Alright, I'm covering Gov. Pete Ricketts' daily #coronavirus briefing. Today's guests are from the Dept. of Ag and the Nebraska Restauarant Association.
I submitted some Qs ahead of time:
1. Is Neb. considering any kind of “shared regional strategy” with surrounding states for reopening?
2. Neb Crossing's plan to open April 24?
3. Can the president tell us what to do?
Ricketts runs down the rules for staying healthy:
Stay home, work from home if possible, shop alone, no sports/playgrounds, help seniors, exercise daily in an appropriate way.
Ricketts had Qdoba today and Grey Whale Poke last week. He touts #TakeoutTuesday, says Nebraska is No. 2 in the country for supporting its restaurants in this way.
Ag Director Steve Wellman is discussing the FDA's move to allow restaurants to sell packaged food that lacks a nutrient label, as long as the package doesn't have an nutrition claims. Packages still need to tell you what's in them, though.
The move will allow restaurants to sell food and keep some cash coming in to further weather the pandemic, Wellman says.
More information available at nda.nebraska.gov/covid19.
Zoe Olson of the Nebraska Restaurant Association says businesses across the state have changed the business model several times in recent weeks as they try to keep staff employed.
They are thrilled by the temporary waiver of retail sales.
Olson says there is a scam going around with her name attached.
If Zoe Olson texts you asking you to buy a gift card and you do not personally know Zoe, it's a scam. Don't fall for it.
Ricketts back up, says traffic remains 28% down across the state, and 30% down in Lincoln and Omaha.
"Nebraskans are doing their part" in slowing the spread of the virus, he says.
Q: Is state Dept. of Ag. doing anything to remove regulations to help small businesses/producers?
A: state is taking all ideas. "We want to make sure people have the tools they need to stay in business," Ricketts says.
Q: Does Dr. James Lawler's comments in emails about Trump admin actions hurt Nebraska's preparedness?
A: He was talking about CDC. The president has moved quickly when given advice.
Q: About Trump's comments he has authority to open country?
A: We work with federal officials and will continue to work collaboratively to do what's right for Nebraska.
Ricketts says not to get caught up in Washington D.C. politics.
"I'd urge all folks to keep their eye on the big picture, which is to keep Nebraskans safe," Ricketts adds.
Restrictions will be loosened over time, but there are no specific plans in place right now, he says.
Ricketts wants Nebraska to stay the course for another 2.5 weeks, or until the end of April which has been the goal for awhile.
Q: Does situation in Adams Co., where there is a high per capita infection rate mean the plan is not working?
A: The plan is working because the health care system is not being overrun. Patients can be moved around to where there is capacity if needed, he says.
The plan is to ensure everyone who needs a hospital bed, ICU or ventilator can get one, he says. Right now, that's happening in Nebraska.
Q: What about Nebraska Crossing?
A: We didn't close down shopping centers, anybody who closed did that on a voluntary basis. What we have done though is limit the number of people who can gather to 10 people.
A: We're asking people to shop once a week. But if companies are preparing for down the road, that's fine. People should still mind the social distancing guidelines, he says.
Q: Any plan for a shared regional strategy?
A: We want to be consistent with neighbors, but no plans have been made at this time.
Ricketts says he was unaware Nebraska Crossing closed; says he did not ask them to reopen.
Q: Are you considering a plan for herd immunity? (This is about the proposal put forward by Sens. Erdman and Halloran).
A: Herd immunity really isn't a plan, although if your plan was to do nothing, that would eventually happen.
Q: If feds drop 10 person guideline, what will Nebraska do?
A: We're going to do what's best for Nebraska. Won't drop all our recommendations at once, will phase them out.
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