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Nebraska Joint Information Center Update

RELEASE DATE: May 07, 2020

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COVID-19 Case Updates

Nebraska            Department of Health and Human Services Dashboard

                          6,771 positive tests —  30,987 negative tests  —   86 deaths

                       

Leading Counties (Cities)

Hospital Beds

Hall (Grand Island)

1,287

Staffed Beds

3,926

Douglas (Omaha)  

1,113

Percent of Beds Available

48%

Dakota (South Sioux City)

969

Percent of ICU Available

 44%

Dawson (Lexington) 

 667

Percent of Vents Available

77%

Lancaster (Lincoln)

452

 

 

 

 

28 counties report no cases

11 counties have only 1 case

Colfax (Schuyler)

 292

Saline (Crete)

285

Platte (Columbus

260

Madison (Norfolk, Madison)

226

Adams (Hastings)

212

 

United States         Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

                              1,193,813 cases  —  70,802 deaths

Globally                 World Health Organization Situation Report

                              3,672,238 cases  — 254,045 deaths

                              Johns Hopkins University of Medicine COVID-19 Dashboard

                              3,813,123 cases  —  267,233 deaths         

 

State of Nebraska Updates

Gov. Pete Ricketts’ Office https://governor.nebraska.gov

NEW At his 2 p.m. news conference today, Gov. Ricketts said the state is continuing its work to make sure to flatten the curve of cases in the state, protect the hospital system and make sure people get the care they need.

Since it is not possible to stop the transmission of the virus, the state’s goal has been to successfully slow the spread. The hospital system is in good shape in Nebraska with 48 percent of beds available, 44 percent of ICU beds available and 77 percent of ventilators available.

REMINDER As the state continues its battle against coronavirus, every Nebraskan can help to keep Nebraska healthy and get Nebraska moving again.

Crush the curve and beat the virus by going to TestNebraska.com and taking a quick five-minute assessment. This assessment will help determine where testing needs to occur. Nebraskans at risk of exposure to the virus will be contacted to schedule an appointment to get tested.  Please take five minutes and go to TestNebraska.com to get assessed. A testing site opens tomorrow in Lincoln joining the sites already open in Grand Island and Omaha.

Tests are being performed free of charge even if an individual does not have health insurance. Additionally, no one will be denied treatment for COVID-19 because of an inability to pay. The Health Resources and Services Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services launched a COVID-19 Uninsured Program Portal where health care providers who have tested or treated individuals with a COVID-19 diagnosis can submit claims for reimbursement.

NEW Gov. Ricketts signed a proclamation at his news conference recognizing Teachers Appreciation Week. He thanked all Nebraska educators for their work to teach and help Nebraska students.

Matt Blomstedt, Nebraska commissioner of education, joined Gov. Ricketts at his news conference and expressed his appreciation for the educators of the state. “We are always proud of the teachers across Nebraska,” Blomstedt said. The work they have been doing during the COVID-19 outbreak has been remarkable. Blomstedt also recognized retiring educators. He said there has been a lot of talk about it being a difficult time for the class of 2020, but he noted it is also difficult for a lot of retiring teachers who are leaving the profession they love this year without having students in their classrooms.

The commissioner also discussed return to school protocols and the website www.launchne.com which gives educators across the state a chance to have conversations about best practices and plans for returning to schools. The site provides tools, actions, opportunities, resources to support the complex planning, and preparation needed by Nebraska school systems as they work to restart schools and support students as they transition back to school buildings next school year.

