• As mentioned in last night’s newsletter, North Carolina will remain in Phase 2 of its phased reopening when the governor’s current executive order expires on Friday, July 17^th. The Phase 2 order will be extended, for three weeks, until Aug. 7.

• The Governor also announced that North Carolina public schools will be re-opening in the fall for both in-person and remote learning, implementing specific safety precautions to protect the health of students, teachers, staff and families.
• More information here.
• StrongSchoolsNC Public Health Guidance
• School Children and COVID-19

• North Carolina continues to report record-high numbers of hospitalizations due to the virus. As of earlier today there are 1,142 individuals hospitalized due to COVID-19, up from the previous record of 1,109 set just yesterday. It’s the seventh consecutive day that hospitalizations have exceeded 1,000. 

• I think it is important to point out that this should not be unexpected. As any virus moves through the population, it is inevitable that you are going to have more infections and spikes. The key is to keep it at a rate that is manageable for our health care professionals so that everyone can be properly treated who does contract it. We must do our part though to keep the inevitable spikes as low as possible by wearing a mask when around other people, washing our hands frequently, and being conscientious about social distancing while we go about our daily lives. 

• Speaking of wearing a mask, the CDC is calling on Americans to wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as more and more data indicate that face coverings are critical in helping prevent people who have COVID-19 from spreading it to others. The CDC cites a specific case in Missouri, where wearing a mask prevented the spread of COVID infection from two hair stylists to their customers. Both stylists developed COVID-19 symptoms but were wearing masks while serving customers, and none of the stylists’ 139 clients or secondary contacts became ill. All 67 clients who volunteered to be tested showed no signs of infection.

• Wal-Mart announced today that effective Monday, July 20, all shoppers will be required to wear a mask or face covering in Wal-Mart of Sam’s Club stores nationwide, regardless of whether a mask requirement is in effect in the state or locality the store is located. Shoppers without masks will be provided complimentary masks or can purchase a mask in-store. More information from Wal-Mart here.

• The North Carolina High School Sports Association announced that it would now delay the start of the fall high school sports season until at least September 1, 2020. Phase One of summer conditioning workouts will continue, however. More information from the Association here:

• Brunswick County Schools is asking parents who want their children to participate in 100 percent remote learning for the upcoming school year to fill out an application as part of a data-gathering process. The deadline to apply is 8 a.m. on July 22^nd and a one-semester commitment is required. To apply, click here.

• For today’s good news story, I’m highlighting the Warsaw Fire Department in Duplin County, which will soon be receiving a $350,000 federal grant from USDA Rural Development to support the purchase of two new tanker trucks. The department’s existing fleet of tanker trucks is growing older and becoming more maintenance-intensive, and this grant will help these first-responders continue to do their lifesaving work in our community. Keep up the great work!