Opinion Roundup: State stay-at-home decision tough, but right; pistol permits go viral; 25 state parks close; 'quarantine love song'; and more.

Monday, Mar. 30, 2020 -- A round up of opinion, commentary and analysis on: Uninsured with coronavirus left with few options in N.C.; tourism could take $50 billion hit; remembering an influential state lawmaker; urgent need for dentists; volunteers needed at State Archives for meaningful work; and more.

ALLEN JOHNSON: When going gets tough, count on Sen. Burr to ‘Run away!’ (Greensboro News & Record column) -- Richard Burr once climbed out of a window to evade a gaggle of reporters. So goes the story from a former senior aide who said Burr made his great escape with his drycleaning in hand. A clean getaway. Burr, a Republican, may be wanting to slip away again these days to somewhere — anywhere else. When the going gets tough Burr often seems to high-tail it for the nearest window. … In the end, Burr, who is not seeking reelection, might be allowed to “Run away! Run away!” into his retirement without ever being pressed to own up to his chronic spinelessness. Somebody, quick, close the windows.

Coronavirus challenges states like N.C. that rejected Medicaid expansion, leaves uninsured with few options (NBC News reports) --- With required doctor visits and medicine, Penny Wingard’s bills are still adding up and the debt collectors' calls haven't stopped. The drugs she needs also make her more susceptible to the common cold, the flu and now the coronavirus. Wingard, who lives in Charlotte, N.C. is just one of nearly 30 million people living without insurance, and the stress of being hospitalized because of the pandemic is immense. And like Wingard, many members of the working poor without insurance also make up the workforce now deemed "essential": cashiers, stock clerks, agricultural workers, delivery drivers, elderly caregivers, child care workers, health care workers and gas station clerks. Now doctors and clinics who treat these patients are sounding the alarm that the nation's working poor may be forced to make a difficult calculus if they test positive for the disease that is sweeping across the United States. Advocates argue that expanding Medicaid, or loosening enrollment rules, amid the outbreak would encourage the working poor to receive necessary care, help reimburse medical centers and alleviate medical debt that patients would accumulate. The debate over the coverage gap in the United States is particularly stark in the 14 states — including N.C. — that didn't expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.

N.C. now has 1 basic map. Will we follow it? (Wilmington Star-News) -- Gov. Roy Cooper’s stay-at-home order is the law; but obeying it will require mostly voluntary cooperation.

24 residents test positive for coronavirus at Northampton rest home (WRAL-TV reports) -- A cluster of coronavirus cases has been identified in Northampton County, 26 in all, with 24 cases at Pine Forest Rest Home in Potecasi.

Cooper’s stay-at-home order a tough decision but the right one (Fayetteville Observer) -- The only sure way to stop the spread of deadly coronavirus is social distancing — i.e. keeping people away from each other for a period of time.

COVID-19 unemployment payments starting to go out (AP reports) – Gov. Roy Cooper says that the first coronavirus-related unemployment payments will be paid starting next week as the state is flooded with tens of thousands of claims.

LIORA ENGEL-SMITH: For N.C.’s homeless, coronavirus is one threat of many (N.C. Health News reports) -- Policies that promote social distancing have already created hurdles for the state’s homeless population, many of whom are at high risk for coronavirus because of underlying medical conditions.

HALF-TRUE: Before coronavirus, were N.C. hospitals 'typically' 85% full? (PolitiFact/WRAL-TV) -- Hospitals are preparing for an influx of patients as the novel coronavirus spreads across the U.S. With that in mind, N.C. State Sen. Jeff Jackson urged his constituents to try to ease the pressure on hospitals. He said "our hospital beds are typically 85% full across the state."

CELIA RIVENBARK: Can you spare a square? (and I don’t mean Charmin) (Wilmington Star-News column) -- Confined with the fam ... and a quickly emptying jar of Duke’s. Captain’s log Day 10 of my confinement ... Rations are getting low and I’ve just realized there’s only one more Trader Joe’s ham and Swiss croissant square left in the freezer. Who will get it? Duh hubby who, starved for normal ESPN, now charts coronavirus cases by country with morning updates on whether U.S. is in “bronze” or “silver” category? The Princess, home from her teaching job across the state and remaining willowy despite consuming far more than her one-third share? Me, decidedly unwillowy but rather taking on the shape of one of those portable storage units they drop off at your house and then pick up once you’ve filled it up. Last night, during a low moment, the Princess caught me eating mayonnaise from the jar with a spoon.

