DENVER (AP) — A Colorado girl with a rare form of epilepsy whose recovery inspired the name of a medical marijuana oil that drew families to the state has died. 

Charlotte Figi died Tuesday April 7 at the age of 13. 

Her mother says she died after being hospitalized and treated as a likely coronavirus patient. 

Paige Figi said her daughter suffered a seizure Tuesday that resulted in cardiac arrest and respiratory failure. 

She tested negative for the coronavirus on her first hospital stay but was still treated as a likely COVID-19 case when she returned after the seizure because her whole family had been sick for a month with suspected coronavirus symptoms.&nbsp;

DENVER (AP) — A Colorado girl with a rare form of epilepsy whose recovery inspired the name of a medical marijuana oil that drew families to the state has died. Charlotte Figi died Tuesday April 7 at the age of 13. Her mother says she died after being hospitalized and treated as a likely coronavirus patient. Paige Figi said her daughter suffered a seizure Tuesday that resulted in cardiac arrest and respiratory failure. She tested negative for the coronavirus on her first hospital stay but was still treated as a likely COVID-19 case when she returned after the seizure because her whole family had been sick for a month with suspected coronavirus symptoms.&nbsp;

Girl who inspired Charlotte's Web marijuana oil dies

The Nebraska National Guard is in North Platte this morning with plans to test around 100 individuals.&nbsp;

Their main emphasis will be healthcare workers, Bailey Yard employees, and employees of the Walmart Distribution Center.

The Nebraska National Guard is in North Platte this morning with plans to test around 100 individuals.&nbsp;Their main emphasis will be healthcare workers, Bailey Yard employees, and employees of the Walmart Distribution Center.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fwcdhd%2Fvideos%2F239864080466470%2F&show_text=0&width=267" width="267" height="476" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>

🎥National Guard conducting COVID-19 testing in North Platte

LINCOLN –&nbsp;Three Rivers Public Health Department (<a href="http://www.threeriverspublichealth.org/" target="_blank">www.threeriverspublichealth.org&nbsp;</a>)&nbsp;reported the first COVID-19 related death in Washington County Monday, that of a man in his 90s with underlying health conditions. That brings the state's COVID-19 death toll to 18, according to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

Today's state case total, as of 6:30 pm Central Daylight Time, is 871. DHHS launched a new data dashboard that updates the state's COVID-19 case totals daily. You can find it at&nbsp;<a href="http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus">http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus</a>.

All 93 Nebraska counties are now covered by state Directed Health Measures (DHMs).&nbsp;<a href="http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus">http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus</a>. It's critical that Nebraskans follow these enforceable state Directed Health Measures to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in the state. These measures help protect each other and those who are more vulnerable to severe illness and death, and help hospitals and clinics from being overwhelmed so they can continue to provide care to families, friends and neighbors who need it.

In addition to the state-issued DHM, some Local Health Departments have issued additional restrictions -&nbsp;<a href="http://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/COVID-19-Directed-Health-Measures.aspx">http://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/COVID-19-Directed-Health-Measures.aspx</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

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;</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;</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; hours of operation are 8 a.m.-8 p.m. CST, 7 days a week.

DHHS will continue to update Nebraskans through the DHHS website and on Facebook and Twitter as we have new information. The CDC's website is also a good resource for COVID-19 information -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/covid19" target="_blank">https://www.cdc.gov/covid19&nbsp;</a>.

LINCOLN –&nbsp;Three Rivers Public Health Department (<a href="http://www.threeriverspublichealth.org/" target="_blank">www.threeriverspublichealth.org&nbsp;</a>)&nbsp;reported the first COVID-19 related death in Washington County Monday, that of a man in his 90s with underlying health conditions. That brings the state's COVID-19 death toll to 18, according to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).Today's state case total, as of 6:30 pm Central Daylight Time, is 871. DHHS launched a new data dashboard that updates the state's COVID-19 case totals daily. You can find it at&nbsp;<a href="http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus">http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus</a>.All 93 Nebraska counties are now covered by state Directed Health Measures (DHMs).&nbsp;<a href="http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus">http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus</a>. It's critical that Nebraskans follow these enforceable state Directed Health Measures to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in the state. These measures help protect each other and those who are more vulnerable to severe illness and death, and help hospitals and clinics from being overwhelmed so they can continue to provide care to families, friends and neighbors who need it.In addition to the state-issued DHM, some Local Health Departments have issued additional restrictions -&nbsp;<a href="http://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/COVID-19-Directed-Health-Measures.aspx">http://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/COVID-19-Directed-Health-Measures.aspx</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;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;</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;</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; hours of operation are 8 a.m.-8 p.m. CST, 7 days a week.DHHS will continue to update Nebraskans through the DHHS website and on Facebook and Twitter as we have new information. The CDC's website is also a good resource for COVID-19 information -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/covid19" target="_blank">https://www.cdc.gov/covid19&nbsp;</a>.

18th COVID-19 related death reported in Nebraska

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The U.S. Census Bureau wants to delay deadlines for the 2020 headcount of all U.S. residents because of the coronavirus outbreak. 

Officials on Monday said they were asking lawmakers to allow them to push back timetables for releasing data used to draw congressional and legislative districts.  The deadlines are established by federal law and any changes require congressional approval. 

The Census Bureau was postponing all field operations until June 1 and the deadline for wrapping up the nation’s headcount was pushed back to Oct. 31. Field operations for the 2020 census have been suspended since mid-March and were set to resume this week.&nbsp;

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The U.S. Census Bureau wants to delay deadlines for the 2020 headcount of all U.S. residents because of the coronavirus outbreak. Officials on Monday said they were asking lawmakers to allow them to push back timetables for releasing data used to draw congressional and legislative districts. The deadlines are established by federal law and any changes require congressional approval. The Census Bureau was postponing all field operations until June 1 and the deadline for wrapping up the nation’s headcount was pushed back to Oct. 31. Field operations for the 2020 census have been suspended since mid-March and were set to resume this week.&nbsp;

Officials want delay in nation's head count due to virus

NEW YORK (AP) — The coronavirus pandemic is forcing Americans to go through every kind of hardship without some of the reliable comforts of hard times. 

One of them is the movies. For more than a century, movie theaters have been a refuge, a communal escape, a place for popcorn-chomping-dreaming-with-your-eyes-open transportation away from everything else. 

Now, we’re getting a glimpse of life without movie theaters. Most see this as an opening for streaming services, hastening their expected takeover. But it has also brought a renewed appreciation for the pleasures of going to the movies and clarified their unique role in social life. 

Isolation has only illuminated the power of sitting together in the dark.&nbsp;&nbsp;

NEW YORK (AP) — The coronavirus pandemic is forcing Americans to go through every kind of hardship without some of the reliable comforts of hard times. One of them is the movies. For more than a century, movie theaters have been a refuge, a communal escape, a place for popcorn-chomping-dreaming-with-your-eyes-open transportation away from everything else. Now, we’re getting a glimpse of life without movie theaters. Most see this as an opening for streaming services, hastening their expected takeover. But it has also brought a renewed appreciation for the pleasures of going to the movies and clarified their unique role in social life. Isolation has only illuminated the power of sitting together in the dark.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In shutdown, a glimpse of life without movie theaters

Our COVID-19 crisis has been escalating quickly and with it, the 
potential collision with the First Amendment over issues involving 
religious liberty and the right of assembly.

Last month, we thought that stopping the spread of the virus was a 
matter of washing our hands thoroughly and avoiding touching our faces.

Now, we’re unable to assemble in groups and many of us are confined to our homes.

Three weeks ago, President Trump dreamed of packed churches on Easter Sunday. At the time, many medical experts found that overly optimistic (or as one put it, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/24/coronavirus-response-trump-wants-to-reopen-us-economy-by-easter.html" target="_blank">“not rooted in reality.”</a>) Now, with the <a href="https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2020/health/coronavirus-us-maps-and-cases/" target="_blank">U.S. approaching 430,000 cases and the death toll nearing 15,000</a>, it seems like an impossibility. Or at least, it should.

But as recently as this past Saturday, President Trump was <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-discusses-opening-country-coronavirus-peaks-areas/story?id=69979743" target="_blank">floating the possibility</a>
 of making a special allowance for churches to have Easter services. 
He’s not the only politician to contemplate loosening the reins for the 
holidays. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster <a href="https://www.wistv.com/2020/04/07/south-carolinians-under-home-or-work-order-could-face-criminal-charges-disobeying/" target="_blank">recently issued a stay-at-home order</a>
 but still recommended that Easter services continue. Kansas, Michigan 
and New Mexico currently exempt worship services from their orders 
prohibiting gatherings in large groups.

The fact that some government officials think this is worth the risk 
reflects the push back we’ve seen from some religious leaders ever since
 state and local governments started prohibiting large gatherings and 
shutting down non-essential businesses, including churches, synagogues 
and other houses of worship. For example, Louisiana pastor Tony Spell has <a href="https://www.insider.com/pastor-tony-spell-charged-speaks-out-about-continuing-services-2020-4" target="_blank">continued to lead in-person services</a>, calling the closure of his Life Tabernacle Church religious persecution and <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/24/us/louisiana-pastor-spell-coronavirus/index.html" target="_blank">questioning why</a>
 retailers were deemed essential but churches not. “We hold our 
religious rights dear and we are going to assemble no matter what 
someone says,” <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/news/490657-worshippers-gather-for-louisiana-church-service-after-pastor-charged" target="_blank">Spell said in an interview</a>.

But while Spell is framing the state’s order as a violation of his 
First Amendment rights, that’s not actually the case. Along with being 
rooted in the public’s best interest, it’s also important to note that 
the orders restricting the size of gatherings and shutting down 
non-essential businesses are, at this time, the least restrictive 
options available to protect public health. In short, this means they’re
 almost certainly constitutional — but granting an exemption to one of 
these orders for houses of worship may not be.

The First Amendment’s Establishment Clause requires that the 
government treat secular and religious organizations equally, without 
favoring one over the other. As Rachel Laser, president and chief executive officer of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, <a href="https://www.au.org/media/press-releases/religious-services-shouldnt-be-excluded-from-bans-against-large-gatherings-to" target="_blank">put it</a>,
 “[W]hen health experts and public officials determine that large 
gatherings must be cancelled for the public good, we must follow their 
lead and apply these guidelines to secular and religious gatherings 
equally. The Constitution not only permits it, but demands it. 
Such restrictions do not violate religious freedom; they ensure 
religious freedom is not misused in ways that risk people’s lives.”

