The governor said the lack of supplies is contributing to the delay in testing for the coronavirus and creating danger for healthcare workers.
coronavirus
Our COVID-19 Tracker Gives You County-Level Data On The Coronavirus
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Since Kentucky’s first COVID-19 patient was confirmed nearly a month ago, cases of the disease caused by the novel coronavirus have continued to increase in the state. Along with that increase in cases comes an increase in questions:
How many cases are there around me? How many people in my community have died? How do other health issues increase the risk of serious illness due to coronavirus in my community? These questions are hard to answer right now due to the speed at which data are being reported.
coronavirus
U of L Hospital Interpreters Still Working In-Person, Despite Health Concerns
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They say they have been told they cannot work remotely and sent between units without appropriate protective gear, interacting with both potential coronavirus patients and highly immuno-compromised patients.
Government
The Rent Is Due. What If You Can’t Pay?
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It’s the first new month since the coronavirus swept into Kentucky, and for thousands of families, that means the rent is due. Many, though, may struggle to pay that bill this month. The spreading COVID-19 pandemic has led to the shuttering of scores of business, sparking layoffs and furloughs. Renters make up about 33 percent of Kentucky’s 1.7 million households, according to data from the Metropolitan Housing Coalition. The rate is slightly higher in Jefferson County, where renters account for about 38 percent of households.
Amid An Already ‘Strained System,’ County Jails Release 3,200 Inmates
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The cuts reflect a 28 percent reduction in the state’s county jail population.
Business
Louisville Call Centers Change Policies, Allow Some Remote Work
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While call centers have not been ordered to close in Kentucky, Gov. Andy Beshear said he would take further action if the employers didn’t find a way to comply with social distancing guidelines.
coronavirus
Complaints Allege Restaurants Open, Workplaces Crowded Despite Orders
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As the COVID-19 disease continues to spread, Louisville Metro officials are receiving a deluge of complaints from residents about businesses not heeding calls to shut down or scale back services. Since Gov. Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency earlier this month, 114 complaints related to the coronavirus have been reported to city health officials as of noon Monday, according to online records.
The complaints range from restaurants defying the governor’s order to close, factories and warehouses neglecting to provide safe conditions for workers, and other services falling short on social distancing. Nearly 70 of the complaints came in Monday morning — a day after Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer encouraged residents to report businesses that fail to take necessary precautions to avoid spreading the contagious virus.
Many of the complaints mirror national worries about the spreading pandemic: supply shortages for health workers, the lack of personal space in daily life. One complainant alleged staff at a local hospital were not being allowed to work from home, despite being told they are non-essential. Several people complained of cramped bus rides or packed factory floors.
2020
Rape Crisis Centers, Domestic Violence Shelters Are Open — With Some Changes
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The pandemic creates risk factors for domestic and sexual violence. Kentucky’s service providers are still open and ready to help.
Unemployment Insurance: How It Works And How To Apply
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Note: This story has been updated to reflect changes since it was originally published on March 18. The coronavirus pandemic has left many in Kentucky jobless, and many more will lose their jobs in the coming weeks. Researchers at the Federal Reserve’s St. Louis district estimate the unemployment rate could hit 32 percent due to the coronavirus. But access to unemployment insurance has been greatly expanded for those who have lost their jobs to help ease the burden.
Gov. Andy Beshear issued an executive order on March 25, expanding unemployment eligibility to workers not typically covered by the program, including the self-employed, independent contractors, freelance workers, substitute teachers and childcare workers employed by religious groups and nonprofits.
Business
Remote Work, Social Distancing Not Offered To Some Workers
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Bars and restaurants are closed. Schools are shuttered. Several major corporations, like Ford, have suspended operations. Others, like Humana, have allowed many employees to work from home. Even Kentucky’s sacred trifecta — church, basketball games and horse races — have all been canceled or postponed for the foreseeable future.
Addiction Recovery Services Lean On Social Distance, Phone Calls Through Pandemic
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Each week, about 400 Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are held across the Louisville Metro area. Many of these meetings take place in houses of worship, and now dozens of meetings are being cancelled due to concerns about the spreading of COVID-19. This can put people struggling with addiction in a tough spot, especially people just starting their journey to recovery, said Sally S., the chair of the Greater Louisville Intergroup of Alcoholics Anonymous. Sally is a recovering alcoholic of 28 years and in a 12-step program. “It’s scary,” she said.
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