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Post by Admin on Mar 25, 2020 8:55:16 GMT -7
A Little Perspective in a Difficult Time To date, the GLOBAL death toll from COVID-19 stands at around 17,000, with experts still unsure how many of those victims would have succumb to their ‘underlying health conditions’ anyway, even if they weren’t infected with the respiratory disease.
That number of 17,000 is of course going to rise, but even if we surpass figures of 250,000 or even 500,000, the death toll still needs to be kept in perspective.
Governments around the world are trigger-happily removing peoples social liberties, as well as universally sabotaging the global economy. After studying the below chart from the IMHE & Global Burden of Disease, the question on my lips is why…?
Read the full story here and view graphs. |
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Post by Admin on Mar 25, 2020 9:01:39 GMT -7
Governor Bullock extends school closures to April 10 KBZK reports:
"Montana Gov. Steve Bullock announced that his school closure order , which was set to expire Friday, will be extended to April 10.
His order to close all non-essential businesses, including bars, dine-in restaurants, casinos and gyms, was also extended to April 10. Restaurants are still allowed to do take out and delivery. Bars, breweries and other establishments serving alcohol can still deliver products and sell for takeout"
Read the full story here. |
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Post by Admin on Mar 25, 2020 9:04:15 GMT -7
Montana confirms 53 COVID-19 cases in the state as of Wednesday morning KBZK reports:
"As of Wednesday morning, the State of Montana has confirmed 53 positive COVID-19 cases in the state. The prior total reported Tuesday afternoon was 51.
According to the Montana Response COVID-19 case map, there is one new case in Silver Bow County, bringing its total to 4. According to data on the map, the new case is in a woman in her 60s.
Madison County shows one new case, which brings its total to 2 total cases. The new case is in a man in his 70s".
Read the full story here. |
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Post by Admin on Mar 25, 2020 9:07:03 GMT -7
A Message From Governor Bullock to Forum Readers Today I issued a directive to extend closures of public schools and dine-in food service and alcoholic beverage businesses through April 10th. I also mandated social distancing measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Montana and took actions to give our front-line healthcare workers the resources and support they need to do their incredibly difficult jobs.
Yesterday, we saw a 25% increase of our COVID-positive population. And, while I wish it were otherwise, I certainly expect those numbers to increase, as some community spread occurs and as further testing is done.
That is reason for real concern. It is the actions we are taking today – and actions businesses, individuals and each of us take today and in the immediate future that will lessen the spread in Montana.
For the most up to date information regarding COVID-19 in Montana, please visit: covid19.mt.gov/
SCHOOLS: School closures have been extended through April 10th. School districts were instructed last week to create plans, in the event of future closures, for providing (1) education through remote learning, where possible, (2) school meal services, where possible, (3) services for students with disabilities, and (4) other services customarily provided to children in school. Please reach out to your school district superintendent for any questions you have about your district and its plans.
School district contact information, as well as online learning resources, are available through the COVID19 website maintained by the Office of Public Instruction: opi.mt.gov/COVID-19-Information
SOCIAL DISTANCING: Effective immediately, non-essential social and recreational gatherings of individuals outside of a home or place of residence greater than ten people are prohibited, if a distance of at least six feet between individuals cannot be maintained. This measure is consistent with actions taken in other states to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Retail businesses are also required to establish, implement, and enforce social distancing policies to ensure a minimum of six feet between customers, effective March 28, 2020. This requirement does not apply to grocery, health care, medical, or pharmacy services, although they are encouraged to comply with social distancing protocols and worker safety measures if possible.
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS: I also announced measures to give local governments the flexibility they need to adhere to social distancing guidelines and do their part in preventing the spread of COVID-19.
My Directive suspends certain office hours requirements in state law to allow for limited closures where local governments cannot safely operate within social distancing guidelines. The Directive does not allow suspension of hours for offices that are required to maintain public health and safety.
I’m pleased that local governments know they can play a key role in slowing the virus and are taking social distancing measures seriously. Today’s action will keep the public and local government employees safe while maintaining the local services Montanans rely on.