This week I had the pleasure of moderating a (virtual) Freedom Forum panel on<a href="https://www.freedomforum.org/event/you-mean-i-cant-what-religious-freedom-in-difficult-times/" target="_blank"> religious freedom in the time of COVID-19</a> and discussing these issues and more with legal experts Richard Foltin and Maggie Garrett, atheist thought leader Mandisa Thomas and seminary-trained religious liberty advocate Charles Watson Jr.
 One question from the audience that stood out to me was from an 
attendee who wondered if there was more to the conversation than just 
religious freedom versus public health. Did these two values have to be 
on opposing sides? Weren’t there things that religious communities could
 proactively do in service of public health — starting with asking their
 members to stay at home, of course, but going beyond that to encourage 
them to volunteer their time and monetary resources, donate blood and 
generally provide assistance to the most vulnerable members of our 
population? You can find the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfpbwKjKPNA" target="_blank">full webinar</a> on the Freedom Forum’s YouTube channel.

It was a reminder to me of the crucial charitable function that 
religious organizations have often served in crisis situations. As 
Baylor University professors Byron Johnson and Thomas Kidd <a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2020/03/29/responding-to-covid-19-would-be-a-lot-harder-without-churches-and-christian-groups/?utm_source=link_newsv9&amp;utm_campaign=item_307619&amp;utm_medium=copy" target="_blank">point out</a>, “When
 it comes to confronting contemporary social turmoil, communities of 
faith have always played an important role in working toward solutions.”
 Many religious organizations are doing this right now. Leaders from the
 National Association of Evangelicals and Christianity Today <a href="https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2020/march-web-only/walter-kim-nae-timothy-dalrymple-cancel-church-or-not.html" target="_blank">published a joint statement </a>reminding
 people that “God cannot be consigned to a place.” They added: “It is 
one thing to risk your own life in order to worship together in person; 
it is quite another to risk the lives of countless others, when so many 
churches are finding creative and compelling ways to carry on in worship
 and community from a distance.” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter 
Day Saints <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/live-blog/coronavirus-updates-live-u-s-slaps-travel-restrictions-most-europe-n1156266/ncrd1157411#blogHeader" target="_blank">suspended all services worldwide on March 12</a>
 (a lifetime ago in the COVID-19 timeline). Houses of worship have been 
providing crucial material and social support to those who suddenly find
 themselves in need of it. &nbsp;

As the pandemic continues, my hope is that these narratives become 
more common and stories of church leaders risking the lives of their 
congregants seem like a distant memory.

Lata Nott is a Freedom Forum Fellow. Contact her via email at <a href="mailto:lnott@freedomforum.org" target="_blank">lnott@freedomforum.org</a>, or follow her on Twitter at&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/latanott" target="_blank">@LataNott</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579206978168.png" alt="Lata Nott is a Freedom Forum Fellow." />
 <figcaption>Lata Nott is a Freedom Forum Fellow.</figcaption>
 </figure>Our COVID-19 crisis has been escalating quickly and with it, the 
potential collision with the First Amendment over issues involving 
religious liberty and the right of assembly.Last month, we thought that stopping the spread of the virus was a 
matter of washing our hands thoroughly and avoiding touching our faces.Now, we’re unable to assemble in groups and many of us are confined to our homes.Three weeks ago, President Trump dreamed of packed churches on Easter Sunday. At the time, many medical experts found that overly optimistic (or as one put it, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/24/coronavirus-response-trump-wants-to-reopen-us-economy-by-easter.html" target="_blank">“not rooted in reality.”</a>) Now, with the <a href="https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2020/health/coronavirus-us-maps-and-cases/" target="_blank">U.S. approaching 430,000 cases and the death toll nearing 15,000</a>, it seems like an impossibility. Or at least, it should.But as recently as this past Saturday, President Trump was <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-discusses-opening-country-coronavirus-peaks-areas/story?id=69979743" target="_blank">floating the possibility</a>
 of making a special allowance for churches to have Easter services. 
He’s not the only politician to contemplate loosening the reins for the 
holidays. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster <a href="https://www.wistv.com/2020/04/07/south-carolinians-under-home-or-work-order-could-face-criminal-charges-disobeying/" target="_blank">recently issued a stay-at-home order</a>
 but still recommended that Easter services continue. Kansas, Michigan 
and New Mexico currently exempt worship services from their orders 
prohibiting gatherings in large groups.The fact that some government officials think this is worth the risk 
reflects the push back we’ve seen from some religious leaders ever since
 state and local governments started prohibiting large gatherings and 
shutting down non-essential businesses, including churches, synagogues 
and other houses of worship. For example, Louisiana pastor Tony Spell has <a href="https://www.insider.com/pastor-tony-spell-charged-speaks-out-about-continuing-services-2020-4" target="_blank">continued to lead in-person services</a>, calling the closure of his Life Tabernacle Church religious persecution and <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/24/us/louisiana-pastor-spell-coronavirus/index.html" target="_blank">questioning why</a>
 retailers were deemed essential but churches not. “We hold our 
religious rights dear and we are going to assemble no matter what 
someone says,” <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/news/490657-worshippers-gather-for-louisiana-church-service-after-pastor-charged" target="_blank">Spell said in an interview</a>.But while Spell is framing the state’s order as a violation of his 
First Amendment rights, that’s not actually the case. Along with being 
rooted in the public’s best interest, it’s also important to note that 
the orders restricting the size of gatherings and shutting down 
non-essential businesses are, at this time, the least restrictive 
options available to protect public health. In short, this means they’re
 almost certainly constitutional — but granting an exemption to one of 
these orders for houses of worship may not be.The First Amendment’s Establishment Clause requires that the 
government treat secular and religious organizations equally, without 
favoring one over the other. As Rachel Laser, president and chief executive officer of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, <a href="https://www.au.org/media/press-releases/religious-services-shouldnt-be-excluded-from-bans-against-large-gatherings-to" target="_blank">put it</a>,
 “[W]hen health experts and public officials determine that large 
gatherings must be cancelled for the public good, we must follow their 
lead and apply these guidelines to secular and religious gatherings 
equally. The Constitution not only permits it, but demands it. 
Such restrictions do not violate religious freedom; they ensure 
religious freedom is not misused in ways that risk people’s lives.”This week I had the pleasure of moderating a (virtual) Freedom Forum panel on<a href="https://www.freedomforum.org/event/you-mean-i-cant-what-religious-freedom-in-difficult-times/" target="_blank"> religious freedom in the time of COVID-19</a> and discussing these issues and more with legal experts Richard Foltin and Maggie Garrett, atheist thought leader Mandisa Thomas and seminary-trained religious liberty advocate Charles Watson Jr.
 One question from the audience that stood out to me was from an 
attendee who wondered if there was more to the conversation than just 
religious freedom versus public health. Did these two values have to be 
on opposing sides? Weren’t there things that religious communities could
 proactively do in service of public health — starting with asking their
 members to stay at home, of course, but going beyond that to encourage 
them to volunteer their time and monetary resources, donate blood and 
generally provide assistance to the most vulnerable members of our 
population? You can find the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfpbwKjKPNA" target="_blank">full webinar</a> on the Freedom Forum’s YouTube channel.It was a reminder to me of the crucial charitable function that 
religious organizations have often served in crisis situations. As 
Baylor University professors Byron Johnson and Thomas Kidd <a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2020/03/29/responding-to-covid-19-would-be-a-lot-harder-without-churches-and-christian-groups/?utm_source=link_newsv9&amp;utm_campaign=item_307619&amp;utm_medium=copy" target="_blank">point out</a>, “When
 it comes to confronting contemporary social turmoil, communities of 
faith have always played an important role in working toward solutions.”
 Many religious organizations are doing this right now. Leaders from the
 National Association of Evangelicals and Christianity Today <a href="https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2020/march-web-only/walter-kim-nae-timothy-dalrymple-cancel-church-or-not.html" target="_blank">published a joint statement </a>reminding
 people that “God cannot be consigned to a place.” They added: “It is 
one thing to risk your own life in order to worship together in person; 
it is quite another to risk the lives of countless others, when so many 
churches are finding creative and compelling ways to carry on in worship
 and community from a distance.” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter 
Day Saints <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/live-blog/coronavirus-updates-live-u-s-slaps-travel-restrictions-most-europe-n1156266/ncrd1157411#blogHeader" target="_blank">suspended all services worldwide on March 12</a>
 (a lifetime ago in the COVID-19 timeline). Houses of worship have been 
providing crucial material and social support to those who suddenly find
 themselves in need of it. &nbsp;As the pandemic continues, my hope is that these narratives become 
more common and stories of church leaders risking the lives of their 
congregants seem like a distant memory.Lata Nott is a Freedom Forum Fellow. Contact her via email at <a href="mailto:lnott@freedomforum.org" target="_blank">lnott@freedomforum.org</a>, or follow her on Twitter at&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/latanott" target="_blank">@LataNott</a>.

FIRST FIVE: Religious communities can play huge role — but not by gathering for services

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Some massive meat processing plants have closed at least temporarily because their workers were sickened by the new coronavirus, raising concerns that there could soon be shortages of beef, pork and poultry in supermarkets.

The meat supply chain is especially vulnerable since processing is increasingly done at massive plants that butcher tens of thousands of animals daily, so the closure of even a few big ones can quickly be felt by customers. For instance, a Smithfield Foods plant that was forced to close in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, after nearly 300 of the plant's 3,700 workers tested positive for the virus produces roughly 5% of the U.S. pork supply each day.

In addition, conditions at plants can be ripe for exploitation by the virus: Workers stand shoulder-to-shoulder on the line and crowd into locker rooms to change their clothes before and after shifts.

The virus has infected hundreds of workers at plants in Colorado, South Dakota, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Mississippi and elsewhere. The capacity of plants that remain open has also been hurt by workers who are sick or staying home because of fears of illness - though it's not clear by how much.

While company owners promise to deep clean their plants and resume operations as quickly as possible, it's difficult to keep workers healthy given how closely they work together.

"There is no social distance that is possible when you are either working on the slaughter line or in a processing assignment," said Paula Schelling, acting chairwoman for the food inspectors union in the American Federation of Government Employees.

The reduced production so far has been offset by the significant amount of meat that was in cold storage, said Glynn Tonsor, an agricultural economist at Kansas State University. Producers are also working to shift meat that would have gone to now-closed restaurants over to grocery stores.

Whether shoppers start to see more empty shelves or higher prices will depend on how many plants close and for how long.

At least half a dozen plants have closed temporarily, but that's across the pork, chicken and beef sectors, and Tonsor said the industry can manage for now.

