Opinion Roundup: Retail social distancing rules; extra $600 in unemployment checks; hospitals adapting to virus; this Passover 'unlike any other'; and more

Wednesday, Apr. 8, 2020 -- A round up of opinion, commentary and analysis on: Governor fast-tracks childcare financial assistance; four things that need to happen before life is normal again; Dix park vote delayed until next year; N.C. water bottler working to meet demand; the protection homemade masks offer for you; Tryon Palace works toward reopening; and more.

MELBA NEWSOME: Yes, COVID-19 Does Discriminate (N.C. Health News reports) -- State and local data show that African Americans across the state are bearing a disproportionate impact of the coronavirus.

Governor expected to put further requirements for social distancing at retail locations (WRAL-TV reports) -- Gov. Roy Cooper said he's going to sign a new executive order later this week that will put more social distancing requirements on retailers during the coronavirus outbreak.

Gov. Cooper plans to fast-track child care financial assistance for essential workers (WRAL-TV reports) -- Even essential personnel cannot go to work if they don't have childcare. Gov. Roy Cooper said the state is stepping up and doing something about that with financial aid.

Officials can’t duck COVID-19 nightmare at Butner (N.C. McClatchy editorial) – Before the outbreaks at Butner and Oakdale, Attorney General William Barr said at a news conference, “We don’t want our institutions to become petri dishes. We have the protocols that are designed to stop that.” Somewhere those protocols broke down. Now COVID-19 is spreading in confined populations and creating hot spots that threaten everyone. Federal officials, starting with Barr, need to be open about the extent of the infections and quickly announce a strenuous new effort to contain the virus in the nation’s prisons.

Your homemade mask protects everyone else from COVID-19. Does it help you, too? (N.C. McClatchy editorial) – Why do federal officials say homemade masks are about preventing the wearer from spreading the virus? It’s about “source containment,” Tilson says. Because a mask is close to your nose and mouth, she says, it’s more effective at preventing respiratory drops from getting airborne. But, she says, that does work both ways. “If you’re out in public and you’re within three to six feet of a person, then your mask can give you a layer of protection,” she says. So there you go. Masks can be good for the wearer, too. But again, Tilson says, people should not grow overconfident about being out in public just because of the bandana you have over your face. And if you are wearing a mask, make sure you use them correctly.

Harris Teeter, Food Lion equipping workers with face masks (WRAL-TV reports) -- Grocery stores across the Triangle are increasing their supply of protective gear for employees

Seniors isolated by COVID-19 vulnerable to running out of food, medicine (WRAL-TV reports) -- Many seniors who already struggle with isolation have become even more isolated in the face of COVID-19. This lack of connections puts them at risk for running out of essentials like food or prescriptions. A local company is working to create a free solution.

Asheville man accused of violating virus restrictions taunts police (AP reports) -- A N.C. man accused of violating the state's coronavirus restrictions by leasing non-essential rentals turned himself in after taunting police on Facebook.

Making voting safer (Greensboro News & Record) -- With the coronavirus still at large in our communities, the November elections have taken a backseat in priority and attention. But we can’t afford to ignore them for long. N.C. officials need to prepare now to ensure that every citizen can vote, and that every vote gets counted, even if we’re still struggling with the virus.

MOSTLY FALSE: Biden says Trump withheld experts from China amid coronavirus outbreak (PolitiFact/WRAL-TV reports) -- Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has targeted what he sees as a couple of key failures by President Donald Trump that made the coronavirus crisis worse. In a CNN virtual town hall, Biden talked about the early days as the virus spread from China.

Recession is on the horizon for N.C. and will take a toll on the state budget (N.C. McClatchy reports) – If North Carolinians aren’t feeling the impacts of a recession yet, they soon will be. The coronavirus pandemic is taking an economic toll, and how much of one is still to be determined. Charles Perusse, director of the Office of State Budget and Management, gave a budget update presentation to state lawmakers. On a spreadsheet comparing budgets, the amount next to “revenue loss” was two question marks.

