Students from Western Carolina University’s College of Engineering and Technology have checked out 3D printers from the university and are using them from home to help produce face shields for use by health care professionals during the global COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the loss of jobs, income and health insurance coverage for millions. Some life changes, such as losing health insurance through your job, may qualify consumers for Special Enrollments Periods through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance marketplace at www.healthcare.gov, but the time to report that life change and sign up is limited — only 60 days. 

State transportation officials announced a public-private partnership that will use drones to deliver critical medical supplies and food during the COVID-19 response.       

As people across North Carolina have taken lifesaving measures to stop the spread of COVID-19, traffic volumes have plummeted, causing at least a $300 million budget shortfall for the N.C. Department of Transportation for this fiscal year ending June 30.

Earlier this afternoon, Gov. Roy Cooper closed all North Carolina public schools for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.

The Jackson County Department of Public Health has been notified of three additional positive cases of COVID-19 associated with the Apodaca Science Building at Western Carolina University’s campus. 

Asheville’s thrumming downtown, a darling of the “best of” list makers and an economic hub for Western North Carolina, stands quiet as its once harried restaurant owners, beer-thirsty tourists and Millennial workers hunker down to avoid the health threat posed by a deadly coronavirus.

Tammy Maney became a public health nurse with the Haywood County Health Department in 2001. During COVID-19 she serves as a nurse, staffing the Haywood County Covid Call Center.

The Jackson County Department of Public Health (JCDPH) has been notified of a positive case of COVID19 in a subcontractor working on a construction site at Western Carolina University’s campus.

Firefighters responded to two wildfires late April 14 near Fontana Lake in Graham County. Both fires burned on U.S. Forest Service land on the Nantahala National Forest Cheoah Ranger District but were 100 percent contained as of April 20.

The public has stepped up to contribute nearly $50,000 to the N.C. Arboretum’s Staff Support Fund, allowing staff to remain employed and create innovative programming while the arboretum campus remains closed to the public. 

It’s National Park Week, and a new website from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park featuring videos and activities for students of all ages will help families celebrate despite the park’s coronavirus-induced closure. 

To the Editor:

How strange is it that some of you are becoming the thing you hate the most? In 2019, you were afraid to walk by a person that lives on the street. You said you’d never be that person. In 2020, you are afraid you’ll be that person. Oh, the irony. 

You protest the “stay home stay safe” orders. You blame your government for your fear of losing your house. You don’t care if elderly and immune-compromised people die, you want your life back the way it was before you saw your mounting debt and empty cupboard. 

In 2019 we wanted healthcare for all. Mental illness is a big factor in losing your home and being unable to work or be stable. We wanted easy and free access to doctors, prescriptions, and supportive programs that manage mental illness and addiction. We blamed the government and voters for this lack of a cure. After all, it is their fault so many go without. 

Did you care back then when people needed help? Did you care back then about really finding a solution to people without shelter, and people suffering addiction? Did you just want them gone and out of sight?

Now that you are scared and wondering how you will survive during this shut down, should I pack your bags for you when they take your home?

Irene Tyli

Haywood County

To the Editor:

Trump’s attack on the WHO (World Health Organization) is classic Trump. Make bad decisions and then blame someone else for the consequences.

The reality is that the WHO issued warnings about COVID-19 long before Trump took any action whatsoever to do anything about it. WHO issued its first warning on Jan. 9. On Jan. 18, Health Secretary Alex Azar tried to brief Trump on the virus, but Trump ignored him. On Jan. 22, Trump said the U.S. had the pandemic “totally under control.” On Jan. 23, WHO updated warnings regarding human-to-human transmission. On the previous day, Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arizona) urged the White House to issue a China travel ban. Jan. 30, WHO declares COVID-19 a “public health emergency” but the same day Wilbur Ross, Treasury Secretary, says the virus in China will be good for the US economy. On Feb. 2, Trump finally restricts travel from China — almost a month after the first WHO warning.

Why is Trump attacking WHO when it is he who delayed? One reason is because Trump wants credit for everything good and the responsibility for nothing bad. The other reason might be that new WHO guidelines consisting of five prerequisites for opening up the economy are far from where the U.S. currently is. We fail even the first guideline, which is containing the spread. The second is widespread testing. Meeting these two alone will take at least a month — if ever, given that some Republican governors following Trump’s lead regarding an open economy are doing nothing.

On the topic of testing, Trump rejected the WHO offer for tests and insisted that tests had to be developed in the U.S. That first effort resulted in faulty tests that delayed any testing for weeks. It soon became clear that producing and distributing testing for COVID-19 was beyond the capability of the lackeys at the head of the Trump administration. So, Trump declared that testing had to be the responsibility of the states via the governors.

Trump is great at exercising magical thinking whereby whatever he says suddenly becomes real. Fortunately, Mother Nature cannot be gaslighted. COVID-19 does not follow daily rallies disguised as briefings. Trump and company can make all kinds of pronouncements and brag about what they are doing, but then reality rears its ugly head. People have died for lack of ventilators. People will die due to lack of testing. There are locals with a lack of medical equipment and tests. The fault for this is a failure of national leadership. Pence and others can butter up Trump about his great leadership, but there is not enough lipstick to put on this pig to make it anything else.

