Opinion Roundup: Possibility of thousands of coronavirus cases in N.C. by April; one county tries to tackle the racial achievement gap; NFL Coach Jennifer King starts season prep in different location; and more.

Tuesday, Mar. 17, 2020 -- A round up of opinion, commentary and analysis on: Governor seeks aid for small businesses; making sure children don't go hungry; education costs less during the coronavirus; runoff study discussions begin; and more.

Cooper seeks business aid, food help for day-care children (AP reports) -- North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has asked the federal government’s small business agency to declare an emergency because of the coronavirus so merchants and firms can access low-interest loans.

LEGISLATIVE RESPONSE (The Insider reports) -- N.C. House Speaker Tim Moore said Monday that the coronavirus crisis could require action from the legislature, but there’s no need to a special session just yet.

After governors take firm steps, Trump emerges with a new tone: State, local officials led as president minimized pandemic (Washington Post reports) -- Nearly eight weeks after the first U.S. case, Trump conveyed that he at last recognizes the magnitude of a crisis that is upending American life.

‘Like a pajama convention:’ N.C. political parties preparing for virtual gatherings (Charlotte Observer reports) - With spreading fears of the coronavirus, N.C.’s Republican and Democratic party officials are taking action to limit large gatherings by switching to virtual party conventions. Both parties have county conventions scheduled for this month and congressional district conventions in April. Those gatherings are the first steps in selecting delegates to the national conventions this summer. “Right now we are working with counties (on) transferring their county conventions from physical conventions to digital conventions,” said state Republican Chair Michael Whatley.

UNC epidemiologist: N.C. could have thousands of coronavirus cases by April (WRAL-TV reports) -- N.C. could have thousands of COVID-19 cases in a matter of weeks, according to a researcher at UNC-CH.

Coronavirus testing remains a challenge, but UNC could help fill gap (WRAL-TV reports) -- Testing for coronavirus continues to be a challenge both nationally and in N.C. with even people who meet the guidelines for testing struggling to get tested.

RICHARD OPPEL JR: For Some Buyers With Virus Fears, the Priority Isn’t Toilet Paper. It’s Guns. (New York Times reports) -- Daniel Hill had never bought a gun before. But last week he was in Larry Hyatt’s gun store in North Carolina, picking out two of them: a 9-millimeter Taurus handgun and an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle. His motivation: the coronavirus. Gun shops and ammunition dealers say they’ve seen a surge in purchases, particularly from first-time buyers.

Business owners fret over workers, paying for leave because of coronavirus (WRAL-TV reports) -- The coronavirus pandemic could deliver a one-two punch for U.S. workers. Some could be forced to stay home because of illness, while others might have their hours cut because the public is hunkering down during the outbreak and isn't shopping or going out as much.

Wilmington-area restaurants ask governor to #ShutUsDown​​​​​​​ (Wilmington Star-News reports) - CDC recommends canceling any events of 50 or more people, while Trump suggests avoiding more than 10 or more people at a time

Coronavirus: NC teachers are rethinking what school looks like. Be patient ​​​​​​​(Charlotte Observer) -- Republicans have boasted for years of the rainy day surplus that’s been built from cutting taxes. The rainy days are here, and lawmakers will face questions soon about the short-and long-term investments they need to make to get their state through the coronavirus crisis. Teachers, meanwhile, have more immediate concerns. How can they provide healthy learning outlets to their students? What kind of creative opportunities can they offer? In a way, they’re the same questions good educators have always asked. But now, the classroom has changed. Schools are being reinvented, and it will not always be smooth. There will be inconsistencies. There will be things, big and small, that don’t work. Be patient.

Police Response (Watauga Democrat reports) -- Boone Police will not respond to minor traffic accidents without injuries as part of a major change to public safety operations during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a town statemen

Ferry Protections (Outer Banks Voice reports) -- The N.C. Department of Transportation’s Ferry Division is strengthening procedures to protect the health and safety of passengers and crew members during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Hikers are starting their annual trip north on the Appalachian Trail. Coronavirus could make it complicated. (Washington Post reports) -- In some respects, people starting the nearly 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail this month couldn’t have better timing. While the novel coronavirus was spreading across the globe with alarming speed, they were leaving civilization behind and heading to the woods of northern Georgia, with the ultimate goal of walking all the way to Maine. But the coronavirus has disrupted nearly every aspect of regular life, and even long-distance backpackers aren’t exempt.

