COVID-19

Iowa Officials Seek Donations of Handmade Cotton Masks

Published by Scott Stewart on Thu, 04/02/2020 - 1:45pm

Council Bluffs, Iowa – There is a national shortage of commercially-produced personal protective equipment, including face masks.

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Order Loosens Restrictions on Hospitals to Respond to Surge

Published by Scott Stewart on Thu, 04/02/2020 - 1:44pm

Lincoln – Gov. Pete Ricketts issued an executive order last week to loosen restrictions on hospitals and other health care facilities so they can respond to a possible surge in patients suffering from COVID-19.

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Nebraska Universities, Colleges Nix Commencements

Published by Scott Stewart on Thu, 04/02/2020 - 1:44pm

Lincoln – The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the cancellation of May graduation ceremonies at the state’s four University of Nebraska system campuses, officials said.

The Lincoln campus intends to hold an online event, and the May graduates have been invited to attend commencement ceremonies.

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Schools Ordered to Remain Closed to Students Until June

Published by Scott Stewart on Thu, 04/02/2020 - 1:41pm

Lincoln – The governor has ordered Nebraska schools to remain closed to students through May 31 as officials reported that the state’s COVID-19 death toll has continue to climb.

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Mayors Tell Governors: Toughen Up on Virus

Published by Scott Stewart on Thu, 04/02/2020 - 12:00am

Portland, Ore. – The optics were terrible, even if the weather was perfect. Absent a firm order from Gov. Kate Brown to stay at home, thousands of people with nothing else to do packed Oregon’s beaches, trails and state parks a couple of weekends ago.

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Panel to Explore Virus Impact on Commerical Real Estate

Published by Scott Stewart on Thu, 04/02/2020 - 12:00am

Organizers of Omaha’s annual Commercial Real Estate Summit will conduct a 45-minute virtual panel exploring how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted commercial real estate professionals.

The free panel discussion will be held Wednesday at noon using Zoom. Six industry experts will also share their thoughts about what can be expected in the coming months.

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State Plans Suggest Intellectually Disabled People Might Be Denied Lifesaving Care as Virus Spreads

Published by Scott Stewart on Thu, 04/02/2020 - 12:00am

Advocates for people with intellectual disabilities are concerned that those with Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism and other such conditions will be denied access to lifesaving medical treatment as the COVID-19 outbreak spreads across the country.

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Small Businesses Ask: When Will Aid Arrive?

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 04/01/2020 - 4:57pm

New York – When will the money arrive? That’s the urgent question for small business owners who have been devastated by the coronavirus outbreak.

They’re awaiting help from the $2 trillion rescue package signed into law last Friday. But with bills fast coming due, no end to business closings and an economy that’s all but shut down, owners are worried about survival.

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Survey: Pandemic Drains Vigor From Midwest Economy

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 04/01/2020 - 4:56pm

A survey of supply managers in a nine-state region of the Midwest and Plains is showing more signs of the coronavirus pandemic’s disruptive economic impact.

The Mid-American Business Conditions index sank in March to 46.7 – its lowest reading since September 2016, according to a survey report that was released last Wednesday. The February figure was 52.8.

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UNMC Finds That Coronavirus Contaminates Areas by Patients

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 04/01/2020 - 3:57pm

A study of patients being treated for COVID-19 at the University of Nebraska Medical Center has found evidence that the coronavirus contaminates patient care areas, although further study is necessary to determine the risk of the SARS-CoV-2 virus having airborne transmission.