WFMY News 2 is providing daily coronavirus updates with the latest information from emergency leaders, the state's task force, health departments, universities, school districts and a lot more.
THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2020
9:47 p.m. - Winston-Salem to suspend non-essential city services beginning
on April 6.
The City of Winston-Salem will suspend the following:
- Bulky item collection
- Yard cart collection
- Brush and limb collection
- Mowing and landscaping
- Litter clean-up
- Proactive housing and environmental code enforcement
- Routine street and drainage maintenance
- Variety of administrative and support functions
- On-and-off street parking enforcement
9:30 p.m. - Sheetz employee tests positive for COVID-19 in Trinity
“Sheetz has been informed that an employee at our store location along Finch Farm Road in Trinity has tested positive for COVID-19. Since the beginning of this crisis, we have been focused on the health and wellness of our customers and employees. Because of this positive test, this store location is closed immediately and will be professionally deep cleaned and disinfected. Our gas pumps will also be sanitized and cleaned.
We are working with employees who may have had close contact with this employee. We are also following guidelines set by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, in addition to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. All employees will be fully paid while this store remains closed. This location will not reopen until we have ensured that all steps have been taken to protect our community. Your safety is our top priority and that will continue to be our first thought as we join the nation in navigating this unprecedented health crisis."
Statement from Nick Ruffner, PR Manager at Sheetz
9:15 p.m. - A Randolph County Deputy has tested positive for COVID-19.
6:00 p.m. - Three more coronavirus deaths confirmed in Guilford County. The total in our state, now up to 19.
5:30 p.m. - WFMY News 2 hosts a live Q&A. We're answering your questions about the stay-at-home order and emergency services. Text your questions to 336-379-5775 or leave them on our Facebook page.
5:00 p.m. - Publix just announced today it will offer contactless payment options – those that allow customers to use a smartphone or contactless-enabled credit/debit card – at all its stores by this Saturday, April 4.
This launch is the latest effort by Publix to protect the health and well-being of its customers and associates during the coronavirus pandemic, which includes the installation of plexiglass register shields, heightened disinfection programs and designated senior shopping hours.
4:00 p.m. - Wilkes County EMS teams up with LuRay Textiles to get medical masks.
LuRay Textiles, located in the Mulberry community, recently manufactured 400 face masks for use by both patients and medical technicians.
3:45 p.m. Greensboro Parks and Recreation closes bathrooms, skate parks, and basketball courts.
To further prevent the spread of COVID-19, and to protect the health and safety of staff and residents, the following changes will be in place as of Friday, April 3:
- Public restrooms will be closed at Gateway Gardens, Greensboro Arboretum, Bicentennial Garden, Barber Park, Country Park, Hester Park, Keeley Park, Market Street, Lake Daniel Park, Lake Brandt, Lake Higgins, and Lake Townsend.
- Skate parks will be closed.
- Basketball courts will be closed.
Regional parks, gardens, and lakes are open 10 am to 3 pm daily.
3:34 p.m. - The public is being asked to maintain strict social distancing recommendations while shopping at farmer markets.
Tips for shopping at farmers markets during this time of restricted movement:
- Plan to shop on a lower-traffic day and not the weekends. There is a good selection of seasonal items throughout the week. Fewer people shopping helps increases the distance between people.
- Come to the market with a purpose. Bring a shopping list to be sure you get what you need.
- If your favorite vendor offers curbside service, make use of this service. Curbside pick-up reduces foot traffic at the market and contact with others.
- Don’t hang out at a stand after your purchase. This opens up space for the next shopper.
- Designate a shopper for your family and do not bring everyone to the market. Once this pandemic is under control, we will look forward to activities returning to normal. Right now, shopping should be viewed as a necessity.
- Be mindful and courteous of other shoppers. Keep your distance while waiting to make a purchase. Remember, six feet is equal to two yard sticks lined up end to end.
There are four state-operated farmers markets, including the State Farmers Market in Raleigh, the Robert G. Shaw Piedmont Triad Farmers Market in Colfax, the WNC Farmers Market in Asheville and the Charlotte Regional Farmers Market.
3:30 p.m. - In response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, the City of High Point will open the “utility payment drive-thru” located at 309 E Green Drive (adjacent to the USPS office).
The drive-thru will open on Friday, April 3, 2020, at 8 a.m. Until further notice, the hours of operation will be Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. (excluding holidays). This location can be accessed by turning onto Commerce Ct. from E. Commerce Ave.
3:00 p.m. - Homemade masks can play an important role in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic but the type of fabric used is key to their effectiveness, according to tests performed at Wake Forest Baptist Health.