Lenders Are Deluged With Refinance Requests as Coronavirus Sends Rates Lower (Wall Street Journal reports) -- Borrowers rush to lock in rates that are near the lowest level in nearly 50 years of --recordkeeping.--

Take care of small business (Triangle Business Journal reports) – Campbell Harvey and Mike Walden, two of the state's top economists, are eyeing the COVID-19 pandemic – and both say it's hard to compare what's happening today to what happened more than a decade ago when the recession struck. But they said protecting small business must be a priority.

​​​​​​​ZEYNEP TUFEKCI: Why Telling People They Don’t Need Masks Backfired (New York Times column) -- To help manage the shortage, the authorities sent a message that made them untrustworthy.

In fighting coronavirus, let’s pitch in with local leaders (Fayetteville Observer) -- We should hold government officials accountable. But we should always bear in mind these people live here, too.

Social distancing forces local restaurants to make tough decisions (WRAL-TV reports) -- As recommendations for avoiding the coronavirus continue to tighten, there were will be fewer and fewer restaurants open. Restaurants that are open are operating differently.

Latest: 4th coronavirus case confirmed in Harnett County (WRAL-TV reports) -- Here are the latest updates on the impact of the coronavirus outbreak in N.C. and across the globe.

Some on NCCU campus unfazed when coronavirus suspends classes (WRAL-TV reports) -- The coronavirus scare has impacted thousands of residents in N.C., including university students. Although University of North Carolina officials announced that all of the campuses in the system would switch to online classes and independent study to limit the spread of the virus, NCCU students on the Durham campus during spring break still have some accommodations.

Facing coronavirus-related school closures? Here are 20+ ways to keep the kids busy at home (WRAL-TV reports) -- As the coronavirus shuts down schools across the region, parents are eyeing some long weeks at home with their kiddos. Many school children may be trying to tackle distance learning, completing assignments or watching instructional videos online. Others may be just driving you absolutely batty.

Suspect coronavirus? Don't go to ER, urgent care or your doctor's office (WRAL-TV reports) -- The symptoms of coronavirus are similar to those of the flu: fever, cough and runny nose.

Stores re-stocking, but fear keeps shoppers buying (WRAL-TV reports) -- With people worried that shutdowns will continue to expand and may trap them at home, many are stocking up on paper products. medicines and cleaners, if they can find those items on the shelves.

Coronavirus case in Cumberland County 'just a matter of time' ​​​​​​​(WRAL-TV reports) -- Cumberland County and Fayetteville officials declared a state of emergency over the coronavirus outbreak on Monday, saying the virus will eventually expand to the area.

Gift cards, delivery, take-out: Ways to help local businesses (​​​​​​​WRAL-TV reports) -- With the coronavirus pandemic, many local businesses, especially restaurants, are struggling.

Election Planning (The Insider reports) -- The State Board of Elections is taking steps to prepare for how coronavirus might impact May’s runoff primary in the 11th congressional district. Staffers are joining county election directors to form a task force that will hold its first meeting Wednesday, according to a memo from SBE director Karen Brinson Bell. “The task force will consider immediate steps that should be taken for the conduct of the May 12, 2020, Second Primary and also more long-term steps including legislative requests to administer elections in times of disease epidemics, necessary measures if mail balloting were expanded, and efforts that must be taken to ensure the health and well-being of voters and workers during in-person voting,” she wrote.

