Here’s the latest update from FEMA on the personal protective equipment delivered or en route to North Carolina as a result of the Trump Administration’s Project Airbridge program. This equipment is literally saving lives among our first responders and health care providers on the front lines of the pandemic.
Item
Delivered
In Transit
Obligated
Grand Total
Coveralls
2,113
2,113
Gloves
425,854
640,000
1,065,854
Surgical Gowns
93,540
93,540
Surgical Masks
580,551
580,551
Face Shields
114,427
114,427
N95 Respirators
603,992
1,400
605,392
The Small Business Administration announced yesterday that it is opening up its Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance programs to agricultural businesses following passage of a change to the program approved by Congress as part of the second phase of funding for the Paycheck Protection Act. SBA’s EIDL portal has re-opened and is accessible here. More info from SBA available here.
Some additional good news for our farm families: the USDA announced yesterday it would be making $470 million in Section 32 food purchases in addition to the purchases previously announced. These purchases will not only help put food on the table for millions of families nationwide, it will provide some badly-needed relief to our producers. More aid is needed, but this is at least additional help.
North Carolina’s Department of Health and Human Services has conducted a study that found an estimated 51.1% of adults in North Carolina are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 based on being 65 or older, having at least one of the underlying health conditions, or both. It’s a reminder of how important it is that many across our state take particular care to avoid exposure to the virus. Read more about the study here.
The Sunset Beach Town Council has voted to relax some restrictions on town’s state of emergency order, issued in conjunction with the Governor’s stay-at-home order. Tomorrow (Wednesday) at Noon, beach accesses will reopen for approved physical activity like running or walking. More information on the town’s website here.
The American Red Cross Cape Fear chapter is hosting a blood drive this Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Emerge Orthopedics at 3727 Shipyard Blvd. in Wilmington. Walk-ins will not be accepted. Donors can call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit their website to schedule an appointment.
For today’s good news story, I’m highlighting the tireless work of the people of Sampson County Schools, who as of late last week had delivered more than 203,000 meals to students out of school and in need. Making sure kids have access to nutrious meals while they’re not in school is so important, and the men and women of Sampson County Schools haven’t let the COVID-19 outbreak stand in the way of meeting that critical need.