The site includes information on  

  • Leadership and Planning

    • Governance

    • Operations

    • Technology

  • Conditions for Learning

    • Facilities

    • Wellness

  • Continuity of Learning

    • Transitions

    • Instructions

  • Professional learning and resources

REMINDER While some restrictions have been lifted, Nebraskans are reminded that they still need to socially distance from others and continue to follow the Six Rules to Keep Nebraska Healthy

  1. Stay home. Do not take unnecessary trips outside the home. Respect the 10-person limit.

  2. Socially distance your work. Work from home or use the six-foot rule as much as possible in the workplace.

  3. Shop alone and only shop once a week. Do not take family with you.

  4. Help kids follow social distancing. Play at home. No group sports and no playgrounds.

  5. Help seniors stay at home by shopping for them. Do not visit long-term care facilities.

  6. Exercise daily at home or with an appropriately socially-distanced activity.

With nicer weather, Nebraskans will want to enjoy the state’s beautiful weather; however, they need to do so with the above rules in mind. No group sports unless it’s with members of your own household.

REMINDER Gov. Ricketts reminded Nebraskans to visit testnebraska.com to complete an online assessment. Test Nebraska will assess, test and track COVID-19 cases in the state. Nebraskans were asked to take the #TestNebraskaChallenge and to nominate five friends to take the test. The page is now available in Spanish https://www.testnebraska.com/es.

Game and Parks Commission http://outdoornebraska.gov/healthinfo/

NEW Nebraskans may begin enjoying recreational vehicle camping by reservation only at select state park areas starting May 20. Park areas will be selected based on where social distancing and group-size recommendations can be maintained for public health.

State designated beach and swimming areas will be closed until further notice, in part due to recent incidents at multiple state park venues. All other current closures to facilities will be extended through May 31.

“We sympathize with those who have been affected by this virus and the rippling effects of trying to contain it, and we appreciate the patience and understanding of people who are passionate about camping,” Game and Parks Director Jim Douglas said.

Our park grounds remain open for day-use activities, such as fishing, hiking and wildlife viewing.

For more information:  
http://magazine.outdoornebraska.gov/2020/05/some-state-park-area-rv-camping-opportunities-to-be-restored/

Review

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) COVID-19 Information | DHHS News Releases

Check out the latest video from DHHS at https://www.facebook.com/NEDHHS/. The COVID-19 outbreak has changed our lives. In this video, Bernie Hascall, DHHS administrator for the Division of Behavioral Health, and Kyle Kinney, program manager for the Nebraska Family Helpline, discuss how the helpline can support families during the COVID-19 outbreak.

If you feel hopeless, the Nebraska Family Helpline is here to help. If your toddler has a tantrum, your teen is suicidal, or you just need some advice, resources for parents are available 24/7. Call 888-866-8660 to speak to a trained counselor about any problem, any time.

The guidelines for restaurant re-openings in Cass, Douglas and Sarpy counties on May 4 are now online at:

http://dhhs.ne.gov/Documents/COVID-19-Restaurant-In-Room-Dining-Reopening-Guidelines.pdf or in Spanish at:

http://dhhs.ne.gov/Documents/COVID-19-Restaurant-In-Room-Dining-Reopening-Guidelines-Spanish.pdf

COVID-19 Dashboard now includes hospitalization data:
http://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/DHHS-Expands-COVID-19-Dashboard-to-Include-Hospitalization-Data.aspx

Dashboard link:

https://nebraska.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/4213f719a45647bc873ffb58783ffef3

Other DHHS Links and Information COVID-19 Information | DHHS News Releases

Department of Administrative Services

A number of state agencies and private organizations have received inquiries from Nebraska manufacturers that have the capabilities to provide needed medical equipment for hospitals and medical providers. The Nebraska Department of Administrative Services (DAS) has partnered with the Nebraska Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NMEP) to help organize the manufacturers with these capabilities and connect them with the medical community.

For manufacturers please visit https://go.unl.edu/criticalmanufacturing  to register your company and list the products your company is able to produce in short deadlines. For people in the medical community that want to access these companies and order needed supplies, please contact: Doug Carlson, Chief Procurement Officer for the State of Nebraska, doug.carlson@nebraska.gov, 402-471-0972

Department of Agriculture (NDA) nda.nebraska.gov

Nurseries and Garden Centers: The Nebraska Department of Agriculture has created guidance for nurseries and garden centers to help keep customers healthy and to slow the spread of COVID-19. All nurseries and garden centers should first consult with their local health department to ensure that the business is able to meet all local health department guidelines. Nursery and garden center guidance and additional agriculture-related information can be found on NDA’s website at: www.nda.nebraska.gov/COVID-19.