HOSPITALS AND HEALTHCARE WORKERS: Montana is also preparing for a potential surge of patients needing hospital care. On Monday, I announced a Directive that temporarily waives the bidding process to quickly procure or distribute emergency supplies or contract for additional space to care for patients. Additionally, the directive streamlines the process for releasing patients and discharging them back to their home communities without delay as they recover, which will free up beds and equipment for new patients.
As Montanans, we have an obligation to slow the spread of this virus. Our fellow Montanans can all continue to set a good example for each other in adhering to social distancing directives – and know that it will save lives. For every person who stays at home and avoids non-essential gatherings, the better our chances to fight this virus and protect our front line health care workers and emergency responders.
Thank you all again for the comments you have sent my office and sharing this information with others in your community. We must take COVID-19 seriously, and we must prepare for the curve to go up. But with continued focus on the working together as Montanans, our state can get out in front of this and save lives.
Sincerely,
STEVE BULLOCK
Governor |
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Post by Admin on Mar 25, 2020 9:23:19 GMT -7
Those who intentionally spread coronavirus could be charged as terrorists Politico reports:
"People who intentionally spread the coronavirus could face criminal charges under federal terrorism laws, the Justice Department’s No. 2 official said Tuesday.
In a memo to top Justice Department leaders, law enforcement agency chiefs and U.S. Attorneys across the country, Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen said prosecutors and investigators could come across cases of “purposeful exposure and infection of others with COVID-19.”
“Because Coronavirus appears to meet the statutory definition of a ‘biological agent’… such acts potentially could implicate the Nation’s terrorism-related statutes,” Rosen wrote. “Threats or attempts to use COVID-19 as a weapon against Americans will not be tolerated.”
Read the full story here. |
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Post by Admin on Mar 25, 2020 9:26:06 GMT -7
Walmart, Kroger among grocery stores installing plexiglass barriers, social distancing markers amid outbreak Fox News reports:
"Walmart, Kroger, Albertsons, Publix and other major grocery stores are adding physical barriers to keep customers and employees safe during the coronavirus outbreak.
In press releases, both Walmart and Kroger shared that supermarkets would be adding temporary plexiglass sneeze guards to pharmacy lanes and checkout counters.
Walmart shared the news Tuesday, confirming that all locations across the country will install the plexiglass shields at store registers in the next 2 to 3 weeks. The company will also be installing the barriers at both Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacy lanes during the same time period".
Read the full story here. |
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Post by Admin on Mar 25, 2020 9:56:53 GMT -7
LA County Sheriff Orders Closure of Gun Stores, Releases 1,700 Inmates Breitbart News reports:
"Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva has released 1,700 inmates from county facilities and is ordering gun stores in the county closed.
Fox 11 reports the gun store closures are part of the coronavirus stay-at-home order while the release of the inmates is an attempt to slow the spread of the virus in county facilities.
Villanueva is the Director of Emergency Operations, which means “all FEMA requests go through him, and all National Guard requests go through him.”
He said, “When we’re communicating the shelter in place or the safer at home, there’s a lot of anguish, however, the people who have to enforce it are public safety, and we were totally out of the process, we were not involved,”
Villanueva defended his decision to close gun stores, by intimating that all the first-time gun buyers emerging amid the virus crisis create a perilous situation: “I’m a supporter of the 2nd amendment, I’m a gun owner myself, but now you have the mixture of people that are not formerly gun owners and you have a lot more people at home and anytime you introduce a firearm in a home, from what I understand from CDC studies, it increases fourfold the chance that someone is gonna get shot.”
Read the full story here. |
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Post by Admin on Mar 25, 2020 10:00:18 GMT -7
More California Craziness
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti Threat: Water, Power Shut Off if You Don’t Close Up Shop Breitbart News reports:
"Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti threatened “non-essential” businesses Tuesday that if they do not obey the city’s “stay at home” order to close during the pandemic crises, he will cut off their water and their electricity.
Speaking at his daily briefing, the mayor described his new enforcement initiative (via KTLA 5):
The mayor went on to announce the “business ambassadors program” — an effort to get nonessential businesses to close.
