UPDATES

NVN Finds Itself In A Fight For Survival, says Regional Executive Editor Eric Schwartz in print edition

State considering release of nonviolent offenders to free up prison space, Inslee says

Coronavirus job losses continue in Thurston County; 14% of workforce gone in 3 weeks

52 of 77 COVID-19 patients have recovered in Thurston County

As Trump’s failures mount, one governor [Inslee] sounds an ominous warning

Field hospital recently built in Seattle will be dismantled and taken elsewhere

Lady Gaga is partnering with the WHO and Global Citizen for the ‘One World: Together At Home’ star-studded, April 18 concert special for the U.N. Foundation’s COVID-19 Response Fund

CDC quietly deletes hydroxychloroquine guidance as study hyped by Trump comes into question – The publisher of a French study cited by Trump put out a statement announcing it did not meet “expected standards”

Pandemic Foreshadows Mental Health Crisis

A New Covid-19 Crisis: Domestic Abuse Rises Worldwide

TIPS

Small Business Emergency Grant Program

Paycheck Protection Program

Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Grants

The Red Cross: Steps to Help Cope with Evolving Coronavirus Situation

The Red Cross is seeking people who are fully recovered from COVID-19 and may be able to donate plasma to help current patients

Here’s how you can experience the Apollo 13 mission in real-time, during this month’s 50th anniversary

SELECT NEWS STORIES

Trump proclaims April 9, 2020, as National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day

The Fed vastly expanded its efforts to save the economy with $2.3 trillion in programs aimed at helping businesses and state and local governments [including its purchase of junk bond ETFs.]

Tai Wong, head of base and precious metals derivatives trading at BMO, said, “Gold’s rallying because this monetary largesse [The Fed’s $2.3 trillion] will eventually have to be repaid and that payment may come as sudden higher inflation somewhere down the road.”

Yelm City Council cancels April 14th online public meeting

This message was received in an e-mail received at 3:17pm today from the city of Yelm: Cancelled April 14, 2020 Yelm City Council Agenda

• Editor’s note:
• The city of Yelm cancelled several council meetings last year when the city administrator put nothing on their agenda, covered on this blog just last September.
• Council member Joe DePinto then said, “I would love for the agendas to be posted at least a week prior to any of our scheduled meetings but that is not the norm currently. I do agree that it is an important forum for folks to give public testimony on the record.”
• This quote needs to be repeated for emphasis:
• “I do agree that it is an important forum for folks to give public testimony on the record.”
• While the Mayor’s “virtual town hall forum” yesterday was welcome, that is no substitute for an on-the-record public council meeting!
• There is too much business for the council and public to consider during this pandemic, i.e. the city’s revenue loss projections and modelling, contingency planning to conserve cash, and unemployment numbers where some residents will not have jobs in Yelm awaiting their return.
• Regional Executive Editor for the parent of the Nisqually Valley News, Eric Schwartz, announced in a front page story today, “NVN Finds Itself In A Fight For Survival”
• Just contemplating that story sent shivers down my spine about potential repercussions for Yelm !

• Bottom line:
• I agree with Councilor DePinto that this “is an important forum for folks to give public testimony on the record,” and also for constituents to see and hear their representatives at work.
• I understand these councilors also have their own challenges with the virus impacts as well,
• For the city council to sideline their official public meeting is an unprecedented rebuff to the public interests they took an oath to serve.

Thurston Chamber’s Weekly Virtual Talk Show on COVID Economy – today at 2:15pm:

“In Thursday, April 2, a new weekly virtual talk show for business owners and community members in Thurston County — called Declassified — had its first live episode. Taking place each Thursday via Zoom at 2:15, Declassified highlights experts speaking to information, resources, and steps to recovery after COVID-19, with opportunities for listeners to have their questions addressed throughout.”

Thursday, April 9. Register here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_r3nd8CgVQvqzI17Cl37H2w

Read more

Rep. Denny Heck’s Live Town Hall today at 5pm:

“April 9th, at 5pm PT, I will be holding a Facebook Live town hall on small business assistance with Kerrie Hurd, District Director for the Small Business Administration. If you have a question you’d like answered, please submit it on Facebook, Twitter, or my website, and we’ll get through as many as we can. You’ll be able to tune in by visiting my Facebook page,” by Rep. Denny Heck.

Read more

Updates

Thurston Regional Economic Recovery Task Force’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Initiative

Highlights from the City of Yelm’s First ‘Virtual’ Town Hall Meeting

Mayo Clinic cardiologist: ‘Inexcusable’ to ignore hydroxychloroquine side effects

Letter to the Community from Thurston County Health Officer Dr. Diana Yu

From Yelm Schools Superintendent: Finding a New Approach to Everyday School

Experts offer four benchmarks that can serve as a guide for cities and states on when to reopen, eliminating some of the guesswork.

Donations to #FirstRespondersFirst will provide essential supplies, equipment and resources for protecting frontline healthcare workers.

COVID-19 Data for Thurston County

A private fund has been established by Nicki and JW Foster, America’s Credit Union (ACU) and ‘TOGETHER’ to provide some immediate relief to residents struggling financially during this pandemic.

TIPS

Here is why soap is so effective against coronavirus

CDC: How do you know if you’ve fully recovered from coronavirus?