Department of Banking and Finance

The Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance is extending its temporary suspension of examinations of financial institutions from April 24 to May 15. This extension will further allow state-chartered banks, credit unions and other financial entities to continue to assist their customers in Paycheck Protection Program requests, loan restructuring and other service items. The department expects to resume offsite examinations in early June 2020. The department’s Statement on Examinations is online here.

Department of Corrections corrections.nebraska.gov

NDCS has COVID-19 related information on its webpage at https://corrections.nebraska.gov/ndcs-coronavirus-health-update.

Department of Economic Development     https://opportunity.nebraska.gov/nded-covid19/

DED is working to inform and assist businesses during Nebraska’s ongoing response to COVID-19. Information for businesses is available on the DED website. DED is committed to serving Nebraskans facing financial challenges during this time, and understands that local economic leaders will play an important role in creating regional solutions for businesses and their workforce. The department’s Field Services Team is working with business leaders in these regions to address ongoing COVID-19 challenges.

Department of Environment and Energy               http://dee.ne.gov

NDEE has developed a COVID-19 information webpage that includes a message from the director, links to state and federal resources and NDEE-related issues.  Webpage address is: http://deq.ne.gov/NDEQProg.nsf/onWeb/COVID

Additional new items on the NDEE COVID-19 webpage include:

  • NDEE has developed a new guidance document, “Emergency Disposal of Animal Carcasses Associated with a Non-Disease-Related Mass Mortality Event” to help Nebraska livestock producers plan to deal with catastrophic animal mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic. The URL to the mass mortality guidance page is http://dee.ne.gov/publica.nsf/pages/20-006.

  • NDEE is allowing a temporary period for operations to have more livestock on site than permitted for. This is to help producers who may have issues with hauling livestock to packing plants during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The period should not last past June 1, 2020.

  • Due to current circumstances, there may be instances where dairies are unable to send milk to processors because of a lack of the ability to process the milk.  NDEE is allowing for the disposal of excess milk and milk products in Livestock Waste Control Facilities (LWCF) from dairies during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Municipal lagoons and treatment systems are not included in this exception.

  • NDEE has issued guidance for indoor and outdoor pools during the COVID-19 pandemic. The department recommends pools, spas and spray parks carefully evaluate state and local Directed Health Measures, and close or delay opening until they are lifted.

 

Department of Insurance

CARES Act payments will have no impact on ACA Marketplace subsidies according to the Nebraska Department of Insurance.

 

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, also known as the CARES Act, calls for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to make economic impact payments of up to $1,200 per taxpayer and $500 for each qualifying child, adjusted based on income. The federal government has announced that any money received due to the CARES Act does not need to be included as income on an application for individual health insurance coverage through healthcare.gov.

In addition, payments received through the CARES Act do not impact an individual’s eligibility for financial assistance for health care coverage through the Marketplace or eligibility for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). For more information, visit IRS Coronavirus Tax Relief or https://www.healthcare.gov/coronavirus/.

Department of Labor            NEworks.nebraska.gov and dol.nebraska.gov

The Nebraska Department of Labor (NDOL) announced April 20 that 8,002 new unemployment insurance claims were filed during the week ending April 25. This is a decrease of more than 33 percent from the previous week when 12,043 initial claims were filed. Spreadsheets showing claims data are available here and will be updated every Thursday.

Initial claims are filed by individuals to request a determination of eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits. NDOL processes initial unemployment insurance claims and, if an individual meets eligibility criteria, benefits are paid for each week of continued unemployment.

Claims by Industry – The highest counts of initial claims were in the Health Care and Social Assistance industry (940), which decreased 38.5 percent from the prior week (1,529). All industries had declines in initial claims from the prior week except for Management of Companies and Enterprises and Mining which saw an increase of 25.7 percent and 75 percent respectively. Both of these have very low numbers to begin with so this is not significant at this time.