"You could shut multiple plants down for a day or two, and we've got wiggle room to handle that," said Tonsor. "But if you took four or five of those big plants ... and they had to be down for two weeks, then you've got a game changer."

Still, the reduced meat processing capacity is already driving down the prices farmers and ranchers receive for cattle, hogs and chickens.

"It's like people on an escalator. Stopping the pork chain at the top of an escalator is just going to cause all sorts of tragedy and disaster all the way back up the system," said Dermot Hayes, professor of economics and finance at Iowa State University.

Farmers are being forced to kill baby pigs because the space in the barns where they were supposed to go is still filled by the pigs that should have been slaughtered last week, Hayes said. The meat from those baby pigs cannot be sold.

That has driven prices for those feeder pigs - which generally are fattened over the course of six months - to zero, Hayes said. The value of those big enough for the market is down about 50% from a month ago. The value of the meat is down about 30%.

Lower prices for producers could mean higher prices for consumers eventually, if production falls off, according to Chad Hart, an agricultural economist at Iowa State University.

Tyson, Cargill and other major meat processing companies say they are adopting several measures: taking the temperature of everyone entering plants, adding clear plastic shields between work stations and erecting tents to allow workers to spread out more at lunch. But critics worry that workers too often continue working in close proximity and that measures are being adopted piecemeal.

The League of United Latin American Citizens recently asked federal regulators to establish uniform rules after a number of immigrant workers complained to the rights group about tight quarters.

The new coronavirus is highly contagious. For most people, it causes mild or moderate symptoms, but for some, especially older adults and people with health problems, it can cause more severe illness and lead to death.

Federal health officials do not consider COVID-19 to be a food safety concern, but they recommend that workers maintain a safe distance from one another.

But Lily Ordaz Prado, who recently quit her job at the Smithfield plant in Sioux Falls, said she didn't see those recommendations being put into practice, noting the crowded conditions in locker rooms and on assembly lines. The 30-year-old called her decision to leave "the best decision that I have ever made."

Smithfield officials have defended operations in Sioux Falls and said the company is taking "the utmost precautions and actions to ensure the health and wellbeing of our employees."

Meanwhile, Hector Gonzalez, senior vice president of human resources at Tyson Foods, said the food giant is making important changes for its roughly 140,000 workers, such as slowing down production lines and adding plastic barriers between work stations.

Other meat companies say they have stepped up the cleaning of their plants and prohibited visitors. Several major meat companies are also paying workers more for continuing to work during the pandemic. For instance, JBS USA is paying workers a one-time $600 bonus. Cargill has temporarily boosted pay by $2 an hour.

Most major meatpacking companies also have relaxed attendance and sick leave policies to ensure that workers can receive at least some pay if they have to stay at home after testing positive or coming in contact with someone who has.

"Most of the employers that we deal with right now are really making a solid attempt to try and fix stuff," said Marc Perrone, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers union. "We're just working as hard as we can to protect as many people as possible right now and make sure that we keep the food supply open."

By JOSH FUNK-Associated PressOMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Some massive meat processing plants have closed at least temporarily because their workers were sickened by the new coronavirus, raising concerns that there could soon be shortages of beef, pork and poultry in supermarkets.The meat supply chain is especially vulnerable since processing is increasingly done at massive plants that butcher tens of thousands of animals daily, so the closure of even a few big ones can quickly be felt by customers. For instance, a Smithfield Foods plant that was forced to close in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, after nearly 300 of the plant's 3,700 workers tested positive for the virus produces roughly 5% of the U.S. pork supply each day.In addition, conditions at plants can be ripe for exploitation by the virus: Workers stand shoulder-to-shoulder on the line and crowd into locker rooms to change their clothes before and after shifts.The virus has infected hundreds of workers at plants in Colorado, South Dakota, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Mississippi and elsewhere. The capacity of plants that remain open has also been hurt by workers who are sick or staying home because of fears of illness - though it's not clear by how much.While company owners promise to deep clean their plants and resume operations as quickly as possible, it's difficult to keep workers healthy given how closely they work together."There is no social distance that is possible when you are either working on the slaughter line or in a processing assignment," said Paula Schelling, acting chairwoman for the food inspectors union in the American Federation of Government Employees.The reduced production so far has been offset by the significant amount of meat that was in cold storage, said Glynn Tonsor, an agricultural economist at Kansas State University. Producers are also working to shift meat that would have gone to now-closed restaurants over to grocery stores.Whether shoppers start to see more empty shelves or higher prices will depend on how many plants close and for how long.At least half a dozen plants have closed temporarily, but that's across the pork, chicken and beef sectors, and Tonsor said the industry can manage for now."You could shut multiple plants down for a day or two, and we've got wiggle room to handle that," said Tonsor. "But if you took four or five of those big plants ... and they had to be down for two weeks, then you've got a game changer."Still, the reduced meat processing capacity is already driving down the prices farmers and ranchers receive for cattle, hogs and chickens."It's like people on an escalator. Stopping the pork chain at the top of an escalator is just going to cause all sorts of tragedy and disaster all the way back up the system," said Dermot Hayes, professor of economics and finance at Iowa State University.Farmers are being forced to kill baby pigs because the space in the barns where they were supposed to go is still filled by the pigs that should have been slaughtered last week, Hayes said. The meat from those baby pigs cannot be sold.That has driven prices for those feeder pigs - which generally are fattened over the course of six months - to zero, Hayes said. The value of those big enough for the market is down about 50% from a month ago. The value of the meat is down about 30%.Lower prices for producers could mean higher prices for consumers eventually, if production falls off, according to Chad Hart, an agricultural economist at Iowa State University.Tyson, Cargill and other major meat processing companies say they are adopting several measures: taking the temperature of everyone entering plants, adding clear plastic shields between work stations and erecting tents to allow workers to spread out more at lunch. But critics worry that workers too often continue working in close proximity and that measures are being adopted piecemeal.The League of United Latin American Citizens recently asked federal regulators to establish uniform rules after a number of immigrant workers complained to the rights group about tight quarters.The new coronavirus is highly contagious. For most people, it causes mild or moderate symptoms, but for some, especially older adults and people with health problems, it can cause more severe illness and lead to death.Federal health officials do not consider COVID-19 to be a food safety concern, but they recommend that workers maintain a safe distance from one another.But Lily Ordaz Prado, who recently quit her job at the Smithfield plant in Sioux Falls, said she didn't see those recommendations being put into practice, noting the crowded conditions in locker rooms and on assembly lines. The 30-year-old called her decision to leave "the best decision that I have ever made."Smithfield officials have defended operations in Sioux Falls and said the company is taking "the utmost precautions and actions to ensure the health and wellbeing of our employees."Meanwhile, Hector Gonzalez, senior vice president of human resources at Tyson Foods, said the food giant is making important changes for its roughly 140,000 workers, such as slowing down production lines and adding plastic barriers between work stations.Other meat companies say they have stepped up the cleaning of their plants and prohibited visitors. Several major meat companies are also paying workers more for continuing to work during the pandemic. For instance, JBS USA is paying workers a one-time $600 bonus. Cargill has temporarily boosted pay by $2 an hour.Most major meatpacking companies also have relaxed attendance and sick leave policies to ensure that workers can receive at least some pay if they have to stay at home after testing positive or coming in contact with someone who has."Most of the employers that we deal with right now are really making a solid attempt to try and fix stuff," said Marc Perrone, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers union. "We're just working as hard as we can to protect as many people as possible right now and make sure that we keep the food supply open."

Virus closes some meat plants, raising fears of shortages

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Gov. Pete Ricketts on Monday rejected a call from two state lawmakers to resume normal school and business activities in Nebraska right away, saying that could lead to a surge in new cases that might overwhelm the state's hospitals.

Ricketts said he will stick with the state's current plan, which includes statewide school closures and restrictions on businesses and social gatherings until at least April 30.

His remarks at his daily coronavirus press briefing came in response to a question about a&nbsp;<a href="http://www.hastingstribune.com/sens-halloran-and-erdman/article_af91cc7c-7cee-11ea-ae24-2313231ca9bb.html" target="_blank">newspaper column</a>&nbsp;by state Sens. Steve Halloran and Steve Erdman, both conservatives who normally agree with the Republican governor.

The senators argued that shelter-in-place orders across the U.S. have devastated the economy, put students at a disadvantage and "made the cure worse than the disease."

The senators contend that lifting the restrictions and allowing healthy people to contract the virus would create a "herd immunity" that would protect society as a whole. Epidemiologists and other public health experts say that approach would lead to a surge in coronavirus cases and deaths, and social distancing is the only way to protect people who are most at risk.

"If Nebraska continues to operate within its current mitigation policy, civil unrest will eventually ensue," wrote the senators, who are both in their 70s, a high-risk age group. "All life is sacred and valuable, but Nebraskans also need to re-open their businesses, go back to work, go back to school and get the elective surgeries they need."

Ricketts said he agrees with the senators "100%" about the need to reopen schools and businesses as soon as possible, but he warned that doing so too soon could lead to a spike in cases.

"The big key, again, is what we have said all along, which is about being sure we don't overwhelm the health care system," he said. "That's what we're working to manage to. We've got to stay home and stay healthy until the end of April."

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough 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, including pneumonia, and death.

The governor made his comments as a local public health district reported 10 new cases among workers at a beef processing facility in Hastings, in Halloran's district.

Ricketts also issued a call to help local food banks, which face increasing demand as more people lose jobs and food shortages as more grocery stores sell out of key products.

"It's rough right now, and we anticipate it's going to get rougher over the coming months," said Scott Young, executive director of the Food Bank of Lincoln.

Meanwhile, police in Omaha handed out 20 citations for trespassing in city parks over the weekend, just days after the mayor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/d7e9a8585de51d73d06204de18ef05f3" target="_blank">ordered</a>&nbsp;the parks closed amid complaints they were too crowded.

The tickets were issued Saturday and Sunday, with the largest share - eight citations - being handed out in northeastern Omaha's Hummel Park, police said. Two people also were cited on the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge that links Omaha to Council Bluffs, Iowa, over the Missouri River.

The others were handed out in Adams, Levi Carter, Miller, Memorial and Robert's parks, police said.

