Capitol
Sunday
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced 45 new coronavirus cases were reported as of 4 p.m. today.
The new cases are from Fayette, Jefferson, Hopkins, Boyd, McCracken, Taylor, Calloway, Lewis, Nelson, Scott, Franklin, Campbell and Kenton counties.
Kentucky Department of Public Health Commissioner Steven Stack said the coming weeks are pivotal to slowing the spread of coronavirus.
“We’re in crunch time,” Stack said. “If you do the things the governor has asked you to do, that’s where everyone has the best chance to stay healthy and well.”
Beshear alluded to the possibility of golf courses being shut down as spring weather is causing more Kentuckians to hit the links together.
“If you are on a golf course, you should be able to practice social distancing,” Beshear said. “But if two dozen of you are standing around the practice putting green, then you have frustrated everything you have done throughout the entire week. I know it’s beautiful outside, but, folks, this is real.”
Beshear also discouraged Kentuckians from running with non-family members.
“The moment we start running with friends or running with a group is when we take a good thing and end up using it as a way to socialize and spread our contacts,” Beshear said.
Frequenting the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 hotline have been reports of home improvement stores not enforcing social distancing.
“We’re going to have to have calls with those that run those facilities,” Beshear said. “Either those stores find a way to enforce social distancing, or we’re going to see how essential they are.”
Saturday
Ninety-two new cases of coronavirus have been reported by Kentucky health departments. None of the new cases are from Calloway County.
“I believe now we are more united than I have ever seen,” Beshear said. “With this adversary, every single one of us has to live up to our duty as a member of the Commonwealth, and as a patriotic American, to protect those around us.”
Beshear called out a mass gathering in Louisville and public funerals as culprits of the increasing spread. The governor also wants parents to hold their children accountable for not playing with neighborhood kids.
“Unless you’re going to work or getting groceries, you ought to be at home,” Beshear said. “It doesn’t mean you can’t get out and enjoy the outside, but it does mean you can’t socialize with people when you’re out there.”
The Commonwealth received a major disaster declaration today from the federal government. The declaration will help the state government cover up to 75% of certain approved expenses.
The declaration also enables the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to reimburse the state government for costs associated with coronavirus regulations that protect public health and safety.
Covered expenses can include:
- Costs associated with state health emergency operations
- Disinfecting eligible facilities
- Providing temporary medical facilities
- Purchasing equipment and supplies
- Directing law enforcement to provide necessary assistance
Beshear hopes an announcement regarding drive-thru testing will be released early next week. These resources will first be for the sickest, first responders and healthcare workers.
Additionally, in-person meetings for WIC and SNAP benefits have been waived. If you need food stamps, call 1-855-306-8595.
Friday
Beshear announced three additional coronavirus-related deaths: a 75-year-old female from Fayette County, a 77-year-old male from Hopkins County and a 73-year-old female from Jefferson County.
The Governor’s Mansion and Capitol Dome were lit green to show compassion to those families who lost their loved ones.
“I want us to think about their families,” Beshear said. “Most people you are protecting [by staying home] you will never see and you will never know.”
Beshear urged Kentuckians to honor the sacrifices of those in their counties by not traveling to Tennessee, where the coronavirus is more widespread.
“If you are a Kentuckian living on that border, I need you to not go to Tennessee other than going to work, helping a loved one or maybe the grocery,” Beshear said. “I cannot control that Tennessee is not taking the steps that [Kentucky] has.”
Twin sisters, Rose and Rosetta Jackson of Christian County started “Operation Adopt a Grandparent” for citizens to run errands for nearly 150 people living in assisted care facilities.
“I’ve always believed the Commonwealth is such a special place where we have a sense of home and a sense of belonging,” Beshear said. “Now we have to prove that we are resilient enough to continue putting humanity and our fellow person above our self-interest to get out over the weekend.”
The broadcast ended with a message from University of Kentucky Basketball Coach John Calipari.
“We’re trying to keep this virus at bay, but we’re also trying to help each other,” Calipari said. “That’s what Kentucky is.”
Calloway
COVID-19
The Calloway County Health Department received notification of the county’s third confirmed case of coronavirus on Sunday. Additional information about the person could not be released because of medical privacy laws.
Grocery Grab & Go
Tribe Fitness in Murray is hosting a free grocery grab and go for anyone who is in need on Sunday from 1-3 p.m. Tribe Fitness is located on 400 N 4th St. Family and friends can get groceries for those who cannot leave their house.
MSU Engineering
Murray State professor Dr. Rudy Ottway and engineering graphics design student Clay Doran are producing face shields to donate to hospitals during the coronavirus pandemic. Using 3D printers, the duo is using an open-source blueprint to produce the face shields. They plan to have 300 completed shields by early next week.
Need Line
Need Line, a Murray food bank, is remaining open with a drive-thru on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Pass/Fail
Murray State Provost Tim Todd announced Thursday that Murray State students will have the option to choose between receiving traditional letter grades or taking classes as pass/fail this semester (some exceptions apply). The deadline for students to submit their request is Friday, April 24. Students are encouraged to email their advisers before submitting the online request. More information is expected to be released next week from the Provost’s Office.
Honors College Virtual Graduation Celebration
In lieu of the Honors College graduation celebration, Honors College Counselors Carole Inman and Dominique Taylor are preparing a slideshow to be shared on social media. Honors students are encouraged to email pictures from their Murray State experience to cinman@murraystate.edu.