Filing a Claim  –  Any worker in a non-paid status due to COVID-19 may file a claim for unemployment insurance benefits. Unemployment claims in Nebraska are filed online at NEworks.nebraska.gov. The NEworks mobile app is available to download for free. After filing a new initial claim, applicants must certify their eligibility every week that they continue to be unemployed by logging into their NEworks account.  These weekly certifications must be completed even while the new claim is still being processed.  Claim and payment status can also be viewed by logging into the NEworks account.

CARES Act  – The federal CARES Act created a temporary program that offers benefits to individuals not eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits including the self-employed, independent contractors, gig workers, and others (Pandemic Unemployment Assistance or PUA). The act also increases the amount an individual on regular unemployment or PUA will receive by $600 for every week an individual is unemployed. All individuals who qualify will receive $600 in additional benefits for each eligible week of unemployment through July 25. Workers who have been affected by the pandemic should file a claim for unemployment. NDOL will automatically review every claim that comes in for eligibility under the CARES Act.

Department of Motor Vehicles        DMV news releases

Gov. Ricketts’ executive order 20-05 extends the expiration date of all valid driver’s licenses, CDLs, state IDs, titles, and registrations due to expire on or after March 1st. All credentials will remain valid until 30 days after the order has been lifted. While nobody is required to renew their license or registrations, online services are available at dmv.nebraska.gov for those who wish to do so. Drive tests are not being provided at any locations statewide; however, some offices do remain open for walk in services.

Department of Natural Resources

On April 23, 125 years ago, NeDNR began its mission to safeguard Nebraska’s most precious natural resource through sound partnerships, cooperation and science-based decision making to help grow Nebraska’s future. Our agency continues to ensure that critical water-related information remains available (see https://dnr.nebraska.gov/.) Be assured that our staff continue to update vital information, including real-time streamgaging information, during this pandemic.

To support National Flood Insurance Program policyholders amid the COVID-19 pandemic, FEMA is extending its 30-day grace period for policy renewals up to 120 days. This is effective for National Flood Insurance Program policies with an expiration date between February 13 – June 15, 2020.

For more information, visit the FEMA website https://nfipservices.floodsmart.gov/

FEMA also has some guidance on flood insurance claims during this time.  It allows for the claims to be adjusted remotely without an adjustor visiting the property.

Nebraska Emergency Management Agency         https://nema.nebraska.gov/news

Support Food Banks. The need is greater than ever. Consider donating today.

The Nebraska Food Security Task Force is working to help thousands of Nebraskans who rely upon food banks, pantries and school lunch programs for their next meal.

“The school closures and business disruptions caused by the onset of COVID-19 has increased the need to help provide food for people in need,” said Chris Schroeder, long-term recovery program specialist for Nebraska Emergency Management Agency and head of the joint task force. Representatives from state agencies, volunteer organizations active in disaster, food banks, federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, local public health agencies, churches and many others are working to find ways to increase available food for Nebraskans.

“People who could previously meet their food needs are now temporarily unable to do so,” Schroeder said. “We are asking Nebraskans to step up and help those in need.”

Because of social distancing, fewer volunteers are available to help distribute food. The food banks will resume accepting non-perishable but until that’s possible, there are still ways to help. Here’s what you can do now:

  • Donate Funds—Your financial donations can be used to purchase the necessary food items in larger quantities directly from suppliers.

  • Sponsor a fundraiser. Is your business or church operating remotely, but still wanting to help your community? There are many fun and creative ways your organizations can engage your employees, or members, while raising money to support the food bank.

 

“Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, both Food Banks could turn a donation of $1 into 3 full meals,” Schroder said. “We are all working to return to that reality, but right now a donation of $30 can feed a family in Nebraska for almost an entire week.”