By GRANT SCHULTE-The Associated PressLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Gov. Pete Ricketts on Monday rejected a call from two state lawmakers to resume normal school and business activities in Nebraska right away, saying that could lead to a surge in new cases that might overwhelm the state's hospitals.Ricketts said he will stick with the state's current plan, which includes statewide school closures and restrictions on businesses and social gatherings until at least April 30.His remarks at his daily coronavirus press briefing came in response to a question about a&nbsp;<a href="http://www.hastingstribune.com/sens-halloran-and-erdman/article_af91cc7c-7cee-11ea-ae24-2313231ca9bb.html" target="_blank">newspaper column</a>&nbsp;by state Sens. Steve Halloran and Steve Erdman, both conservatives who normally agree with the Republican governor.The senators argued that shelter-in-place orders across the U.S. have devastated the economy, put students at a disadvantage and "made the cure worse than the disease."The senators contend that lifting the restrictions and allowing healthy people to contract the virus would create a "herd immunity" that would protect society as a whole. Epidemiologists and other public health experts say that approach would lead to a surge in coronavirus cases and deaths, and social distancing is the only way to protect people who are most at risk."If Nebraska continues to operate within its current mitigation policy, civil unrest will eventually ensue," wrote the senators, who are both in their 70s, a high-risk age group. "All life is sacred and valuable, but Nebraskans also need to re-open their businesses, go back to work, go back to school and get the elective surgeries they need."Ricketts said he agrees with the senators "100%" about the need to reopen schools and businesses as soon as possible, but he warned that doing so too soon could lead to a spike in cases."The big key, again, is what we have said all along, which is about being sure we don't overwhelm the health care system," he said. "That's what we're working to manage to. We've got to stay home and stay healthy until the end of April."For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough 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, including pneumonia, and death.The governor made his comments as a local public health district reported 10 new cases among workers at a beef processing facility in Hastings, in Halloran's district.Ricketts also issued a call to help local food banks, which face increasing demand as more people lose jobs and food shortages as more grocery stores sell out of key products."It's rough right now, and we anticipate it's going to get rougher over the coming months," said Scott Young, executive director of the Food Bank of Lincoln.Meanwhile, police in Omaha handed out 20 citations for trespassing in city parks over the weekend, just days after the mayor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/d7e9a8585de51d73d06204de18ef05f3" target="_blank">ordered</a>&nbsp;the parks closed amid complaints they were too crowded.The tickets were issued Saturday and Sunday, with the largest share - eight citations - being handed out in northeastern Omaha's Hummel Park, police said. Two people also were cited on the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge that links Omaha to Council Bluffs, Iowa, over the Missouri River.The others were handed out in Adams, Levi Carter, Miller, Memorial and Robert's parks, police said.

Ricketts rejects senators' call to resume normal activities

LINCOLN –&nbsp;This afternoon, Governor Pete Ricketts urged Nebraskans to “Stay Home and Stay Healthy” during his daily briefing on the State’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp; He also reviewed the State’s revisions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, which have made it easier for Nebraskans in need to access food.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Scott Young, Executive Director of the Food Bank of Lincoln, and Leia Noel, President of Foodnet in Lincoln, joined the Governor at today’s press event.&nbsp; They talked about their organizations’ efforts to provide food security to Nebraskans affected by the COVID-19 emergency.&nbsp;

Gov. Ricketts: 21 Days to Keep Nebraska Healthy

Full video of today’s press briefing is available by&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dropbox.com%2Fs%2Fejq2m9155afjevp%2FPress%2520Conf%25204.13.2020.mp4%3Fdl%3D0&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ctaylor.gage%40nebraska.gov%7Cacee6a33a3aa45d42f3e08d7dffa5950%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637224138646584092&amp;sdata=TXwezQQJ8DtB7Zc5uYsSdqzoFL1HUH43cjy8gIa%2FLb0%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">clicking here</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586818187163.png" alt="Gov. Ricketts (podium, Foodnet President Leia Noel (far left); and Food Bank of Lincoln Executive Director Scott Young (second from left) at today’s press briefing." />
 <figcaption>Gov. Ricketts (podium, Foodnet President Leia Noel (far left); and Food Bank of Lincoln Executive Director Scott Young (second from left) at today’s press briefing.</figcaption>
 </figure>LINCOLN –&nbsp;This afternoon, Governor Pete Ricketts urged Nebraskans to “Stay Home and Stay Healthy” during his daily briefing on the State’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp; He also reviewed the State’s revisions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, which have made it easier for Nebraskans in need to access food.&nbsp; &nbsp;Scott Young, Executive Director of the Food Bank of Lincoln, and Leia Noel, President of Foodnet in Lincoln, joined the Governor at today’s press event.&nbsp; They talked about their organizations’ efforts to provide food security to Nebraskans affected by the COVID-19 emergency.&nbsp;Gov. Ricketts: 21 Days to Keep Nebraska Healthy<ol>
 <li>We are now on Day 4 of the “21 Days to Stay Home and Stay Healthy” campaign.</li><li>I want to remind people of our Six Rules to Keep Nebraska Healthy.Stay home. &nbsp;No non-essential errands and no social gatherings. &nbsp;Respect the ten-person limit.Socially distance your work. &nbsp;Work from home or use the six-foot rule as much as possible in the workplace.Shop alone and only shop once a week. &nbsp;Do not take family with you.Help kids follow social distancing. &nbsp;Play at home. &nbsp;No group sports. &nbsp;And no playgrounds.Help seniors stay at home by shopping for them. &nbsp;Do not visit long-term care facilities.Exercise daily at home or with an appropriately socially-distanced activity.</li><li>Stay home. &nbsp;No non-essential errands and no social gatherings. &nbsp;Respect the ten-person limit.</li><li>Socially distance your work. &nbsp;Work from home or use the six-foot rule as much as possible in the workplace.</li><li>Shop alone and only shop once a week. &nbsp;Do not take family with you.</li><li>Help kids follow social distancing. &nbsp;Play at home. &nbsp;No group sports. &nbsp;And no playgrounds.</li><li>Help seniors stay at home by shopping for them. &nbsp;Do not visit long-term care facilities.</li><li>Exercise daily at home or with an appropriately socially-distanced activity.</li>
 </ol>Gov. Ricketts: Food Security<ol>
 <li>Nebraska is the Beef State, and we help feed the world.</li><li>During this time, we are taking steps to make sure our families have continued access to food.</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>Last week, we announced changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Among other things…We’ve extended recertification periods by six months during the months of April and May.&nbsp;We’re providing emergency allotments to SNAP recipients, up to the amount of maximum allotment per household, in April and May.We’ve also eased certain requirements for eligibility.</li><li>We’ve extended recertification periods by six months during the months of April and May.&nbsp;</li><li>We’re providing emergency allotments to SNAP recipients, up to the amount of maximum allotment per household, in April and May.</li><li>We’ve also eased certain requirements for eligibility.</li><li>SNAP is just a part of how families in need access food.&nbsp;</li><li>Food banks also play an important role in serving vulnerable communities.&nbsp;</li><li>At this time, our food banks need the generosity and support of Nebraskans more than ever.</li><li>Let’s make sure our families can continue to access the food they need during this pandemic.</li><li>I urge Nebraskans to step up and help their local food bank.You can find a directory of food banks at&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Ffoodpantries.org%2F&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ctaylor.gage%40nebraska.gov%7Cacee6a33a3aa45d42f3e08d7dffa5950%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637224138646564180&amp;sdata=PU0UFHuC8Hf6v9LSqGnR%2F%2BNjgF8Aht3MM7ccLeq0HTs%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">foodpantries.org</a>.</li><li>You can find a directory of food banks at&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Ffoodpantries.org%2F&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ctaylor.gage%40nebraska.gov%7Cacee6a33a3aa45d42f3e08d7dffa5950%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637224138646564180&amp;sdata=PU0UFHuC8Hf6v9LSqGnR%2F%2BNjgF8Aht3MM7ccLeq0HTs%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">foodpantries.org</a>.</li>
 </ol>Scott Young: Food Bank of Lincoln<ol>
 <li>We serve every county in the state of Nebraska.</li><li>Normally, half of our distribution points are schools. &nbsp;To continue to serve Nebraskans, we’re adapting our operations in keeping with health guidelines.</li><li>During the pandemic, our network—Feeding America—anticipates a 45% increase in food insecure people during the next six months.</li><li>In Nebraska, we have 223,000 food insecure people.&nbsp; A 45% increase would represent roughly 100,000 additional people struggling with hunger.</li><li>We’re seeing increased need in both rural and urban communities.</li><li>In Grand Island last weekend, Food Bank for the Heartland had over 1,000 cars show up to its drive-thru distribution.</li><li>We’ve seen great spikes in our rural settings where we pass out pre-packed bags.&nbsp; At these sites, we use low-contact or no-contact methods to protect our clients and staff from infection.</li><li>One of our challenges now is that resources are going down as need is going up.</li><li>Grocery stores, where we typically pick up product, are making use of everything they have to meet demand.</li><li>The food we order now may take 4-6 weeks to reach our food bank.</li><li>We have concerns now, and in the months ahead, about how the pandemic may impact food security in Nebraska.</li><li>The best way to help is to make a donation at&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Flincolnfoodbank.org%2F&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ctaylor.gage%40nebraska.gov%7Cacee6a33a3aa45d42f3e08d7dffa5950%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637224138646574116&amp;sdata=tTPcBtOAoL1661ARd1%2FHOTkzvAGR3TDJXCnrEpzjfU0%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">lincolnfoodbank.org</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Ffoodbankheartland.org%2F&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ctaylor.gage%40nebraska.gov%7Cacee6a33a3aa45d42f3e08d7dffa5950%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637224138646574116&amp;sdata=PSqUanL9FkG%2B87ytxVDjd43LOrtpnMvWRjxP7uSobCI%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">foodbankheartland.org</a>.&nbsp; Nebraskans can also find out where food will be distributed by visiting these websites.</li><li>We are going to buy hundreds of thousands of dollars of food in the next 60-90 days to keep up with this increased need.</li><li>A lot of the folks who’ve lost employment will be in need of food bank provisions. &nbsp;Thank you to everyone who is donating to help them.</li>
 </ol>Leia Noel: Foodnet<ol>
 <li>Foodnet operates in Lincoln and the surrounding communities.</li><li>Foodnet receives food from grocery stores and other businesses, and our volunteers distribute it to those in need.</li><li>During a normal week, we pick up provisions at nearly 100 locations and serve 5,000 to 6,000 people.</li><li>In early March, we adjusted our operations to comply with health guidance from the Governor, our mayor, and the local health department.</li><li>We closed some of our usual locations at the request of our host sites.</li><li>We also saw a reduction in our retired volunteer base, as they are especially vulnerable to the virus.&nbsp; We fully supported their decision to stay home and stay safe.</li><li>We’ve adjusted to having fewer sites and a smaller number of volunteers.</li><li>We currently have sites open every day except Wednesday.</li><li>On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday we have three sites open. &nbsp;This is helpful to the community since many food banks are not as accessible on the weekend.</li><li>We’ve switched to drive-thru locations to limit person-to-person contact.</li><li>A few sites still allow clients to come into their facilities to pick up food. &nbsp;These locations are strictly following COVID-19 social distancing guidelines.</li><li>We expect to serve more people in the weeks ahead as families experience job loss and food supplies need to be restocked.</li><li>Nebraskans can help by picking up and delivering food to neighbors, family, or friends who are homebound and in need.</li><li>Nebraskans can also volunteer to distribute food.&nbsp; Foodnet has volunteer openings at some locations.</li><li>Foodnet’s website,&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Ffoodnetlincoln.org%2F&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ctaylor.gage%40nebraska.gov%7Cacee6a33a3aa45d42f3e08d7dffa5950%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637224138646584092&amp;sdata=IizRUW1RZ3DE57HulwwD6e7CFfqeZorOJDqwbYR8ZcQ%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">foodnetlincoln.org</a>, has contact information and details about distribution sites.</li><li>Thanks to grocery stores and businesses for donating so that we can serve Nebraskans in need.</li>
 </ol>Full video of today’s press briefing is available by&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dropbox.com%2Fs%2Fejq2m9155afjevp%2FPress%2520Conf%25204.13.2020.mp4%3Fdl%3D0&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ctaylor.gage%40nebraska.gov%7Cacee6a33a3aa45d42f3e08d7dffa5950%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637224138646584092&amp;sdata=TXwezQQJ8DtB7Zc5uYsSdqzoFL1HUH43cjy8gIa%2FLb0%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">clicking here</a>.