“This behavior is irresponsible and selfish,” he said of those that remain open"
Read the full story here. |
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Post by Admin on Mar 25, 2020 10:03:04 GMT -7
Sims – Get America Moving Again: Why Trump Is Right to Re-Open the Economy Breitbart News reports:
"President Donald Trump’s economic policies ushered in an economic boom the likes of which we had not seen in decades, if ever. Now, faced with a pandemic that has ground the world’s economy to a halt, the President faces the unenviable task of trying to head off an immediate public health crisis without inducing a long-term economic crisis that could be even more devastating to the well-being of the American people. So while it is important that the President continue receiving advice from medical experts, as he has been with Dr. Anthony Fauci and others, his recent comments make it clear that he is also smartly taking into account the human impact of the economic decisions he is facing"
Read the full story here. |
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Post by Admin on Mar 25, 2020 10:05:18 GMT -7
Donald Trump Defends Dream of ‘Packed Churches’ on Easter Despite Coronavirus Fight Breitbart News reports:
"President Donald Trump on Tuesday defended his wish for “packed churches” on Easter Sunday, despite some criticism of his stated goal.
“I would love to aim it right at Easter Sunday so we’re open for church services on Easter Sunday, that would be a beautiful thing,” Trump said on Tuesday afternoon in a Fox News interview.
Trump said that Easter was a “very special day” for him and for many others across the country, and expressed optimism that churches could reopen on that day.
“I think that Easter Sunday and you’ll have packed churches all over this country, I think that this will be a beautiful time,” he said.
The president said many Christians around the country were forced to watch their services online as the fight continued against the spread of the coronavirus. He recalled watching a church service of his own from the White House".
Read the full story here. |
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Post by Admin on Mar 25, 2020 10:07:37 GMT -7
Poor Women ‘At Risk’: Pro-Life Leaders Urge Halt to Promotion of Abortion During Coronavirus Crisis Breitbart News reports:
"More than 50 pro-life leaders have sent a letter to Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Alex Azar that urges all public health officials to halt the promotion of abortion as the nation responds to the coronavirus crisis.
The letter reads that many Americans are “rising to the challenge” of doing all they can to prevent the spread of the coronavirus that originated in China.
“Unfortunately, there is one clear outlier – the abortion industry, including the largest abortion chain in the nation, Planned Parenthood,” the national pro-life leaders state, adding:
In acts of manifest fearmongering and self-interest, they are exploiting the anxiety of women and couples by continuing to promote abortion in communities across the country. Planned Parenthood is responsible for nearly 346,000 abortions in the last reporting year, including both surgical and medical procedures carried out in many locations all the way to 24 weeks of pregnancy. By ceasing both surgical and chemical abortions now, Planned Parenthood will free up much needed medical equipment and decrease the demand placed on ER’s due to complications from both medical and surgical abortion. This will protect women who will, without doubt, need follow-up care, including infection treatment and transfusions, from the nation’s emergency care centers and hospitals".
Read the full story here. |
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Post by Admin on Mar 25, 2020 10:11:24 GMT -7
Access to Park County Montana facilities is restricted The Livingston Enterprise reports:
"Park County commissioners on Tuesday approved an emergency resolution to restrict access to county facilities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The resolution goes into effect at the close of business on Tuesday and restricts access to the public at the City/County Complex, Park County Museum, the Park County Fairgrounds and the Park County Extension Office.
The resolution is an effort to protect the public but also the employees who continue working in buildings such as the City/County Complex, which is home to most Park County offices and departments including the Sheriff’s Office, Clerk and Recorder’s Office, Park County Treasurer, District Court and Justice Court, among others".
Read the full story here. |
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Post by Admin on Mar 25, 2020 10:13:52 GMT -7
Official: Self-quarantine if traveled out of Park County Montana The Livingston Enterprise reports:
"An open letter by Livingston HealthCare Chief Medical Officer Scott Coleman recommended people who have traveled outside Park County self-quarantine for 14 days upon return to limit spread of COVID-19.
Travel outside Park County should be severely restricted or cease entirely, Coleman said.
The next three weeks present an opportunity to avert much of the suffering being seen in other locations, Coleman wrote.
“Our businesses must understand that should we be successful in avoiding a surge of infections, we will also be poised for an earlier and faster recovery,” Coleman wrote. “This message must reach all Park County Residents. Each of us controls our collective destiny. We must not just enforce our own behavior in this crisis, but be outspoken and enforce and educate others around us. There is too much at stake.”
Read the full story here. |
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