Norman Hoffmann

Waynesville

To the Editor:

The “front line” people who risk their lives and health (both mental and physical) to help safeguard us deserve our thanks and our praise, especially in light of the current pandemic. They are all heroes and I hope that they will be publicly rewarded whenever it becomes possible to do that. 

Meanwhile I want to give a special shout-out for Dr. Mark Jaben, the medical director for the Haywood County Health Department. What a precious asset he has been! I don’t know where or how he developed such amazing communications skills, but I am in awe that he is able to address issues head-on in a way that should not alienate people who disagree with him. Haywood is indeed fortunate to have competent leaders and Dr. Jaben is an outstanding example.

Heartfelt thanks to all who are doing their best to keep us safe through this ordeal.

Joanne Strop

Waynesville

Fresh vegetables won’t last forever in your refrigerator, and if the ones you’ve purchased are looking a little sad and soft or limp, it’s time to use them. 

Bar trivia is a cherished tradition for many in Western North Carolina, but such quiz nights are one of the many causalities of the COVID-19 closures that have swept our nation and the world at large.

Terry Troutman has been the Chief of the Clyde Police Department for six years.

North Shore Cemetery Association announced the cancellation of all North Shore Cemetery Decorations through June 15. At present, all group activities within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are suspended through June 15 and this may change in the future given the complexity and unknown factors concerning the Covid-19 pandemic.

WNC Climate Action Coalition, based in Haywood County, is bringing Earth Day Live 2020 home with an online broadcast at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22, the 50th anniversary of the first Earth Day.

Officer Shanna Bellows has been with the Maggie Valley Police Department since May 2019. Like everyone these days, her daily routines have changed during COVID-19.

By Bob Scott • Guest Columnist | At 5:30 this morning I was staring at the ceiling. I doubt that I was alone. Many of us are awake worrying about the present, unprecedented situation.

During these extraordinary times we are seeing the fortitude and resilience of ordinary folks among us. I see it every day. Our emergency services folks, the men and women who are facing uncertain financial times but are holding up. The people who cut our hair and are now having to watch helplessly as we become shaggy. The women and men behind the cash registers at the check out lines in our grocery stores. Our restaurant people who are not going to see us go hungry so they bring our order out to our cars with curbside service. 

Senior Officer/K-9 Officer Jason Reynolds has been with Waynesville Police Department for almost eight years. He has served as a member of the SRT team, the Honor Guard member and as a K-9 handler.

Haywood County Public Health received notice April 17 that a fifth Haywood County resident has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. The individual is in isolation at home since the exposure to the virus.

Haywood Regional Medical Center has added telemedicine to its offerings. The announcement comes on the heels of the Trump administration’s unprecedented expansion of telehealth services.

Haywood County Public Health received notice April 15 that a fourth Haywood County resident has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. The individual is in isolation since the initial symptoms.

Firefighters responded to two wildfires late April 14 near Fontana Lake in Graham County. Both fires are burning on U.S. Forest Service land on the Nantahala National Forest Cheoah Ranger District and were 90 percent contained as of April 16.

The Great Smoky Mountains Association is bringing the Great Smoky Mountains National Park into living rooms nationwide through its new Smokies LIVE virtual magazine. 

Alarka Institute has suspended all of its planned April outings but is offering multiple opportunities to engage with nature through distance learning. 

The northernmost 13 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway, which abut Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, are closed as of Wednesday, April 8, as part of the effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. 

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy has requested that the federal government officially close the 2,193-mile Appalachian National Scenic Trail in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Many state forests in North Carolina are seeing visitation two or three times greater than what is typical this time of year, stretching resources and making it harder for people to practice proper social distancing. 

To the Editor:

These are challenging days for everyone. This is particularly true for the long-term healthcare community. Whether you are a resident, the family members, friends, or other acquaintances of a resident; or, someone who is in an administrative position or works as direct-care staff in a long-term healthcare facility, you are probably stressed out and anxious (justifiably) about Covid-19. 

As the Regional Long-Term Care Ombudsman (RLTCO) with the Southwestern Commission- Area Agency on Aging, serving the seven western-most counties in North Carolina — Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Swain — I offer some suggestions of ways to deal with this challenging time in regards to the long-term healthcare community.

• Be grateful for the facilities and those who are working to provide care for the residents who live in the facilities. These staff members are seeking, while at personal risks to their own health and that of those closest to them, to provide for the needs of the residents in ways that are adequate and appropriate.

• As you have opportunity, express your gratitude to those that are staffing the facilities. Kind words and simple tokens of appreciation can go a long way in encouraging these folks to keep on doing their work on behalf of the residents.

• Strive to be realistic and reasonable. Realistically, no one knows the many ways Covid-19 will impact the facilities and the entire long-term healthcare communities. The numerous limitations and restrictions that have been put into place will be frustrating for those desiring to have intimate contact with residents. The unavailability of needed equipment and supplies to address Covid-19 will be difficult to accept. The expected increase in the number of those who will test positive to the disease will be frightening and the results (deaths) devastating. These things, and so many more are likely to happen before an improvement in containing and controlling the spread of the virus occurs. The best way to approach these issues is to be reasonable. Inasmuch as is possible, practice patience, kindness, understanding, and advocacy for best practice in caring for the residents. Reasonableness requires that responses exhibit control of anger outbursts, avoidance of excessive demands, and a willingness to listen to the explanation of those most closely engaged in the situation. 