Gov. Ricketts, food bank leaders discuss efforts to enhance food security in Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Ten workers at a central Nebraska beef processing plant have been diagnosed with the new coronavirus, public health officials announced this weekend.

The South Heartland District Health Department reported the cases at Western Reserve Beef in Hastings.

The department "is working closely with Western Reserve management to complete the contact investigations, provide recommendations for employee safety, and to provide additional testing for their workforce."

Hastings is just south of Grand Island, a coronavirus hot spot in Nebraska.

On Monday, Lincoln Premium Poultry announced its first COVID-19 case at its Fremont chicken plant. The plant supplies Costco with millions of rotisserie chickens and employs 1,100 people.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Ten workers at a central Nebraska beef processing plant have been diagnosed with the new coronavirus, public health officials announced this weekend.The South Heartland District Health Department reported the cases at Western Reserve Beef in Hastings.The department "is working closely with Western Reserve management to complete the contact investigations, provide recommendations for employee safety, and to provide additional testing for their workforce."Hastings is just south of Grand Island, a coronavirus hot spot in Nebraska.On Monday, Lincoln Premium Poultry announced its first COVID-19 case at its Fremont chicken plant. The plant supplies Costco with millions of rotisserie chickens and employs 1,100 people.

10 central Nebraska beef plant workers diagnosed with virus

WASHINGTON (AP) — Blood tests for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak">coronavirus&nbsp;</a>could play a key role in deciding whether millions of Americans can safely return to work and school. But public health officials warn that the current “Wild West” of unregulated tests is creating confusion that could ultimately slow the path to recovery.

More than 70 companies have signed up to sell so-called antibody tests in recent weeks, according to U.S. regulators. Governments around the world hope that the rapid tests, which typically use a finger-prick of blood on a test strip, could soon ease public restrictions by identifying people who have previously had the virus and have developed some immunity to it.

But key questions remain: How accurate are the tests, how much protection is needed and how long will that protection last.

The blood tests are different from the nasal swab-based tests currently used to diagnose active COVID-19 infections. Instead, the tests look for blood proteins called antibodies, which the body produces days or weeks after fighting an infection. The same approach is used for HIV, hepatitis, Lyme disease, lupus and many other diseases.

Because of the relative simplicity of the technology, the Food and Drug Administration decided to waive initial review of the tests as part of its emergency response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Right now, the tests are most useful for researchers studying how the virus has spread through the U.S. population. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.niaid.nih.gov/news-events/nih-begins-study-quantify-undetected-cases-coronavirus-infection" target="_blank">government</a>&nbsp;said Friday it has started testing 10,000 volunteers. The White House has not outlined a broader plan for testing and how the results might be used.

With almost no FDA oversight of the tests, “Right now it’s a wild west show out there,” said Eric Blank of the Association for Public Health Laboratories. “It really has created a mess that’s going to take a while to clean up.”

“In the meantime, you’ve got a lot of companies marketing a lot of stuff and nobody has any idea of how good it is,” he said.

Members of Blank’s group, which represents state and local lab officials, have urged the FDA to revisit its lax approach toward the tests. That approach essentially allows companies to launch as long as they notify the agency and include disclaimers. Companies are supposed to state that their tests have not been FDA-approved and cannot rule out whether someone is currently infected.

Last week, FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn said in a statement that the agency will “take appropriate action” against companies making false claims or selling inaccurate tests.

During an interview Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Hahn expressed “concern” that tests being sold “may not be as accurate as we’d like them to be.”

“What we don’t want are wildly inaccurate tests,” he said. “That’s going to be much worse, having wildly inaccurate tests than having no test.”

Dr. Allison Rakeman of New York City’s Public Health Laboratory says some local hospitals are assuming the tests, which are listed on FDA’s website, “have been vetted, when they have not.”

The danger of faulty testing, Rakeman says, is that people will mistakenly conclude that they are immune or are no longer spreading the virus.

“Then somebody goes home and kisses their 90-year-old grandmother,” said Rakeman. “You don’t want to give someone a false sense of security.”

For many infections, antibody levels above a certain threshold indicate that the person’s immune system has successfully fought off the virus and is likely protected from reinfection. For COVID-19, it’s not yet clear what level of antibodies render patients immune or how long immunity might last.

Adding to the confusion is the fact that both legitimate companies and fraudulent operators appear to be selling the kits. Distinguishing between the two can be a challenge.

Officials in Laredo, Texas, reported this month that some 2,500 antibody tests set for use at a local drive-thru testing site were likely frauds. City officials had ordered what they were told were “FDA-approved COVID-19 rapid tests,” from a local clinic. But when they checked the test’s accuracy, it fell well below the range promised, the city said in a statement.

Examples of U.S. companies skirting the rules appear online and in emails sent to hospitals.

Promotional emails sent to hospitals and reviewed by The Associated Press failed to include required disclaimers. Some kits sold on websites promote themselves as “FDA-approved” for home testing. The agency has not yet approved any COVID-19 home test. The blood tests have to processed by a lab.

“If you see them on the internet, do not buy them until we can give you a test that’s reliable for all Americans,” said Dr. Deborah Birx, coordinator of the White House coronavirus task force, at a recent briefing.

20/20 BioResponse is one of dozens of U.S. companies selling the tests to hospitals, clinics and doctor’s offices. The Rockville, Maryland-based company imports the tests from a Chinese manufacturer but CEO Jonathan Cohen says his company independently confirmed its performance in 60 U.S. patients. He estimates the company has shipped 10,000 tests and has had to limit orders due to demand.

He said antibody tests are not a “panacea but they’re not garbage either.”

Cohen called them “a tool in the toolbox that will have some value along with other tests.”

The company’s test is registered on the FDA website and includes all the required disclaimers.

To date, the FDA has only authorized one COVID-19 antibody test from North Carolina diagnostics company Cellex. The agency used its emergency powers, meaning a formal review is still needed.

The White House has also tried to temper expectations for the tests, while still promising that millions will soon be available.

Dr. Brett Giroir, the federal health official overseeing U.S. testing, told reporters a week ago that the FDA and other agencies are working to confirm the accuracy of the antibody tests.

“We’re going to be very careful to make sure that when we tell you you’re likely immune from the disease ... the test really said that,” Giroir said.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Blood tests for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak">coronavirus&nbsp;</a>could play a key role in deciding whether millions of Americans can safely return to work and school. But public health officials warn that the current “Wild West” of unregulated tests is creating confusion that could ultimately slow the path to recovery.More than 70 companies have signed up to sell so-called antibody tests in recent weeks, according to U.S. regulators. Governments around the world hope that the rapid tests, which typically use a finger-prick of blood on a test strip, could soon ease public restrictions by identifying people who have previously had the virus and have developed some immunity to it.But key questions remain: How accurate are the tests, how much protection is needed and how long will that protection last.The blood tests are different from the nasal swab-based tests currently used to diagnose active COVID-19 infections. Instead, the tests look for blood proteins called antibodies, which the body produces days or weeks after fighting an infection. The same approach is used for HIV, hepatitis, Lyme disease, lupus and many other diseases.Because of the relative simplicity of the technology, the Food and Drug Administration decided to waive initial review of the tests as part of its emergency response to the coronavirus outbreak.Right now, the tests are most useful for researchers studying how the virus has spread through the U.S. population. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.niaid.nih.gov/news-events/nih-begins-study-quantify-undetected-cases-coronavirus-infection" target="_blank">government</a>&nbsp;said Friday it has started testing 10,000 volunteers. The White House has not outlined a broader plan for testing and how the results might be used.With almost no FDA oversight of the tests, “Right now it’s a wild west show out there,” said Eric Blank of the Association for Public Health Laboratories. “It really has created a mess that’s going to take a while to clean up.”“In the meantime, you’ve got a lot of companies marketing a lot of stuff and nobody has any idea of how good it is,” he said.Members of Blank’s group, which represents state and local lab officials, have urged the FDA to revisit its lax approach toward the tests. That approach essentially allows companies to launch as long as they notify the agency and include disclaimers. Companies are supposed to state that their tests have not been FDA-approved and cannot rule out whether someone is currently infected.Last week, FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn said in a statement that the agency will “take appropriate action” against companies making false claims or selling inaccurate tests.During an interview Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Hahn expressed “concern” that tests being sold “may not be as accurate as we’d like them to be.”“What we don’t want are wildly inaccurate tests,” he said. “That’s going to be much worse, having wildly inaccurate tests than having no test.”Dr. Allison Rakeman of New York City’s Public Health Laboratory says some local hospitals are assuming the tests, which are listed on FDA’s website, “have been vetted, when they have not.”The danger of faulty testing, Rakeman says, is that people will mistakenly conclude that they are immune or are no longer spreading the virus.“Then somebody goes home and kisses their 90-year-old grandmother,” said Rakeman. “You don’t want to give someone a false sense of security.”For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough 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, including pneumonia, and death.For many infections, antibody levels above a certain threshold indicate that the person’s immune system has successfully fought off the virus and is likely protected from reinfection. For COVID-19, it’s not yet clear what level of antibodies render patients immune or how long immunity might last.Adding to the confusion is the fact that both legitimate companies and fraudulent operators appear to be selling the kits. Distinguishing between the two can be a challenge.Officials in Laredo, Texas, reported this month that some 2,500 antibody tests set for use at a local drive-thru testing site were likely frauds. City officials had ordered what they were told were “FDA-approved COVID-19 rapid tests,” from a local clinic. But when they checked the test’s accuracy, it fell well below the range promised, the city said in a statement.Examples of U.S. companies skirting the rules appear online and in emails sent to hospitals.Promotional emails sent to hospitals and reviewed by The Associated Press failed to include required disclaimers. Some kits sold on websites promote themselves as “FDA-approved” for home testing. The agency has not yet approved any COVID-19 home test. The blood tests have to processed by a lab.“If you see them on the internet, do not buy them until we can give you a test that’s reliable for all Americans,” said Dr. Deborah Birx, coordinator of the White House coronavirus task force, at a recent briefing.20/20 BioResponse is one of dozens of U.S. companies selling the tests to hospitals, clinics and doctor’s offices. The Rockville, Maryland-based company imports the tests from a Chinese manufacturer but CEO Jonathan Cohen says his company independently confirmed its performance in 60 U.S. patients. He estimates the company has shipped 10,000 tests and has had to limit orders due to demand.He said antibody tests are not a “panacea but they’re not garbage either.”Cohen called them “a tool in the toolbox that will have some value along with other tests.”The company’s test is registered on the FDA website and includes all the required disclaimers.To date, the FDA has only authorized one COVID-19 antibody test from North Carolina diagnostics company Cellex. The agency used its emergency powers, meaning a formal review is still needed.The White House has also tried to temper expectations for the tests, while still promising that millions will soon be available.Dr. Brett Giroir, the federal health official overseeing U.S. testing, told reporters a week ago that the FDA and other agencies are working to confirm the accuracy of the antibody tests.“We’re going to be very careful to make sure that when we tell you you’re likely immune from the disease ... the test really said that,” Giroir said.

