MANTEO — Shoaling in a Roanoke Sound channel just outside Shallowbag Bay has once again prevented the state attraction Elizabeth II from leaving its moorings at Roanoke Island Festival Park for maintenance.

And once again, Dare County has agreed to help manage another dredging project for the state so the ship can motor to the Wanchese state shipyard for its overdue haul-out.

“We’re still essentially in the planning stages,” Dare County Waterways Commission administrator Barton Grover said in a recent interview. “We’re not exactly sure what path we’re going to take moving forward.”

The 43-year-old wooden-hulled vessel, built to represent a 16th-century English sailing ship that participated in Sir Walter Raleigh’s 1584-1587 Roanoke Voyages, was last hauled out for dry-dock maintenance in 2021, after sitting in brackish water for four years.

Grover said that the proposed project would be addressing the same clogged area near where the channel intersects at Roanoke Sound and Shallowbag Bay that had earlier blocked the ship from moving.

In November 2020, the county had approved a contract and a grant application to conduct maintenance dredging in the channel to allow larger vessels, including the Elizabeth II, to access Manteo harbor. The vessel, which has an 8-foot draft, was able to safely leave its dock in Dough’s Creek about a week earlier than completion of the project in late February 2021, according to the county website.

Although the Roanoke Channel is officially a federally authorized channel, Grover explained that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers pipeline dredge does not do work north of Wanchese. Ultimately, a bucket-and-barge method was used for the 90-day project, which increased the depth of about 2.2 miles of channel from as little as 1 to 5 feet to 9 feet. Another 290 feet in a connector channel to the ship’s berth was also dredged. Costs for the $1.9 million project were appropriated by the North Carolina General Assembly, with an additional $170,000 provided by the state’s Shallow Draft Navigation Channel Dredging and Aquatic Weed Fund and the town of Manteo.

Some of the factors that come into play with the proposed dredge project, Grover said, include higher costs to dispose of the dredged material, as well as the lack of an obvious disposal area.

In the earlier projects, the material — scooped from the channel, piled onto a barge and then transported to land — was hauled off in a truck to the be placed on top of the county’s Manns Harbor landfill. But the increased expense may have made that option less attractive, he said. Other possibilities could include placement in a permitted area of water, or beneficial re-use along a shoreline or other area, he said.

Another consideration under review is whether the local hopper dredge Miss Katie would be capable of doing the necessary work instead of again using a bucket-and-barge method, Grover said. But the choice of an appropriate disposal site could also come into play in determining costs for that dredge to reach the site.

Typically planning and permitting for a similar dredge project takes at least “six-plus” months, he said. Also, the state has yet to secure the funding. Ideally, he said, a project would be ready to go during the upcoming winter of 2026-2027.

By then, the 69-foot-long ship will have been sitting in the brackish water alongside its dock in Dough’s Creek for about six years.

Michele Walker, assistant communications director at the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, said in an email responding to questions from Coastal Review that the last condition report was done by surveyor Paul C. Haley with Capt. G. W. Full & Associates Marine Surveyors in 2016, when numerous issues, including signs of rot and deterioration of the exterior and interior, were detailed.

When the vessel was hauled out in 2021, she added, Haley did not travel to the Outer Banks because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but he verified with the firm’s staff on site that the earlier repair recommendations had been completed.

“In addition, the ship is inspected annually by the U.S. Coast Guard,” Walker wrote. “This provides us approval to operate as an attraction vessel, which allows us to have passengers on board while moored.”

Walker added that the ship is maintained above the waterline throughout the year, with more extensive maintenance done while Roanoke Island Festival Park, a state museum that memorializes regional English precolonial and Native American history, and the adjacent Elizabeth II State Historic Site are closed January through mid-March.

Haley’s 2021 report, while emphasizing his familiarity with the vessel from doing the surveys in 2004, 2011 and 2016, also lauds the park for always following through on the surveyors’ recommendations.

Notably, when compromised planking documented in the earlier survey had been replaced, he said, the frames exposed during the work were observed to be in good condition. Also, all the critical repairs and plank replacements had been completed, he said.

“The vessel has a good maintenance program by the park and they haul out the vessel on a regular basis for repainting of the bottom and doing any maintenance work that requires the vessel being out of water,” he wrote.

Except for a few months in the winter, the Elizabeth II welcomes visitors aboard to experience a sailor’s view of ship life and duties, guided by interpreters in period costumes who regale them with stories.

As a representative vessel, the Elizabeth II was built based on knowledge of the tools, materials and basic designs used in Elizabethan-era shipbuilding, but there are no original design sketches of the actual merchant ships that sailed during the late 1500s to Roanoke Island from England. Still, the three-masted, square-rigged ship with dashing blue-and-white markings contrasting with its wooden hull — even while rarely moving from its dock across from the Manteo waterfront — has reliably served its mission as an ambassador for the state, the Outer Banks and Manteo’s heritage as the site of the first English colony in America.

But since the flashy ship’s 1984 launch during the town’s 400th anniversary celebration of the Roanoke Voyages, which culminated in the ill-fated “Lost Colony” that was never seen again after its governor left for supplies in 1587, once-routine day trips to visit coastal ports or join in community festivals fell by the wayside due to lack of funds, scheduling difficulties and other challenges. And gradually, even annual haul-outs started being delayed for multiple years, despite that prolonged time in the water for wooden hulls can lead to damage from shipworms and rot.

The ship’s current dockside stranding was not anticipated during the last review five years ago.

“It is the plan of this office to be present and to conduct a full survey at the haul out at the beginning of 2022,” Haley wrote in the report. “With this in mind, it is our opinion that the vessel is suitable for her present use.”

On Dec. 18, the nonprofit Friends of Elizabeth II indicated no intent to give up the ship, so to speak, posting a notice seeking to hire a new captain for the vessel. Applications were due Jan. 29. In addition to overseeing the maintenance of the ship and leading the crew and interpreters, the job’s responsibilities include training staff and volunteers in rigging, sailmaking and marine woodworking.

The required duties also illustrate that the Elizabeth II isn’t just a pretty ship decorating a small historic North Carolina town’s harbor. The captain must not only understand Coast Guard regulations associated with “moving watercraft” through waterways, the captain must be capable of “sailing the Elizabeth II as needed.”

Five of the 13 college students who recently received the G. Herbert Stout Award for Innovative Student Papers attend coastal universities or their projects were on coastal and environmental issues.

The award presented during the North Carolina Geographic Information Systems Conference recognizes students that have completed an “outstanding project using geographic data to analyze or solve a problem regarding an issue of their choosing,” according to the North Carolina Department of Information Technology.

The NCGIS Conference, held every two years, offers opportunities for professionals and students of geographic information systems and computer mapping technology to network and learn about advancements and new applications for GIS software.

“College and university students represent the next generation of GIS professionals that will be future leaders in both the public and private sectors. Rewarding their academic achievement not only benefits the individual students but ultimately the GIS community as a whole,” Tim Johnson, conference chair and N.C. geographic information officer, said in a statement.

Colleges were able to submit one undergraduate and one graduate student for the award. Winners presented their papers at the NCGIS Conference. Each student received free registration to the conference, recognition at the awards luncheon ceremony and a cash award of $200.

The handful of projects related to the coast or could impact coastal residents looked at environmental justice, sustainability, climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic.

NCDIT provided the following information on the projects.

Cate Arnold, University of North Carolina Wilmington undergraduate student, was awarded for “Analyzing Impacts from Hurricane Florence on Gentrification in New Hanover County, North Carolina.” Arnold conducted research to determine a correlation between the gentrification process in New Hanover County and the flood impacts of Hurricane Florence. The project aims to identify natural disaster impacts, community resilience and environmental justice issues and will be presented to local policymakers.

Elijah Dalton, UNCW graduate student, was awarded for “Leveraging the Power of Google Earth Engine and Earth Observation Data to Create a Green Infrastructure Suitability Index for the Wilmington Metropolitan Urban Area.” Dalton’s research aimed to assess the benefits of green infrastructure as a strategy for enhancing sustainability and resiliency and the vulnerability of coastal resources. The project uses satellite data to develop a methodology for the effectiveness of green infrastructure in southeastern North Carolina.

Mike Wallace, North Carolina Central University graduate student, was awarded for his work, “COVID-19 Rates and Proximity to Meat and Poultry Processing Plants in North Carolina.” Wallace’s project examines the impact of economic inequalities and population distribution for rural and urban areas on the rate of COVID-19 cases. Wallace used data from the NC COVID-19 dashboard, created by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

Eliza Merrit, Appalachian State University graduate student, was awarded for “Using Interactive Maps to Understand the Content of Second-order Climate Change Beliefs.” Merrit’s study used public opinion maps to examine why people have certain beliefs about climate change. The study used an interactive map of N.C. climate change opinions to evaluate how GIS can be used for effective communication regarding climate change policy.

Caroline Fehlman, Appalachian State University undergraduate student, was awarded for “Exploring Characteristics of Community Resilience Using a Logistic Regression Model.” Fehlman examined the ability of communities to withstand or adapt from disturbances using data on climate variables, socioeconomic damages and community resilience. The study used maps to help communities determine what they need to do to prepare for and prevent damage.

Statewide awards

• Madison Eaton, Elon University undergraduate student, “The Impact of Soil Compaction and Land Cover on Soil Carbon Sequestration at Elon University.”
• Sarah Followill, UNC-Chapel Hill, undergraduate student, “Geovisualizing Urban Sprawl in the Atlanta Metro Area.”
• Ross Jensen, Fayetteville State University undergraduate student, “War Impacts on Landscape Change in Mariupol, Ukraine.”
• Andrea Saravitz, N.C. State University undergraduate student, “Modeling the Invasion of the Spongy Moth.”
• Neylan Visnius, Warren Wilson College undergraduate student, “Intersections of Food Insecurity, Medicare Spending, and Non-Health Interventions in Western North Carolina.”
• Cambria White, N.C. Central University undergraduate student, “Identifying Sources of Methane Leaks in the Bountiful/North Salt Lake Area.”
• Jeremy Davis, N.C. State University graduate student, “Town of Matthews, N.C.: Tree Canopy Assessment Tool.”
• Grey Shipman, UNC-Chapel Hill graduate student, “Transportation Equity in Chapel Hill.”

The conference is sponsored by the North Carolina Center for Geographic Information and Analysis, the N.C. Geographic Coordinating Council, and Carolina Chapter of the Urban and Regional Information Systems Association. The NCCGIA is part of the N.C. Department of Information Technology. Its mission is to advance the use of GIS technology as a tool for better decision-making in the state.

The Andrea Harris Equity Task Force has been reestablished to continue addressing social, economic and health disparities in underserved and underrepresented communities.

Gov. Roy Cooper signed an executive order Wednesday. The executive order that had established the task force July 1, 2020, expired June 4 of this year.

The Cooper administration established the Andrea Harris Social, Economic, Environmental, and Health Equity Task Force to address the social, environmental, economic, and health disparities in communities of color disproportionally impacted by COVID-19.

“A talented, educated and diverse workforce is one of North Carolina’s greatest strengths and it’s important for us to keep working to eliminate the barriers our communities of color have faced for too long,” Cooper said in a statement. “I’m grateful that the Andrea Harris Equity Task Force will continue the efforts to make our state a more fair and just state for all.”

Named in honor of the late civil rights activist, Andrea Harris, who dedicated her life to eliminating disparities in North Carolina, the task force targets core areas including access to healthcare, economic opportunities and business development, educational opportunity, environmental justice and inclusion, and patient engagement.

The task force established 21 policy recommendations across the five core areas of healthcare, business development, education, environmental justice and inclusion and engagement, the governor’s administration said. Nine of those recommendations have been fully implemented while the other 12 are in progress through the work of Task Force subcommittees and state agencies.

“Thanks to the work of the Task Force, we’ve made important gains and now we can continue the mission to further economic development, improve health and wellness, and advance equitable practices within state agencies,” Administration Secretary Pamela Cashwell said.

The task force also secured funding to help implement NCCARE360, a resource to connect North Carolinians with local health, housing, employment and transportation services, and helped secure funding to address environmental issues, like lead and asbestos, in public schools.

The task force advocated for more digital access across the state and partnered with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction to develop a digital literacy curriculum and toolkit that is accessible to all families in their native language.

In alignment with Andrea Harris’s legacy, the task force supported historically underutilized businesses, encouraging state contractors to commit to spending at least 8% on historically underutilized businesses.

The Andrea Harris Equity Task Force is to be made up of members appointed by the governor who represent various state agencies and community organizations, including the following:

• Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Administration.
• Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer for North Carolina Commerce.
• Digital Equity and Literacy Director for the North Carolina Department of Information Technology.
• Chief health equity officer for North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
• Executive director of the North Carolina Pandemic Recovery Office.
• Office of Civil Rights director for North Carolina Department of Transportation.
• Office of Historically Black Colleges and Universities Outreach director for NCDOT.
• Hometown Strong.
• North Carolina Department of Administration Commission of Indian Affairs.
• Governor’s Advisory Council on Hispanic-Latino Affairs.
• North Carolina Council for Women Advisory Board.
• Historically Underutilized Business Advisory Council.
• North Carolina Department of Administration Commission on Inclusion.
• North Carolina Community College System or UNC System Office.
• North Carolina Historically Black College or University or a Minority Serving Institution.
• Four community organizations aligned with the mission of the Andrea Harris Equity Task Force.

MOREHEAD CITY — The COVID-19 virus has been showing up in eastern North Carolina’s wastewater during the past two weeks at levels not seen since the peak this past winter — a troubling early warning sign for community spread and illness.

The latest wastewater sampling data on the state’s COVID-19 dashboard, which shows trends among people who use toilets connected to selected sewage treatment sites and is updated every Wednesday, indicate that the prevalence of the virus has significantly increased over the past 15 days and particularly in the coastal region. And the detection rate is at or above that of early 2022, when more than 200,000 new cases were being reported each week in North Carolina and more than 4,000 people were being admitted weekly to hospitals with confirmed cases.

Dr. Rachel Noble is a researcher at the University of North Carolina Institute of Marine Sciences in Morehead City. Her lab analyzes wastewater samples for pathogens and works with other academics, the state Department of Health and Human Services, wastewater utilities and public health departments to provide the data driving the dashboard. She told Coastal Review Friday that the trends mean we are still in the upswing of the pandemic.

“The numbers that we’re seeing now are either equal to or similar to the very highest numbers that we’ve seen since we started monitoring,” Noble said.

The wastewater samples are screened for the genetic material in the virus that causes COVID-19. Researchers can detect the viral RNA using a polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, test.

The dashboard’s latest 15-day rate of change shows detection increases of more than 100% in wastewater in Wilmington, New Hanover County, Beaufort and Roanoke Rapids. The latest percentile data show that most of the above sites are at or nearly at the peak levels seen in January, as indicated on the dashboard map by red or orange dots. But Noble said that because of recent heavy rains on the coast, the data may not fully reflect the extent of the virus’ spread in the communities where sampling is done. She said it’s likely a conservative estimate because of stormwater infiltration of sewer lines, a common problem with aging infrastructure.

“One of the reasons why I would interpret those numbers a little bit cautiously is that we know that — definitely in the eastern part of the state, if not in the majority of the state — our wastewater in the summer months here has been diluted more by rainwater. And so those concentrations are still reading as being high, but if we were accounting for the dilution from rainwater, they would look even higher to us,” she said. 

“Our sewer systems are not closed systems. They were actually engineered to be closed systems, but the sewage systems in North Carolina, they suffer from a lot of inflow that comes from rain.”

Also flowing into coastal areas are throngs of tourists each week. The influx of summer vacationers means a lot more people are contributing to the wastewater systems here. And in coastal communities where there is wastewater monitoring, there are more and more viruses detected in the systems, Noble said.

“We are getting this constant influx of new community members and a portion of those are infected. They might be asymptomatic. They might do what a lot of people are doing and say, ‘Oh, I have just a little cold,’ and keep going through their vacation, but they’re still contributing viruses to the system,” Noble said.

The more people who are exposed to the virus, the more opportunities the virus has to evolve and become more easily transmissible or cause more severe symptoms.