Please be assured that it is acceptable to raise any concerns and complaints that you may have during these days. If you suspect that a resident has been abused, intentionally neglected, or is being (or has been) financially exploited, contact the Department of Social Services-Adult Protective Services (DSS-APS) in the county where it occurred. If you suspect that the rights of a resident are not being honored, or there are questions concerning the quality of life experienced by the resident, contact the RLTCO (828.586.1962, ext. 223). You will be asked to leave a voice message and will receive a return call. If you prefer, call your complaint to North Carolina Division of Health Services Regulations (NC-DHSR) at 1.800.624.3004 (within NC) or 1.919.855.4500. Again, be realistic and understand that your complaints will be handled in a timely manner, given the current situation. And, be reasonable and understand whatever resolution may be possible will be dependent on the restrictions and limitations in place due to Covid-19.

Larry Reeves,

Long-term care ombudsman

Sylva

To the Editor:

For the past several weeks, Haywood Regional Medical Center (HRMC) has been busy preparing for COVID-19 to reach our community. We have built upon our robust emergency operations plan that we have in place year-round by updating policies, implementing new protocol, educating our staff and working with our community partners. But in all this preparation, HRMC has never been alone.   

Today, I write to share my appreciation to our community. Thank you to the countless individuals and organizations who have generously donated critically important supplies and resources and offered inspiring words of encouragement to our team. In this crisis, the true meaning of community has never been more apparent or appreciated. 

Last week, the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office and EMS passed out roses during a shift change to lift the spirits of our hardworking staff. Community members have brought in surgical masks and N95 respirators to add to the resources we’re working to preserve. Local restaurants and businesses have sent food to treat our folks as they work. Many people have donated homemade cloth masks to our hospital and local EMS — an incredible labor of love. And these are just a few of the many examples that exist. 

The outpouring of love and encouragement from our community has been overwhelming, and it makes us so proud to call Haywood County our home. HRMC stands ready to serve you — our neighbors, family and friends. Please continue to keep our community safe and prevent further spread of this disease: 

• Practice social distancing. 

• Wash your hands often. 

• If you must go out in public, wear masks to protect those around you.

• We’re working for you; please stay home for us. 

To learn more about Haywood Regional Medical Center’s COVID-19 preparedness and what you can do to help stay well, visit www.MyHaywoodRegional.com. 

Rod Harkleroad

HRMC CEO

Camping is no longer allowed in the Pisgah National Forest following an order enacted April 13. 

Mountain BizWorks, working with Dogwood Health Trust, announced a targeted effort to provide increased access to the highly anticipated Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program for nonprofits and small businesses in the region, with a focus on rural and minority and women-led organizations.

One of the ways the Jackson County Tourism Development Authority is trying to help those seeking work as a result of the Coronavirus Pandemic is by collecting, cultivating and updating a long list of websites featuring “help wanted” ads.

Another great pantry staple is RICE. Do you know that there are different types of rice and some types work better in certain dishes?

Jori Miller began her public service career as a wildland firefighter in the ‘80s. Since then she has also trained as an Advanced EMT, a veterinary technician and most recently as an incident management team safety officer, the role she is currently serving in during Covid-19.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park rangers responded to a report of a small plane crash approximately 6 miles west of Clingmans Dome at approximately 11 a.m. on Friday, April 10.

Andrew Messer has worked in public safety since 2001. He began as a volunteer firefighter, but has also worked as a 911 dispatcher and an EMT as well.

Officer Megan Taylor is the community outreach officer in Canton, working primarily in investigations but also on patrol at times. In her role, she bridges the gap between the agency and the community.

This moment is unprecedented. In North Carolina, COVID-19 will likely infect millions, kill thousands, leave thousands unemployed and devastate families financially. We can do three things now to protect the health and financial security of everyone in North Carolina:

Macon County Public Health received notice on late Wednesday evening, April 8, 2020, that a second Macon County resident has tested positive for COVID–19.

As COVID-19 protocols began taking effect in the Asheville area, registered nurses in a primary care residency and fellows program at Western Carolina University made a quick shift to assist an at-risk population while still continuing their training.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is providing financial assistance to help essential workers afford child care and bonuses to child care teachers and staff who provide care during the COVID-19 crisis. 

Mountain BizWorks, working with Dogwood Health Trust, announced today a targeted effort to provide increased access to the highly anticipated Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program for nonprofits and small businesses in the region, with a focus on rural and minority and women-led organizations.

Don’t flush paper towels, napkins, and wet wipes of any kind — even the ones that say flushable — so that wastewater and water treatment plants will keep working properly.

The Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests in North Carolina, and the Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee are temporarily shutting down trailhead facilities and other access points to the Appalachian National Scenic Trail to prevent groups from congregating and to protect public health and safety.