Opinion Roundup: Burr makes millions selling stock ahead of pandemic decline; community spread now a reality; filings strain unemployment system; hike though a giant rock formation; and more.

Friday, Mar. 20, 2020 -- A round up of opinion, commentary and analysis on: Politically incorrect to sell stocks ahead of pandemic, Senator Burr; corornavirus case spreads without known exposure; housing boom continues; state unemployment system strains with new filings; online learning may be new norm; and more.

Tucker Carlson Calls For Burr To Resign: "No Greater Moral Crime Than Betraying Country In A Time Of Crisis" (Real Clear Politics reports) -- Fox News’ Tucker Carlson ripped Senate Intelligence chairman Richard Burr (R-N.C.) over a report that he used his knowledge of the looming coronavirus outbreak to dump $1.7 million in stock just before the market tanked, calling on him to provide an explanation or resign. (Link includes video)

Senate Intel chair unloaded stocks in mid-February before coronavirus rocked markets (Open Secrets reports) -- As the coronavirus outbreak began to spread across the U.S. in mid-February, Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr (R-N.C.) unloaded his holdings in dozens of stocks that would lose much of their market value over the coming weeks.

Senator Dumped Up to $1.7 Million of Stock After Reassuring Public About Coronavirus Preparedness (Pro Publica reports) -- Intelligence Chair Richard Burr’s selloff came around the time he was receiving daily briefings on the health threat.

Burr Sold a Fortune in Stocks as G.O.P. Played Down Coronavirus Threat (New York Times reports) -- After the sales in February, the North Carolina Republican warned a group that the virus could soon cause a major disruption in the United States. Three other senators also sold major holdings around the same time.

Burr sold large amount of stocks before sharp declines in market (Washington Post reports) -- The sales by the Republican chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee included stocks in industries that were hardest hit by the outbreak.

Senators sold stock before steep market losses from virus (AP reports) -- Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr, R-N.C., sold as much as $1.7 million in stocks just before the market dropped in February amid fears about the coronavirus epidemic.

Burr sold stocks, gave dire warning to private group before coronavirus took off in U.S. (Durham Herald-Sun reports) -- Burr wrote the law on how the U.S. is supposed to respond to pandemics.

Burr sold stocks before pandemic tanked market (WRAL-TV reports) -- U.S. Sen. Richard Burr of N.C. sold between $628,033 and $1.72 million of his stock holdings last month, days after he praised the nation's preparedness to combat coronavirus. Two weeks after the stock sales, the republican senator warned a group of businesspeople in Washington about the potentially dire impact the virus could have on the U.S.

Burr told a small group what he knew about COVID-19. Why not the rest of us? (Durham Herald-Sun) -- Sen. Richard Burr’s failure to express a general alarm is regrettable, but not surprising. Although he was the national security adviser to Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, he at times has taken his cues on national security from the president. He agreed to a White House request that he call reporters and dispute published reports of Russian interference in the 2016 election. He also echoed Trump’s unsupported claim that Ukraine tried to skew the election. Now it appears North Carolina’s senior senator was wary of publicly disputing Trump’s efforts to calm the financial markets by downplaying the coronavirus threat. Two days before Burr spoke to the Tar Heel Circle, a White House spokesman said: “The virus remains low risk domestically because of the containment actions taken by this Administration since the first of the year.” Burr knew better, but he didn’t let everyone know.

Burr offered dire warning about the coronavirus at private luncheon three weeks ago (Washington Post reports) -- Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr (R-N.C.) at a private luncheon three weeks ago compared the potential impact of the novel coronavirus to the unusually deadly 1918 flu pandemic, offering a far more dire assessment than President Trump and Republican lawmakers were publicly relaying at the time.

Burr warned of pandemic as Trump downplayed coronavirus (WRAL-TV reports) -- U.S. Sen. Richard Burr of N.C. sold between $628,033 and $1.72 million of his stock holdings last month, days after he praised the nation's preparedness to combat coronavirus.

Burr serves whom? (Greensboro News & Record) -- What is it with Richard Burr? Why did N.C.’s senior U.S. senator shirk one chance after another to speak truth to power? Or simply to speak at all?