Army officials in Raleigh hold virtual change of command due to virus outbreak (WRAL-TV reports) -- Army officials in Raleigh tried something new because of coronavirus, a virtual change of command.

NCSU engineers making plastic face shields for healthcare workers (WRAL-TV reports) -- Engineers with N.C. State are creating plastic face shields to help with the shortage of protective gear during the coronavirus outbreak.

COVID-19 could kill 2,400 in N.C. and strain available hospital beds, projection model says (Durham Herald-Sun reports) -- N.C. will be short hundreds of hospital beds and intensive care units at the state’s peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is still weeks away, according to a model touted by a leading expert on Sunday. Developed by the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, the model estimates that there will be dozens of COVID-19-related deaths daily during the virus’ projected peak. The model projects 79 COVID-19 deaths in North Carolina on April 22, with about 2,400 people in the state dying from the disease by Aug. 4.

Gun permits go viral (Greensboro News & Record/Winston-Salem Journal) -- The Wake County sheriff, Gerald Baker, has enough real problems to deal with right now, as do law enforcement officials everywhere. People who want to rush out and buy guns, and people who worry about gun rights more than, apparently, public health and safety, need to give him a break.

Are gun shops ‘essential’ during the coronavirus pandemic? It depends on where you live. (Durham Herald-Sun reports) -- A store that sells guns and ammunition may or may not be an essential service, depending on the county where you live. Durham, Wake and Orange county officials say gun stores are not essential, limiting them to online, delivery or mail-order sales. But officials in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County specifically name “firearm and ammunition suppliers and retailers for purposes of safety and security” as essential in their stay-at-home order. That means customers can keep coming into local stores to buy firearms and ammunition.

Wake County sheriff sued over halting pistol permits (AP reports) -- Gun rights activists filed a lawsuit against a N.C. sheriff who temporarily halted handgun permits amid a surge of interest during the coronavirus outbreak.

Just as visitors were about to return to Ocracoke, coronavirus cuts the island off again (Durham Herald-Sun reports) -- The month of March is a harbinger in any tourist-reliant beach community, marking the end of the months-long fast that is winter and the start of a new season of regular income. On Ocracoke Island, this March held special promise after the ruinous flood from Hurricane Dorian in September that damaged most of the buildings in the village, wiped out the fall tourist season and left many of the island’s 400 full-time residents with bills they weren’t sure they could pay.

There’s a lot you can learn about coronavirus in other states that you can’t in N.C. (Durham Herald-Sun) -- At least once each day, N.C.’s Department of Health and Human Services updates its data on coronavirus cases in our state. To get those DHHS numbers, simply go to the department’s coronavirus page, where you can find the current official N.C case count, number of COVID-19 deaths, and the number of completed public and commercial tests. You also can find the number of cases and deaths in each county on a map below. It’s helpful information, and DHHS has served N.C. well with the availability of secretary Mandy Cohen, who has directly and thoughtfully answered questions in news conferences during the crisis. But residents of other states are getting information about the coronavirus that North Carolinians aren’t. In neighboring Virginia, the Department of Public Health has provided a online demographic breakdown of the virus, including hospitalizations, with positive cases sorted by age groups, gender and race. On Friday, NCDHHS began adding demographic information about age and gender, but not race.

‘No pay, no stay.’ Coronavirus may force renters from their homes. (Durham Herald-Sun reports) -- With coronavirus shuttering businesses and putting droves out of work, significantly more people won’t be able to pay rent on April 1, affordable housing advocates say. N.C. Chief Justice Cheri Beasley issued an order March 13 halting eviction and foreclosure court hearings for 30 days. A later order relieved county sheriffs’ obligations to execute eviction removals already underway. But while some landlords are allowing payment arrangements, waiving late fees or even foregoing April’s rent, others plan to file for eviction against those who don’t pay, property managers and others said. That could mean a torrent of evictions in Mecklenburg County once the court’s moratorium ends next month, housing activists and others said.