Fears of 'Wild West' as COVID-19 blood tests hit the market

Nebraska had 871 confirmed coronavirus cases and 17 deaths as of Monday evening, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services. Nearly 10,500 people have tested negative. The number of new cases also declined to 59 on Monday, down from a sharp increase of 101 new cases on Sunday. On Saturday, the state had 58 new cases.

By GRANT SCHULTE-Associated PressLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Gov. Pete Ricketts on Monday rejected a call from two state lawmakers to resume normal school and business activities in Nebraska right away, saying that could lead to a surge in new cases that might overwhelm the state's hospitals.Ricketts said he will stick with the state's current plan, which includes statewide school closures and restrictions on businesses and social gatherings until at least April 30.His remarks at his daily coronavirus press briefing came in response to a question about a&nbsp;<a href="http://www.hastingstribune.com/sens-halloran-and-erdman/article_af91cc7c-7cee-11ea-ae24-2313231ca9bb.html" target="_blank">newspaper column</a>&nbsp;by state Sens. Steve Halloran and Steve Erdman, both conservatives who normally agree with the Republican governor.The senators argued that shelter-in-place orders across the U.S. have devastated the economy, put students at a disadvantage and "made the cure worse than the disease."The senators contend that lifting the restrictions and allowing healthy people to contract the virus would create a "herd immunity" that would protect society as a whole. Epidemiologists and other public health experts say that approach would lead to a surge in coronavirus cases and deaths, and social distancing is the only way to protect people who are most at risk."If Nebraska continues to operate within its current mitigation policy, civil unrest will eventually ensue," wrote the senators, who are both in their 70s, a high-risk age group. "All life is sacred and valuable, but Nebraskans also need to re-open their businesses, go back to work, go back to school and get the elective surgeries they need."Ricketts said he agrees with the senators "100%" about the need to reopen schools and businesses as soon as possible, but he warned that doing so too soon could lead to a spike in cases."The big key, again, is what we have said all along, which is about being sure we don't overwhelm the health care system," he said. "That's what we're working to manage to. We've got to stay home and stay healthy until the end of April."Nebraska had 871 confirmed coronavirus cases and 17 deaths as of Monday evening, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services. Nearly 10,500 people have tested negative. The number of new cases also declined to 59 on Monday, down from a sharp increase of 101 new cases on Sunday. On Saturday, the state had 58 new cases.For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough 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, including pneumonia, and death.The governor made his comments as a local public health district reported 10 new cases among workers at a beef processing facility in Hastings, in Halloran's district.Ricketts also issued a call to help local food banks, which face increasing demand as more people lose jobs and food shortages as more grocery stores sell out of key products."It's rough right now, and we anticipate it's going to get rougher over the coming months," said Scott Young, executive director of the Food Bank of Lincoln.Meanwhile, police in Omaha handed out 20 citations for trespassing in city parks over the weekend, just days after the mayor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/d7e9a8585de51d73d06204de18ef05f3" target="_blank">ordered</a>&nbsp;the parks closed amid complaints they were too crowded.The tickets were issued Saturday and Sunday, with the largest share - eight citations - being handed out in northeastern Omaha's Hummel Park, police said. Two people also were cited on the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge that links Omaha to Council Bluffs, Iowa, over the Missouri River.The others were handed out in Adams, Levi Carter, Miller, Memorial and Robert's parks, police said.

🎥Public Health Command Center Live Update from North Platte

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Central District Health Dept. reports 211 confirmed cases of COVID-19

Sports Podcast: JR Cameron Sutherland 

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Police in Omaha handed out 20 citations for trespassing in city parks over the weekend, just days after the mayor ordered all city parks closed amid complaints they were too crowded.

On Wednesday, Mayor Jean Stothert&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/d7e9a8585de51d73d06204de18ef05f3" target="_blank">ordered&nbsp;</a>all of the city's parks closed through April 30, with Stothert noting the worst offenders were youth sports coaches and parents with children. Her order also came a day after a gathering of about 100 people in Omaha's Benson Park for a barbecue ended in a fatal shooting.

The citations came as more COVID-19 cases were reported in the state, including the first cases in Dakota County in northeastern Nebraska.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Police in Omaha handed out 20 citations for trespassing in city parks over the weekend, just days after the mayor ordered all city parks closed amid complaints they were too crowded.The tickets were issued Saturday and Sunday, with the largest share - eight citations - being handed out in northeastern Omaha's Hummel Park, police said. Two people also were cited on the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge that links Omaha to Council Bluffs, Iowa, over the Missouri River.The others were handed out in Adams, Levi Carter, Miller, Memorial and Robert's parks, police said.On Wednesday, Mayor Jean Stothert&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/d7e9a8585de51d73d06204de18ef05f3" target="_blank">ordered&nbsp;</a>all of the city's parks closed through April 30, with Stothert noting the worst offenders were youth sports coaches and parents with children. Her order also came a day after a gathering of about 100 people in Omaha's Benson Park for a barbecue ended in a fatal shooting.The citations came as more COVID-19 cases were reported in the state, including the first cases in Dakota County in northeastern Nebraska.For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough 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, including pneumonia, and death.

Omaha police issue trespassing tickets as virus cases rise

MCLAUGHLIN, S.D. (Rapid City Journal) — A family of five on the Standing Rock Reservation has been living in a car and floating among relatives after a small South Dakota town shut off the utilities at their trailer home. 

The mayor of McLaughlin, Arnold Schott, said there was no choice because the town wouldn’t be able to pay its own bills if it didn’t turn off utilities for those who haven’t paid for them. 

Thirty-nine-year-old Patric White Mountain tells the Rapid City Journal his wife, Heaven Strong Heart, and their three children, ages 7, 5 and 1, are at greater risk for contracting the coronavirus without stable housing and running water.&nbsp;

MCLAUGHLIN, S.D. (Rapid City Journal) — A family of five on the Standing Rock Reservation has been living in a car and floating among relatives after a small South Dakota town shut off the utilities at their trailer home. The mayor of McLaughlin, Arnold Schott, said there was no choice because the town wouldn’t be able to pay its own bills if it didn’t turn off utilities for those who haven’t paid for them. Thirty-nine-year-old Patric White Mountain tells the Rapid City Journal his wife, Heaven Strong Heart, and their three children, ages 7, 5 and 1, are at greater risk for contracting the coronavirus without stable housing and running water.&nbsp;

Family loses utilities, mayor says there's no other choice

NEW YORK (AP) — More than 3,300 deaths nationwide have been linked to coronavirus outbreaks in nursing homes and long-term care facilities, an alarming rise in just the past two weeks, according to the latest count by The Associated Press.

Because the federal government has not been releasing a count of its own, the AP has kept its own running tally based on media reports and state health departments. The latest count of at least 3,321 deaths is up from about 450 deaths just 10 days ago.

But the true toll among the 1 million mostly frail and elderly people who live in such facilities is likely much higher, experts say, because most state counts don’t include those who died without ever being tested for COVID-19.

Outbreaks in just the past few weeks have included one at a nursing home in suburban Richmond that has killed 40 and infected more than 100, another at nursing home in central Indiana that has killed 24 and infected 16, and one at a veteran’s home in Holyoke, Mass., that has killed 37, infected 76 and prompted a federal investigation. This comes weeks after an outbreak at a nursing home in the Seattle suburb of Kirkland that has so far claimed 43 lives.

And those are just the outbreaks we know about. Most states provide only total numbers of nursing home deaths and don’t give details of specific outbreaks. Notable among them is the nation’s leader, New York, which accounts for 1,880 nursing home deaths out of about 96,000 total residents but has so far declined to detail specific outbreaks, citing privacy concerns.

Experts say nursing home deaths may keep climbing because of chronic staffing shortages that have been made worse by the coronavirus crisis, a shortage of protective supplies and a continued lack of available testing.

And the deaths have skyrocketed despite steps taken by the federal government in mid-March to bar visitors, cease all group activities, and require that every worker be screened for fever or respiratory symptoms at every shift.

But an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/78e495c299d67e60d45729352f2c0d44">AP report&nbsp;</a>earlier this month found that infections were continuing to find their way into nursing homes because such screenings didn’t catch people who were infected but asymptomatic. Several large outbreaks were blamed on such spreaders, including infected health workers who worked at several different nursing home facilities.