Viruses constantly mutate and these changes sometimes result in a new variant. According to information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the omicron virus spreads more easily than other variants but has generally less severe symptoms. And while omicron is still a variant of concern, it has evolved with numerous sublineages. These are still referred to as being in the omicron family, “But we’ve gone all the way from BA.1 to BA.2 and now we’re at BA.4 and BA.5,” Noble said. 

“When we do our analysis in the laboratory, we’re trying to basically figure out what the most dominant current lineage is or what the most dominant current variant is in any given location, and what we’re seeing in North Carolina right now is BA.4 and BA.5. They’re still an omicron-type virus, but they’re not the original omicron that we saw in December and January,” she said.

And while the BA.5 variant is highly contagious, the trade-off is that for most people, symptoms have been milder, especially those who have had a previous coronavirus infection or were vaccinated.

The CDC has labeled 41 of North Carolina’s counties as high COVID-19 community levels because of BA.5. The number is up from 18 the previous week. These counties have a high risk of illnesses that could strain the healthcare system. Many of these counties are on the coast, especially in the northeastern part of the state. The BA.5 variant is causing repeat infections, including in people who have recent past infections from other variants or were vaccinated. 

Meanwhile, many — all of us — are suffering from pandemic fatigue and some may be letting down their guard. Others may be resigned to the fact that everybody will at some point get the virus. Noble said she understands the mindset.

“I think everybody is going to get it,” she said. But, she added, there’s still the problem that if people think, “Well, everybody’s going to get it, put away the masks, go to concerts, do what you’re going to do — normal life,” the virus spreads and mutates even more.

“We keep on giving the virus opportunity to mutate in a way that actually sends us right back to those really dangerous variants like delta and like alpha, which caused a lot of hospitalizations and a lot of deaths and a lot of very, very serious illness and long-term illness for people that were either obese or had diabetes or some in some cases, just genetic diseases,” Noble said.

A premature return to pre-pandemic life comes with the risk that new variants will mean hospital beds are unavailable and elective surgeries must be postponed, she said.

“I feel like we’re playing exactly into the virus’ hands by allowing that circulation,” Noble said.

Officials say vaccines remain highly effective in preventing severe outcomes including hospitalization and death from COVID-19.

“While Covid variants continue to infect people, we have the tools to protect ourselves from the most serious effects of this virus,” Gov. Roy Cooper said last week. “Get vaccinated and boosted, wear a mask indoors in crowds if you believe you need better protection and if you become infected, talk with a health professional quickly about effective treatments like Paxlovid. Cases are on the rise with this latest BA.5 variant so I encourage all North Carolinians to know their risk and take steps to protect themselves.”

The CDC and FDA announced last week that the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine, a different type of coronavirus vaccine, may be used by adults ages 18 and older when it becomes available in the coming weeks. 

“Today, we have expanded the options available to adults in the U.S. by recommending another safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine. If you have been waiting for a COVID-19 vaccine built on a different technology than those previously available, now is the time to join the millions of Americans who have been vaccinated. With COVID-19 cases on the rise again across parts of the country, vaccination is critical to help protect against the complications of severe COVID-19 disease,” CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said in a statement Tuesday.

The Cherry Branch-Minnesott Beach ferry route will continue to run on an adjusted schedule this week due to COVID-19 cases and exposures.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation announced Jan. 5 that the Cherry Branch-Minnesott Beach ferry route would operate on an adjusted schedule Jan. 6-10 because three employees tested positive for COVID-19 and five are under quarantine due to exposure, according to the state Department of Transportation.

The route will continue to operate on the following schedule until Jan. 17:

From Cherry Branch: 5 a.m., 5:45 a.m., 6:45 a.m., 7:45 a.m., 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.

From Minnesott Beach: 5:25 a.m., 6:15 a.m., 7:15 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 7 p.m., 8 p.m., 9 p.m. and 11 p.m.

Ferry passengers are encouraged to remain in their vehicles during shorter crossings and are reminded that they must wear face coverings when inside all passenger lounges and terminals.

Other ferry routes may be impacted by COVID-19. Officials ask the traveling public to monitor for schedule changes or interruptions by following your ferry route’s feed on twitter:

• Currituck-Knotts Island: @NCFerryCTuck
• Hatteras-Ocracoke: @NCFerryHatteras
• Swan Quarter-Ocracoke and Cedar Island-Ocracoke: @NCFerryPamSound
• Cherry Branch-Minnesott Beach: @NCFerryCHBranch
• Bayview-Aurora: @NCFerryPamRiver
• Southport-Fort Fisher: @NCFerrySport

Two North Carolina ferry route schedules have been adjusted this week because employees have tested positive for COVID-19 or were exposed to the virus.

At Hatteras, four employees have tested positive for the virus and three are under quarantine due to exposure, while the Currituck-Knotts Island route has one employee under quarantine, state Division of Transportation officials said Tuesday.

“This latest wave of the pandemic has affected travel services nationwide, and unfortunately, we’re no exception,” said Ferry Division Director Harold Thomas in a statement. “We apologize for any inconvenience to our passengers, but health and safety have to come first.”

The Hatteras-Ocracoke route will be running the following schedule Tuesday through Jan. 3:

From Hatteras: 5 a.m., 6 a.m., 8 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 7;30 p.m., 9 p.m., 10 p.m. and midnight.

From Ocracoke: 4:30 a.m., 6:30 a.m., 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 6:15 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 8:45 p.m., 10:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.

The Currituck-Knotts Island route is closed Tuesday but will reopen as soon as a full crew can staff the route.

Ferry passengers are encouraged to remain in their vehicles during shorter crossings and are reminded that they must wear face coverings when inside all passenger lounges and terminals.

County health departments along the coast continue to encourage residents to get the COVID-19 vaccine, such as the Pfizer, which the Food and Drug Administration gave its full approval Monday.

The FDA approved the first COVID-19 vaccine, commonly called the Pfizer vaccine, in individuals 16 years of age and older, according to the announcement. The vaccine had been known as the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, but will now be marketed as Comirnaty.

President Joe Biden called the approval a milestone in remarks Monday and pleaded with the unvaccinated to get the shot. Biden explained that the FDA , through an independent scientific review, had found the Pfizer vaccine safe and effective.

“So let me say this, loudly and clearly, if you’re one of the millions of Americans who said that they will not get the shot until it has full and final approval of the FDA, it has now happened. The moment you’ve been waiting for us here. It’s time for you to go get your vaccination. Get it today.”

Vaccines continue to be available under emergency-use authorization, including for individuals 12 through 15 years of age and for the administration of a third dose in certain immunocompromised individuals.

“The FDA’s approval of this vaccine is a milestone as we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Acting FDA Commissioner Dr. Janet Woodcock in a statement.

“Our scientific & medical experts conducted an incredibly thorough and thoughtful evaluation of this vaccine,” said Dr. Peter Marks, director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. “Although we approved this vaccine expeditiously, it was fully in keeping with our existing high standards for vaccines in the U.S.”

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen said in a statement that vaccines are the most important tool in the fight against COVID-19.

“All authorized vaccines have met rigorous testing and scientific standards. Millions of North Carolinians have been safely vaccinated, but for some people full FDA approval provides additional confidence. If you are not vaccinated, we urge you: please don’t wait to vaccinate,” Cohen said.

In addition to the two-vaccine series, some health departments are offering third shots to those who are moderately to severely lmmunocompromised, or are especially vulnerable to COVID-19 because they are more al risk of serious, prolonged illness.

Those with compromised immune systems may not build the same level of
Immunity to two-dose vaccine series compared to people who are not immunocompromlsed, according to Albemarle Regional Health Services. The additional dose is intended to improve immunocompromised people’s response to their initial vaccine series.

The CDC recommends that individuals with the following receive the third dose:

• Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood.
• Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system.
• Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to
• suppress the immune system.
• Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome,
• Wiskott Aldrich syndrome)
• Advanced or untreated HIV infection.
• Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response.

The Albemarle Regional Health Services, which serves residents in Pasquotank, Perquimans, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Bertie, Gates and Hertford counties, will begin Monday accepting appointments for third dose vaccines for moderately to severely immunocompromisesd Individuals in the eight-county region. Residents are to call their county’s health department to schedule an appointment. ARHS will continue to provide first and second doses of Moderna and Pfizer, and Johnson and Johnson, at each of the local health departments to residents 12 and older.

The Beaufort County Health Department will begin offering the additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine Wednesday to those who are moderately to severely immunocompromised, the county announced. To receive the Moderna, Johnson & Johnson or Pfizer vaccines, the Beaufort County Health Department has appointments available beginning Wednesday as well. Call 252-940-6150 or book online.

Brunswick County health officials opened an additional pop-up COVID-19 vaccination clinic Saturday in Shallotte for anyone 12 and older another opportunity to get vaccinated, especially as most schools begin to reopen. Additional third doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for moderately to severely immunocompromised people are to be available Tuesday. Brunswick Health Services will have the three types of vaccine at each clinic. Anyone aged 12 and older is eligible to receive vaccines, however those aged 12-17 are eligible for the Pfizer vaccine only. Appointments are not necessary at the pop-up clinics. COVID-19 vaccines are free and insurance is not required. Book appointments at Brunswick County Health Services’ main vaccination clinic at 25 Courthouse Drive, Building A, Bolivia, either online or call the Public Health Call Line to schedule. Appointments are still required at the main clinic and must be made either online or over the phone.

Dare County Health and Human Services continues to encourage those 12 and older to get the COVID-19 vaccination available at the health department and many area pharmacies.  

The Hyde County Health Department is also providing the additional dose of Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination to those that qualify. Call 252-926-4467 to schedule an appointment.

New Hanover County Public Health vaccine clinics began offering the third doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to immunocompromised individuals. Dates and locations for Public Health’s vaccine clinics may be viewed online. New Hanover County Health and Human Services has also issued a countywide order requiring face coverings be worn in all indoor public places that went into effect Friday.

The Onslow County Health Department is still offering all three brands of vaccination on a walk-in basis or appointments can be scheduled online.

The Pender County Health Department is offering Moderna and Johnson & Johnson to ages 18 and older, Pfizer to 12 and older at the health department, 803 S. Walker St., Burgaw, and the Annex Building, 15060 U.S. 17, Hampstead, during the week.

Martin-Tyrrell-Washington District Health is offering vaccines for those 12 and older. Call 252-793-3023 to schedule a vaccine appointment at one of the offices in Plymouth, Williamston and Columbia.

As of Tuesday, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends fully vaccinated people are encouraged to wear masks in indoor settings in substantial and high transmission areas.

On the coast, Beaufort, Camden, Chowan, Craven, New Hanover and Pamlico counties have substantial levels of transmission, while Brunswick, Currituck, Dare, Onslow, Pender and Perquimans counties have high levels for the week of July 19-25, according to the CDC Data Tracker. Bertie, Carteret, Gates, Hertford, Hyde, Pasquotank, Tyrrell and Washington counties are currently at moderate levels.

CDC officials have said since mid-May that fully vaccinated people no longer needed to wear a mask or physically distance in any setting, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.

The CDC also suggested Tuesday that fully vaccinated people might choose to wear a mask regardless of the level of transmission, especially those who are immunocompromised or at increased risk for severe disease from COVID-19, or if they have someone in their household who is immunocompromised, at increased risk of severe disease or not fully vaccinated.

Fully vaccinated individuals who have a known exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 to be tested three to five days after exposure, and to wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days or until they receive a negative test result.

CDC recommends all teachers, staff, students and visitors to schools, regardless of vaccination status, wear masks indoors.

MOREHEAD CITY – Researchers at University of North Carolina Institute of Marine Sciences began more than a year ago tracking in wastewater the virus that causes COVID-19, just as the pandemic was beginning to sweep across the globe.

That research led to the lab to start testing samples from 11 wastewater treatment plants in the state earlier this year for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, the results of which are on the NC COVID-19 Dashboard. Plans are to boost sampling to 20 plants starting next month.

Dr. Rachel Noble, a professor who studies environmental microbiology and marine microbial ecology at UNC-IMS, directs the lab there researching SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in wastewater.

Symptomatic and asymptomatic people with COVID-19 shed viral particles in their feces. Though no longer infectious in wastewater, the viral particles can be measured if enough people are infected, according to the state Department of Health and Human Resources. With one sample, trends in an entire community that uses the same sewer system can be identified, which can supplement existing COVID-19 data. Wastewater monitoring does not detect COVID-19 vaccines because the vaccine does not contain SARS-CoV-2.

“Wastewater offers you an ability to look at the whole population, rather than just the people that are getting tested. And we see that the wastewater pretty much matches the clinical cases, but not always,” Noble told Coastal Review, adding it shows there’s a good value in doing the wastewater work. “Wastewater allows you to kind of get an overall view of your community.”

Noble was a lead researcher for a project through the North Carolina Policy Collaboratory to track SARS-CoV-2 in North Carolina wastewate in the latter half of 2020. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention then tapped the state Department of Health and Human Resources to test wastewater samples as part of its National Wastewater Surveillance System, a tool to better understand COVID-19 infections in communities.

Wastewater samples for the CDC have been tested in Noble’s lab since the start of the year. The state announced May 21 that the NC COVID-19 Dashboard had been expanded to include wastewater monitoring. The COVID-19 Dashboard shows the state’s testing, tracing and trends.

The statewide program, North Carolina Wastewater Monitoring Network, is a collaboration of DHHS, UNC researchers, 11 wastewater utilities and eight public health departments.

Noble said her lab has been testing twice a week since January samples from the 11 facilities, which are located in Wilmington, Beaufort, south Durham, New Hanover County, Chapel Hill-Carrboro, Raleigh, Pittsboro, Newport, Greenville and two in Charlotte.

Starting July 1, analysis will expand to 20 locations, including in the northeastern and northwestern parts of the state, which Noble said had not been covered.

The initial 11 sites have a university within the vicinity. Noble said this was intentional to facilitate the research. Academic partners were asked to contact their nearby wastewater treatment plants — many already had working relationships with wastewater facility staff — making it easier to collect samples.

A benefit to this project is being able to collaborate and build connections with both the state and municipal stakeholders. The sewage treatment plants are in towns all over the state and Noble said they’ve met with people with local knowledge who can talk about the local culture, know what to do when big storms hit, and even when tourists are in town.

She gave as an example a wastewater system on the coast. She said the amount of flow into the sewage system Monday through Friday, compared to Saturday and Sunday in the summer is “obnoxious” because of the influx of visitors. This could be due to visitors taking longer showers or using the dishwasher more. “It’s really amazing. It’s learning a lot about the dynamics of the town through something that’s really basic. It’s a basic service.”

Noble told Coastal Review that her lab was one of the first in the country testing viral pathogens in wastewater and stormwater when COVID-19 hit early last year.

Her lab manager suggested that they begin testing for SARS-CoV-2 in late February 2020. The lab already was studying viruses, so testing for coronavirus was a matter of adding a different type of reagent, or chemical compound, to the analysis. “It was a really easy switch.”

Noble’s lab was approached in the spring of 2020 to develop the statewide surveillance program funded by the North Carolina Policy Collaboratory.

The final report, “Tracking SARS-CoV-2 in the Wastewater Across a Range of North Carolina Municipalities” dated Feb. 8, 2021, states that the collaborative effort of the UNC system, state agencies like the departments of Health and Human Services and Environmental Quality, and water utility stakeholders “has successfully built the foundation and capacity for the State of NC to not only conduct, but to lead the development of, wastewater-based surveillance in the broadest sense.”

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention contacted the Department of Health and Human Services to participate in the CDC’s National Wastewater Surveillance System. Noble said that because her lab had the capacity, DHHS asked her to take on the project.

North Carolina is one of eight pilot states in the CDC National Wastewater Surveillance System developed to provide information on the presence and persistence of SARS CoV-2-like viruses in wastewater systems as a metric of community COVID-19 prevalence, the report states. The surveillance program coordinated with the CDC was to develop an early warning system not dependent on clinical testing of COVID-19-infected individuals.

Noble said there were a number of surprises that she came across during her research, including getting a SARS CoV-2 signal in June and July 2020 in Beaufort’s wastewater treatment system, which serves about 4,000 people.