FERREL GUILLORY: Pandemic has power to reshape a society, and its schools (EdNC column) -- As I prepared for my first college semester, Hurricane Betsy slammed into New Orleans with 145 miles-per-hour gusts, and Loyola University told us incoming-students to stay away for a while. Now, 55 years later, I’m preparing to teach two classes of undergraduates unlikely to return to UNC-Chapel Hill for the remainder of the current semester as a precaution against an especially contagious virus. For now, while azaleas bloom to herald spring, the coronavirus has driven us off-campus, out-of-school, out-of-restaurants, and six feet apart creating “social distance.” And yet, even as we cope with the inconveniences and uncertainties of this moment, we have to think ahead critically about how to minimize destruction and to maximize recovery in the economy, in education, and in our democracy.

LIORA ENGEL-SMITH: Mobile health clinics and outreach workers adjust to coronavirus (N.C. Health News reports) -- The COVID-19 outbreak has prompted some of NC’s outreach workers and clinicians at mobile clinics to cancel or adjust the services they offer.

ANNE BLYTHE: Dentists and hygienists pressure state boards to close dental offices (N.C. Health News reports) -- As NC gets its first COVID-19 case believed to be spread through community contact, oral health care workers seek a statewide edict.

Coronavirus raises health, legal concerns for N.C. jails (Carolina Public Press reports) -- Jails not designed for social distancing, house population with existing health issues. Some N.C. jails releasing low-level inmates during pandemic

UNC Board meets amid questions, tensions over COVID-19 (N.C. Policy Watch reports) -- The UNC Board of Governors will hold a special, full board meeting Friday via teleconference after a full day of teleconference committee meetings Thursday that in many ways offered more questions than answers. Many questions about how the system will respond to the COVID-19 pandemic long-term, or even past this semester, were tabled until the full board meeting. A discussion of postponing commencement was brief and did not come to a conclusion. Discussions of the challenges students face in trying to move out of their dorms by this weekend while resuming classes online was tabled for the Friday’s full board meeting. Board of Governors member Marty Kotis was rebuffed in several attempts to have budget and legislative priorities drawn up a month ago rewritten or tabled in light of the pandemic. “We can’t stick our heads in the sand,” Kotis said during a budget discussion that involved sending hundreds of millions of dollars in budget priorities to the North Carolina General Assembly.

'This is a multi-week, maybe multi-month event: Superintendent may clarify outlook for public schools today (WRAL-TV reports) -- State Superintendent Mark Johnson is expected to provide insights into how long schools may be closed, as well as how teachers will handle remote education, on Friday afternoon.

What we know (and don't) about coronavirus testing across N.C. (WRAL-TV reports) -- Among the biggest questions of the novel coronavirus pandemic is how rapidly the federal government, state agencies and private labs have been able to roll out testing for the disease - and appropriately target their efforts to slow its spread.

OLIVIA NEELEY: Wilson coronavirus case spread without known exposure (Wilson Daily Times reports) -- This is the same case Wilson County health officials announced as a newly diagnosed COVID-19 case Wednesday. The patient, a woman over 50 who has underlying health conditions, became symptomatic and tested negative for flu, according to Wilson County Health Director Teresa Ellen. The Wilson woman, who is not employed, was tested Monday, Ellen said. The test result came back Wednesday. The woman appears to be recovering and may be released from the hospital soon, Ellen said Thursday. The woman would then be isolated at home, she added.

N.C. school workers will be paid during coronavirus closure. But how long will that last? (Durham Herald-Sun reports) -- North Carolina school districts are finding ways to pay employees while schools are closed this month, but employees are worried about how long that will last with the closures expected to continue. The State Board of Education and state Department of Public Instruction told school districts to consider the weekdays that schools are closed through March 30 to be teacher workdays. This means salaried employees like teachers will continue to be paid and hourly employees will get paid if they work.

N.C. manufacturing faces challenges during coronavirus pandemic (Carolina Public Press reports) -- Disruption due to coronavirus pandemic likely to affect manufacturing jobs, with NC jobless claims already spiking.

FALSE: N.C. congressman says sunlight can kill coronavirus (PolitiFact/WRAL-TV reports) -- Republican 3rd District Congressman Greg Murphy, a physician, offered tips for avoiding the novel coronavirus in a video on his Twitter page. But one of his claims -- that sunlight can kill COVID-19 -- hasn't been proven.

