President Trump signed an executive order yesterday that slashes red tape and bureaucracy to help get Americans back to work and our economy back on track as the country reopens. The order directs federal agencies to swiftly identify onerous regulations that can be rescinded or temporarily waived to help promote job creation and kickstart our economy. It also creates a “Regulatory Bill of Rights”, principles of fairness that will govern agency rulemaking and enforcement processes going forward.
The IRS has begun making CARES Act stimulus payments to four million Americans via prepaid debit card, rather than by paper check. These free, no-fee debit cards are being provided to certain taxpayers without bank information on file with the IRS. They can be used to make purchases, get cash from ATMs, and transfer funds to their personal bank account without incurring any fees. The card can be used online, at ATMs, or at any retail location where Visa is accepted. More info from the Treasury Department here.
The CDC has issued guidance for the reopening of public pools and hot tubs during the COVID-19 break. View it here.
As businesses begin to reopen, New Hanover County is offering expertise and resources to help them do so safely. If you’d like to speak to a public health expert about your individual reopening process, you can call 910-798-6800. You can also visit the Health Department’s page for the county’s latest public health guidance and reopening advice.
As mentioned yesterday, the USDA has begun to release details about the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, which will provide up to $16 billion in direct payments to producers affected by the crisis. Additional information about the program, such as eligibility, specific crops included and other details can be found on Farmers.gov.
The Poplar Grove Farmers Market in Wilmington will be reopening – in accordance with COVID-19 safety protocols – on May 27. More information available here.
For today’s good news story, I’m highlighting Jasmine Collins, a member of the Bladen County Sheriffs Office who was on duty to take a 911 call from the brother of a mother-to-be who wasn’t going to make it to Bladen County Hospital before giving birth. Jasmine talked them through the appropriate steps to take and a healthy baby girl was born. EMS arrived shortly thereafter. It’s just another way our first responders continue to help others in the midst of this crisis.