“That surprised me, because at the time, the number of described cases in Carteret County was really low,” she explained. Adding that either people were coming into town as tourists or there actually was illness in the community that wasn’t getting tracked.

The second thing that surprised her was how quickly groups without any previous experience with that kind of work were able to get up and running. A group at University of North Carolina Wilmington was engaged in molecular work on other types of viruses but were able to switch over, with some help from her technicians on how to process samples, and were able to switch seamlessly to processing samples for the coronavirus.

There are limitations to this type of COVID-19 monitoring, according to the state. Around 40% of the state’s population uses septic systems for wastewater. Even if all wastewater treatment plants statewide were being tested, the data would represent six out of 10 people in the state. Also, scientists are still researching how long SARS-CoV-2 shedding occurs and what proportion of people with COVID-19 shed the virus in their feces. 

“Wastewater monitoring is a new tool that will help us track the spread of COVID-19 in participating communities even as fewer people are being tested,” said state epidemiologist Dr. Zack Moore in a statement. “This can be an early warning system and allow health officials to take actions to stop the spread if trends are increasing.”

If wastewater data show an unexpected increase in COVID-19 in a community, the state will notify the wastewater treatment plant and health department. The information then can be used by officials to organize or increase pop-up testing and increase public health communications on the importance of masking, handwashing, social distancing and avoiding large crowds in enclosed spaces, according to the release.

Officials can also alert area hospitals, clinics and other health care providers about a potential increase in cases and provide recommendations to community leaders or implement restrictions like limiting indoor gatherings and reducing business capacity; and take steps to increase vaccination in the community.

The state Division of Marine Fisheries is looking for input on a spending plan for $4.5 million in COVID-19-related federal relief.

The draft spending plan proposes dispersing funds through direct payments to eligible commercial fishermen and marine aquaculture operators, seafood dealers and processors, and for-hire fishing operators who can document a greater than 35% revenue loss compared to the previous five-year average due to COVID-19.

Congress approved the funds in the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act. The spending plan must be approved by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries in order for the state to receive the funding.

The public can submit written comments through an online form or mail to Draft CARES Act II Fisheries Relief Spending Plan Comments, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, N.C. 28557. The division will not accept comments by email.

Comments should be posted online or postmarked by 5 p.m. June 20.

The Division of Marine Fisheries said it will announce an application period once the spending plan is approved. Email covid19relief@ncdenr.gov for questions.

Brunswick County officials have ended the county’s yearlong COVID-19 state of emergency.

County Chairman Randy Thompson terminated the state of emergency effective 9 a.m. Monday. Previous chairman Frank Williams issued the state of emergency March 24, 2020, in response to the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus.

“While we still need to remain vigilant in our efforts to prevent future spread of COVID-19, the improvements we are seeing in our recent case counts and vaccination rates are the most encouraging signs we’ve seen for a year now,” Thompson said in a statement. “Just as we do following every hurricane or major storm, the time has come for us to begin our recovery efforts for both public health and our local economy.”

There have been 286 cases identified the first two weeks of March, significantly fewer than during the peak in the first two weeks of January when 1,038 cases were identified, according to the county. To date, Brunswick County Health Services has identified more than 8,400 positive cases among residents, with 141 deaths related to the virus and more than 8,000 considered recovered.

“I extend my greatest sympathies to those in our county who are still grieving the loss of a loved one from this terrible disease,” Thompson said. “My thoughts are with those who have endured so much this past year.”

Brunswick County Health Services and its partners at Novant Health and Dosher Memorial Hospital, as well as other vaccine providers in the county, have helped vaccinated nearly 30% of residents with their first dose and nearly 20% with their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine over the past several weeks.

“The commissioners and I cannot thank nor commend our health, public safety, and community partners at the local and state levels enough for the service and support they have offered throughout this pandemic,” Thompson said. “They truly are the reason that we have come so far already, and will be an essential part of our recovery efforts moving forward.”

Brunswick County has not issued additional restrictions under the state of emergency or throughout the pandemic that extend beyond Gov. Roy Cooper’s executive orders and directives.

The governor’s executive orders still remain in effect in Brunswick County, including the following:

• A face covering is still required in all public indoor settings if there are non-household members present, regardless of the individual’s ability to maintain social distance.
• Face coverings continue to be required in public outdoor settings if individuals are unable to maintain 6 feet of social distance from non-household members.
• The capacity limitations on certain businesses, sanitation standards, other public health restrictions and state Department of Health and Human Services guidance remain in effect.
• The state’s mass gathering limit allows for a maximum of 25 people indoors and 50 people outdoors.
• North Carolina’s moratorium on evictions for nonpayment of rent continues until March 31.
• The authorization of delivery or carry-out of mixed beverages as an alternative to on-site consumption until at least March 31.

Brunswick County said it would continue education and guidance on best health practices related to COVID-19 and begin plans to use local funding from the American Rescue Plan after receiving official instructions from the federal government as to eligible uses of the funds and the first allocation in the coming weeks.

Brunswick County continues to encourage residents and visitors to use the county’s online services,  phone or email when possible to conduct business, especially if someone is at a higher risk of illness and is not fully vaccinated for COVID-19.

More information about COVID-19, testing, and vaccines is on the Health Services COVID-19 webpage.

Employees, visitors, partners and contractors must now wear a mask while at all national parks and federal buildings, including those in coastal North Carolina.

These parks include Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, Wright Brothers National Memorial, Cape Lookout National Seashore and Moores Creek National Battlefield.

The National Park Service implemented Tuesday the mask requirement “to protect the health of those who live, work and visit national parks and facilities,” and in support of the President Joe Biden’s Executive Order on Protecting the Federal Workforce and Requiring Mask-Wearing.

“Wearing a mask around others, physical distancing and washing your hands are the simplest and most effective public health measures to help stop the spread of COVID-19,” said NPS Office of Public Health Director Captain Sara Newman in a statement. “Getting outside and enjoying our public lands is essential to improving mental and physical health, but we all need to work together to recreate responsibly.”

Face masks are required in all NPS buildings and facilities. Masks are also required on NPS-managed lands when physical distancing cannot be maintained, including narrow or busy trails, overlooks and historic homes. Additional public health measures are in place across the service, from capacity limits to one-way trails, or even temporary closures in response to local conditions.

“Working with public health officials and following the latest science and guidance, we can make national parks safer for employees, visitors and partners,” said NPS Deputy Director Shawn Benge. “We will continue to evaluate operations and make appropriate modifications to visitor services as needed.”

Tips to recreate responsibly are available and park rangers are on duty to provide information, protect visitors and park resources, and uphold this requirement.

Visit the following websites for a full listing of operations at each park on the coast:

• Cape Hatteras National Seashore
• Fort Raleigh National Historic Site
• Wright Brothers National Memorial
• Cape Lookout National Seashore
• Moores Creek National Battlefield

President Joe Biden signed executive orders Wednesday after his inauguration, one of which addresses COVID-19 by asking federal employees and contractors to wear masks to prevent the spread of the virus, and rejoined the Paris Climate Agreement, the Department of Interior announced Thursday.

The executive order, Protecting the Federal Workforce and Requiring Mask-Wearing, states that to protect federal workforce and those interacting with federal workforce and to ensure the continuity of government services and activities, “on-duty or on-site Federal employees, on-site Federal contractors, and other individuals in Federal buildings and on Federal lands should all wear masks, maintain physical distance, and adhere to other public health measures, as provided in CDC guidelines.”

The Interior Department said it would have more department-specific guidance in the days and weeks to come.

Biden rejoined the Paris Climate Agreement Wednesday as well.  Former President Donald Trump announced in June 2017 plans to withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. The official withdrawal went into affect Nov. 4, 2020, the day after the presidential election, according to a BBC report.

Biden also signed an executive order that places a temporary moratorium on activities related to the Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, pending legal and policy review.

Pursuant to section 12(a) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, the order also restores the original withdrawal of certain offshore areas in Arctic waters and the Bering Sea from oil and gas drilling.

The order also requires the Interior Department to review monument boundaries and conditions of the Grand Staircase-Escalante, Bears Ears, Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monuments and determine if it would be appropriate to restore of the monument boundaries.

Several northeastern coastal counties will host large-scale community vaccine events for those currently eligible to be vaccinated for COVID-19.

The state Department of Health and Human Services partnered with health systems, health departments and community health centers across the state to provide the more than 45,000 vaccines expected to be given through these events, the department announced Thursday.

DHHS partnered with Albemarle Regional Health Services to provide vaccines at health departments in Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Gates, Hertford Pasquotank and Perquimans counties. Some locations are providing the vaccine by appointment only.

“The state will continue to support our local health departments and hospitals to get shots in arms faster,” said NCDHHS Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen in a statement. “These partners were selected because they were able to rapidly increase the number of vaccines they could deliver as part of this effort.”

For a full list of counties hosting large-scale vaccine events and where to get a vaccine, visit covid19.ncdhhs.gov/findyourspot, part of the new “You have a spot. Take your shot.” initiative to provide information about COVID-19 vaccine development, testing, safety, side effects and reactions.

Partners were selected based the ability to administer a large number of vaccine doses or provide access to vaccine doses to marginalized communities. NC Emergency Management and the National Guard are also providing support in some locations.

The COVID-19 vaccine will be available per the state’s rollout plan and free, regardless of access to health insurance or legal status. As the vaccine rollout moves to next phases, those within earlier prioritization groups will remain eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

The second floor of Nags Head’s town hall and the public works offices will be closed this week for the safety of the public and employees.

The town announced on Sunday the closures that began Monday and ends Friday.  In addition, all Nags Head administrative offices will be closed on Monday, Jan.18, in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday.

Town services will continue to be delivered to the greatest extent possible and all other town facilities will remain open, according to officials.

All residents can make utility or other miscellaneous payments online or by depositing payments in the utilities payment dropbox by the Town Hall flag pole.

Planning and Development staff can be reached either by email or phone. To apply or ask questions about building permits, email planning@nagsheadnc.gov or call 252-441-7016.

Email publicworks@nagsheadnc.gov to reach the town’s public works offices.

Visit the department directory for a listing of phone numbers to reach an employee directly.

From a North Carolina Health News report

Since North Carolina received its first allocation of the vaccine against COVID-19, North Carolina Health News has been inundated with queries from readers as to where they can find information on getting vaccinated.

As of early January, the state is in the early phases of the vaccine rollout, vaccinating people in groups 1a, which is health care workers fighting COVID-19 and long-term care staff and residents, and 1b, adults 75 years or older and frontline essential workers.

As manufacturing and distribution speed up, the state will proceed into different phases. Some counties will move into different phases at different times depending on the number of health care workers, older adults, prisoners, teachers and other priority groups.

“Every county is making their own roll out plans, so no two are alike in their approach,” wrote Leah Holdren, a spokesperson for Wake County Government in Raleigh.

Vaccine rollout is expected to stretch into the spring, even the summer, for lower priority groups. That means unvaccinated people will have to continue wearing masks and keeping their distance for a few more months.

North Carolina Health News reached out to the 85 state county health directors — some of the state’s 100 counties share health departments, as well as used information from county websites, social media pages and press releases.

Visit the state website to find your spot to take your shot or get more detail about the vaccine phases.

Beaufort County

According to the county health department website Beaufort is still in phase 1a of vaccination. Next phase will be phase 1b.1, estimated to begin mid-January, which includes anyone 75 years or older, regardless of health status or living situation.

More information can be found on the Beaufort County Health Department Facebook Page

Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Gates, Hertford, Pasquotank and Perquimans Counties

Information is available on the Albemarle Regional Health Services Facebook page.

Brunswick County

According to a press release from the Brunswick County Health and Human Services, those 75 years or older could start on Wednesday scheduling required appointments with county health services for a COVID-19 vaccine as part of the health department’s transition to phase 1b group 1 of the state’s vaccination plan.

Under phase 1b group 1, anyone 75 years or older, regardless of medical condition or residency, who does not live in a congregate living facility is eligible to receive the free vaccine from Brunswick County Health Services.

The department’s release said officials are not aware of other health care providers in Brunswick County offering vaccinations as of Jan. 5. Individuals should check their provider’s communication channels for more information on their vaccination plans. Individuals can still request a vaccine from Health Services if they have a different health care provider.

The health department will only schedule appointments 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 910-253 2339.

More information can be found on the Brunswick County Facebook Page, Brunswick County Health and Human Services COVID information page,  or  at http://brunswickcountync.gov/news.

Carteret County

The Carteret Health Care is now taking COVID vaccination appointments for individuals in phase 1b group 1, 75 years or older, according to the department’s Facebook page. No walk-ins will be accepted. Residents who are 75 and older can call to make an appointment at either Carteret County Health Department at 252-728-8550 Select option 2 or Carteret Health Care at 252-499-6185.

More details are on the Carteret County Facebook Page or Carteret Health Care webpage.

Craven County

CarolinaEast Health System and the Craven County Health Department are currently working to vaccinate phase 1a priority groups, which consists of health care workers caring for and working directly with patients with COVID-19, including staff responsible for cleaning and maintenance in those areas, and health care workers administering vaccine, according to a statement on the health department’s Facebook page.

CVS and Walgreens pharmacies are working to vaccinate long-term care staff and residents.

Patients of CarolinaEast or CCHC, will be contacted directly by their medical provider’s office to have vaccine appointments scheduled. Patients of CarolinaEast and CCHC do not need to call their physician’s office.

The Craven County Health Department will soon begin vaccinations of the phase 1b priority groups which consists of individuals 75 years of age and older, health care workers and frontline essential workers. Health Department patients 75 years of age and older will be called by the Health Department to schedule their visit so there is no need for those patients to call for an appointment.

The statement notes there are about 16,000 people who are 75 and older and there’s uncertainty about how many doses the county will receive in a given week. A COVID-19 vaccine call center is being established to answer questions and schedule vaccination appointments for those who will not be called by their medical providers to be scheduled. That call center will go live on Jan. 11.

Where can people find out more information?
Craven County COVID-19 vaccine information page
Craven County Health Department Facebook Page

Dare County

Dare County Health Department is now accepting registration information for Priority phase 1b, group 1, individuals 75 and over. Submit information online or call the COVID-19 call center at 252-475-5008.

The county is receiving a very limited amount of the vaccine each week. Dare County receives an email each week from the state, typically on the weekend, with how much vaccine they will be receiving that coming Monday. On Dec. 21, they received 400 doses, on Dec. 29 300 doses on on Jan. 4, 200 doses.

Individuals from the appropriate phase will be scheduled as the vaccine supply allows. Based on the anticipated number of individuals 75 and older who wish to receive the vaccine and the amount of vaccine the county may receive each week, it will likely be the beginning of February before phase 1b, group 2 can register appointments.

Visit www.darenc.com/covidvaccine or the NC DHHS website at  www.covid19.ncdhhs.gov/vaccines for more information.

Hyde County

New Hanover County

Since announcing on Tuesday that New Hanover County Public Health would transition into the next phase – phase 1b, group 1 – of the state’s vaccination rollout plan, the county has scheduled 3,000 individuals to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

Based on the limited vaccine supply made available to the county, all appointments are now full and have been scheduled through Jan. 12.

“There are around 17,000 people who are 75 and older in New Hanover County,” wrote Health and Human Services Director Donna Fayko in a press release. “And we are trying to get to as many of them as possible, as quickly as we can – but we can only vaccinate as many people as the doses we have. We hope to receive an additional supply from the state next week, but at this time we don’t know when or how many that will be.”

When additional vaccine is received from the state, more timeslots will be available to those in phase 1a and phase 1b, group 1, or those 75 and older. When that occurs, an announcement will be shared with the community, the press release said.

For up-to-date on local vaccination efforts, phases, and frequently asked questions, visit Health.NHCgov.com/Coronavirus.

Onslow County

Onslow County as of Friday is only accepting registration forms to schedule an appointment for those 75 and older. There are two documents on the website that must be completed and emailed to OCHD-Vaccine@onslowcountync.gov. Onslow County Health Department staff will contact the applicant to schedule an appointment. Call the Citizens Phone Bank 910-989-5027 for additional questions.