Coronavirus lowers Powerball jackpot, refunds issued to some players with multidraw tickets (WRAL-TV reports) -- The Powerball changes, which were announced on Wednesday, included resetting the starting Powerball jackpot to a guaranteed $20 million dollars, as well as setting the increase between drawings when the jackpot is not won to a minimum of $2 million dollars.

'Stay-at-home' order makes it more difficult for domestic violence victims to seek help (WRAL-TV reports) -- Interact, an organization that helps domestic violence victims in Wake County, has seen an increase in callers asking for shelter during the coronavirus pandemic.

It's illegal to ask for a hair or spa appointment at home during the pandemic (WRAL-TV reports) -- If you're looking for a hair stylist or a masseuse to provide those services at your home during the statewide order, don't. State officials say it's illegal and could put you and the service provider in deep trouble.

Gaston County man arrested, accused of coughing on fellow store customer (AP reports) -- Police in N.C. have arrested a man they accuse of coughing at a customers at a Walmart store and saying he had COVID-19.

With no customers, Cary spa and wedding venue host blood drive (WRAL-TV reports) -- Spa Retreat Cary has teamed up with a local wedding venue to host a Red Cross blood drive during an emergency shortage.

Coronavirus pandemic creates crisis for daycare workers, expert says (WRAL-TV reports) -- Thousands of private child care centers in the state have already closed, but many others are remaining open because they serve the families of health care workers and other essential personnel.

N.C. couple coping after forced to stay in Peru due to coronavirus outbreak (WRAL-TV reports) -- It was a vacation they were looking forward to. But now, two North Carolinians will do anything to get back home.

State lawmaker MaryAnn Black remembered as advocate for health, Durham issues (Durham Herald-Sun reports) -- Rep. MaryAnn Black’s fellow state lawmakers and other admirers are remembering the Durham Democrat for her service as a social worker and dedication to health and human services issues. Black, 76, died March 26. She served on the Durham County Board of Commissioners from 1990 to 2002 before serving in the House since her 2017 appointment to the 29th District seat. She had cancer and was not seeking re-election this year. Black’s key legislative issues were related to health, and she also served as associate vice president for community relations at Duke Health. In 1994, she was named Social Worker of the Year by the National Association of Social Workers.

Funeral held for N.C. Rep. MaryAnn Black (AP reports) -- A private funeral was held Friday for N.C. state Rep. MaryAnn Black, who died this week at age 76.

JOHN RAILEY: Helping offenders rebuild their lives (Winston-Salem Journal column) -- Douglas Bates of Winston-Salem State University’s Center for the Study of Economic Mobility (CSEM) earned his doctorate by bringing his life experience to his studies. Now, as an assistant professor in WSSU’s Social Work Department and CSEM fellow, Bates is using that experience in research that could help released offenders rebuild their lives — and, in the process, help businesses looking for good employees.

COREY FRIEDMAN: States shouldn’t be copyright pirates (Wilson Times column) -- early 300 years after Blackbeard’s flagship sank off the North Carolina coast, the nation’s highest court is giving state governments a license to plunder. Supreme Court justices decided last week that North Carolina can’t be sued for violating Nautilus Productions videographer Rick Allen’s copyright. The ruling in Allen v. Cooper expands the sovereign immunity doctrine, which holds that states can’t be sued without their consent.

SCOTT MASON: N.C. tourism industry could lose $50 billion in 2020 due to coronavirus outbreak (Tarheel Traveler/WRAL-TV reports) -- Restaurants, hotels, festivals ... it's all taking a severe economic hit right now due to the coronavirus outbreak. The state's tourism director tells Scott Mason the coronavirus closures could cost North Carolina's tourism industry up to $50 billion this year.

