFnVKy6C_HDMTAGrvi6hBqD96HjS8WNQaOujM01Oyc61OK0RsFYdfEo419ujp_WKNeF1Kkyk23y9iLiWPH5yBPkXNfGzTikTd4gxMC9_cLZ6ovGMct1WeIyg5UmxFhk0TA_E5gIz2eSYGzDwzcUfOsziSU3IqR2gC1oxcoxral3TrCj_YE3mGSAAtj38h9zODlX8EmPHwnzygRcC4-tBm1jxr_BGb1-eTGjQBucBqW0H6M5VeK1-cUKQ8u7osKfdQa0UbjXbJJc0jJS8IHbThjCUzeyw7xuCU1tjOaMy6ibTji36nqduNbLEQTnGTZMw" target="_blank">www.nalhd.org</a><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FNALHD%2Fposts%2F2523817994498133&width=500" width="500" height="676" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></div>

When wearing a mask, wear it right

From the <a href="https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/April-2020/Being-Socially-Isolated-with-Mental-Illness-A-Perspective-for-Loved-Ones?fbclid=IwAR2X2cLvoBxDD1PbBe5SqIBV22lnA9mfwt3xW-J2gCZQrvyZKkffl_fYGvM">National Alliance on Mental Illness</a>

One of the mental health conditions I deal with is social anxiety. So, you would probably think that I rejoiced when the CDC guidelines came down about social isolation.&nbsp;However, that’s far from the truth.

Social anxiety doesn't mean I want to be a hermit. I still crave human interaction, just not all types (like crowds, small talk or making phone calls). The amount of anxiety I feel about social situations varies depending on where I am with my other mental health issues. In fact, with everything going on, I actually need social contact now more than ever.

In addition to social anxiety, I have bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder and agoraphobia. Each condition causes me to react differently to this period of social isolation based on my individual symptoms.

Here is how each of my symptoms affects me during this time, and what I want loved ones to know.

I get hyper-focused on multi-tasking. In this case, when a friend reaches out to me, I often ignore the phone call or text until a later time "when I'm finished."

It's not that I'm ignoring that&nbsp;person.&nbsp;I often really want to touch base, especially now when there's so little regular human interaction taking place. It's just that once my brain is locked on accomplishing certain tasks&nbsp;right now, I can't quickly switch out of that mode.&nbsp;

In my mind, I always think I'm almost finished and will call or text that person right back. But then one of these outcomes usually occurs:

Please understand that I’m&nbsp;never&nbsp;ignoring you because I don’t want to hear from you or because I don’t value our relationship. If I did manage to stop what I was doing to take that call or reply to that text, I would be very distracted. My plan is always to wait until I have calmed down from all the “doing” to focus on you. However, it rarely works out that way. If you don’t hear back from me right away, don't assume it's because I don't want to talk. Please reach out again.

Another way I'm affected during social isolation is how hard it is for me to reach out to others due to my&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nami.org/learn-more/mental-health-conditions/anxiety-disorders">social anxiety</a>. Making a phone call can take a herculean effort.

I will often put off making a phone call for hours, or until it's too late, even when I really need or want to talk to the person I'm calling. I've always assumed it's because I don't want to disturb that person, but I don't know if that's the actual reason or just one I can deal with. It also may be fear of rejection if they don’t answer the phone. I've tried to overcome it, but I haven't been able to yet.

However, texting is easier to use for initial reaching out, so I will text someone I want to talk to and ask if I can call them.

Please understand that I want to reach out so much more than I actually do. I think about it throughout the day, but if I'm having a hard time with anxiety, making that initial contact with you can take more effort than I have. Reaching out has been even harder lately, now that I’m experiencing more anxiety because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Don't forget about me. When I'm in this state I can take calls and texts — I just can't always initiate them myself.