Pamlico County

The Pamlico County Health Department is distributing the Moderna vaccine for COVID-19. Visit the website for detailed information on how the vaccine will be administered and how to register

Pender County

“We started phase 1b, group 1 today (Jan. 5), which is those individuals 75 years of age and older,” wrote county health director Carolyn Moser.  “We will remain in this phase and group until we are satisfied that anyone want the vaccine receives it.”

She said the county receives weekly emails with shipment dates and number of doses. Three shipments have been received to date for a total of 1300 doses. More details are on www.pendercountync.gov.

Tyrrell, Washington Counties

Residents of Martin, Tyrell and Washington counties can register for the vaccine online or by calling 252-793-3023. As of Jan. 6, the counties are vaccinating groups 1a and 1b.

This article first appeared on North Carolina Health News and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

North Carolina Health News is an independent, non-partisan, not-for-profit, statewide news organization dedicated to covering all things health care in North Carolina. Visit NCHN at northcarolinahealthnews.org.

Co-published with Carolina Public Press

Think of it as a link in a chain.

This one starts below the streets of a college campus, where people wrapped in personal protective equipment collect human waste from pipes snaking from student dormitories.

Just 24 hours after those samples are collected, test results reveal whether SARS-CoV-2, better known as the coronavirus, is present.

This coronavirus surveillance system was implemented at Appalachian State University in an ongoing pilot project launched earlier this fall and aimed at detecting COVID-19 at its earliest stages and then pinpointing those infected with the virus.

The university in Boone began collaborating in October with Rachel Noble and her team of researchers at the University of North Carolina Institute of Marine Sciences in Morehead City to set up a coronavirus tracking system.

Noble, a professor of marine and environmental microbiology, is at the helm of research that aims to get an overall picture of where and how coronavirus is being spread in North Carolina by tracking COVID-19 pathogens in wastewater.

The pilot project at ASU initially entailed collecting wastewater from what’s called the lateral line – the sewage pipe that routes waste from a building to a main line that carries the waste to a treatment facility – of seven student dormitories.

Those samples were then shipped from the mountains to the coast, where Noble and her team filtered the waste, putting it through a purification process before screening for the virus.

Not exactly like the nasal swab testing being done throughout the country, “but we’re looking for the exact same thing,” Noble said.

“This is just now being used in a different format in a slightly different way,” she said. “Instead of having people file in in a single-file line to get tested, whether it’s on a campus or whether it’s at an Amazon distribution center and workers are waiting to start their workday, or whether it’s an elementary school or in a town, the idea is the same in that it takes time and money to get individual people tested, and you can use pools or aggregate testing approaches to determine how many people in your system are ill. The wastewater, if you look at it just kind of as pedals on a flower or layers in a cake, it becomes just a layer or just a petal of the entire program.”

In March, Noble and her team began working with town, city and county officials across the state to collect samples from wastewater systems and test those samples for the virus.

Samples from those plants are taken over a 24-hour period, which gives researchers an aggregate measure of what’s going on in that population.

The project at App State is a little different, Noble said, because samples are not taken as often, rather, two to three times a week.

That’s still enough to track the virus.

“You can begin to build an idea of whether people in those buildings, in this case dormitories, are actually sick,” she said.

“It’s not perfect. It’s the same as any sort of nasal swab. It’s not like we can measure the difference between zero and one virus. There’s definitely a detection limit. Whenever people come up and they see a positive result I’m very confident in positive results because the methods are very specific to SARS-CoV-2. If you get a positive, you have ill individuals in the system. If you get a negative, you cannot rule out the fact that there was either excess water in the waste, meaning it got diluted out, or there was excess ‘chunky stuff’ or you just didn’t measure it because it was below the detection limit<” Noble continued. “We’ve been working very hard to improve the recovery of the method, but it’s not perfect and so that’s something we hope to work on in the future. Nobody’s coronavirus methods are perfect or even close to being perfect. We’ve been doing the work for some time now, so I think we’ve achieved the goals that we were set up to achieve for the pilot study.”

Ece Karatan, professor and vice provost for research, molecular microbiology, at ASU, credited Noble and her team for the fact the pilot project was up and running within a week.

“Part of that was Dr. Noble and her team sharing with us some mistakes to avoid,” she said. “For example, we never had to work out when do we sample. When’s the best time to sample. A lot of the issues that arise in any new project we were able to avoid because we had extensive discussions with Dr. Noble and her team and took advantage frankly of her expertise. We had to home in our timing. We had to home in on the number of samples collected. We had to home in what time we could start and the best time we could start. Those are logistic issues that were fairly easy to address.”

Perhaps one of the biggest challenges of the pilot project was getting the samples from the university to the lab.

“Shipping to eastern North Carolina is never easy, but we deal with that all the time,” Noble said. “My lab team was highly, highly resourceful in that way. Instead of waiting for the trucks to come to us to deliver the package, my lab manager decided that we should actually drive there and be there when the package arrived in the morning, literally when the plane flew in or the truck arrived, depending on the location. That saved us probably four, five or six hours of waiting.”

Universities that conduct wastewater tests to detect COVID-19 may share the results of those tests with students, who may then get individually tested.

“What’s good is that the virus can be shed in feces and urine and can be detected before symptoms can emerge,” Karatan said.

ASU researchers are now in the second phase of the project, analyzing results through Dec. 31, Karatan said.

Students living on campus left for winter break around the Thanksgiving holiday. Wastewater samples were also collected from some non-dormitory buildings after the fall semester ended.

Karatan declined to discuss test results.

More than 1,280 coronavirus cases have been reported at ASU, according to The New York Times, which is tracking cases on U.S. campuses through a rolling survey.

As of Dec. 11, 50 campuses in North Carolina reported more than 13,600 cases, according to the Times.

Earlier this year, 14 UNC system schools received $29 million from the UNC-Chapel Hill-based North Carolina Policy Collaboratory to fund 85 research projects focusing on treatment, testing and prevention of COVID-19.

“We have a longer-term vision here,” said Noble, who has been conducting research on wastewater testing to detect viruses for more than a decade. “It’s not just working today on COVID. It’s that this technology has the possibility to prevent, I’m not going to say it’s going to prevent a future pandemic, but it could prevent the scale of something like this happening again because we would be much better informed at the very beginning and that’s really what this is all about is thinking bigger than just the practical things that we’re doing on a daily basis.”

A task force established earlier this year to address inequalities amplified by COVID-19 in communities of color recommends looking at pressing public health issues such as the “sick building” problem that can increase the spread of the coronavirus.

The problem is caused by legacy pollutants — radon, asbestos, mildew, mold — that arise from delayed maintenance of aging schools, senior centers, hospitals and other buildings, according to the first biannual report released this month by the Andrea Harris Social, Economic, Environmental and Health Equity Task Force Gov. Roy Cooper put in place in June.

The report finds that, because of aging and poorly functioning HVAC systems, students attending these schools “are exposed to a host of chemical and biological contaminants that adversely affect their health and overall well-being and their ability to learn. Reopening these schools amid the pandemic is likely to exacerbate the problem, as buildings with poor ventilation, already a crucible for building related diseases, can potentially become hotbeds for the spread of the coronavirus.”

The sick building problem is just one issue the task force recommends addressing.

Task force members broke up into subcommittees focused on five areas — access to healthcare, economic opportunity and business development, educational opportunity, environmental justice and inclusion and patient engagement — to create the report, approved during a meeting Nov. 18.

Themes the subcommittees recommend addressing include broadband access and telemedicine, Medicaid expansion, workforce development, improving digital literacy, support for federally qualified health centers and medical school pipelines, which are programs at all levels of education that targets, enrolls and supports until graduation underrepresented students including minority, low income and women, with the goal of increasing representation in a certain field, according to the National Library of Medicine.

“Inequities in North Carolina are not new, but the pandemic is shining a bright light on disparities in our health care and our economy. This task force has recommended ways to tackle these inequities and break through systemic barriers to quality healthcare and economic opportunities,” Cooper said in a statement.

In addition to policy recommendations, the biannual report includes subcommittee goals, accomplishments and plans for the next year. A digital copy of the biannual report is on the website and there is a 2020 Policy Recommendations fact sheet that serves as a quick guide to the report.

“The policy recommendations were developed by task force members with public input to help improve equity among underserved communities, particularly communities of color,” said state Department of Administration Secretary Machelle Sanders. “It is our goal to create economic opportunity, eliminate health disparities, and achieve environmental justice for a better North Carolina.”

James H. Johnson Jr. is on the Environmental Justice and Inclusion Subcommittee  and serves as director of Urban Investment Strategies Center, Kenan-Flagler School of Business, and is chair of the state Department of Environmental Quality’s Environmental Justice and Equity Advisory Board.

Johnson said in an interview that research shows the urgently needed renovation of existing aging and rapidly deteriorating school buildings in mostly rural and low-wealth counties is a $3 billion problem in North Carolina.

“My concern, and issue that I’ve raised, is that we have lots of people saying we’ve got to get students back into school, but legacy pollutants and poor HVAC systems increase the potential for COVID spread,” he said.

It’s not just schools that are sick buildings. Any aging infrastructure, businesses, county buildings, could have these problems, Johnson said.

The subcommittee opted to focus on schools when it comes to sick buildings at first because of the push to have children back in school.

“If the school is new, risk is low to spread COVID-19. But in some of these places where the HVAC systems don’t function so well, it’s another risk and potential problem, but pandemic or not, we need to fix the problem,” he said.

There’s some efforts to deal with sick buildings in some places, he continued, but “the point is we have deteriorating infrastructure and some groups are more adversely impacted in rural counties where the tax bases cant invest in public school infrastructure.”

Also, on the coast, there’s the added complication that comes with recurrent weather events like hurricanes. “This year we had the worst hurricane season in four decades,” Johnson said, adding that these recurrent weather events are part of the new normal, which he calls “certain uncertainty.”

“Here’s the opportunity in the crisis,” he said, explaining that this is a unique chance to address this pressing issue by creating jobs and businesses to move sick businesses to green businesses with open space and open spaces for kids to learn, play and develop.

Other recommendations by the Environmental Justice and Inclusion Subcommittee include environmental justice and equity concerns in state decision-making and address environmental and economic impacts in disadvantaged communities, according to the state Department of Environmental Quality.

“At the state level, we must also consider how economic incentives, business recruitment and retention, economic development, and infrastructure decisions either improve or disadvantage communities,” said DEQ Secretary Michael S. Regan, who serves as subcommittee chair, in a statement. “Together, we should have a standard analysis and decision-making process for how proposed projects could disproportionately impact communities of color.”

Subcommittee members joining Johnson and Regan are North Carolina NAACP President the Rev. Dr. T. Anthony Spearman, Greg Richardson, the executive director of the Commission of Indian Affairs, and the Rev. Dr. Jonathan Augustine, pastor of St. Joseph African Methodist Church.

“Together we have committed to be bold and to challenge the status quo by bringing forth impactful and long-lasting change with every recommendation we make,” said Spearman in a release. “This team is intent on peering through the lens of equity wholeheartedly agree that lives do matter and the return we will get on our investment for doing just and right will yield greater returns than any monetary return on investments ever will.”

The subcommittee is also pushing for the creation of environmental justice, equity and inclusion positions in state agencies such as the departments of Commerce, Transportation, Natural and Cultural Resources, and the Office of Emergency Management.

“The goals of the subcommittee broaden environmental justice beyond DEQ to incorporate EJ and equity concerns more consistently in state-decision making that impacts communities of color,” Sharon Martin, DEQ spokesperson, told Coastal Review Online. The biannual report details how, as well as next steps and issues ahead for the subcommittee’s work.

The subcommittee also has proposed using current training and incentive programs to create jobs initiatives in disadvantaged communities geared toward remediation and resiliency work on public and low-income buildings in those communities, with a specific focus on public schools within the demonstration sites of Robeson and Edgecombe counties, according to the release.

“The Task Force created a propitious opportunity to recommend policy changes as well as strategies, tactics, and programmatic initiatives to address pressing environmental justice issues in our state, such as the sick building problem in our public schools that affects children of color disproportionately,” said Johnson in the release. “More than that, in the process, we can create a pathway to greater shared prosperity and economic justice by intentionally connecting historically disadvantaged citizens to business and job opportunities aimed at addressing environmental and public health equity issues in our state.”

The Andrea Harris Task Force plans to develop a policy implementation plan, host public listening sessions, and continue working on long-term goals set by the subcommittees in August. This is the first of two reports that will be released by the task force. The second report is scheduled to be released June 1, 2021.

Established under Executive Order No. 143, the task force is named for the late civil rights activist, Andrea Harris, who dedicated her life to eliminating disparities in North Carolina, co-founding the nonprofit Institute of Minority Economic Development in Durham and serving on the state’s Advisory Council for Historically Underutilized Businesses.

Eligible commercial fishers, for-hire fishing operators, seafood dealers and processors, and marine aquaculture operations that suffered revenue losses the spring of 2020 can apply for the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security, or CARES, Act Fisheries Relief Program.

The state received $5.4 million from the CARES Act to provide financial relief through direct payments to fishery-related stakeholder groups affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The state Division of Marine Fisheries mailed application packets to eligible license, lease and permit holders, according to a release Tuesday from the state.

Applicants will be required to complete the application, an affidavit and provide materials documenting loss of revenue greater than 35% from March 1 to May 31, 2020, compared to the average revenue from the same period of the previous five-years.

Eligible stakeholders who did not receive an application in the mail or are not licensed by the division can obtain application packets on the CARES Act Fisheries Assistance Information webpage or at division offices.

The program is intended to put recipients in the same financial position they would be in had COVID-19 not occurred, but not exceed average earnings over the past five years.

Applications and supporting documentation must delivered in person by 5 p.m. Nov. 30 to the division Headquarters Office at 3441 Arendell St., Morehead City or postmarked by 5 p.m. Nov. 30 and mailed to N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, CARES Act Fisheries Relief Program, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City N.C. 28557.  Applications submitted after will not be considered.

For questions regarding the spending plan, email covid19relief@ncdenr.gov or call the division’s License and Statistics Office at 252-808-8105.

Five employees on the Neuse River ferry route between Cherry Branch and Minnesott Beach have tested positive for COVID-19, the state Department of Transportation reported Wednesday.

Service on the Cherry Branch-Minnesott Beach ferry route has not been affected.

The five employees, who are recovering at home under quarantine for at least 14 days, last worked on the route Oct. 20. The seven employees in contact with the crew have not tested positive, but are also under quarantine.

Health departments in Craven and Pamlico counties and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services have been notified of the positive tests.

Passengers who think they may have been exposed to the virus should contact their local health departments.

The M/V Neuse, which currently runs the Pamlico River route, has been cleaned extensively using COVID-19 procedures as well as the terminals at both Cherry Branch and Minnesott Beach.

During the pandemic, all ferries have undergone frequent cleanings while in service. All ferry crews are required to wear face coverings when on board, while passengers are strongly encouraged to practice social distancing and wear face coverings while on ferry decks or in passenger lounges.

The measures put in place in March to curb the spread of COVID-19 have changed how North Carolinians consume and dispose of waste. This is the fifth installment in a series examining how advocacy organizations, local governments and state agencies are adapting to these changes.

One day about five years ago, Paul Schernitzki of Maysville experienced an awakening of sorts while driving to work. The grass along the road he traveled all summer had just been mowed by roadworkers. It was as if a shaved beard exposed oozing sores.

“I was shocked how much litter there was,” Schernitzki said in a February podcast, recounting the reasons for founding his new educational anti-littering effort, The Litter Pirate. “It blew my mind.”

But safety measures related to COVID-19 have stalled The Litter Pirate’s work, along with other annual or seasonal roadside cleanups organized by the state Department of Transportation and numerous community volunteer groups.

“It just made it a lot worse when the COVID set in, but we were already having budget issues,” Kimberly Wheeless, NCDOT’s litter management program outreach coordinator, said about litter maintenance programs. “The only positive note due to the COVID is, in the beginning, more people were staying home, so there was less litter.”

Both of DOT’s annual spring and fall litter sweeps had to be canceled because of the virus, she said. Cleanups associated with the department’s Adopt-A-Highway program and Sponsor-A-Highway litter sweeps were also rescheduled or canceled.