Murphy holding telephone town hall about COVID-19 (Greenville Daily Reflector reports) --U.S. Rep. Greg Murphy will discuss the status of COVID-19 and answer questions during a virtual town hall on Monday.

N.C.'s unemployment system strains under wave of filings (WRAL-TV reports) -- The newly jobless report long wait times and a crashing website as state struggles to keep up with COVID-19 layoffs.

'Community spread' means virus can no longer be contained in N.C., so officials just want to minimize it (WRAL-TV reports) -- N.C. officials said that they have no idea how a person in Wilson County who tested positive for the new coronavirus was infected.

UNC System President Bill Roper releases new message on coronavirus response (Durham Herald-Sun reports) -- UNC System Interim President Bill Roper addresses the System’s continuing response to the coronavirus, praising faculty and staff for adapting to a rapidly changing environment and highlighting UNC Health's endeavor to rapidly increase testing.

Wilson daycare closes as precaution after two workers tested for the coronavirus​​​​​​​ (WRAL-TV reports) -- Not only have we learned on Thursday that a patient in Wilson is the first case of community spread, we're also learning two daycare workers are being tested for coronavirus.

N.C. documents first case of COVID-19 community spread (AP reports) -- N.C.'s governor said that the state has documented its first case of community spread of coronavirus as positive cases climbed to nearly 100 overall.

Facing uncertainty, salons and spas struggle during coronavirus pandemic (WRAL-TV reports) -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend people stay 6 feet away from each other during the coronavirus pandemic, but there's no way to stay 6 feet away from your clients when you're doing their nails or hair.

County leases hotel for homeless people who may have COVID-19. More sites are planned. (Charlotte Observer reports) -- Mecklenburg County has leased a 123-room hotel to be used for homeless people displaying symptoms of COVID-19 who need to be isolated, County Manager Dena Dioro said. Diorio did not disclose the location of the hotel due to privacy concerns. But in an email to county commissioners, Diorio wrote that Mecklenburg was in “negotiations with a local hotel to lease their facility for 60 days.” “We were concerned that our homeless residents, if they do get sick or they get exposed, they don’t have anywhere else to go,” Diorio said Thursday, noting that if sick people remain in the shelters COVID-19 could easily spread to others.

Patients worried, not panicky, after Southern Pines obstetrician diagnosed with coronavirus​​​​​​​ (WRAL-TV reports) --A Moore County physician who is that county's first coronavirus case saw patients in the days before his diagnosis, officials said.

Wake County resident who attended The Millennium Tour 2020 tests positive for coronavirus​​​​​​​ (WRAL-TV reports) -- A Wake County resident who attended The Millennium Tour 2020 at PNC Arena on March 13 has tested positive for the new coronavirus.

Duke, UNC hospitals to use tents to keep virus patients separate (WRAL-TV reports) -- Doctors say a crucial aspect in stopping the spread of coronavirus is separating patients at hospitals, keeping distance between those suspected of having the virus and those there for other reasons. Tents have become the go-to way for solving that problem.

Carrboro launches local food hub amid coronavirus outbreak (What'sOnTap/ WRAL-TV reports) -- A group of Carrboro restaurants, farmers and town leaders have formed a food hub to serve residents amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

Where to find school meals: Nonprofit pulls together statewide list of food distribution sites (WRAL-TV reports) -- No Kid Hungry N.C. has pulled together a list of statewide programs to make sure N.C. kids don't go hungry as schools are closed during the coronavirus pandemic.

United Way launches Rapid Response Fund (WRAL-TV reports) -- Eric Guckian with United Way of the Greater Triangle talks about the challenges facing the organization and the Rapid Response Fund.

N.C. elections board looking into possible texting scam (WRAL-TV reports) -- Messages went out telling people, who are already registered to vote, to register.

ELIZABETH OUZTS: In N.C., Volkswagen funds still depend on GOP legislature (Energy News Network) -- N.C. officials are sifting through dozens of clean transportation projects that could be funded with the state’s first cut of the Volkswagen settlement, with plans to announce winners later this month. But winning with the administration of Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, is only half the battle. Thanks to a controversial budget law, award recipients won’t get funded unless and until the Republican General Assembly greenlights their proposals.

Triangle housing boom continues despite COVID-19​​​​​​​ (WRAL-TV reports) -- Across the country, economists are predicting that home sales could fall by 35% this spring. In Raleigh, any dip has yet to be felt.