State employees ask for hazard pay during pandemic (WRAL-TV reports) -- Workers in prisons, mental health facilities and unemployment call centers should get time-and-a-half, SEANC says.

N.C. battles unemployment bottleneck (WRAL-TV reports) -- State leaders outlined what they're doing to get more help to people who've lost jobs due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Lawmakers shape new bills as unemployment claims top 450,000 (N.C. Policy Watch reports) -- More than 450,000 North Carolinians have filed for unemployment benefits since the COVID-19 pandemic began to devastate the state economy, lawmakers heard in a legislative committee meeting. Lawmakers are considering draft bills to expand access to unemployment insurance, to provide emergency assistance to workers and employers impacted by the coronavirus and waive interest for those filing taxes under an extended deadline.

Protesters in cars call for help for homeless, release of more inmates (Winston-Salem Journal reports) -- Protesters in 15 vehicles drove around City Hall and the Forsyth County Jail for 30 minutes Tuesday, demanding that the city do more to help its homeless people and that more jail inmates be released

Raleigh firm that enables voice conferencing for Google, Zoom plans to add 1,165 jobs (N.C. McClatchy reports) – Raleigh tech firm Bandwidth Inc., which makes communications software that enables the voice conferencing offered by Zoom, Google and others, announced Tuesday that it is expanding its headquarters and creating up to 1,165 new jobs over the next eight years. In exchange for the expansion, the state’s Commerce Department said it will give the company a Job Development Investment Grant worth up to $32.3 million over the next 12 years, if Bandwidth meets hiring and investment goals.

N.C. tech company to create close to 1,200 new jobs (AP reports) -- A  N.C.  company that sells communications software to technology firms for conferencing and message applications plans to create nearly 1,200 jobs in the state over the next eight years, the state Commerce Department announced.

Watchdogs struggle to keep spotlight on congressional ethics amid coronavirus crisis (N.C. McClatchy reports) – Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says he isn’t speaking to his members about how to steer clear of possible ethics violations during the coronavirus crisis, even as two Senate Republicans are facing accusations of using information from a closed briefing about the looming global pandemic to inform stock sales. The Senate Ethics Committee has shown no sign that it is actively pursuing an investigation into the two GOP senators under scrutiny — Sens. Richard Burr of North Carolina and Kelly Loeffler of Georgia. The bipartisan panel, composed of sitting senators tasked with overseeing the conduct of their colleagues, operates in secrecy, with no obligation to share its inquiries with the public until after an investigation has concluded. This lack of transparency, coupled with party leadership’s hands-off approach, compounds the challenges of focusing on congressional ethical conduct during the coronavirus pandemic, watchdog groups say.

N.C. Treasurer Folwell describes his ‘intense’ battle with COVID-19 (N.C. McClatchy reports) – In between coughing fits from the lingering effects of COVID-19, N.C. Treasurer Dale Folwell described to fellow state officials what battling the virus is like during a conference-call meeting Tuesday morning. “I can tell you,” Folwell said, “it is very, very intense.” Folwell was hospitalized March 29, receiving care at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem for five days before being released, according to information released by his office. He has since been recovering at home.

When can everyone get back to their lives? Duke expert says 4 things need to happen first (WRAL-TV reports) -- Thousands of businesses across N.C. have shut down during the coronavirus pandemic, and families statewide are required to stay at home as much as possible to curb the spread of the virus. So, when can everyone return to normal programming?