But with more people hitting the highways as everything is opening up again, Wheeless added, roadside and parking lot litter now include the addition of masks and gloves. Cigarette butts and fast-food trash continue to be the main component of the garbage, along with plastic bags, straws and bottles, as well as aluminum cans and glass bottles.

During 2019, NCDOT spent $21,665,454 removing litter from 80,000 miles of state routes, according to state data.

To offset costs, the agency has programs such as Sponsor-A-Highway, which offers 1-mile segments of highway to businesses to sponsor in exchange for a fee to pay professional cleanup crews and a roadside sign advertising the business, and Adopt-A-Highway, which offers supplies to volunteer groups to pick up and bag litter on sections of road in their communities for DOT to collect.

Funding for most of the state prison crews that did cleanups in the past has been cut in recent years, although some local governments still use inmates to remove litter. Others pick up roadside litter as part of court-mandated community service.

With or without COVID-19 aggravating the issue, litter has been a costly and unsightly plague on North Carolina, from the coast to the mountains.

In 2019, the Sponsor-A-Highway program removed 577,035 pounds of litter, and Adopt-A-Highway picked up 1,020,870 pounds of roadside trash. Other volunteers reported a total of 77,115 pounds, and NCDOT contract litter maintenance removed 7,253,490 pounds. Also, there was a total of 3,154 litter charges issued with 983 convictions. Intentional litterers could face fines of $250 plus costs.

Keep American Beautiful, probably the most recognized anti-litter nonprofit group, has about 650 certified affiliates nationwide and about 30 in North Carolina.

The group began in 1953 when “a group of corporate, civic and environmental leaders gathered to unite the public and private sectors to foster a national cleanliness ethic,” according to a 2018 press release.

The famous “Crying Indian” public service announcement from 1971, depicting a supposed Native American man (who was actually an Italian-American) on horseback, looking at the polluted and littered environment in his midst. As the camera zooms into his face, a big tear welled from one eye onto his cheek.

But critics of the PSA, often cited as one of the most successful in advertising history, accuse Keep American Beautiful of using the campaign to blame consumers, rather than manufacturers, for the blight.

“Not only were they the very essence of what the counterculture was against, they were also staunchly opposed to many environmental initiatives,” Finis Dunaway, author of “Seeing Green: The Use and Abuse of American Environmental Images,” wrote in a Nov. 21, 2017, editorial in the Chicago Tribune.

Dunaway contended that the “Crying Indian” purposely deflected attention from responsibility for the environmental blight created by disposable packaging and container industries.

“That narrative is fundamentally untrue,” said Keep American Beautiful spokesman Noah Ullman.

Although most of the founding members of the group, initially called the “Keep Our Roadsides Clean Council,” included corporate representatives from, among others, the National Can Corp., American Petroleum Institute and Paper Cup and Container Institute, it also represented the National Council of State Garden Clubs and the National Parks Association.

Ullman cited the group’s 2019 impact report as evidence of the Keep American Beautiful’s value to communities: 11,911,783 hours volunteered; 218,056 acres cleaned or improved; 59,874 miles of trails and roadway picked up; 7,764 miles of shoreline cleaned and $304,952,284 of economic benefit to communities.

In addition to regular cleanups, other events, such as the “plogging” trash blast, which features a long implement that picks up litter, were also sponsored this year by Keep American Beautiful, but were delayed, canceled or held virtually.

“The scale we deliver is impressive,” Ullman said. “It seems obvious to us now, but people didn’t know about putting things in the bin.”

Micki Bozeman, executive director of Keep Brunswick County Beautiful, confirms that most of the affiliate’s varied tasks, including its litter index that assesses the volume of litter at different spots in the county, have been affected by COVID.

For whatever reason, she added, people seem to think nothing of throwing masks and gloves outside — out their vehicle window, or tossed aside after leaving a building.

“It’s everywhere, especially in the parking lots,” Bozeman said. “Which to me just blows my mind.”

Bozeman, who is also the county’s solid waste and recycling coordinator, said the Brunswick affiliate, working in the county for 18 years, focuses more on the rural areas that don’t receive the same attention as the beaches.

But the county places specially designed carts at beach areas, she said, that serve the purpose of a “big ashtray” to encourage people not to put out their cigarettes on the ground or in the sand.

Considering the unfortunate reality that people continue to litter, she said being affiliated with a well-known national organization like Keep America Beautiful encourages people to get involved in cleaning it up.

“I’ve never littered at all, and I’ve never understood at all why somebody throws something out the window,” Bozeman said. “I do think that it’s something good for communities to be part of the effort.”

Schernitzki, a 39-year-old K-12 teacher, was so appalled by the amount of litter he saw just commuting to work that he decided to clean the area himself. It turned out to be more than one person could handle.

“The thing is, if you drive around and notice litter on the side of the road,” he said in an interview, “it’s always way worse than you can see in a car.”

Even after connecting with Adopt-A-Highway and other volunteers, he said, picking up litter off the same roadways over and over again left him feeling jaded.

“There’s a road I drive on called Hibbs Road in Carteret County,” Schernitzki said. “The last time I picked that road, I filled 100 30-gallon bags in 2 miles.”

It soon became obvious, he said, that littering is a complex problem that needs a more comprehensive solution than some unpaid people cleaning up other people’s trash. Policymakers, law enforcers and lawmakers, religious and business leaders and many more representatives from the public and private sector, he said, need to be engaged.

“I see the problem as kind of a pie chart,” Schernitzki said. “I think volunteerism has a place, but it should have an equal share of the pie.”

As a science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, teacher at Roger Bell New Tech Academy in Havelock who does videography on the side, Schernitzki thought he’d start by teaching young people about the waste stream and responsible disposal.

“I think people are assuming that children are getting taught that in school, but they’re not,” he said.

Less than a year ago, Schernitzki, who transplanted to Eastern North Carolina from Seattle in 2015, founded The Litter Pirate, a tongue-in-cheek nod to his outsider status as well as his mission to crew a diverse force of young and old to conquer litter. His website includes links to humorous videos and informative podcasts to help the spoonfuls of litter education go down easy.

“The goal of The Litter Pirate is to do more than pick litter,” he said in the podcast. “It’s to fight littering, not just litter.”

On the Western corner of the state, Gary Chamberlain founded North Carolina Litter-Free Coalition for similar reasons.

Chamberlain, 73, landed in North Carolina from Arizona about four years ago after visiting the state during one of his frequent cross-country bicycle trips.

“Every state has a litter epidemic, there is no state that is immune to this,” he said in an interview. “It’s a problem that nobody seems to be able to get their arms around.”

Roadside litter has served as a sad and alarming illustration of the social crisis with drugs and alcohol abuse, Chamberlain said. He has found liquor and beer bottles, opened and unopened, as well as needles and pill bottles.

The coalition has a “Cash-4-Trash” program, funded by local businesses and residents, that pays people $100 to fill 10 33-gallon bags with litter and answer six litter-related questions.

“It makes it a win-win situation for everybody,” he said. “Businesses love this program because they’re rewarding people who are doing something for their community. And the people who need funding have a way now to earn some funding rather than … begging for money for doing nothing.”

Chamberlain, a Vietnam War veteran and retired pharmaceutical data collection consultant, said he sees littering as a personal responsibility and doesn’t blame NCDOT for the volume of litter on roadsides.

“You, who are aunts, uncles, parents, or whatever, you put that trash there,” he said about his message. “So don’t complain to the NCDOT when they don’t have the time, money or funding to pick up the crap you left on the highway.”

That idea has received the approval of Republican politicians in the state, but Chamberlain said that the insists that the coalition remain nonpartisan. And the coalition’s slogan urging people to “Honor God and His Creation,” is about appreciating the environment, not “pushing scripture,” he said.

No matter a person’s beliefs or background, he said, “there’s something in this for everybody” because everyone hates litter.

“We’re an army of one,” he said, “consisting of many.”

Chamberlain said he hopes that the NC Litter Coalition eventually will be able to expand statewide.

Changing a careless behavior like littering, he agrees, will be a long-term effort.

“It’s a complicated thing,” he said. “I guess to get down to the basic thing is we need to educate the youth in elementary and middle school because they’re going to become the ones that actually make a difference long term.

“In my lifetime, I’m never going to see anything even close to what would make me happy, because we’re so far behind the eight ball.”

Aquaculture producers directly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic are now eligible for relief through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

President Trump and Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced Friday the $14 billion Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2, or CFAP 2. USDA will accept CFAP 2 applications from Sept. 21 to Dec. 11. Application forms can be found at farmers.gov/cfap.

When the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, or CFAP, was launched in April, aquaculture farmers were not eligible for the $19 billion relief program for farmers and ranchers.

“We listened to feedback received from farmers, ranchers and agricultural organizations about the impact of the pandemic on our nations’ farms and ranches, and we developed a program to better meet the needs of those impacted,” said Perdue in a statement.

Eligible aquaculture species must be raised by a commercial operator and in water in a controlled environment. This includes molluscan shellfish and seaweed that was previously covered under the U.S. Department of Commerce program.

Documentation to support the producer’s application and certification may be requested. All other eligibility forms, such as those related to adjusted gross income and payment information, can be downloaded from farmers.gov/cfap/apply.

Customers seeking one-on-one support with the CFAP 2 application process can call 877-508-8364 to speak directly with a USDA employee ready to offer assistance. This is a recommended first step before a producer engages with the team at the FSA county office.

The measures put in place in March to curb the spread of COVID-19 have changed how North Carolinians consume and dispose of waste. This is the fourth installment in a series examining how advocacy organizations, local governments and state agencies are adapting to these changes.

Debris that litters the coast has been a longstanding problem for marine life, and coordinators for University of North Carolina Wilmington’s Turtle Trash Collectors program, which previously offered in-person educational activities, have changed how they reach audiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Laura Sirak-Schaeffer, grants project coordinator and lead instructor for Turtle Trash Collectors, said in an interview that the program is an environmental education initiative funded by a grant from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration Marine Debris Program.

Turtle Trash Collectors is a project through MarineQuest, the official marine science outreach program for UNCW,  Watson College of Education, and the Center for Marine Science to offer young people with opportunities to explore, discover and value our marine habitats.

The goal of the program is to educate youth about the impacts of marine debris and encourage behavioral changes that will reduce its generation in the future.

“This program combines both my love for sea turtles and my passion for public education. My favorite part of my job is knowing that we are making a lasting impact by teaching everyone how they can stop marine debris,” she said.

Sirak-Schaeffer explained that marine debris has major effects on all kinds of marine organisms, especially sea turtles, which can confuse plastic bags and balloons for jellyfish. The debris can end up in their system and can get stuck, making the turtle feel full so that they stop eating. Sea turtles also can swallow fishing hooks and get caught in fishing nets.

“Since sea turtles are endangered species, we need to find a way to protect them from the impacts of marine debris,” Sirak-Schaeffer said, adding ways to help include reduce using plastic and use reusable water bottles, coffee cups, grocery bags and food containers instead, pick up trash to make sure it doesn’t end up in the ocean and encourage others to help.

Turtle Trash Collectors launched earlier this year new citizen-science program to better understand how COVID-19 is affecting pollution and marine debris.  Volunteers are to pick an area to hold a cleanup, such as a neighborhood, park or beach, and hold three cleanups in the same area, once now, then again when quarantine restrictions are lifting, and once more when everything is reopened and back to normal. Participation information is on the website.

During each cleanup, volunteers are asked to keep track of what they collect using a data sheet and then report data so progress can be recorded.

Sue Kezios, director of Youth Programs and UNCW MarineQuest, is the principle investigator, or PI, for the NOAA grant that funds the Turtle Trash Collectors project.

Kezios said that there already was in place the Turtle Trash Collector badging program to encourage young people and their families to collect certain kinds of marine debris, single-use plastic items in particular.

“But during the early days of the pandemic I started to hear stories about how the environment seemed to be responding to the decrease in human impacts. People in the Indian province of Punjab being able to see the Himalayan mountains for the first time in many years due to a reduction in air pollution, Kezios said. “This got me thinking about litter and whether that was decreasing; and if so, what would we find during beach cleanups?”

Kezios continued that the idea to launch the citizen-science project grew out of this initial idea and the fact that they were starting to hear how kids were struggling with online learning and being quarantined at home.

“Our citizen-science project is a great way to get them outside, engaged in science and helping the environment. We asked them to do a trash survey of the immediate neighborhood surrounding their homes during the early weeks of the pandemic, then a follow up survey once their community started to open back up, and a final survey once the community is fully opened,” Kezios said. “Will the trash increase as people start to spend more time out of their homes? Unfortunately, the data so far seems to indicate this is happening.”

Sirak-Schaeffer said the idea for Turtle Trash Collectors was sparked in the summer of 2018.

She and Kezios were “brainstorming ideas for new outreach programs and thought ‘wouldn’t it be fun to show the impacts of marine debris by simulating a sea turtle necropsy?’ We ran with the idea, applied for a grant through the NOAA Marine Debris Program, and were pleased to receive funding. We spent many hours designing and sewing our life-like sea turtle models, officially implementing programs in schools as of January of 2019,” Sirak-Schaeffer said.

They’ve traveled more than 9,000 miles and reached nearly 12,000 students and 500 teachers in southeastern North Carolina since starting the program, she said. ““We also educated 3,800 kids and 3,000 adults at public programs, mostly at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center and the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher last summer.”

Kezios said she searched for a life-size and realistic-looking model and found a green sea turtle stuffed-animal toy that was easy to adapt for a necropsy simulation.

“Fortunately, our team is pretty creative, and we have a number of skilled seamstresses. I gutted the stuffed-turtles and reinforced their side walls. Another team member used cross-stitch webbing to reinforce and apply Velcro to the removable plastron,” Kezios explained. “Then we set up an assembly line and started sewing organs – muscles and heart, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, then trachea and lungs. The most difficult part was making small resealable openings throughout the digestive tract so we could insert marine debris that a sea turtle might mistakenly ingest.”

This is the third grant Kezios has secured that focuses specifically on the problem of marine debris.

“I think anyone who has seen coverage of a whale or sea turtle starving to death because of the marine debris they’ve swallowed or struggling to swim and breathe because they are entangled by derelict fishing gear must feel some level of responsibility for the problem,” she said. “We all generate trash, the challenge is to reduce it as much as possible and to responsibly dispose of it in an environmentally appropriate manner. Educational programs like ours can help people recognize the small ways they can contribute to a solution for a huge problem like marine debris.”

Kezios said the success of Turtle Trash Collectors was built on a previous project, Traveling Through Trash, funded by a NOAA marine debris prevention grant.

The project involved visiting schools in rural communities throughout the region with life-size inflatable North Atlantic Right Whale classroom, during which time they formed relationships with many of the school systems in coastal and southeastern North Carolina.

“The kids attended a program inside the whale and learned about marine debris origins and impacts, as well as how they can help prevent it. The program was very successful, so we were encouraged to continue our efforts with a second grant that leveraged young people’s interest in sea turtles,” Kezios said.

The idea to create stuffed turtles to simulate a necropsy, or animal autopsy, was based on the Traveling Through Trash project.

“One of the lessons we utilized with the life-sized whale was a simulated necropsy. This was so large it could only be done as a group exercise.  So, we decided to focus on a different marine organism that was equally charismatic, also impacted by marine debris, and would allow for small group interactions. The sea turtle was a perfect fit,” Kezios said.

Sirak-Schaeffer explained that before the pandemic, “we would bring our model sea turtles to elementary schools in southeastern North Carolina and do a hands-on demonstration with third to fifth grade classes. Since that is not possible right now due to COVID-19, we have shifted to a fully virtual experience. We still do our simulated necropsy and help you learn about sea turtles and marine debris, but now we do it via Zoom or other online delivery platforms,” she said.

The free virtual Turtle Trash Collectors programs are hourlong sessions that features a simulated sea turtle dissection, learn how trash can get to the ocean, see how trash in the ocean can impact sea turtles and learn how to help stop marine debris, including how to become a Turtle Trash Collector. Dates are announced on Facebook for the virtual programs designed for third to fifth graders, though all ages are welcome. Younger audiences should attend with an adult if possible. The next virtual program is 11 a.m. Oct. 3. A private program for students, Scouts or network can be scheduled as well.

