YP – Governor Reeves provides storm recovery, COVID-19 updates
Governor Tate Reeves provided storm recovery and coronavirus updates in his Wednesday press conference.
The Governor also shared details on two new programs to help keep people from losing their homes and assist essential workers in emergency child care.
Governor Reeves to meet with President Trump and COVID-19 Task Force
I will be attending a meeting with President Trump and the COVID-19 Task Force tomorrow during the time we would typically have a press briefing. We will have one on Friday at 9:00 AM, where I will announce our decision on the shelter-in-place order that is set to expire Monday.
— Governor Tate Reeves (@tatereeves) April 15, 2020
MSDH: Coronavirus cases at 3360 with 122 deaths
This morning MSDH is reporting 273 new cases of COVID-19 in Mississippi, with 11 new deaths. The total of #coronavirus cases since March 11 is now 3,360, with 122 deaths. See more case details and important preventive steps at https://t.co/QP8mlIMqcd pic.twitter.com/SYEtAwFdJS
— Mississippi State Department of Health (@msdh) April 15, 2020
YP – MDHS, MSDH announce plans for providing childcare options for emergency, essential personnel
The Mississippi Department of Human Services has joined with the Mississippi State Department of Health to provide much-needed childcare services for emergency and essential personnel who would otherwise not have access to it because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Childcare Crisis Assistance in Isolation Response Plan (CCAIR) is designed to serve as temporary, emergency childcare facilities during this crisis period for families that include, but are not limited to, first responders, emergency personnel, emergency support personnel, essential government personnel, and health care professionals responding to public need who cannot isolate at home. These sites are not intended to last for extended periods of time. However, CCAIR sites will be required to meet basic health and safety requirements.
YP – Governor Tate Reeves Announces COVID-19 Assistance for Homeowners and First Responders
MHC has reopened the Hardest Hit Fund (HHF) to provide short-term mortgage assistance to those who have lost employment or income due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This will allow MHC to pay monthly mortgage payment assistance. People can submit applications through an online portal here: mshomesaver.com.
“I saw firsthand the homes that were lost to the tornadoes this weekend. It breaks my heart. There are more who are at risk of losing their homes to our nation’s economic crisis. We can’t stop the wind from blowing, but we can try to stop more from losing these homes,” said Governor Tate Reeves.
YP – Congressman Michael Guest outlines major components of CARE Act
“We hope to be able to return to the economy we were seeing earlier this year,” said Guest. Before this pandemic there was discussion that this was the best economy the U.S. had seen in years with record low inflation.
Guest said if you are a small business owner looking to take advantage of the loans appropriated in the CARE Act, reach out to your local bank. The Payday Protection Loans will be available through those entities. He said being able to use local banks would allow them to get the money out to small businesses faster.
Speaker Gunn provides Wednesday update
MEMA releases preliminary damage reports
As of today, 32 counties across Mississippi have submitted damage reports to MEMA following Sunday's severe weather event. Click the link below for the latest information regarding preliminary damage assessments. https://t.co/zQ16qUEKrU
— msema (@MSEMA) April 15, 2020
WJTV – Statewide burn ban lifted in Mississippi
MS Bankers report $1.9 billion in PPP loans
As of April 13, Mississippi banks have assisted in completing 14,209 loans valued at $1.9 billion. These loans help save jobs by allowing small businesses to meet payroll. Read the release here: https://t.co/tbglv260Vo & the SBA report here: https://t.co/CqSTuMjVYw #MSBanksServe pic.twitter.com/0dqsGCIFAT
— Mississippi Bankers (@msbankers) April 15, 2020
YP – MS Community College Foundation Receives $300,000 grant
Mississippi Community College Foundation Receives $310,000 Grant from Woodward Hines Education Foundation READ MORE>> https://t.co/7Xmr2eaFXk
— Magnolia Tribune (@magnoliatribune) April 15, 2020
YP – Mississippi GOP Congressmen cosponsor resolution to hold China accountable for Coronavirus
The resolution also calls for China to publicly state that there is no evidence that COVID-19 originated from outside China and the World Health Organization to retract misleading statements of support for China’s response to COVID-19.
Mississippi Congressmen Steven Palazzo (MS-4), Trent Kelly (MS-1), and Michael Guest (MS-3) are listed among the 53 cosponsors of H. Res 907. Two Democrats have joined in the resolution as well – Rep. Seth Moulton (MA) and Rep. Mike Rogers (AL). Mississippi Democrat Congressman Bennie Thompson (MS-2) is not listed as a cosponsor.
WJTV – Drive-in church services allowed in Greenville
Sen. Wicker announces $1.7 million small shipyard grant to VT Halter
Great news for #VTHalter Marine in @PascagoulaCity! @USDOT will be awarding a nearly $1.7M @DOTMARAD Small Shipyard Grant to support the purchase of a 1,250-ton press brake.
— Senator Roger Wicker (@SenatorWicker) April 15, 2020
DAILY JOURNAL – Wicker: Country needs “every bit of stimulus we can afford”
Wicker also said he supports ending state and other mandates halting elective surgeries. The Tupelo senator said these procedures could ease “cash flow problems” for healthcare providers that can safely provide them without risking patient health or exhausting protective equipment supplies.
“We need to trust our doctors and administrators to take the necessary precautions to protect people,” Wicker said. “If they think they can do that, I’m willing to give them the benefit of the doubt.”
But looking beyond additional “relief” measures that may be required by ongoing economic struggles, such as a skyrocketing unemployment rate, Wicker is eager to start looking at “recovery” efforts.
And he doesn’t think the time for something like a big, ambitious infrastructure bill is too far off.
Sen. Hyde-Smith: Democrats must stop blocking new PPP funding
Democrats must stop blocking new #PaycheckProtectionProgram funding. MS small businesses should still apply with @SBAgov and know that I’ll push for resources to support this #COVID19 relief program. Visit https://t.co/sz1GrZ8B1F COVID-19 page for more info. pic.twitter.com/mY3iOEKdFc
— U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (@SenHydeSmith) April 15, 2020
Magnolia Tribune