N.C. held primary election, but coronavirus still creates problems (Carolina Public Press reports) -- Social distancing and other coronavirus measures clash with rules for election tasks after primary, will cause headaches for runoff, possibly beyond

District Ratings (The Insider reports) -- With the primary in the rear-view mirror, several groups are rolling out new analysis to show which legislative districts will be the most competitive this fall. FLIP NC, a group that’s working to elect more Democrats to the General Assembly, released a report Friday that identifies what it considers the “most flippable” House and Senate districts. Also last week, the conservative Civitas Institute released its annual Partisan Index that shows leanings of each district — and how they’ve changed as a result of redistricting.

Trump to waive student loan interest (The East Carolinian reports) -- President Donald Trump announced that he will waive interest on student loans for an indefinite amount of time due to the spread out COVID-19, otherwise known as the coronavirus.

Food distribution sites open for Wake County students, other school systems also announce plans (WRAL-TV reports) --Schools are closed across the state because of the coronavirus pandemic, and that means many children who rely on free or reduced school breakfasts and lunches may be going hungry during the closure. Wake County, Johnston County and Wayne County schools have all announced places to ensure that food is available to those in need.

Families adjust as college student return to nest (WRAL-TV reports) -- As students get an extended break from campus life because of coronavirus concerns, they must adjust to learning online and being around their parents instead of their friends.

Charter offering free Spectrum internet to students for 60 days (WRAL-TV reports) -- Charter is now offering free Spectrum internet to students for 60 days so they can continue learning at home while schools are closed around the country.

GUILLERMO MOLERO:Tale of two districts: Orange County Schools tackles racial achievement gap (The Daily Tar Heel reports) -- The Orange County Schools Board of Education had its first joint meeting with the Equity Task Force earlier this month to discuss new approaches to ensure that all students receive an equal education. A presentation given by the school board’s Equity Task Force during the meeting revealed sizable inequities in the achievement gaps between economically disadvantaged and minority students and those who were white or do not have to deal with economic hardship.

In 10 days, N.C..has tested 11 for coronavirus​​​​​​​ (WRAL-TV reports) -- With the number of confirmed or "presumptive positive" caes of coronavirus in N.C. growing by the day, questions remain about the status of testing in the state.

Wake suspends health inspections at nursing homes, day cares to limit visitors (5OnYourSide/WRAL-TV reports) -- Wake County is changing its approach to health inspections for restaurants and other facilities.

RACHEL CRUMPLER: UNC researchers are renewing a partnership with this company to find a cure for HIV (The Daily Tarheel reports) -- Academic researchers from UNC and pharmaceutical industry scientists will continue working together to find a cure for HIV due to the $20 million, five-year renewal of their HIV cure partnership announced March 9.

Researchers, Officials Discuss Runoff Study (Coastal Review reports) – A three-year study of how polluted runoff affects the Rachel Carson Reserve in Beaufort is the inspiration for a plan in the works for a more collaborative effort to address stormwater problems all along the N.C. coast.

Utilities that have and have not suspended disconnects amid COVID-19​​​​​​​ (Energy and Policy Institute reports) -- The Energy and Policy Institute (EPI) is collecting data based on published reports about which utilities are suspending disconnections, and which public utility commissions or other governmental bodies are ordering suspensions.

From base in Raleigh, NFL's first female African-American coach prepares for her team (WRALSportsFan/WRAL-TV reports) -- Jennifer King was supposed to be in the Washington, DC, area right now, making history and preparing for her first full season as an NFL coach.

NC State baseball to honor Chris Combs (WRALSportsFan/WRAL-TV reports) -- NC State baseball has only honored one jersey number in program history. Former player Chris Combs is going to join former coach Sam Esposito on the short, prestigious list.The school will honor Combs' No. 26 for his outstanding career and his fight to find a cure for ALS.

Third-party booking sites can make getting travel refunds more complicated (5OnYourSide/WRAL-TV reports) -- Many people are concerned after they used third-party booking sites and now have difficulty getting their money back for canceled vacations during the coronavirus outbreak.

Paratrooper exercise is all about preparation - and the jump (AP reports) -- Under a covered pavilion near a steaming runway at Colombia's Tolemaida Air Base, dozens of American paratroopers lie sweating on a concrete slab. Green and brown camouflage face paint drips from their brows.