To donate: visit the Food Bank for the Heartland which serves Nebraska and western Iowa at https://donate.foodbankhearland.org or the Food Bank of Lincoln which serves 16 counties in Southeast Nebraska

Department of Revenue

During the COVID-19 pandemic, as the Nebraska Department of Revenue provides guidance, direction, or pertinent public information such items may be found here. The most current information will be posted to the department’s website under “Featured Information”. Taxpayer Assistance is also available online and by phone, and contact information may be found here.

Military Department

A total of 394 Nebraska National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are supporting COVID-19 response efforts in Nebraska. Soldiers and Airmen continue to support food packaging with Food Bank for the Heartland in Omaha, and food packaging and distribution with Food Bank of Lincoln.

On Monday, Nebraska National Guard teams began supporting COVID-19 testing locations in Grand Island and Omaha. These are the first two sites of the Test Nebraska initiative, which is aimed at significantly expanding testing capacity in the state over the next several weeks. Six testing teams now provide support to local health districts. As of May 4, the teams have collected 12,032 test samples in support of 18 health department districts across the state.

The Nebraska National Guard will be updating this album with photos throughout the COVID-19 response.

Nebraska Department of Transportation Notes Slight Uptick in Traffic Volumes

the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) announced that, for the sixth straight week, statewide traffic volumes are down over 20 percent. The NDOT has been reporting traffic data since March 1st to track the impact of COVID-19 on statewide traffic volumes. The NDOT noted a slight uptick over the last two weeks with the statewide volumes being reported at 21 percent below the 2016-2018 average for the week of April 26th through May 2, 2020.

The Traffic Count Dashboard will be updated weekly and can be viewed using the following link: https://gis.ne.gov/portal/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/4473552a18f34645ad0dede3ae1105ce

Percent Difference in Weekly Traffic Volume  compared to 2016-2018 average

 

 

Rural Highways

I-80 West of Lincoln

Omaha Streets and Highways

Lincoln Streets and Highways

I-80 Lincoln to Iowa,

I-180

I-680

I-480

Remaining Small Urban Streets and Highways

Statewide Total

March 1-7

4

-9

3

4

3

-1

2

March 8-14

-4

-4

-5

-3

-6

-5

-4

March 15-21

-17

-10

-26

-20

-25

-17

-19

March 22-28

-24

-36

-28

-32

-41

-22

-29

March 29-April 4

-22

-28

-33

-30

-40

-28

-28

April 5-11

-20

-32

-32

-31

-41

-29

-28

April 12-18

-29

-38

-39

-37

-44

-34

-35

April 19-25

-14

-26

-27

-27

-36

-27

-23

April 26-May 2

-13

-22

-25

-24

-33

-26

-21

The column descriptions are as follows:

  • Rural Highway are all non-interstate roads in areas under 5,000 population.

  • Omaha Streets and Highways include all non-interstate roads in Douglas and Sarpy counties.

  • Lincoln Streets and Highways include all non-interstate roads in Lancaster County.

  • Remaining Small Urban Streets and Highways are all roads in cities with over 5,000 population outside of Douglas, Sarpy, and Lancaster counties.  (This includes I-129).

  • Statewide Total is a weighted average of all categories.

The NDOT maintains a system of 67 continuous traffic counters statewide. These are often called automatic traffic recorders (ATRs). These counters collect traffic volume and classification data 24 hours per day, seven days per week.  Data is then relayed to NDOT twice per week.

For more information/data about ATRs and links to the Annual ATR and March 2020 reports:

https://dot.nebraska.gov/media/3811/annual-traffic-count-data.pdf

https://dot.nebraska.gov/media/7569/autotrfrecorddata.pdf

Lottery   https://nelottery.com/homeapp/article/4220/display

Nebraska Lottery players with prizes up to $19,999 are encouraged to claim by mail. Instructions for claiming prizes by mail can be found at https://nelottery.com/homeapp/article/4220/display Regional Lottery Claim Centers in Grand Island, Norfolk, North Platte, and Scottsbluff are closed to the public, but Nebraska Lottery headquarters in Lincoln and the Omaha Claim Center are open. Call 402-471-6100 to confirm office hours before claiming a prize in person at these locations.