MELISSA BOUGHTON: COVID-19 pandemic poses dire threat to N.C. prisons and jails (N.C. Policy Watch reports) -- As COVID-19 spreads through immigration detention centers across the nation, protests and hunger strikes are on the rise. At least two employees at Stewart Detention Center in southwest Georgia, which is privately owned by the CoreCivic company, have tested positive. Elsewhere, ICE has reported at least 13 detainees in eight detention facilities who have tested positive for COVID-19, as well as seven staff people who work in its facilities. (Many news outlets have reported more cases.) The agency has reported 48 infected ICE employees who don’t work in detention facilities. Both ICE and CoreCivic have reported taking precautions to protect their populations as jails and prisons: They’re isolating sick detainees and screening staff. They’ve cancelled in-person visitation. They’re encouraging social distancing. Advocates and doctors say the problem, though, is that ICE detention facilities don’t allow for social distancing. At Stewart, as many as 62 detainees sleep in open floor pods on rows of bunk beds bolted to the floor. Reichenbach described grim sleeping arrangements and a shortage of toilet paper at the facility; her friend told her they only get one roll every two weeks.

N.C. leaders talk cooperation as deaths grow (AP reports) -- N.C.'s elected officials pledged cooperation and prepared for prolonged social distancing restrictions as COVID-19- related deaths jumped by a third statewide. Worries also deepened about the growing number of infections behind prison and jail bars. "We will get through this, particularly we will get through this if everyone does his or her part," Gov. Roy Cooper said during the regular monthly meeting of the Council of State, composed of the 10 statewide executive branch leaders.

N.C. Supreme Court broadened civil rights in ’80s, ’90s (Fayetteville Observer reports) - A book by Associate Justice Mark Davis, who grew up in Fayetteville, looks at free speech rights, the rights of criminal defendants, the right to sue businesses, etc. A recent book says the N.C. court system and state Supreme Court used to be unfriendly to criminal defendants and people who had grievances with a business or employer. That changed in 1987, the book says, following the election in November 1986 of Jim Exum as chief justice of the N.C. Supreme Court. Exum had been an associate justice for 12 years. As chief justice, he presided over “an unprecedented era of judicial boldness” in state courts, the book says.

BRIE HANDGRAAF: Old Saratoga water bottler works hard to meet demand (The Wilson Times reports) -- Bottled water has been one of the popular items flying off shelves in recent weeks, but a Wilson County company is working to keep stores stocked.

Experts ask for patience as small-business owners look for loan help (WRAL-TV reports) -- Business owners across the Triangle continue to struggle with the application process for the federal Paycheck Protection Program, which is providing $350 billion in loans specifically for small businesses hurt by the coronavirus pandemic.

With economy in question, Raleigh pulls vote on Dix Park funds from November ballot (WRAL-TV reports) -- The City of Raleigh needs to focus on containing the coronavirus and in rebounding from its economic consequences, Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin told Raleigh City Council.

BRIAN GRAWBURG: Influenza strain reduced life expectancy by 12% (The Wilson Times Column - 1st of a 4 part series) -- Thomas Wolfe, a native of N.C., wrote his first novel, “Look Homeward Angel,” in 1929. It is generally regarded as a thinly fictionalized autobiography. In mid-October of 1918, while in school at UNC-Chapel Hill, he was urged to come home because his brother Benjamin Harrison was gravely ill with the flu. Thomas recounts the experience when he got home in rather graphic detail in chapter 35 of his novel. Benjamin died on Oct. 19. That same day, Rosavelt Campbell, Beth Smith and Alton Ellis died in Wilson of the same disease. Ask 100 people about the flu epidemic of 1918 and probably fewer than 10 will have any idea what you’re talking about. It’s barely mentioned in most high school history textbooks — absent in many — and encyclopedias include less than a paragraph.

Franklin County charter school, teachers at odds over working from home (WRAL-TV reports) -- Administrators and teachers at a Franklin County charter school are at odds over whether teachers should report to school or work from home.

Kidzu Chidren's Museum lines up dozens of activities to keep kids busy (GoAskMom/WRAL-TV reports) -- To help parent who are looking for ways to keep their kids engaged, Kidzu Children's Museum launched late last week the Kidzu@Home page with links to dozens of arts, crafts, stortytimes and STEAM activities to keep kids busy.