JESSE WEGMAN: World Without Partisan Gerrymanders? Virginia Democrats Show the Way (New York Times column) -- Politicians rarely give up power voluntarily. They never give it up when they have free rein to lock it in for at least a decade, and exact long-overdue revenge against their political opponents. But a group of Virginia Democrats did just that earlier this month, when they voted in favor of an amendment to the State Constitution stripping themselves of the power to redraw legislative district maps in 2021, after the decennial census.

Education Matters: Connecting Kids to Learning During Covid-19 (Education Matters/WRAL-TV) -- N.C.'s public schools have now been closed for two weeks due to the Coronavirus outbreak, and this week governor Cooper announced that they will continue to be closed until at least May 15th. Given these unprecedented circumstances, we are continuing our series on the Coronavirus with three of our state's education leaders. They will discuss the impacts on educators and students as well as what schools, districts, and policymakers are doing to reach all of our students during this time of uncertainty. We at Education Matters are practicing social distancing so as you can see, we're filming in a new format and our interviews will be conducted virtually.

State OKs major changes to grading, graduation requirements due to coronavirus (WRAL-TV reports) -- The changes are meant to ensure students are not penalized for not having access to resources for online learning and school staffers are not penalized for needing to self-quarantine or care for a sick family member, officials said.

MIKE PARKER: Schools may be ‘closed,’ but educators are frantically working (Kinston Free Press reports) -- Since Gov. Cooper ordered the closure of schools on March 14, teachers, principals and central office staff members across the state have been scrambling to transition their educational programs from in-class, face-to-face classrooms to materials students can complete at home.

N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences offers Science at Home page (WRAL-TV reports) -- The downtown Raleigh museum's Science at Home page includes virtual tours, a jellyfish cam, a teen newsroom and links to lots of other science education resources. It's definitely something to bookmark for the next time your kids complain that they're bored.

ANNE BLYTHE: urgent dental need during the COVID-19 pandemic? Here’s a way to find help (N.C. Health News reports) -- N.C. Oral Health Collaborative updates a map daily for dentists providing urgent care.

ER doctor gives first-hand account of having coronavirus (WRAL-TV reports) -- An emergency room physician who lives locally recently tested positive for coronavirus. While some have given first-hand accounts of what it's like living through the virus, hearing from a doctor about suffering through the illness offers a unique perspective.

N.C. closes 25 state parks to promote social distancing (WRAL-TV reports) -- Dozens of N.C.'s state parks are closing as the statewide stay-at-home order takes effect.

9 N.C. Resiliency Projects Receive Millions (Coastal Review reports) -- Nine coastal resiliency projects in N.C. have been awarded funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Emergency Coastal Resilience Fund launched in August 2019.

Home and garden locations packed as customers, businesses practice social distancing (WRAL-TV reports) -- Shoppers were flocking to garden centers to find something to do while sheltering in place. But some have concerns about crowd size and wonder if it's possible to practice social distancing during the coronavirus outbreak.

MARY CANROBERT: Nature brings a welcome sense of normalcy in turbulent times (Hickory Daily Record column) -- So, day-to-day living has become a bit tricky, hasn’t it? Little is as it was. Except spring. I am particularly thankful this year to look around my yard and my neighborhood and for a few moments, pretend that everything is as it should be. The azaleas are blooming, the buds on the clematis and lily of the valley are ready to pop, the dogwoods are nearing showtime, and our very old iris plant, whose genealogy traces back to gardens of folks long since departed, is showing off its rich blue flowers. There’s no showing off in the business world, however.

MARK PRICE: N.C. banjo player pens 'quarantine love song' (The Charlotte Observer/WRAL-TV reports) -- A lonely musician in N.C. has a YouTube hit on his hands, after sharing a “quarantine love song” with Americans stuck at home amid the coronavirus outbreak.

State Archives of N.C. seeks volunteers (Hickory Daily Record reports) -- The State Archives of N.C. needs volunteers to spend time at home helping to transcribe archival records through its “Transcribe NC” project. Volunteers can help improve access to historic documents by transcribing lists, forms, diaries, letters, and other materials from the collections of the State Archives of N.C. Some projects will include current or future additions to the N.C. Digital Collections, while others focus on indexes to be added to the online catalog.