Nebraska Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (NCDHH)

NCDHH has the following VLOGs online relating to COVID-19:

COVID-19: Educational Resources & Communication Access NCDHH Executive Director John Wyvill discusses the importance of ensuring you and your child are prepared and receiving education information during transition to remote-learning.

COVID-19: Deaf and Hard of Hearing Organizations Stress Importance of Communication Access NCDHH Behavioral Health Coordinator Carly Weyers provides information on how to best keep informed with full communication access on announcements related to COVID-19.

COVID-19: NCDHH Offices and Social Distancing Information regarding preventative measures to keep you and the NCDHH team healthy featuring Behavioral Health Coordinator, Carly Weyers.

Nebraska State Fire Marshal’s Office

The Nebraska State Fire Marshal has developed an electronic burn permit that can be used by fire chiefs across the state beginning today. It allows fire departments to review, approve and issue burn permits without having to meet in-person with those who are requesting them, thus promoting social distancing and reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission to the firefighting community.

To obtain a PDF copy of the electronic burn permit, or to find out more, a fire chief can contact Assistant State Fire Marshal Doug Hohbein by email at doug.hohbein@nebraska.gov and request one. Requirements for the proper issuance and use of the permit are included on page 2 of the permit.

The issuance and use of electronic burn permits will terminate 30 days after the COVID-19 declared State of Emergency has been withdrawn.”

Nebraska State Treasurer’s Office

Due to the COVID-19 health crisis, the Unclaimed Property Division offices are closed to the public. Treasurer’s Office staff are available by phone at 402-471-8497 or 877-572-9688 and will continue to process claims mailed into the Lincoln office or filed online.

Office of the Chief Information Officer Website

Malicious cyber threat actors are capitalizing on the global attention surrounding COVID-19 to facilitate scams, distribute malware, and send phishing emails. We ask all Nebraskans to practice the following safe security habits online:

  • Exercise caution in handling any email with a COVID-19-related subject line, attachment or hyperlink, and be wary of social media pleas, texts or calls related to COVID-19. Tips for Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks: https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/tips/ST04-014

  • Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited emails and be wary of email attachments. Tips for Using Caution with Email Attachments: https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/tips/ST04-010  

  • Use trusted sources—such as legitimate, government websites—for up-to-date, fact-based information about COVID-19.

  • Look at the email address, not just the sender. A genuine email from a legitimate organization would have the organization’s name in the domain name, indicating that it is coming from someone at the organization.

  • Do not reveal personal or financial information in an email, and do not respond to email solicitations for this information.

  • Verify a charity’s authenticity before making donations.

  • Look for obvious grammatical errors and be wary of any emails that have implied consequences for failure to comply with demands.

Communications platforms guidance for individuals and organizations

Due to COVID-19, an increasing number of individuals and organizations are turning to communications platforms—such as Webex, Zoom and Microsoft Teams— for online meetings. In turn, malicious cyber actors are hijacking online meetings that are not secured with passwords or that use unpatched software.

Tips for defending against online meeting hijacking 

  • Do not make meetings public. Instead, require a meeting password or use the waiting room feature and control the admittance of guests.

  • Do not share a link to a meeting on an unrestricted publicly available social media post. Provide the link directly to specific people.

  • Manage screen sharing options. Change screen sharing to “Host Only.”

  • Ensure users are using the updated version of remote access/meeting applications.

  • Ensure telework policies address requirements for physical and information security.

For more information visit: https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/alerts/aa20-099a

Public Service Commission

The PSC is reminding natural gas customers that a moratorium suspending residential disconnections of natural gas services for non-payment for Black Hills Energy and NorthWestern Energy customers remains in place through June 1, 2020. Read more @ http://tiny.cc/PSCReminders

Secretary of State’s Office

Realtors helping in their Communities -- “We as Realtors care deeply about our communities. And we are dedicated volunteers who give back to our communities. So, in the spirit of demonstrating our civic duty I encourage Realtors across the state to participate as polls workers in the Primary Election on May 12”, said Nebraska REALTORS® Association President Steve Coram, of Kearney.

