The @CityOfLincoln says there are still *NO* confirmed cases of #coronavirus or #COVID19 in Lincoln/Lancaster County. But Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird declares a local emergency in order to stem the spread.
As part of the emergency, there is revised guidance for public events, Baird says. Following the CDC's guidelines, including no events with more than 50 people.
If you have an overdue library book, Lincoln Libraries has extended your due date to May 1, Director Pat Leach says.
Pat Lopez, interim director of the health dept., says they are working "day and night" to detect any cases. No changes in other services provided to the city at this time.
If you call 911 for non-emergency related service, dispatchers are going to ask about your health before sending out rescue workers or police to your location, #LNK fire and police chiefs say.
Water and sanitation utilities will continue as always, some less essential services will be discontinued.
Lincoln is suspending water service disconnections due to non-payment.
Lincoln's before and after school programs depend upon UNL students, parks and rec director Lynn Johnson says. With UNL calling off in-person classes, it's not yet clear if those students will still be around to run those programs.
Mayor encourages Lincoln to breathe. While most won't get coronavirus, or will only get mild symptoms, everyone can do something to protect the most vulnerable among us, she says.
"The virus has demonstrated we are all connected in more ways than we can possibly imagine," she says. Small actions by an individual can reverberate in big ways.
Social distance. Stay home when you're sick. Wash your hands. Baird calls those actions heroic.
Asst City Attorney Rick Tast says McKinney's Pub in the Haymarket voluntarily agreed to not hold its annual St. Patrick's Day Festival.
I saw workers taking down the big beer garden tent on P Street this morning.
There are 12 people being monitored for #COVID19 in Lancaster County due to travel history or potential contact.
There have been 23 negative tests; 1 test is pending.
That's as of 7:22 a.m. this morning, Gaylor Baird says.
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