N.C. Hospitals Adapt To Handling COVID-19 Cases (WUNC-FM reports) -- A few weeks ago, as Duke Regional Hospital prepared for its first coronavirus cases, the unit headed by Dr. Megan Brooks was tapped to handle incoming patients suspected of having COVID-19.

Raleigh domestic violence agency stays open to help victims (WRAL-TV reports) -- Law enforcement officials say the outbreak and the resulting stay-at-home orders have led to a drop in most types of crime. But there's one frightening exception to that trend: domestic violence.

DREW C. WILSON: Shelter is top need for 211 callers (The Wilson Times) -- Housing and shelter rank as the top concerns from callers dialing 211 in the last 30 days. N.C. 211 is an information and referral service provided by the United Way of N.C.. Residents can call 211 or 1-888-892-1192 to speak to a call specialist 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

GREG BARNES: DEQ rejects Chemours corrective action plan (N.C. Health News reports) -- Chemours said the plan would reduce PFAS loading into the Cape Fear River by at least 75 percent. DEQ Secretary Michael Regan called the plan “clearly deficient” and in need of “extensive revisions.”

GenX: Looking Closer At Chemours’ Plan (Coastal Review reports) -- While Chemours says it’s in compliance with state laws and a 2019 consent order, comments collected by NCDEQ show many are unsatisfied with the response by the company responsible for PFAS contamination in the Cape Fear region.

Fish farm staying afloat despite virus outbreak (WRAL-TV reports) -- Every business in our state is being impacted by the coronavirus in some way, including aquaculture. But one fish farm is finding a way to survive the outbreak.

Jewish Passover celebrations have extra meaning when families aren’t free to gather (N.C. McClatchy reports) – Jewish families across the Triangle are figuring out how to celebrate Passover — the annual reenactment of their freedom from slavery — while the threat of coronavirus has them trapped at home. Some will mark the holiday in prayerful seclusion. They’ll enjoy a Seder meal on Wednesday night with only the members of their household instead of the extended family and friends who might have joined if not for the risk of contracting or spreading COVID-19. Others will try an electronic expansion of the Seder, inviting all who are hungry to come and eat virtually, sharing the experience through video conferencing apps. That requires making a significant exception to the Jewish practice of retreating from modern distractions such as computers and mobile phones on holy days.

This Passover, the seders are virtual. The plague is real (CNN News reports) -- Each year, millions of Jews gather at Passover to remember their Hebrew forbears' exodus from Egypt, where they escaped thanks to 10 divinely sent plagues. As the coronavirus pandemic sweeps across the globe, some of the parallels are hard to miss. "The plagues are a central part of the Seder experience," says Rabbi Elana Friedman, the chaplain of Jewish life at Duke University. "This year it feels like we have an 11th plague circling us."

Best Seder ever? Asheville's Jewish community embraces virtual Passover traditions (Asheville Citizen-Times reports) -- With the holiday to begin at sundown on April 8, Asheville-area Jews prepare for a Passover unlike any other, as coronavirus necessitates millennia-old traditions be performed over computer screens.

Bishop Curry: Separation during Holy Week a sacrifice, but God is with us (WRAL-TV reports) -- Christians across America and around the world are beginning the holiest week of the year - the celebration of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ - under orders not to gather, guidance designed to contain the spread of coronavirus.

CHARLES HALL: Tryon Palace staff continues working toward reopening (Kinston Free Press reports) -- New Bern’s top-dog tourist attraction Tryon Palace has been closed to the public since March 16 and has canceled all events through the end of May because of COVID-19. But, work continues in anticipation of it reopening. Employees are doing all the work they can from home and the security staff remains on the grounds of the Palace, N.C. History Center and other properties.

'The Lost Colony' canceled for summer due to COVID-19 (AP reports) -- This year's performance of the N.C.-based play “The Lost Colony” has been canceled for the first time since the middle of World War II because of the coronavirus pandemic, the group that runs the play announced.