Realtors and others who wish to step up and sign up as poll workers can do so by contacting their county clerks or county election commissioners.

Every polling site will receive kits that include:

  • At least 2 N95 masks per poll worker

  • Face shields offered to each poll worker

  • 25 pairs of gloves for poll workers

  • 540 ml bottle of hand sanitizer

  • A canister of disinfecting wipes

  • Individual black pens for each voter to keep

  • Social distancing standards will apply.

  • Mask available for voters who need them

You can also help by sharing the opportunity with family, friends, neighbors, colleagues and anyone else who may be a good fit. Contact your local county clerk’s or election commissioner’s office by phone or email if you wish to serve as a poll worker.

https://sos.nebraska.gov/elections/election-officials-contact-information

State Partner Updates

American Red Cross

In coordination with the FDA, the Red Cross, along with blood industry partners, is seeking people who are fully recovered from the new coronavirus to sign up to donate plasma to help current COVID-19 patients. People who have fully recovered from COVID-19 have antibodies in their plasma that can attack the virus. This convalescent plasma is being evaluated as treatment for patients with serious or immediately life-threatening COVID-19 infections, or those judged by a healthcare provider to be at high risk of progression to severe or life-threatening disease. To learn more, visit RedCrossBlood.org/plasma4covid.

Medical Reserve Corps and Community Emergency Response Teams

Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) volunteers from both the Eastern Nebraska/Western Iowa MRC and the Southeast Nebraska MRC have been cooperating to support the Three Rivers Health Department and Public Health Solutions with contact tracing and will continue to do so for the next few weeks.

The Southeast Nebraska MRC is doing its part to conserve masks in the fight against COVID-19 by making their own masks. Approximately 50 masks were homemade to support their volunteers working in the field.

The Central Nebraska MRC assisted in the setup of a drive-thru testing site in Kearney. The Central Nebraska MRC has also been organizing assistance to support residents at Callaway Hospital.

All MRCs and CERT teams remain at the ready throughout the state and are working with their local partners to better respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in Nebraska. The MRC Unit Coordinator Leadership has been working with DHHS to help affiliate volunteers to assist in local COVID-19 responses throughout Nebraska. Those interested in volunteering with their local MRC can contact Quinn Lewandowski at quinn.lewandowski@nebraska.gov.

Natural Resources Districts (NRDs):

Want to visit an NRD recreation area? Check for closures and access limitations by visiting: www.nrdnet.org/recreation.

NRD employees doing field work are essential workers. Landowners and the public should allow them to do their work uninterrupted.

University of Nebraska Medical Center  | Nebraska Medicine

UNMC experts answer questions about COVID-19 https://www.unmc.edu/coronavirus/media.html

Federal Partners

Federal Emergency Management Agency www.fema.gov     Rumor Control     How to Help

Center for Disease Control and Prevention The CDC provides guidance on daily life and coping during

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)/Center for Disease Control https://faq.coronavirus.gov/

National Institutes of Health https://www.nih.gov/health-information/coronavirus

Federal Bureau of Prisons https://www.bop.gov/coronavirus/index.jsp

Internal Revenue Service https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus-tax-relief-and-economic-impact-payments

U.S. Department of Treasury Resources for Financial Relief      Assistance for Small Businesses.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Coronavirus Veteran FAQ

U.S. Food and Drug Administration Food Safety and COVID_19      FDA COVID-19 webpage

U.S. Small Business Administration www.SBA.gov/Coronavirus

Other Resources

Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 map with world case information      Johns Hopkins Resource Center.

Mayo Clinic information about COVID-19       COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool      website

World Health Organization (WHO) COVID-19 Pandemic information    Public Advice