The best-performing design was constructed of two layers of high-quality, heavyweight “quilter’s cotton” with a thread count of 180 or more, and those with especially tight weave and thicker thread such as batiks. A double-layer mask with a simple cotton outer layer and an inner layer of flannel also performed well,” said Scott Segal, M.D., chair of anesthesiology at Wake Forest Baptist.
2:45 p.m. - Four cases of COVID-19 confirmed in prisons. All four cases were in isolation.
They now are in medical isolation. State correctional facilities have started making masks at the rate of 6,000 per week.
2:30 p.m. - The North Carolina unemployment center has received 350,000 claims, roughly 1,000 per hour.
To cope with the overwhelming numbers, the state is modifying phones, transitioning the server to the cloud, hiring more workers to respond to the phones and to help process claims (200 people currently staffed) and increasing hours with the private call center.
2 p.m. - NC Department of Health and Human Services provides coronavirus updates
1:45 p.m. - CoreLife Eater announced they will offer free meals, each Monday in April, to essential and front line medical workers starting April 6.
The business said in addition to the free meal, said workers will receive 50% off every other day in the month of April when they come to take out or call in an order.
The company said staff would just need to show their ID at pickup or delivery.
12:27 p.m. - Davidson County Schools confirmed one of their employees was diagnosed with the coronavirus.
The school system said they are taking steps to disinfect the various space the employee may have been.
12:15 p.m. - Carolina Panthers Running Back Christian McCaffrey announced he is starting a new initiative to support healthcare workers in the Carolinas.
McCaffrey said he will be directing the funds raised to the NC Healthcare Foundation and South Carolina Hospital Association Foundation.
12:03 p.m. - The Biltmore Estate in North Carolina announces they are furloughing 2,200 employees after temporarily closing their doors because of the coronavirus outbreak.
11:10 a.m. - The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reports there are 1,857 positive cases of coronavirus statewide and 16 coronavirus-related deaths.
9:00 a.m. - Lexington City Schools announces a staff member with the school system recently tested positive for the coronavirus, this past Wednesday.
The school system said all child nutrition operations have been moved to another location which was not previously used for meal preparation or delivery.
8:23 a.m. - Mebane McDonald's is offering free kids meals for students.
Many family-owned restaurants are helping families in need, now a national chain is offering its support during the coronavirus pandemic.
The McDonald’s in Mebane is providing free kids meals for children under the age of 12 Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.
7:30 a.m. - Moe’s Southwest Grill says customers can order through the Moe’s app, website or in-store and it can be available for curbside pickup, delivery, and to go for free until April 10.
The business is also aiming to help those impacted by the coronavirus by running "Moe's Market" to supply grocery essentials that are sold out at many stores.
Moe’s is offering customers a la carte proteins in 3 or 5lb orders, such as chicken, pork, beef, etc., as well as a la carte ingredients like fresh rice, beans, chips, salsa, and more.
5:05 a.m. - The United States Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service announced that distribution of economic impact payments - or coronavirus stimulus payments - will begin soon and will be distributed automatically, with no action required for most people.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) released the following information regarding economic impact payments:
- No payment or personal information is required to receive a recovery check. The IRS has your tax information and will deposit your stimulus money into the same banking account on your last tax return or it will mail the check directly to you.
- If you typically do not file a tax return, you will need to file a simple tax return to receive the stimulus. See IRS.gov/coronavirus for more information on filing this return.
- The IRS will use your tax return for your address and to calculate and send payments. If you filed in 2019, that information will be used. If you have not filed your 2019 return yet, 2018 filing information will be used.
- No one will call or email you from the government regarding your check. If you get a text, phone call, or email asking you for your personal information, do not respond.
- Be sure you are eligible. Tax filers who have adjusted gross income levels of $75,000 for individuals and $150,000 for couples will receive full payment. Payment is reduced by $5 for each $100 above that threshold. Individuals with income above $99,000 or couples above $198,000 with no children are not eligible.
- Reach out. If anyone contacts you to get your personal information, then tries to keep you on the phone or rush you to a decision, hang up. Ask someone you trust, like a family member or financial advisor, for advice.
FACTS NOT FEAR
Remember facts, not fear when talking about the coronavirus. You should take the same measures recommended by health leaders to prevent the spread of the flu and other viruses. That means washing your hands, avoiding touching your face, and covering coughs and sneezes.
WHERE YOU GET INFORMATION ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS IS IMPORTANT
It is important to make sure the information you are getting about the coronavirus is coming directly from reliable sources like the CDC and NCDHHS. Be careful not to spread misinformation about coronavirus on social media.
NC CORONAVIRUS HOTLINE
The state also has a special hotline set up where you can call 2-1-1 or 866-462-3821 for more information on the coronavirus. You can also submit questions online at ncpoisoncontrol.org or select chat to talk with someone about the virus.
You can also text keyword VIRUS to WFMY News 2 at 336-379-5775 to find out more information.
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