<a href="https://www.nami.org/learn-more/mental-health-conditions/depression">Depression</a>&nbsp;makes it hard for me to communicate with others generally. However, when I'm really depressed (or really anxious, I need to know you are there for me more than ever.&nbsp;

Clinical depression is a state where you often can't make yourself do what you want to do or enjoy. Concentration issues, crying, feeling hopeless, apathy and irritability are other common symptoms.&nbsp;

During a depressive phase, I need to know that someone cares. At the same time, I don't want to burden others with how I feel. I don't want to snap at you because I'm angry or spend an entire conversation crying.

If we haven't communicated in a while, please make the effort to reach out to me. If you call, know that I might not be able to talk. Talk to me. Tell me about your day. Something as simple as sitting on the phone with you while you watch TV can help, even if neither of us says a word. It's a reminder that someone is out there and cares when I feel so alone. If I'm severely depressed, a phone call at the right time can literally save my life (and actually has in the past).

So, what do you do when someone you love has multiple illnesses that each take different strategies to overcome? I try to talk to the people I love when I am in a good mental health state, so they know how to respond when I'm struggling. I also&nbsp;don’t mind being asked at the beginning of a conversation where I am with my mental health, so please ask if that option is available to you and your loved one.

Don’t give up on those you love with mental illness,&nbsp;especially&nbsp;during this fearful time. We need you now more than ever.

Tracy Riggs is a professional photographer (<a href="http://www.cmbtphotography.com/" target="_blank">www.cmbtphotography.com</a>) and writer.&nbsp; She deals with several invisible illnesses in her and loved ones' lives and is passionate about lessening the stigma of those with invisible illnesses (<a href="http://www.spotlightonstigma.com/" target="_blank">www.spotlightonstigma.com</a>&nbsp;).&nbsp; She has one daughter in college and is in a steady relationship with a fellow photographer.