Plant a Victory Garden to combat coronavirus fears and isolation

Composting At Home

The truth about the toilet paper shortage

SELECT NEWS STORIES

Hospitals say feds are seizing masks and other coronavirus supplies without a word

Obama: Robust coronavirus testing and monitoring the key to reopening country

Alaska Airlines consolidates routes [from Sea-Tac], adds tag flights to maintain service to all its destinations

Coronavirus lockdowns have sent pollution plummeting. Environmentalists worry about what comes next.

Dr. Birx sees encouraging signs, but warns people of second wave if they start going out

US coronavirus cases hit 400k as more Americans question federal response, polls show

‘Admission of failure:’ Chris Hayes on Trump saying the virus should soon be forgotten

COVID-19 ‘Virtual’ Town Hall Today!

• From the City of Yelm:

“On Wednesday, April 8, at 2:30 PM, the City of Yelm will convene a virtual community town hall where Mayor JW Foster, Superintendent of Yelm Community Schools Brian Wharton, and the Yelm Chamber of Commerce President Angie Evans and Executive Director Line Critchfield will provide an update on community resources for children, families, and businesses following the impacts of COVID-19. The panel will then take questions submitted through the webinar form. Everyone can attend by registering at: http8://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1424242897438702350. You will then have an option to join via your phone or computer audio. Once you sign up, you will have the options to test your electronic device to ensure it’s compatible and ready to go when the town hall begins. We appreciate everyone’s patience and support during this time.

“Stay tuned and stay healthy. We’re all in this together!”

Read more

UPDATES

Intercity Transit to require reservations starting next week due to COVID-19

Gov. Inslee, Department of Commerce announce support for small businesses

Gov. Inslee, leading nonprofits launch fund for state’s food banks as supply levels drop

2 new COVID-19 cases in Thurston, but 45 of 74 patients have recovered, officials say

Auto insurance customers to get back up to 15% of their monthly premiums in April and May, due to less driving

Masks with Meaning makes/donates reusable masks for health care workers

Bloodworks Northwest to implement new FDA polices for men who have sex with men (MSM); Variant Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease, tattoos/piercings, travel, and others.

TIPS

Vitamins C and D Finally Adopted as Coronavirus Treatment

New Study Points to Vitamin D as Possible Answer to Pandemic

SELECT NEW STORIES

Countries across the globe are using drones to disinfect public places

Acting Navy secretary quits after he ripped captain pleading for help over coronavirus

Washington state group sues Fox News and Rupert Murdoch over its “deceptive” coronavirus coverage

“April’s Super Pink Moon is the biggest full moon of 2020.”

• Editor’s note: This Full Moon provides an opportunity for us to pause this evening and say a prayer or send a blessing to our health care providers, the sick, the deceased, and their grieving families.
• Also to focus on love, joy, peace, and radiant health for our planet!

“On Tuesday (April 7) at 2:08 p.m. EDT (1808 GMT), the moon will arrive at its closest point to Earth in 2020: a distance of 221,772 miles (356,907 kilometers) away. And 8 hours and 35 minutes later, the moon will officially turn full,” by Space.com. Read more

Super Pink Moon on Tap in April

“A super pink moon will fill the night sky on April 7 and it will be the biggest and brightest full moon of the year. Here’s why,” from Weather.com. Click here

Watch: Largest supermoon of 2020 radiates in the night sky

UPDATES

• Editor’s note: During the COVID-19 crisis, I have changed the content and format of this blog.
• There is so much pertinent information for Yelm readers, that I hot-link the story titles for you to click to read the write-ups of interest for yourselves.
• Thank you for your support and encouragement.
• Steve Klein, Blog Host

Gov. Inslee extends school closures for the rest of the 2019-20 school year

City of Yelm Study Session on 4/7/2020 Will Happen Virtually and Live

Latest UW model shows progress in coronavirus curve; state cases at 8,384, death toll at 372

TOGETHER! Partners with the Help Us Move In Foundation to Help End Childhood Homelessness in Thurston County

Coronavirus brings Boeing’s US airplane production to a halt

TIPS

Don’t feel like ‘getting things done’? It’s OK not to be productive during a pandemic.

These Virtual Tours of Europe’s Famous Castles Will Make You Feel Like a Royal, Even in Your Pajamas (Video)

Your Family Can Make Piñatas at Home With Help From This Luxury Hotel in Mexico

This Zoo Created a Giraffe Livestream to Entertain Fans at Home — but a Dancing Zookeeper Stole the Show

Celebrity Chefs Offer Online Demos to Help Us Work on Our Cooking Skills While We’re at Home

Watch Adorable Rescue Elephants Bathe and Play on This Hotel’s Daily Livestream

Take a Virtual Tour of the White House While You’re Stuck at Home

SELECT NEWS STORIES

CBS News 60 Minutes: Morley Safer reports [in 2007] on Forrest Bird, who invented the modern medical respirator. A pilot, Bird got the idea from how air moves over a wing.

Government watchdog: Hospitals face severe shortages of medical gear, confusing guidance from government

Bill Gates Banks on His Own Vaccine for Coronavirus

“The Thurston County Washington Commissioners and Mayors of City of Lacey, Washington – Government, City of Olympia – Government, City of Tumwater, WA – Government, and City of Yelm – Government have written a letter to the community about the local response to COVID-19.”

Thurston County Public Health and Social Services
#StayHomeStayHealthy #StayHomeStaySafe

• From Yelm Community Schools:

“Take a peek at the construction underway at Yelm MS. The Governor approved school construction as essential allowing our project to stay on schedule. #YMSConstruction.”

Click here