Since transitioning to virtual programs in March, “we have reached over 750 students, 100 adults, and an additional 300 participants. We are looking forward to a busy fall of virtual programs and would love for you to join in on the fun,” she said.

Kezios told Coastal Review Online that the team “has done a terrific job” pivoting the project to online delivery.

“They created resources that allow students to watch the virtual necropsy on the computer screen while still following along with a dissection guide and flip book. With NOAA’s permission, we’ve been able to expand our geographic delivery area and the team has provided programs to students around the country and even overseas in places like Austria and Uganda,” Kezios added.

To join the Turtle Trash Collector badge program designed for upper-elementary students in the southeastern part of the state, participants will need to sign up to receive a Turtle Trash Collector Handbook that helps identify what kinds of debris to collect for each badge, where to find it, and how to collect the debris safely. Participants will need to collect 20 debris items in each of these categories to earn badges: snack food wrappers and food packaging; drink items such as aluminum cans, plastic bottles, etc.; plastic straws; fast food containers and plastic utensils; and plastic bags.

The Turtle Trash Collectors program has helped young people who don’t live near the coast realize that land-based litter can still make its way into the ocean and harm marine organisms, Kezios said. “Marine debris is everyone’s problem and we encourage our students to choose to be part of the solution.”

The measures put in place in March to curb the spread of COVID-19 have changed how North Carolinians consume and dispose of waste. This is the third installment in a series examining how advocacy organizations, local governments and state agencies are adapting to these changes.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how we consume, which is being reflected in the recycling and waste industry.

The Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler in a message encourages Americans to recycle materials from their households to recycle more and recycle right by keeping gloves, masks, other personal protective equipment out of recycling bins and off the ground. 

“Businesses that normally recycle large amounts of paper and cardboard aren’t able to do that right now. Because of this, household recycling is more essential than ever. We are all staying home and getting more deliveries in cardboard boxes and generating more material than normal, much of which can be recycled,” according to the EPA. “Recycled materials are key for everything from making new products to boxes to ship products and other essential supplies for the everyday needs of hospitals, grocery stores, pharmacies and American homes. There are critical needs for all raw materials in the manufacturing supply chain, especially paper and cardboard.”

One concern the state Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service, or DEACS, has heard from local government and recycling hauler contacts is that contamination in the recycling stream has increased since March.

DEACS Recycling Business Development Specialist Sandy Skolochenko explained in a recent interview that varying factors have led to the contamination problem.

“It ties in to the use of more single-use plastic items and residents placing them in the recycling bin even though most of those items don’t belong. Other factors are more time spent at home and more material generated at the curb,” she said. “In some cases, people are simply using their recycling bin as an overflow trash container. Additionally, unfamiliar materials like gloves and masks are now commonplace in the home and I’m sure there is some ‘wishcycling’ happening with those materials.”

She explained that wishcycling, also known as aspirational recycling, “happens when you put something into the recycling bin without checking whether it’s actually recyclable.”

The division developed a social media campaign to address COVID-related residential waste to help educate the public about what can and can’t be recycled.

Skolochenko added that she’s heard anecdotally that the commercial waste stream has decreased more than 50% and on the residential side, the Solid Waste Association of America reports that volume has increased 20%.

Big picture, Skolochenko said, is that the waste and recycling stream has shifted during the pandemic from the commercial sector to the residential sector.

“Commercial facilities generate quite a bit of cardboard, so the availability of that material has decreased at a time when manufacturers really need it to make essential items like toilet paper, shipping boxes and packaging for food and medical supplies. So it’s very important that we keep our residential recycling programs intact to keep feeding recycled content into the supply chain,” she said.

Matt James is a DAECS industrial development specialist who focuses on recycling business development.

James also noted that the stream of recyclables that goes to material recovery facilities contains much more residential recyclables since the pandemic has forced more folks to stay home.

“As businesses have reduced their hours, the commercial stream of recycling has decreased. Usually, the commercial stream of recycling is higher value and less contaminated,” he said.

Residents can help reduce contaminating the recycling stream by recycling materials that are actually recyclable such as plastic bottles, tubs, jugs and jars, glass bottles, metal cans, paper and cardboard.

A recent survey from his office showed that 80% of the recycling collected in North Carolina went to a manufacturer in the southeast, about 7% of the tonnage went to states outside the southeast and 13% of North Carolina’s recyclables left the country to be recycled in another country, he said.

“The most common and troublesome contaminant in the recycling stream is still plastic bags. The plastic bags and film tangle up the recycling equipment at Material Recovery Facilities. If people want to recycle their grocery bags, they can take them back to the store, but they should not put them in their recycling cart,” he added.

As for beach towns, the trend he’s noticed is that residents demand recycling despite the struggles with the industry.

“Because coastal towns can be located further from some of the state’s material recovery facilities, towns sometimes have difficulty finding outlets for their materials. We’ve seen some coastal communities drop their recycling program only to bring it back after their residents demand that service. Our office has been working with recycling markets to find sustainable solutions for recycling on the coast,” he said.

Shanna Fullmer, public works director for Dare County, said that trash tonnage has gone up overall 7% since last summer, mostly residential trash versus commercial.

“Recycling has slowed due to departmental challenges along with the closure of private recycle company on Hatteras Island,” she said. The only beach town that unincorporated Dare County manages is Hatteras Island and the closure of private company has presented Dare County with overflow issues as well as contamination issues.

She reiterated that following instructions at recycle yards as to what materials go where is vital to keep the recycling stream uncontaminated. “Recycle only the basics — plastic, glass, cardboard, aluminum cans, steel cans, paper. Many items people want to recycle simply are not recyclable in this area due to lack of markets.”

One beach town that has figured out a way to bring recycling back to its residents is Southern Shores.

Town manager Cliff Ogburn explained that because of changes in the market, Bay Disposal, which hauls the town’s recycling, had been taking the material to an incinerator.

“We are pleased to have worked with Bay to find a way to get back to recycling,” he said in an interview in late August. The town council amended the contract with Bay Disposal Aug. 18 and will now be hauling the recycling, including glass, to Recycling & Disposal Solutions of Virginia, or RDS, in Portsmouth.

Bay Disposal notified the town in December 2019 that the company no longer had a place to deliver collected materials. Since then, Bay has been taking the town’s recycling material to a waste-to-energy facility also in Portsmouth, Virginia.

Bay Disposal cannot place any noncontaminated recycling material in a landfill. The change adds $5,701 to the original annual contract amount of $189,500. The town said it serves about 2,800 homes as part of its recycling contract, according to the town.

Across the board, Ogburn said that while he hasn’t noticed an increase in littering, there is more residential trash and recycling than in years past, “Which makes sense due to more people staying home.  It’s also reflected in that trash and recycling costs have increased due to the increased volume.”

Joe Benedetto III, president of RDS Virginia, said he’s looking forward to working with Southern Shores to find creative solutions to the challenges that recycling has, especially with the challenges that COVID-19 has brought.

He explained that RDS is a smaller processor that focuses mostly on recycling, and serves about two dozen local governments in parts of Virginia and is trying to expand to the Outer Banks. He said they take in about 50,000 tons of recycling and about 20,000 tons of trash.

Benedetto said that recycling and the recycling markets have struggled recently with China being out of the recycling market in the Unites States for the last three years — that’s what led to the closure of a lot of recycling facilities. It pushed a lot of the cost structure back toward municipalities. China no longer buying recycling materials contributed to the demise of a lot of recycling programs, especially those on the Outer Banks.

RDS Virginia has been in talks with the state to set up a small facility somewhere closer to the Outer Banks to save on some of the transportation costs, and set up a small operation to do processing.

“The challenge with the Outer Banks is the location and the fact that there really isn’t a dedicated recycling center in that area. And, and that’s partly because of location and partly because of volume,” he said.

His company, having gone through the lack of demand and market, was able “to adjust a little bit over the past few years so that’s at least one big burden that’s been off our shoulders.”

Since March, Benedetto said that because of all the shutdowns, volume on types of paper from commercial and industrial has dramatically decreased and there has been an increase in the material coming out of the households, which makes sense because people are staying at home.

The mixed materials they’re seeing come out of households changed, too. The biggest change is the additional cardboard, which he contributes to the “Amazon effect,” as well as single serve products, tin cans and aluminum cans.

Among the single-serve products he’s noticed an increase in is single-serve plastics, like water bottles, but he said he hasn’t noticed an increase in plastic cutlery.

“It just kind of reflects the shifting of people from an office building to a home,” Benedetto said, and the shift from buying at a store to ordering online and having delivery to your house.

“We have also seen a higher percentage of contamination,” Benedetto said.

He speculated that could be because there’s folks who may not have been actively recycling in the past and are not quite sure what to recycle. He said there have been some gloves and masks but “things like plastic bags and such seem to be a little more prevalent,” he said.

One way he hopes to help lessen contamination in the recycling stream is to put out printed magnets explaining what to distribute to residents. ‘Education is always, in my opinion, the thing that we need to do and continue to do to reduce contamination and improve recycling rates.”

Local and state observations are in line with a recent survey by the Environmental Research & Education Foundation and the National Waste & Recycling Association on how the industry has been affected and how it has dealt with COVID-19 challenges.

The organizations received about 400 responses, mostly from waste haulers, as well as consulting firms, municipalities, government agencies and academic institutions, all of which reported being impacted by the pandemic.

Results indicate that academic institutions were among the most impacted, with government agencies and waste haulers reporting around 90%.

“About 6 out of 10 of haulers/waste managers experienced a decrease in volumes, while nearly 3 in 10 actually managed more material and the remainder were unchanged. This reflects the decline in commercial waste from the closure of offices, retail spaces and restaurants contrasted by the increase in residential waste from being quarantined. Unfortunately, increased volumes do not necessarily translate to attendant rise in revenue as many residential contracts are fixed price,” according to the EREF.

Additionally, close to 70% respondents noted that residential waste was the largest increase, with the remaining consisting of food, yard, commercial, medical, construction and demolition and industrial waste, in that order, while 67% observed a decrease in commercial waste.

Some respondents indicated that there have been changes to recycling, with some being sent directly to the landfill or minimal sorting is taking place, some stopped manual sorting, and others allowed all recyclables to be mixed, stopping all sorting. There were a few instances where recycling was stopped completely.

Respondents observed a decrease in medical waste rather than an increase.

“Anecdotal observations via discussions with medical personnel suggest that while localized COVID-19 ‘hotspots’ could result in increased medical waste volumes, the majority of the U.S. has seen reductions in medical waste,” according to EREF. “Healthcare workers suggest this could be due to a large portion of the population working at home, which may impact the frequency of situations requiring medical care. Elective surgeries were canceled and telehealth services have increased. Many doctors and dentists closed their offices to routine care and are only now beginning to reopen. In addition, COVID-19 patients do not generate significant amounts of medical waste.”

Despite the changes in volume for the different streams, 83% indicated they’re not handling any waste differently.

The Solid Waste Association of America, or SWANA, submitted in July a written statement to the U.S. Senate Committee of Environment and Public Works about the challenges facing recycling in the United States.

The statement is in conjunction with the Committee’s oversight hearing, “Responding to the Challenges Facing Recycling in the United States,” according to SWANA.

SWANA notes in the statement the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic is having on recycling programs and facilities, similar to those being reported by other organizations. There has been a decrease in recovered material from commercial customers such as schools, offices, and stores, meanwhile residential waste and recycling volume increased nationwide in March and April, though it has declined from the peak of about 20% higher than normal, according to SWANA.

SWANA also pointed to operational changes at recycling facilities to keep workers safe, temporary suspension of some curbside collection programs, and additional personal protective equipment provided by employers in response to concerns about exposure expressed by front-line workers.

The measures put in place in March to curb the spread of COVID-19 have changed how North Carolinians consume and dispose of waste. This is the second installment in a series examining how advocacy organizations, local governments and state agencies are adapting to these changes.

Environmental organizations along the coast, which are having to adapt to precautions to slow the spread of COVID-19, are noticing more coronavirus-related litter, from gloves and masks to takeout packaging, which can become hazardous marine debris.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, recommends that everyone wear cloth face coverings when leaving their homes, and many use single-use personal protective equipment, like gloves, wipes and disposable masks.

Another federal agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, Marine Debris Program warns that improperly disposing of personal protective equipment can create marine debris and harm the environment.

“Improperly discarded PPE can enter the environment through ineffective or improper waste management, intentional or accidental dumping and littering, or through stormwater runoff. Even if you’re at home, hundreds of miles from the shore, our trash travels and can adversely affect the ocean and harm the wildlife that share our planet,” the blog states.

Judith Enck is president of Beyond Plastics, a nationwide project to end plastic pollution. During a recent webinar, “Plastics Policy in the Age of COVID,” she explained that the World Health Organization estimates that 89 million masks are needed every month worldwide to deal with COVID-19. The disposable masks are mostly made from plastics, polypropylene, polyurethane, polyester and other polymers.

“These masks and gloves are already showing up in water bodies. There have been litter surveys in Hong Kong, Nigeria and France. An organization called Oceans Asia went to a remote beach just 11 meters (36 feet) long and found 70 masks,” Enck said. “The next week they found 30 on a remote beach. So one option is to use reusables, whenever possible. That certainly may not be possible with gloves and all the masks, although, nonmedical professionals like me can use reusable masks. I’ve been using one since the beginning of the pandemic.”

In addition to her role with Beyond Plastics, which is based at Bennington College in Vermont where she teaches, Enck is a former Environmental Protection Agency regional administrator appointed by President Obama.

“And now we have a new universe of plastic waste that needs attention: masks and gloves. Let me be clear, everyone should wear a mask in public, but no one should litter the mask. And no one should put the mask or the gloves in their recycling bin because they’re not recyclable,” she said.

“We most certainly have seen an increase in COVID-19-related litter,” said Dee Smith, Carteret Big Sweep coordinator. “I have seen numerous masks and gloves, especially roadsides and parking lots.”

​Carteret Big Sweep is the county’s effort to educate the public on litter and encourages and coordinates year-round cleanups.

Smith said another concerning item is the grocery cart wipes.

“I have seen them all over roads and parking lots as well as sidewalks and just on the floor in stores.  It is like people can’t find a trash can and they just leave them in the buggy and then it gets outside and the wind transports it,” she said.

Carteret Big Sweep has really had to adapt since COVID-19, Smith said.

“We have not stopped our efforts, we just evolved. We have individuals and families cleaning most of the major beach accesses on Bogue Banks every night,” she said.

Big Sweep has had a difficult time recruiting volunteers due to the COVID- 19 pandemic.  The summer solo cleanups were geared toward students needing to complete volunteer hours. The students were asked to commit a minimum of 25 volunteer hours by Labor Day Weekend. The students were assigned sections of busy beaches to clean during the solo effort that provides the needed social distancing, but allows for cleanup actions to continue.

As of mid-August, Smith said there were 137 documented solo cleanups on Bogue Banks.

“It is well over 2,000 pounds of debris. They are finding everything from food and beverage items to shoes, sunglasses and toys. Some notes left in the comments include lots of cigarette butts and the amount of plastic.  People also mentioned they saw an increase in masks with an increase of people,” she said.

Solo and family efforts brought in more than 2,103 pounds of debris over the course of 130 hours cleaning.

Smith said that she is recruiting small groups, families and individuals for the Ocean Conservancy’s 35^th International Coastal Cleanup or ICC, Sept. 19. “We already have a few interested groups. We will follow all of the governor’s restrictions.”

The cleanup is the world’s largest volunteer effort to remove and record trash from local lakes, waterways, beaches and the ocean, according to a recent release from Big Sweep.

“Whether engaging in this year’s ICC from home, or safely throughout the County, you are playing a critical role helping to keep plastics out of our ocean and waterways,” Smith said. “Although traditional, large group cleanups are not possible this year, ocean plastic pollution isn’t going away. It’s wonderful to see people taking action where they can.”

Ocean Conservancy will release a series of online resources to help think creatively about reducing everyday waste footprint, or conduct a small, safe cleanup.