This past week, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that regulates nursing homes issued recommendations urging nursing homes to use separate staffing teams for residents, and to designate separate facilities within nursing homes to keep COVID-19 positive residents away from those who have tested negative.

Dr. Deborah Birx, who leads the White House coronavirus response, suggested this past week that as more COVID-19 tests become available, nursing homes should be a top priority.

“We need to really ensure that nursing homes have sentinel surveillance. And what do I mean by that? That we’re actively testing in nursing homes, both the residents and the workers, at all times,” Birx said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585657534018.png" alt="Life Care Center of Burlington, Kansas is linked to multiple coronavirus cases and deaths, according to the KDHE- Google image" />
 <figcaption>Life Care Center of Burlington, Kansas is linked to multiple coronavirus cases and deaths, according to the KDHE- Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — More than 3,300 deaths nationwide have been linked to coronavirus outbreaks in nursing homes and long-term care facilities, an alarming rise in just the past two weeks, according to the latest count by The Associated Press.Because the federal government has not been releasing a count of its own, the AP has kept its own running tally based on media reports and state health departments. The latest count of at least 3,321 deaths is up from about 450 deaths just 10 days ago.But the true toll among the 1 million mostly frail and elderly people who live in such facilities is likely much higher, experts say, because most state counts don’t include those who died without ever being tested for COVID-19.Outbreaks in just the past few weeks have included one at a nursing home in suburban Richmond that has killed 40 and infected more than 100, another at nursing home in central Indiana that has killed 24 and infected 16, and one at a veteran’s home in Holyoke, Mass., that has killed 37, infected 76 and prompted a federal investigation. This comes weeks after an outbreak at a nursing home in the Seattle suburb of Kirkland that has so far claimed 43 lives.And those are just the outbreaks we know about. Most states provide only total numbers of nursing home deaths and don’t give details of specific outbreaks. Notable among them is the nation’s leader, New York, which accounts for 1,880 nursing home deaths out of about 96,000 total residents but has so far declined to detail specific outbreaks, citing privacy concerns.Experts say nursing home deaths may keep climbing because of chronic staffing shortages that have been made worse by the coronavirus crisis, a shortage of protective supplies and a continued lack of available testing.And the deaths have skyrocketed despite steps taken by the federal government in mid-March to bar visitors, cease all group activities, and require that every worker be screened for fever or respiratory symptoms at every shift.But an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/78e495c299d67e60d45729352f2c0d44">AP report&nbsp;</a>earlier this month found that infections were continuing to find their way into nursing homes because such screenings didn’t catch people who were infected but asymptomatic. Several large outbreaks were blamed on such spreaders, including infected health workers who worked at several different nursing home facilities.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586725126011.png" alt="Dr. Deborah Birx leads the White House coronavirus response team-White House image" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Deborah Birx leads the White House coronavirus response team-White House image</figcaption>
 </figure>This past week, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that regulates nursing homes issued recommendations urging nursing homes to use separate staffing teams for residents, and to designate separate facilities within nursing homes to keep COVID-19 positive residents away from those who have tested negative.Dr. Deborah Birx, who leads the White House coronavirus response, suggested this past week that as more COVID-19 tests become available, nursing homes should be a top priority.“We need to really ensure that nursing homes have sentinel surveillance. And what do I mean by that? That we’re actively testing in nursing homes, both the residents and the workers, at all times,” Birx said.

Nursing home virus deaths soar past 3,300 in alarming surge

LINCOLN –&nbsp;The Dakota County Health Department reported its first and second cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) on Sunday.

The first case is a woman in her 30s; the second case is a woman in her 40s. Investigations are underway in both cases.&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA0MTMuMjAwNTgwODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5mYWNlYm9vay5jb20vZGFrb3RhY291bnR5aGVhbHRoIn0.Yc_yaiTEsKm9HOgnKZeqrrkVw4ktDRzbEKWghvdBQ8k%2Fbr%2F77314263979-l&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ctaylor.gage%40nebraska.gov%7Ca7068cf1ae6e47d34dd008d7df4d12d3%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637223394439461384&amp;sdata=DZG0QVtzUgT3xoVUlMIhGItuDE7otdJbHFmD4wubNpc%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/dakotacountyhealth</a>

Today’s state case total, as of 6:30 pm Central Daylight Time, is 814. DHHS launched a new data dashboard that updates the state's COVID-19 case totals daily. You can find it at&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA0MTMuMjAwNTgwODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vZGhocy5uZS5nb3YvY29yb25hdmlydXMifQ.GfkLmYi_8xuDHDQsoYxxZ-9rKT4fnTNIIlXhHPvWZSo%2Fbr%2F77314263979-l&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ctaylor.gage%40nebraska.gov%7Ca7068cf1ae6e47d34dd008d7df4d12d3%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637223394439461384&amp;sdata=dX9EbQ1RqejgqplS50hDpFgOINaKJZ59zysBQH2oXpE%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus</a>.

All 93 Nebraska counties are now covered by state Directed Health Measures (DHMs) until May 11 –&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA0MTMuMjAwNTgwODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vZGhocy5uZS5nb3YvY29yb25hdmlydXMifQ.Aih6hhcTz4ndJAM09XlnOQpZEfdp3cZKGv-mYNyPcxU%2Fbr%2F77314263979-l&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ctaylor.gage%40nebraska.gov%7Ca7068cf1ae6e47d34dd008d7df4d12d3%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637223394439471338&amp;sdata=dA0GSaeCDxt%2F1IPKPxEwjGG4MIDhWEg3bSznn6dvddk%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus</a>. It's critical that Nebraskans follow these enforceable state Directed Health Measures to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in the state. These measures help protect each other and those who are more vulnerable to severe illness and death, and help hospitals and clinics from being overwhelmed so they can continue to provide care to families, friends and neighbors who need it.

In addition to the state-issued DHM, some Local Health Departments have issued additional restrictions -&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA0MTMuMjAwNTgwODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vZGhocy5uZS5nb3YvUGFnZXMvQ09WSUQtMTktRGlyZWN0ZWQtSGVhbHRoLU1lYXN1cmVzLmFzcHgifQ.d9_iK6X0Ne-oxK9FUW5ctL1AcGulmBMy6w84apBEp-Q%2Fbr%2F77314263979-l&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ctaylor.gage%40nebraska.gov%7Ca7068cf1ae6e47d34dd008d7df4d12d3%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637223394439471338&amp;sdata=NZcyVtLDiVMZvx056wb76qMYNzyWXMqJRS3AyJs5Rjs%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">http://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/COVID-19-Directed-Health-Measures.aspx</a>

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://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDQsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA0MTMuMjAwNTgwODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5jZGMuZ292L2Nvcm9uYXZpcnVzLzIwMTktbmNvdi9wcmV2ZW50LWdldHRpbmctc2ljay9jbG90aC1mYWNlLWNvdmVyLWZhcS5odG1sIn0.6mERkV72nTnSGpvyAmmqGUPneRZizfX6pZQaHW2UO74%2Fbr%2F77314263979-l&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ctaylor.gage%40nebraska.gov%7Ca7068cf1ae6e47d34dd008d7df4d12d3%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637223394439481293&amp;sdata=TJXIyyEA12zrMSvz6dcTFsjc6b%2BdPiWOb994uLxZX2U%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-faq.html</a>.

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="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDUsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA0MTMuMjAwNTgwODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vZGhocy5uZS5nb3YvY29yb25hdmlydXMifQ.iLgBf65LFv6MabjZ_gtk20rUI7b8T86PKZB-v65B5AM%2Fbr%2F77314263979-l&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ctaylor.gage%40nebraska.gov%7Ca7068cf1ae6e47d34dd008d7df4d12d3%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637223394439481293&amp;sdata=qsZmmnKOI9tuC09ExqcMkTLsNhSmLse5gkbDFosUDDc%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus</a>&nbsp;and CDC's website –&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDYsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA0MTMuMjAwNTgwODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5jZGMuZ292L2NvdmlkMTkifQ.gyEEvoioslXzASZtCXc-4md711Fuf_W-_URyhsH2s58%2Fbr%2F77314263979-l&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ctaylor.gage%40nebraska.gov%7Ca7068cf1ae6e47d34dd008d7df4d12d3%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637223394439481293&amp;sdata=ZAliQwUxki4BptePN6ru4RBteAnlQGMbhS4vrHqPHh8%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://www.cdc.gov/covid19&nbsp;</a>.

DHHS will continue to update Nebraskans through the DHHS website and on Facebook and Twitter as we have new information. The CDC's website is also a good resource for COVID-19 information -&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDcsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA0MTMuMjAwNTgwODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5jZGMuZ292L2NvdmlkMTkifQ.TtM0sV3Fi_ZmpOYnthz_tp4Z_f_kNhffqfefbrqa280%2Fbr%2F77314263979-l&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ctaylor.gage%40nebraska.gov%7Ca7068cf1ae6e47d34dd008d7df4d12d3%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637223394439491251&amp;sdata=zdy0AshZ%2FdYS7FaAgWkhoKb54oCkNsOfLdt2RXUcPPw%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://www.cdc.gov/covid19&nbsp;</a>.