RACHEL RILEY: Special Forces candidate dies at Fort Bragg (Fayetteville Observer/WRAL-TV reports) -- The death of a soldier at Fort Bragg earlier this week is under investigation. The Fayetteville Observer reports Pvt. Jamie Wyatt Boger of Ohio was found unresponsive in his barracks room Monday. The cause of his death is being investigated by the Fort Bragg Criminal Investigation Division. Boger was a student of the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School.

​​​​​​​Clayton High School has advantage of experience when it comes to remote learning (HighSchoolOT/WRAL-TV reports) -- After Hurricane Matthew hit N.C. in 2016, Clayton High School started working on ways for kids to learn while out of school. With the coronavirus pandemic leading to extended school closures, Clayton's students and staff are now ahead of the curve.

N.C. college investigates use of force by officers (AP reports) -- Two police officers at a N.C. university were placed on administrative leave after video emerged of them grabbing a student's neck, forcing him to the ground and threatening to spray him with Mace during an arrest inside a university dorm.

SHARON MYERS: First responders take precautions for COVID-19​​​​​​​ (Lexington Daily Dispatch reports) -- While many people are working from home, schools and restaurants are closed and most public programs have been canceled due to the potential threat of the coronavirus spreading, law enforcement, firemen and emergency personnel have no choice but to continue to be present in the community and respond to public calls. Representatives from several local emergency response agencies said the only thing they can do is to try to limit their exposure to potential risks and use as much preventative measures as possible.

EMILY WILLIS: Polio survivor in N.C. recalls 1944 epidemic, shares concerns about COVID-19​​​​​​​ (Hickory Daily Record reports) -- Jack Williams will turn 90 in three months. He has lived through a slew of historic events, including the 1944 polio epidemic and now the COVID-19 pandemic. “It was a terrifying time,” Williams said of the polio epidemic. “World War II was also going on, and everyone lived in fear. It was like we were fighting two wars.” Williams was diagnosed with polio as a 13-year-old boy in early June 1944. By the end of the month, the Hickory Emergency Infantile Paralysis Hospital opened. This is where Williams was treated, along with many other local children.

Move On to Take Over River Locks, Dams (Coastal Review reports) -- The Fayetteville Public Works Commission was expected to submit a letter of intent this month to take ownership of three Cape Fear River locks and dams now owned and managed by the Army Corps of Engineers

Q&A: NRDC attorney on the legal issues behind Atlantic Coast Pipeline challenge (Energy News Network reports) -- A self-described “FERC nerd,” Gillian Giannetti explains what Supreme Court justices are now considering. Sometime before the end of June, the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to issue a decision that — one way or another — will be hugely consequential for the future of the polemical Atlantic Coast Pipeline. During oral arguments in late February, justices tangled with whether the natural gas pipeline can lawfully cross a section of the Appalachian Trail in Virginia on federal land.

JOHN DOWNEY: Why this Charlotte-based energy trade association chose Columbia, South Carolina, for latest expansion (Charlotte Business Journal reports) -- This is the second expansion for Charlotte-based energy trade association E4 Carolinas, following an office in Raleigh.

ROBIN JARVIS: Hike Straight Through A Giant Rock Formation On Hollow Rock Trail In N.C. (Only in Your State column) -- Mountain hiking trails abound in North Carolina but few, if any, are quite like the Hollow Rock Trail found within the Rocky Face Mountain Recreational Area. If a moderate hike is just what you need, then the Hollow Rock is the one for you. However, if you’d like a little less sweating and more sightseeing, then the recreational area also has other trails suitable to all levels of experience and ability.

'Sea calf' born to cow that swam to shore after hurricane (AP reports) -- A pregnant cow who swam 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) to shore after being swept away by Hurricane Dorian in September has given birth to a “miracle” calf.

Deputies pull over stolen trailer full of toilet paper (AP News reports) -- With toilet paper flying off the shelves, a N.C. truck diver caused a stir when he was pulled over hauling 18,000 pounds of bathroom products in a stolen trailer.

Art of Cool, Billy Joel among latest N.C. event cancelations, postponements (WRAL-TV reports) -- Art of Cool organizers announced that the annual music festival would not be taking place as planned on Sept. 25-28 in Durham.