“The International Coastal Cleanup remains one of the most effective ways for individuals to make an immediate, tangible impact for our ocean,” said Allison Schutes, Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup director, in a statement. “The ICC will certainly look a little different this year, but the ocean still needs us. Luckily, there is still plenty we can do to help stem the tide of ocean plastic pollution. We are so grateful for the efforts of Carteret Big Sweep and all the Carteret County volunteers in helping us achieve our shared vision for a cleaner, healthier ocean.”

Carteret Big Sweep cleanup volunteers can log the trash they collect in Ocean Conservancy’s Clean Swell app on their mobile phone. Scientists, researchers, industry leaders and policymakers use the index to inform policy and determine solutions to the growing marine debris crisis.

“Every year, millions of tons of trash, including an estimated 11 million metric tons of plastic waste, flows into the ocean, impacting more than 800 marine species and entering the food chain, the release from Big sweep. “Over the last 34 years of the ICC, 16.4 million volunteers have joined cleanup efforts big and small to remove 344 million pounds (156 million kilograms) of trash from beaches and waterways worldwide.”

In 2019, Carteret Big Sweep volunteers collected and recorded 15,051 pounds of trash from Carteret County, mostly cigarette butts and plastics.

Contact Smith at dee_edwards-smith@ncsu.edu to join the effort.

Surfrider Foundation, Outer Banks Chapter, is not hosting group cleanups or in-person events but is encouraging volunteers to grab a reusable bag or container to collect litter in their neighborhood or on the beach, document the findings by taking a picture or video and tagging the organization on Instagram, @surfrider_obx, with the hashtag #solobeachcleanup.

Bonnie Monteleone, executive director for Plastic Ocean Project based in Wilmington, said recently how surprised she was to see how many masks and gloves the volunteers picked since beginning April 22 for Earth Day. Plastic Ocean Project is a nonprofit organization conducting education through research, outreach through art, and solutions through collaboration.

“Our plan for 2020 was to do monthly cleanups for Route 421, mostly because so much debris ends up on the side of the road from trucks headed to the landfill,” she said.

“We had two cleanups before COVID. Pre-COVID cleanups, we did not find gloves and masks. When we started up again June 14, we found over 20 gloves and eight masks that day and find them every time we conduct cleanups,” Monteleone said.

“I think the more people use reusable masks, the less likely they get lost in the environment. In fact, 99% of the masks we find are the disposable kind,” she explained.

Leslie Vegas, coastal specialist with the North Carolina Coastal Federation’s northeast office in Wanchese, told Coastal Review Online that there’s been a noticeable increase in debris on the beaches and shorelines.

“Restaurants have been advised to use single-use (plastics) whenever possible, so businesses that have typically never used single-use plastics are using them now as a safety precaution. Takeout has also increased, so there have been far more plastic bags and clamshell containers in garbage bins, which we’ve also noticed have been overflowing more regularly,” Vegas explained. “Our local public waste staff noted that they are understaffed due to the virus, but have never seen so much trash here when they do their pickups. All in all, there’s a rise.”

Jan Farmer, a volunteer with the Topsail-area Ocean Friendly Establishments, said that from a trash perspective, she’s not seeing a noticeable increase in takeout containers, cups, food wrappers on the beach or along the road. “I still see and pick up plenty of those items, but not more than in previous summers.”

Ocean Friendly Establishments, which the Wilmington-based nonprofit Plastic Ocean Project launched in 2016, are businesses that voluntarily make environmentally friendly decisions, primarily reducing the use of single-use plastics by only serving straws upon request and eliminating single-use plastic bags and Styrofoam, and become certified through the program.

Katie Trout, marketing manager with the North Carolina Department of Transportation, said that the Roadside Environmental Unit staff, which oversees the Adopt-A-Highway program, has seen a decrease in reported pickups since the onset of COVID-19.

“Our spring 2020 sweep had to be canceled, which affected a huge amount of litter not being picked up,” Trout said.

“We have received some complaints from the public about masks and gloves being thrown down everywhere,” she added. “Adopt-A-Highway pickup reports are a bit slower than we typically see in the summer time. We should probably take into account the weather and temperature at this time, along with the COVID crisis.”

NOAA recommends another way to make a difference and reduce the impacts of all types of marine debris, including plastics, is to encourage others to properly disposing of trash and personal protective equipment and use the Marine Debris Tracker App to keep track of the debris including personal protective equipment.

The app is an initiative between the NOAA Marine Debris Program and the Southeast Atlantic Marine Debris Initiative, operated out of the University of Georgia College of Engineering, provides a way to log trash found on coastlines and waterways. The app records the debris location through GPS, and allows for adding the descriptions of items, attach photos of debris items and view the data on your phone.

Sara Hallas, coastal education coordinator for the Coastal Federation’s northeast office, said that the staff hasn’t been scheduling cleanups, as in the past, but is instead encouraging volunteers to have cleanups on their own and track their trash with the NOAA app.

“In the northeast we’ve been working safely in small groups outside to clean up some trouble areas that needed it, as well as arranging to loan cleanup supplies to groups who may like to organize efforts on their own,” she said. “For example, a Boy Scout was looking for a community service project. So I arranged a time to loan some cleanup supplies and advised him on a site that needed work, and he did the rest to coordinate with the group and lead the actual cleanup itself.”

The measures put in place in March to curb the spread of COVID-19 have changed how North Carolinians consume and dispose of waste. This is the first installment in a series examining how advocacy organizations, local governments and state agencies are adapting to these changes.

In recent years, a program to encourage restaurants and other businesses to use environmentally friendly practices has gained momentum along the North Carolina coast.

But organizers of the Ocean Friendly Establishments program are seeing their efforts come to a halt because of the COVID-19 pandemic, as more restaurants are being pushed to use single-use plastics.

Ocean Friendly Establishments, which the Wilmington-based nonprofit Plastic Ocean Project launched in 2016, are businesses that voluntarily make environmentally friendly decisions, primarily reducing the use of single-use plastics by only serving straws upon request and eliminating single-use plastic bags and Styrofoam, and become certified through the program.

Partners in the effort include the North Carolina Aquariums at Jennette’s Pier, Crystal Coast Waterkeeper, the North Carolina Coastal Federation and Surfrider Foundation.

Gov. Roy Cooper in March signed an executive order to close restaurants and bars to sit-down service, limiting the businesses to takeout or delivery orders only, to slow the spread of COVID-19. As a result, Ocean Friendly Establishment volunteers and businesses have noticed an uptick in use of single-serve plastics.

“With the increase in takeout business, we’ve really gone through a lot more disposable plastic ware,” Cara Godwin, assistant general manager for Blue Moon Beach Grill and Blue Water Grill, both in Nags Head, told Coastal Review Online. The restaurants are certified Ocean Friendly Establishments.

“That’s probably the biggest increase, along with plastic ramekins for ketchup and sauces for take-out. Other than that, we’ve tried to maintain our in-house operations as consistent and ‘plastic-free’ as usual. We do go through more disposable gloves.”

She added that with the lack of employees and COVID-19, “I think all of the restaurants are just trying to survive this crisis.”

Leslie Vegas, coastal specialist with the federation’s northeast office in Wanchese, began working with the Plastic Ocean Project in 2019 to expand the number of certified Ocean Friendly Establishments on the Outer Banks.

During a recent webinar, “Addressing Marine Debris in This New Norm,” Vegas explained that there are 52 businesses certified in the Outer Banks. From 2015-2018, an average of six businesses were certified a year and in 2019, when the federation and Jennette’s Pier joined the effort, 20 businesses were certified. “We saw a lot of growth last year.”

In 2020, only eight businesses were certified before March. Since then, just a handful of businesses have been certified as Ocean Friendly Establishments.

“The program has definitely lost a lot of momentum with the coronavirus happening,” Vegas said. “Restaurants have been the most affected, I think, by the virus in terms of the safety standards and sanitation standards that they have to uphold.”

Many single-use bans had been going into effect pre-COVID-19 across the country but many of those bans were postponed or eliminated completely, Vegas continued. “That’s another thing that we’ve had to sort of look at and consider as we’ve moved forward.”

The Ocean Friendly Establishments coordinators also learned more of what is required of restaurants and businesses from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and what the general guidelines would be.

The top three CDC recommendations and guidelines that most impacted the Ocean Friendly Establishments program were to avoid using or sharing items that are reusable, including menus, condiments and other food containers; use disposable food service items like utensils, dishes and tablecloths; and avoid using food and beverage utensils and containers brought by customers, she said.

“This is straight from the CDC. They’re really encouraging the usage of disposable items to be safe. However, they say that if the items are not feasible or desirable, ensure that they are cleansed and handled properly,” Vegas said.

In addition to encouraging businesses to reduce single-use plastic, Ocean Friendly Establishments encourages consumers to bring their own utensils and containers. “Those are now currently things that are not being recommended and actually being advised against by the CDC.”

Taking those recommendations into consideration, “We have to ask ourselves as we continue to promote the program are reusable safe to use?” Vegas said.

That’s a question Vegas said she’s not qualified to answer in a straightforward way. “The best that we’ve been trying to do is kind of keep up with what the latest research is saying and what we feel comfortable sharing with our local businesses.”

A group of more than 125 epidemiologists, virologists and other health experts from 18 countries recently signed a statement saying that reusables are safe as long as standard health codes and sanitation guidelines are being followed, Vegas explained.

“The CDC has also come out with a statement saying that the transmission of the virus from surface contact has not yet been documented. Right now, it’s only been transmitted from person to person through respiratory droplets that are inhaled, not from surfaces like cutlery, glasses, plates, those kinds of things,” said Vegas.

Plastic Ocean Project Executive Director Bonnie Monteleone reiterated in an interview with Coastal Review Online how important it is to support local Ocean Friendly Establishments to help eliminate single-use plastics. She said she thought the argument for not using reusable bags is contradictory.

“The items are picked up by the customer and then handled by the cashier and placed in a bag. At this point, it doesn’t matter what type of bag. We encourage people to bring their own bag and not let the cashier touch it, bag their own groceries to reduce contact. Otherwise, the cashier is touching both the items and the plastic bag, which they hand the customer,” Monteleone said.

The Plastic Oceans Project placed a radio advertisement encouraging people to support their Ocean Friendly Establishments. “And when they place their order, we asked that they mention if they do not need single-use, to-go ware or condiments. This was our way of helping mitigate the increase of plastic waste,” she said.

At the time of the interview, Plastic Oceans Project is also promising to contribute $2,000 on top of a $5,000 grant through North Carolina Aquariums that will help offset the expense of compostable products for Ocean Friendly Establishments that cannot afford them right now, she added.

Since March when the governor put in place dining restrictions, Monteleone has observed both positive and negative responses to the change back to single-use plastics.

“Positive because it allows our vulnerable business the opportunity to serve in order to stay afloat, so to speak, and negative because so many individuals shifted to bringing reusable containers and are forbidden to use them in many places,” she said.

Monteleone said that they are fortunate to have restaurants reluctantly using plastics and are trying to find workarounds.

“Slice of Life (Pizzeria & Pub in Wilmington) has been hugely instrumental in encouraging the conversation as well as donating time and funds to start a website strictly for OFEs, so more businesses can work together to reduce single use,” she said. “Ceviche’s is another restaurant working with our OFE team to bring to town a reusable to-go container program much like Green To-go in Durham.”

Vegas said in an interview that many people who are passionate about using reusables would still like to be able to freely use them. “However, there are so many restrictions around reusable products that using items like coffee cups and bags at stores are no longer an option.”

As far as the Ocean Friendly Establishments program goes, the advice is to use reusables when possible.

“If ordering to go, request that plastic cutlery is not included, ask for no bag if it’s a single item, and, if you have extra time, order an item for dine in, then place leftovers in your own container that you bring to the restaurant. Additionally, we’re advising in favor of reusable masks that can be laundered vs the single-use options,” Vegas added.

Some businesses have not been able to maintain the cost of the environmentally friendly to-go ware, including the paper-based clamshells that are extremely expensive and have been less available due to high demands, and some business owners are concerned about losing the Ocean Friendly status with the introduction of Styrofoam or single-use items.

“But we understand as a program that it’s difficult to navigate these new circumstances, and we’re hoping to work together to come up with local solutions,” Vegas said.

Vegas said they’ve had to sort of shift their recommendations but the main recommendation is to support the current Ocean Friendly Establishments.

Meredith Fish, educator with Jennette’s Pier and part of the Ocean Friendly Establishments program, added that “Several places in the area still try their best to use eco-friendly packaging options, however, given the amount of packaging that is required to carry out all the takeout orders, a lot of businesses are reverting back to single-use plastic items such as plastic bags, containers and utensils.”

Fish said she recognized that most people are focusing right now on the virus, which is understandable, “but I wish more people would see single-use plastics as a threat as well,” Fish said.

“I know that the Outer Banks is working hard right now to revamp the recycling program but hopefully everyone remembers that reducing your plastic consumption is even more important than recycling,” she said. “This is why it’s so important to avoid using plastic whenever possible, especially single-use plastics, seeing that you only use them once before they can end up polluting our Earth.”

She opts for glass, metal and paper whenever possible, and “I hope that is the mindset that local businesses will adopt as well, even in the midst of COVID.”

Jan Farmer, a volunteer with the Topsail-area Ocean Friendly Establishments, has also observed that usage of single-use plastics is up because of the large increase in takeout business.

“Businesses that were using compostable takeout or compostable straws have sometimes switched to less environmentally friendly products if their normal products ran out and were unavailable, but they appear to have switched back when they could get the better products in stock,” Farmer explained. “I actually have one establishment that has made the shift to paper cups from Styrofoam during this time.”

“I think it’s important to remember to not lose sight of problems that existed before COVID-19. While we may have to make adjustments to our original plans, the work shouldn’t stop and there will always be things we can do to make a positive impact and to reduce our single-use plastic usage while staying safe and healthy,” Vegas said.

National efforts to curb plastic use

On a national level, more than 120 environmental organizations sent letters to seven national food delivery companies — GrubHub, UberEats, Doordash, Delivery.com, Caviar, Seamless and Postmates — in July requesting that that they change their default ordering process to one that does not automatically include utensils, napkins, condiments and straws in order to reduce the amount of single-use plastic pollution entering oceans, landfills and incinerators.

“Takeout orders are up all over the country as a result of the COVID pandemic; however, the vast majority of people eating at home neither need nor want yet another set of plastic utensils, plastic straws, handful of soy sauce or ketchup packets, or pile of paper napkins. Committing to making this small change to their delivery ordering systems would help reduce single-use packaging and save restaurants a bit of money,” said Judith Enck, president of Beyond Plastics.

The letter suggests that customers would need to request no single-use items when they place their order for delivery, which would reduce costs to restaurants and take a step to reduce plastic waste and pollution. There is also a place to voice support of this initiative, Hold the Plastic, on the website.

As consumers continue to rely on delivery services for meals, the amount of unwanted single-use utensils and condiments are on the rise as well, though a recent study found that 98% of all U.S. take-out or delivery meals are consumed at home or a workplace, where reusable cutlery is typically available and preferred, according to the release.

“Food delivery platforms have the opportunity to reduce the amount of plastic entering our homes while at the same time saving businesses money by moving to an opt-in system for these items. Similar to how customers choose exactly which toppings they want on their pizza, customers should also be able to opt in to exactly which utensils, napkins, condiments, or straws they want,” said Jennie Romer, Legal Associate at the Surfrider Foundation’s Plastic Pollution Initiative, in the release.

Ordering in to support local restaurants & stay safe during #COVID? Urge @Grubhub @DoorDash @Seamless @Caviar @Postmates to follow @UberEats lead & change #singleuseplastic utensils, straws, condiments & napkins to opt-in only to cut #plasticpollution. https://t.co/Crqkr3Cjup

— Beyond Plastics (@PlasticsBeyond) August 3, 2020

Enck addressed in an op-ed April 22 in Newsweek that the pandemic isn’t an excuse to go back to single-use plastics.

“I still believe that. And yet, the Center for Disease Control has put out guidance to restaurants when they’re reopening telling them, even if people are dining on site, the restaurants should use single use disposable items single use plates utensils cups and straws,” she said, adding that if you’re trying to protect the health of the wait staff, it doesn’t matter if they’re going to be delivering and picking up single use disposables or real dishes that are washed.