LINCOLN –&nbsp;The Dakota County Health Department reported its first and second cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) on Sunday.The first case is a woman in her 30s; the second case is a woman in her 40s. Investigations are underway in both cases.&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA0MTMuMjAwNTgwODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5mYWNlYm9vay5jb20vZGFrb3RhY291bnR5aGVhbHRoIn0.Yc_yaiTEsKm9HOgnKZeqrrkVw4ktDRzbEKWghvdBQ8k%2Fbr%2F77314263979-l&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ctaylor.gage%40nebraska.gov%7Ca7068cf1ae6e47d34dd008d7df4d12d3%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637223394439461384&amp;sdata=DZG0QVtzUgT3xoVUlMIhGItuDE7otdJbHFmD4wubNpc%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/dakotacountyhealth</a>Today’s state case total, as of 6:30 pm Central Daylight Time, is 814. DHHS launched a new data dashboard that updates the state's COVID-19 case totals daily. You can find it at&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA0MTMuMjAwNTgwODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vZGhocy5uZS5nb3YvY29yb25hdmlydXMifQ.GfkLmYi_8xuDHDQsoYxxZ-9rKT4fnTNIIlXhHPvWZSo%2Fbr%2F77314263979-l&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ctaylor.gage%40nebraska.gov%7Ca7068cf1ae6e47d34dd008d7df4d12d3%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637223394439461384&amp;sdata=dX9EbQ1RqejgqplS50hDpFgOINaKJZ59zysBQH2oXpE%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus</a>.All 93 Nebraska counties are now covered by state Directed Health Measures (DHMs) until May 11 –&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA0MTMuMjAwNTgwODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vZGhocy5uZS5nb3YvY29yb25hdmlydXMifQ.Aih6hhcTz4ndJAM09XlnOQpZEfdp3cZKGv-mYNyPcxU%2Fbr%2F77314263979-l&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ctaylor.gage%40nebraska.gov%7Ca7068cf1ae6e47d34dd008d7df4d12d3%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637223394439471338&amp;sdata=dA0GSaeCDxt%2F1IPKPxEwjGG4MIDhWEg3bSznn6dvddk%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus</a>. It's critical that Nebraskans follow these enforceable state Directed Health Measures to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in the state. These measures help protect each other and those who are more vulnerable to severe illness and death, and help hospitals and clinics from being overwhelmed so they can continue to provide care to families, friends and neighbors who need it.In addition to the state-issued DHM, some Local Health Departments have issued additional restrictions -&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA0MTMuMjAwNTgwODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vZGhocy5uZS5nb3YvUGFnZXMvQ09WSUQtMTktRGlyZWN0ZWQtSGVhbHRoLU1lYXN1cmVzLmFzcHgifQ.d9_iK6X0Ne-oxK9FUW5ctL1AcGulmBMy6w84apBEp-Q%2Fbr%2F77314263979-l&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ctaylor.gage%40nebraska.gov%7Ca7068cf1ae6e47d34dd008d7df4d12d3%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637223394439471338&amp;sdata=NZcyVtLDiVMZvx056wb76qMYNzyWXMqJRS3AyJs5Rjs%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">http://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/COVID-19-Directed-Health-Measures.aspx</a>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://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDQsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA0MTMuMjAwNTgwODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5jZGMuZ292L2Nvcm9uYXZpcnVzLzIwMTktbmNvdi9wcmV2ZW50LWdldHRpbmctc2ljay9jbG90aC1mYWNlLWNvdmVyLWZhcS5odG1sIn0.6mERkV72nTnSGpvyAmmqGUPneRZizfX6pZQaHW2UO74%2Fbr%2F77314263979-l&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ctaylor.gage%40nebraska.gov%7Ca7068cf1ae6e47d34dd008d7df4d12d3%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637223394439481293&amp;sdata=TJXIyyEA12zrMSvz6dcTFsjc6b%2BdPiWOb994uLxZX2U%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-faq.html</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="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDUsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA0MTMuMjAwNTgwODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vZGhocy5uZS5nb3YvY29yb25hdmlydXMifQ.iLgBf65LFv6MabjZ_gtk20rUI7b8T86PKZB-v65B5AM%2Fbr%2F77314263979-l&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ctaylor.gage%40nebraska.gov%7Ca7068cf1ae6e47d34dd008d7df4d12d3%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637223394439481293&amp;sdata=qsZmmnKOI9tuC09ExqcMkTLsNhSmLse5gkbDFosUDDc%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus</a>&nbsp;and CDC's website –&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDYsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA0MTMuMjAwNTgwODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5jZGMuZ292L2NvdmlkMTkifQ.gyEEvoioslXzASZtCXc-4md711Fuf_W-_URyhsH2s58%2Fbr%2F77314263979-l&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ctaylor.gage%40nebraska.gov%7Ca7068cf1ae6e47d34dd008d7df4d12d3%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637223394439481293&amp;sdata=ZAliQwUxki4BptePN6ru4RBteAnlQGMbhS4vrHqPHh8%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://www.cdc.gov/covid19&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; hours of operation are 8 a.m.-8 p.m. CST, 7 days a week.DHHS will continue to update Nebraskans through the DHHS website and on Facebook and Twitter as we have new information. The CDC's website is also a good resource for COVID-19 information -&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDcsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA0MTMuMjAwNTgwODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5jZGMuZ292L2NvdmlkMTkifQ.TtM0sV3Fi_ZmpOYnthz_tp4Z_f_kNhffqfefbrqa280%2Fbr%2F77314263979-l&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ctaylor.gage%40nebraska.gov%7Ca7068cf1ae6e47d34dd008d7df4d12d3%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637223394439491251&amp;sdata=zdy0AshZ%2FdYS7FaAgWkhoKb54oCkNsOfLdt2RXUcPPw%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://www.cdc.gov/covid19&nbsp;</a>.

First COVID-19 cases reported in Dakota County

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A major California labor union that claimed to have discovered a stockpile of 39 million masks for health care workers fighting the coronavirus was duped in an elaborate scam uncovered by FBI investigators, according to a newspaper report Sunday.

Investigators stumbled onto the scheme while looking into whether they could intercept the masks for the Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Defense Production Act, the U.S. attorney’s office said Friday.

The federal government has been quietly seizing supplies across the country as the outbreak spreads. But in this case, there was no warehouse, and there were no masks to seize, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-04-11/coronavirus-seiu-masks-fraud-fbi" target="_blank">Los Angeles Times</a>&nbsp;reported.

U.S. Attorney Scott Brady told the Times that investigators tracked the tip back to a Pittsburgh businessman, who said he had been working with the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West to secure millions of masks.

The businessman had been using WhatsApp to connect with a broker in Australia and a supplier in Kuwait, who are both now the target of a federal investigation, Brady said.

The union, known as SEIU, and the Pittsburgh businessman are not under investigation and both appear to be among a string of middlemen who were fooled, Brady said.

“There are opportunists who are looking for any victim,” he said.

The promise of 39 million masks was first made public March 26, when the union announced it had found the stockpile after 48 hours of frantic phone calls pursuing leads on potential suppliers. The announcement by the union was widely covered by major media outlets and listed several hospital systems and government agencies as buyers.

Behind the scenes, the deal quickly unraveled. Buyers said they failed to receive reliable information about where they could inspect the shipments.

At one point, the Australian broker told the middleman in Pittsburgh that 2 million masks were located in a warehouse in Georgia and that the product had been inspected by a particular certification company.

That, Brady said, “was also part of the ruse.”

No money was exchanged in the attempts to finalize a deal, according to Brady.

Experts in the global supply chain say dubious brokers and suppliers have flooded the market with suspect offers, creating an atmosphere of confusion and distrust just as hospitals are trying to stock up on the gear doctors and nurses need to protect themselves from the virus.

Steve Trossman, spokesman for SEIU-UHW, told the Times that union officials had been trying to find equipment for members, and the group had no financial interest in any transactions.

“As far as we knew, he had legitimate masks,” Trossman said of the supplier, “and the people who were going to purchase those masks were going to fully vet it and check it out and do their due diligence.”

Brady said federal investigators had reason to suspect the arrangement. The 39 million masks were advertised as N95 masks from 3M, the largest U.S.-based manufacturer. But 3M told federal investigators it manufactured only 20 million such masks last year, making that large of a stockpile unlikely unless the product was counterfeit.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586739551363.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A major California labor union that claimed to have discovered a stockpile of 39 million masks for health care workers fighting the coronavirus was duped in an elaborate scam uncovered by FBI investigators, according to a newspaper report Sunday.Investigators stumbled onto the scheme while looking into whether they could intercept the masks for the Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Defense Production Act, the U.S. attorney’s office said Friday.The federal government has been quietly seizing supplies across the country as the outbreak spreads. But in this case, there was no warehouse, and there were no masks to seize, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-04-11/coronavirus-seiu-masks-fraud-fbi" target="_blank">Los Angeles Times</a>&nbsp;reported.U.S. Attorney Scott Brady told the Times that investigators tracked the tip back to a Pittsburgh businessman, who said he had been working with the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West to secure millions of masks.The businessman had been using WhatsApp to connect with a broker in Australia and a supplier in Kuwait, who are both now the target of a federal investigation, Brady said.The union, known as SEIU, and the Pittsburgh businessman are not under investigation and both appear to be among a string of middlemen who were fooled, Brady said.“There are opportunists who are looking for any victim,” he said.The promise of 39 million masks was first made public March 26, when the union announced it had found the stockpile after 48 hours of frantic phone calls pursuing leads on potential suppliers. The announcement by the union was widely covered by major media outlets and listed several hospital systems and government agencies as buyers.Behind the scenes, the deal quickly unraveled. Buyers said they failed to receive reliable information about where they could inspect the shipments.At one point, the Australian broker told the middleman in Pittsburgh that 2 million masks were located in a warehouse in Georgia and that the product had been inspected by a particular certification company.That, Brady said, “was also part of the ruse.”No money was exchanged in the attempts to finalize a deal, according to Brady.Experts in the global supply chain say dubious brokers and suppliers have flooded the market with suspect offers, creating an atmosphere of confusion and distrust just as hospitals are trying to stock up on the gear doctors and nurses need to protect themselves from the virus.Steve Trossman, spokesman for SEIU-UHW, told the Times that union officials had been trying to find equipment for members, and the group had no financial interest in any transactions.“As far as we knew, he had legitimate masks,” Trossman said of the supplier, “and the people who were going to purchase those masks were going to fully vet it and check it out and do their due diligence.”Brady said federal investigators had reason to suspect the arrangement. The 39 million masks were advertised as N95 masks from 3M, the largest U.S.-based manufacturer. But 3M told federal investigators it manufactured only 20 million such masks last year, making that large of a stockpile unlikely unless the product was counterfeit.

Scam report: Stockpile of 39 million masks exposed as fake

AP- President Donald Trump on Saturday granted state leaders’ request for Wyoming to be declared a major disaster area because of the effects of the coronavirus. 

The declaration means state, local and tribal governments in Wyoming will be eligible for federal aid to help recovery efforts. 

As of Friday, Wyoming had recorded over 300 confirmed and probable cases of the coronavirus in 19 of its 23 counties; 105 of those people had recovered. 

Pete Gaynor, the administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, named Lee K. dePalo as the federal coordinating officer for the state.&nbsp;

AP- President Donald Trump on Saturday granted state leaders’ request for Wyoming to be declared a major disaster area because of the effects of the coronavirus. The declaration means state, local and tribal governments in Wyoming will be eligible for federal aid to help recovery efforts. As of Friday, Wyoming had recorded over 300 confirmed and probable cases of the coronavirus in 19 of its 23 counties; 105 of those people had recovered. Pete Gaynor, the administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, named Lee K. dePalo as the federal coordinating officer for the state.&nbsp;

Coronavirus Update