COVID-19 EVENT/INFORMATION UPDATES

The COVID-19 outbreak has caused many local events to be canceled or postponed to help limit the spread of the virus. This information was made available to The Times as of press time Monday (Sports updates can be found on Page 8):

STATE UPDATES

• Indiana will adhere to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for large events and mass gatherings. The guidance recommends no in-person events of more than 50 people. Bars, nightclubs and restaurants are required to close to in-person patrons and may provide take-out and delivery services through the end of March.

• Communities are encouraged to work together to provide child care options for all who need assistance and delivery services of meals and other necessities for senior citizens

• Hoosiers who can donate blood are encouraged to visit local blood centers. Blood supplies are low.

• State agencies already are developing remote work plans for employees and will continue to implement them while maintaining necessary state services. Employees who work outdoors are encouraged to practice social distancing

• Hoosiers feeling distressed or anxiety due to the pandemic call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Disaster Distress Helpline at 800-985-5990. This hotline provides live crisis counseling and is toll-free, multi-lingual and confidential. A text option is also available: Text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.

• Hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers should cancel and/or postpone elective and non-urgent surgical procedures immediately. This action will help the healthcare system conserve resources and personnel necessary to meet emerging health needs. Physicians should continue to perform critical procedures necessary to prevent short-term and/or long-term adverse effects to their patients’ overall health.

• The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) has suspended rules requiring certain unemployment insurance claimants to physically appear at a Work One location to engage in reemployment services for the next four weeks. This will ensure that individuals who may be symptomatic do not have to physically appear to continue their unemployment insurance eligibility

• State Emergency Operations Center has been raised to a Level 1 status and will work in conjunction with the incident command center at the Indiana State Department of Health for planning, coordination, predictive analysis and other functions.

• State employees will maximize the use of remote work and meet virtually whenever possible while maintaining operations. Non-essential in-person meetings will be limited to 10 persons or less and should meet virtually whenever possible. High-risk individuals should not attend meetings in person. State employees over the age of 60 with underlying health conditions are advised to work from home, and agencies should identify work that can be accomplished remotely for those individuals.

• The Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, which are closed on Mondays, will close to the public beginning Tuesday. The visitors center at White River State Park will close. Indiana state parks and recreation centers, including state park inns, remain open.

COUNTY UPDATES

• The 2020 Northview High School prom that was to be held at Saint Mary-of-the-Wood’s on April 24th has been canceled.

• Clay County Historical Society postponed the Spring Opening at this time. The April 6 meeting is canceled and the museum will remain closed until a later date. More information will be released as it becomes available. If you have any questions you may call 812-443-1844.

• Children who receive weekend food at their school through the Youth Food Program during the school year can pick up thier package starting Monday, March 16 at the Clay County YMCA anytime the facility is open. Currently, the hours are 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, 7 am to 5 pm on Saturday and 12 pm to 5 pm on Sunday. The Y is located at 225 E Kruzan St, Brazil, IN.

• The Clay County Genealogy monthly meeting on March 17th featuring guest speaker Kent Saltiros has been canceled due to concerns for public health because of COVID-19.

• St Vincent de Paul Food Pantry has been converted to a drive-thru on the north side of the Catholic School Building, 19 N Alabama St., Brazil, east of Annunciation Church, along Blaine Street on Tuesday, March 17 from noon-2 pm. People will be allowed to walk up as well at the tables, but the public will not be allowed inside the school.

• Clay County Justice Center will not be allowing any outside visitors to the Jail Facility until further notice. However, video visitation is still available, and the Lobby will remain open to the public.

• Habitat of Clay County canceled the annual fish fry on April 18, due to the Corona Pandemic. Please pass this information along.

• The Ham & Bean Dinner scheduled at the Center Point Masonic Lodge #597 on March 28th has been postponed. Further information to be announced at a later date.

• All Brazil Public Library programs are postponed until further notice.