From the <a href="https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/April-2020/Being-Socially-Isolated-with-Mental-Illness-A-Perspective-for-Loved-Ones?fbclid=IwAR2X2cLvoBxDD1PbBe5SqIBV22lnA9mfwt3xW-J2gCZQrvyZKkffl_fYGvM">National Alliance on Mental Illness</a>By Tracy Riggs<figure>
 <img src="https://www.nami.org/NAMI/media/NAMI-Media/BlogImageArchive/2020/social-isolation-blog.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>One of the mental health conditions I deal with is social anxiety. So, you would probably think that I rejoiced when the CDC guidelines came down about social isolation.&nbsp;However, that’s far from the truth.Social anxiety doesn't mean I want to be a hermit. I still crave human interaction, just not all types (like crowds, small talk or making phone calls). The amount of anxiety I feel about social situations varies depending on where I am with my other mental health issues. In fact, with everything going on, I actually need social contact now more than ever.In addition to social anxiety, I have bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder and agoraphobia. Each condition causes me to react differently to this period of social isolation based on my individual symptoms.Here is how each of my symptoms affects me during this time, and what I want loved ones to know.<h2>When I’m manic</h2>I get hyper-focused on multi-tasking. In this case, when a friend reaches out to me, I often ignore the phone call or text until a later time "when I'm finished."It's not that I'm ignoring that&nbsp;person.&nbsp;I often really want to touch base, especially now when there's so little regular human interaction taking place. It's just that once my brain is locked on accomplishing certain tasks&nbsp;right now, I can't quickly switch out of that mode.&nbsp;In my mind, I always think I'm almost finished and will call or text that person right back. But then one of these outcomes usually occurs:<ol>
 <li>I take&nbsp;&nbsp;longer than I thought I would to complete the tasks and the person is no longer available.</li><li>I am absolutely worn out from my frantic focusing and just can't deal with communicating with anyone at that point.</li><li>I forget that they called because the part of my brain that remembers those types of things was being used to keep up with all the tasks I was trying to accomplish.</li>
 </ol><h2>To my loved ones</h2>Please understand that I’m&nbsp;never&nbsp;ignoring you because I don’t want to hear from you or because I don’t value our relationship. If I did manage to stop what I was doing to take that call or reply to that text, I would be very distracted. My plan is always to wait until I have calmed down from all the “doing” to focus on you. However, it rarely works out that way. If you don’t hear back from me right away, don't assume it's because I don't want to talk. Please reach out again.<h2>When I'm anxious</h2>Another way I'm affected during social isolation is how hard it is for me to reach out to others due to my&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nami.org/learn-more/mental-health-conditions/anxiety-disorders">social anxiety</a>. Making a phone call can take a herculean effort.I will often put off making a phone call for hours, or until it's too late, even when I really need or want to talk to the person I'm calling. I've always assumed it's because I don't want to disturb that person, but I don't know if that's the actual reason or just one I can deal with. It also may be fear of rejection if they don’t answer the phone. I've tried to overcome it, but I haven't been able to yet.However, texting is easier to use for initial reaching out, so I will text someone I want to talk to and ask if I can call them.<h2>To my loved ones</h2>Please understand that I want to reach out so much more than I actually do. I think about it throughout the day, but if I'm having a hard time with anxiety, making that initial contact with you can take more effort than I have. Reaching out has been even harder lately, now that I’m experiencing more anxiety because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Don't forget about me. When I'm in this state I can take calls and texts — I just can't always initiate them myself.<h2>When I'm depressed</h2><a href="https://www.nami.org/learn-more/mental-health-conditions/depression">Depression</a>&nbsp;makes it hard for me to communicate with others generally. However, when I'm really depressed (or really anxious, I need to know you are there for me more than ever.&nbsp;Clinical depression is a state where you often can't make yourself do what you want to do or enjoy. Concentration issues, crying, feeling hopeless, apathy and irritability are other common symptoms.&nbsp;During a depressive phase, I need to know that someone cares. At the same time, I don't want to burden others with how I feel. I don't want to snap at you because I'm angry or spend an entire conversation crying.<h2>To my loved ones</h2>If we haven't communicated in a while, please make the effort to reach out to me. If you call, know that I might not be able to talk. Talk to me. Tell me about your day. Something as simple as sitting on the phone with you while you watch TV can help, even if neither of us says a word. It's a reminder that someone is out there and cares when I feel so alone. If I'm severely depressed, a phone call at the right time can literally save my life (and actually has in the past).So, what do you do when someone you love has multiple illnesses that each take different strategies to overcome? I try to talk to the people I love when I am in a good mental health state, so they know how to respond when I'm struggling. I also&nbsp;don’t mind being asked at the beginning of a conversation where I am with my mental health, so please ask if that option is available to you and your loved one.Don’t give up on those you love with mental illness,&nbsp;especially&nbsp;during this fearful time. We need you now more than ever.Tracy Riggs is a professional photographer (<a href="http://www.cmbtphotography.com/" target="_blank">www.cmbtphotography.com</a>) and writer.&nbsp; She deals with several invisible illnesses in her and loved ones' lives and is passionate about lessening the stigma of those with invisible illnesses (<a href="http://www.spotlightonstigma.com/" target="_blank">www.spotlightonstigma.com</a>&nbsp;).&nbsp; She has one daughter in college and is in a steady relationship with a fellow photographer.

Being socially isolated with a mental illness: A perspective for loved ones

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming will ease some coronavirus restrictions later this week. 

Gov. Mark Gordon announced Tuesday that barbershops, gyms, nail salons, tattoo parlors and child care centers will be allowed to reopen with restrictions on Friday. 

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming will ease some coronavirus restrictions later this week. Gov. Mark Gordon announced Tuesday that barbershops, gyms, nail salons, tattoo parlors and child care centers will be allowed to reopen with restrictions on Friday. Restaurants will be able to let five people inside at a time to pick up food. In-person dining is still prohibited. Face masks will be required at most personal-services shops. Gyms must keep locker rooms closed and one-on-one fitness classes are not allowed. Gordon says the new orders will last until at least May 15.&nbsp;

Coronavirus Update