“My final point is we can tackle more than one crisis at a time. Clearly, the priority needs to be protecting health from the COVID virus, so we can still address plastic pollution and climate change. We can’t return to business as usual. We need adjust recovery, and that includes making environmental protection, a priority, Enck said

RALEIGH — The North Carolina General Assembly overwhelmingly approved a new coronavirus relief package that also includes hurricane, tornado and earthquake assistance.

In a brief, two-day session, the legislature passed Thursday the 52-page bill by wide margins in both chambers, clearing the Senate first in a 44-5 vote and followed by the House, which approved the bill 104-10.

The bill includes $335 checks for families with children, a $50 per week boost in unemployment benefits and more funds for broadband expansion, health care supplies, food banks, schools and universities.

Also in the bill is $44.5 million in disaster relief, most of it state matches for federal aid for those affected by recent hurricanes, as well as $24 million in help for communities in Alleghany County damaged in the recent earthquake.

An additional $750,000 was set aside to be used for the state match for assistance to communities affected by the deadly tornado in Bertie County spawned by Hurricane Isaias.

“None of us have faced a health crisis quite like this,” Rep. Donny Lambeth, R-Forsyth, one of the bill’s main authors, said Thursday during floor debate. “Some have lost loved ones, others have been separated from family, others have lost jobs. Yet we are a state that has faced hardships before, from hurricanes, fires, droughts, earthquakes and tornadoes, and each time we come back even stronger. This time we will do it again, more determined and stronger than ever. We will not let this pandemic defeat us.”

Despite the lopsided vote, the way the bill was assembled drew a sharp rebuke from Democrats, who said they were cut out of negotiations in another opaque process that eliminated open hearings and limited public input.

The disaster funds in the bill include the following:

• $27,796,610 for the state match for Hurricane Florence federal disaster assistance programs.
• $13,203,390 state match for federal disaster assistance programs related to Hurricane Matthew.
• $2,779,661 for the state match for federal disaster assistance programs related to Hurricane Dorian.
• $3.5 million for the state match for federal disaster assistance programs related to Hurricane Isaias.
• $300,000 to provide a grant to Bladenboro for the town’s demolition, reconstruction and repair of public infrastructure and public buildings damaged in Hurricane Florence.

The bill also allows for $750,000 for direct state assistance to Bertie, Chowan, Halifax, Hertford, Martin, Northampton and Washington counties for help in recovery from the powerful tornado that struck near Windsor during Hurricane Isaias, killing two people, injuring dozens and damaging several homes.

Parks, aquariums get boost

The legislature also approved $19.7 million in state funds to the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources for state parks and attractions and supporting nonprofits, with $2.1 million going for trail construction, increased trail maintenance and safety and health maintenance needs for trails and other park amenities that have been heavily used as North Carolinians took to the outdoors during the pandemic.

Funds for support organizations include the following:

• $1.5 million to the North Carolina Aquarium Society.
• $1 million to the North Carolina Museum of History Foundation to support the North Carolina Museum of History, the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, the Mountain Gateway Museum and Heritage Center, the Museum of the Albemarle, the Museum of the Cape Fear, the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort and the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Southport.
• $1 million to the Roanoke Island Historical Association.
• $1 million to the Tryon Palace Foundation.
• $300,000 to the Friends of the North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences.

The General Assembly formally adjourned for the year Friday and legislators are not scheduled to return until a new legislature is sworn in Jan. 13, 2021.

The departure came with a caveat, however, since there is still a chance that Congress could approve additional federal coronavirus relief this year. Should that occur and require action by the General Assembly to allocate it, the state constitution allows the governor to call the legislature back into session.

We see the numbers every day.

New cases. Percentage of the population that’s been tested. Presumed recoveries. Hospitalizations. Deaths.

This is how the nation is keeping its finger on the pulse of a pandemic with no definitive end in sight.

Results of those who’ve been tested for the coronavirus, known to scientists as SARS-CoV-2, lag. Not everyone who has the virus is getting tested.

And the breakdown in which test results are reported — county-by-county and ZIP code — fail to reflect a detailed account of what the virus is doing in small cities, towns and rural communities.

What about the people out there who aren’t seeking testing because they’re not seriously ill, they’re asymptomatic, or they don’t get tested either because they do not have a medical provider or their provider does not have tests?

Research now underway in North Carolina aims to get a better overall picture of where and how the virus is being spread.

Rachel Noble, a professor of marine and environmental microbiology at the University of North Carolina Institute of Marine Science in Morehead City, is heading a growing team of researchers tracking COVID-19 pathogens in wastewater.

“What the research on the wastewater is intended to do is look at the amount of virus in the wastewater system knowing that when the virus gets into someone’s body, their body actually produces more of the virus, not only in their nasal passages and then their saliva, but they actually also produce more viruses throughout their gut,” Noble said. “It’s really, really important for people to realize that our research does not suggest that we get rid of clinical testing. The clinical testing is so important. What I’m saying is that there’s an opportunity for the wastewater to give us a different picture of what’s going on in the entire population because we recognize that there’s a whole portion of the population in any given town that’s being missed because they might be mildly ill or asymptomatic.”

Human waste by a sewage treatment system goes to a single location. By sampling the waste collected at these systems, whether it be a city facility or smaller collection system for say, a retirement home, researchers get access to entire populations.

Take Beaufort, for example. That coastal town’s sewage treatment plant serves about 4,000 people. Over the course of 24 hours, many people in that community will have contributed to that system by either using the toilet or taking a shower.

By taking samples from the plant over that 24-hour period, researchers will have an aggregate measure of what’s going on in that entire population.

The idea is to use this information to predict whether the number of cases may rise or level out.

“If the wastewater data is showing an upward trend then in around six or seven days the clinical cases are doing the exact same thing,” Noble said. “We’re basically getting a preview. We’re getting a little snapshot of what could come and so, if we can change some of those behaviors and learn how to use that data, then we may be able to do useful things with it.”

She explained how the information may be useful by breaking it down into three categories.

The first is the red-flag approach, where wastewater samples reveal a potential coronavirus outbreak at a facility like a nursing home or rehabilitation center.

“Just think if we would have had a wastewater monitoring approach where we see this baseline of zeroes for months and months and then, all of a sudden, you see a little blip,” Noble said. “That’s the kind of information that we would like to develop so that we can understand how that information can be used in the future.”

Wastewater research may also help us learn more about the most effective ways to slow the spread of the virus.

Imagine, Noble said, comparing wastewater systems from two rural towns.

One of the towns has extremely proactive mitigation measures — social distancing, no indoor dining, and strict measures in public spaces. The other town takes more of a basic approach to slowing the spread of the virus.

“Now you have a situation where you can actually look at the trend data for the two locations and you can begin to understand which measures might be the most effective as far as controlling the spread of the virus,” Noble said. “That, to us, is really, really important because right now if you really read of lot of what you’re seeing in the media you might notice that a lot of it is really focused on the big cities, Miami, New York City, Seattle, Los Angeles. There’s not a lot of attention being paid to these rural locations and we have a lot of them in North Carolina and we can use the data we’re seeing in different towns to try and make some comparisons and understand some of the things that work.”

Then there may be a way to use the wastewater research to help the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, or DHHS, determine how people are moving around, whether it’s flocking to beaches on a Saturday or shopping.

“What if you were to use the clinical data as a backdrop, as a framework, and what if we were able to infuse both the wastewater data at the town level and the mobility data that actually tells you something about where people are going and what they’re doing,” Noble said. “Now you might be able once again to see patterns within the population.”

Her institute is part of a research team that includes the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, University of North Carolina Wilmington, University of North Carolina Charlotte and North Carolina State University in part with the state Department of Environmental Quality and DHHS.

The institute recently received $1.8 million from the North Carolina Policy Collaboratory based at UNC-Chapel Hill.

The collaboratory last month dispersed $29 million across 14 UNC system schools to fund 85 research projects focusing on treatment, testing and prevention of COVID-19.

The collaboratory in September has to update the General Assembly about the status of its research projects, which include the state’s six historically minority colleges that are researching antibodies and community testing in minority and rural populations.

One of the goals Noble hopes to achieve from the wastewater research is creating a simple system to pass along to others to collect samples, process those samples and analyze those samples.

“If we do this correctly we’re going to hand off the methods that we’re developing to the wastewater treatment plants themselves and give them the power to use these methods into the future and try to see if we can help them make this cost effective,” Noble said.

Staff at some of the wastewater treatment facilities where samples are being collected are taking those samples themselves.

Researchers, including paid university personnel as well as students, began collecting wastewater samples in late March.

The collection method goes something like this: A 2-liter-or-so container is placed in a treatment facility’s direct flow every 15 minutes until the container is full.

The person who collects the sample is fully outfitted in personal protective equipment, or PPE.

Once the container is full, it is placed in a cooler and transferred, preferably in the back of a pickup truck, to a laboratory. The sample is then pasteurized in a hot-water bath for a period of time, which makes the virus “fall apart” to ensure it is not dangerous to the people analyzing it, but leaves enough of the virus intact to detect its presence.

“By carefully tracking every single step of that with the amount that we’ve filtered and a series of very carefully done controls when we get that concentration from the sample we’re able to work backward and we’re able to tell you what the quantity of the virus was in the initial two liters of sample that was collected,” Noble said.

At last count, the collaboratory was collecting from 18 wastewater treatment systems, including Beaufort, Newport, Morehead City, Wilmington, Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham and Cary. The collaboratory recently partnered with East Carolina University to collect and analyze samples from Greenville.

“I’m not going to pretend that we have coverage of the entire state because we don’t,” Noble said. “At the moment we’re trying to do enough work in a smattering of different locations rural, urban and in between. We’re trying to do a good job of at least capturing a wide range of systems. As we go we’ll see who we can bring on board.”

Samples are not being collected from septic systems, which, Noble points out, is an issue because more than 60% of the state’s population is served by septic systems.

“At this point in time we don’t have the resources to devote attention to septic systems, but we’re very, very interested in this question,” she said.

Still, this research will help towns like Beaufort better understand just how the virus is impacting their communities specifically, Beaufort Mayor Rett Newton said.

One of his frustrations, he said, is that Beaufort is not getting the number of active cases within the municipality.

“A couple of months ago they started releasing information about  ZIP codes, but our ZIP code area is massive, so I still don’t have a clear understanding of the extend of COVID-19 in my municipality and that is deeply frustrating because I am expected to enact measures and without that data it is very difficult to know if our measures are correct or effective, and so this technology may lead us to a better understanding and maybe the best source of information absent of the data at a municipal level,” he said. “This innovative technology and process may be able to tell us the magnitude of the challenge in better scale and perhaps even well in advance of testing that comes back because there is a lag in testing. I’m just thrilled with the thought of this technology.”

Although the track and destination of Hurricane Isaias were in flux Friday as forecast models differed, “now is the time for North Carolinians to prepare,” Gov. Roy Cooper said during an afternoon media briefing.

Cooper said that hurricane preparations would be more complicated this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Families and businesses need to keep that in mind as they get ready,” he said.

“Based on its current speed and path, the hurricane could reach our coast as early as Monday, making its greatest impact Monday night and maybe even into Tuesday. Already, there’s a threat of dangerous rip currents at our coast, and the danger of tropical storm force winds is increasing,” Cooper said.

At 5 p.m. Friday, the storm was at 22.6 degrees north and 75.7 degrees west, about 195 miles south-southeast of Nassau, Bahamas. Maximum sustained winds were 75 mph and Isaias was moving northwest at around 15 mph.

The governor signed an executive order Friday declaring a state of emergency to issue transportation waivers to allow trucks and supplies to move to where help is needed. This is a different kind of state of emergency than what was put in place for COVID-19. The state Emergency Operations Center, which has been activated for 144 days for COVID-19, has activated for the storm.

“We’re going to make sure that we get visitors out of the Outer Banks,” Cooper said, adding that officials were letting the local governments make decisions about evacuations with emergency management.

Hyde County ordered a mandatory visitor evacuation of Ocracoke effective at noon Friday. A mandatory resident and nonresident property owner evacuation of Ocracoke will be effective at 6 a.m. Saturday, the county announced Friday. An additional ferry departure from Ocracoke to Swan Quarter will be at 8 p.m. Friday to help visitors evacuate.

For the first two options for evacuation, Cooper said, “We’re urging anyone who has to evacuate to try and stay with family and friends. And if that doesn’t work, staying at a hotel, if you can afford it.”

The state is to coordinate shelters for those who need to evacuate and can’t find other arrangements.

“The reason we’re asking people to make shelters their last resort is because social distancing and precautions that go along with a shelter in a pandemic. Because of our ongoing battle with COVID-19, people needing a shelter will be screened for symptoms and given personal protective equipment like masks at the shelter,” Cooper said.

If someone has symptoms of COVID-19, the state has different sheltering options to keep people safe from the storm while at the same time trying to avoid making the pandemic worse. One of the precautions is that people are screened at a reception center or a screening center, where their temperature will be taken, and if they have symptoms, then they’re going to be set somewhere to be isolated, depending on their condition it could be a hotel, it could be a medical facility, Cooper said.

“A hurricane during a pandemic is double trouble,” Cooper said. “But the state has been carefully preparing for this scenario, so that we can do our best to keep people safe from the weather as well as the virus.”

Director of Emergency Management Mike Sprayberry said at this time, there are no shelters activated.

At 8 a.m. Friday, the State Emergency Operations Center activated for both Hurricane Isaias, and the ongoing COVID-19 response and includes partners such as the State Highway Patrol, North Carolina National Guard and other partners from state agencies like the state Department of Transportation.

“We are coordinating closely with our counties, especially those near the coast as they make preparations and finalize any decisions about evacuations, sheltering and other preparations that will be needed,” Sprayberry said, adding that swiftwater rescue teams and other response assets are working to be ready, and that they have the personal protective equipment needed to operate in the COVID-19 environment.

“Many of our county partners are planning to make earlier decisions on evacuations to give more time to execute these evacuation plans during the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said. “As always, you should follow your county government website and social media channels for instructions involving evacuation and reentry.”

Sprayberry reminded residents to include face coverings, hand sanitizer and cleaning products in their emergency kit to help keep your family healthy. Visit readync.org for a complete list of items to include in your emergency kit.

He said that COVID-19 pandemic has caused changes in the why they look at evacuations and sheltering.

If told by local officials to evacuate, do as requested traveling the shortest distance possible.

“Get out of the impacted areas. Due to the pandemic, try to stay with family friends or a hotel to minimize contact with others. If this isn’t possible, go to a shelter,” Sprayberry said. “If you live at a safe place inland, please do your part, and offer to let family or friends evacuated to your home.”

Both noncongregate and congregate shelters will be open for those who require sheltering support.

“Local governments and the American Red Cross are working to implement health screening social distancing and cleaning protocols in shelters, to prevent the spread of the virus,” he said.

He reminded residents in the 20 coastal counties to consult knowyourzone.nc.gov to learn their evacuation zone.

“By following these steps, we can all stay safe during Hurricane Isaias, and the rest of the hurricane season,” Sprayberry said.

Col. Glenn McNeil, commander of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, advised those along the coastline to stay informed on the storm and visit readync.org and map an evacuation route at drivenc.gov.

The mayor of Washington, D.C., issued an order Friday requiring that anyone coming into the district after traveling from a “high-risk state” such as North Carolina for “non-essential activities” self-quarantine for two weeks.

Those coming from high-risk states after essential travel or arriving in the district for essential travel are required to self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days under Mayor Muriel Bowser’s order, which took effect Monday. Those showing signs or experience symptoms of COVID-19 are required to self-quarantine and seek medical advice or testing.

The D.C. Department of Health on Monday listed North Carolina among 27 states considered high risk. High-risk states are those where the seven-day moving average of daily new COVID-19 cases is 10 or more per 100,000 persons. The list is effective until Aug. 10 when an updated list is to be posted on coronavirus.dc.gov.

North Carolina’s case rate per 100,000 is 1,069.9. As of Monday, the state has had 114,388 lab-confirmed cases. There were 1,625 new confirmed cases reported Monday and 1,169 were hospitalized as of Monday, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Of coastal counties, New Hanover and Brunswick had the most Monday with 2,119 and 1,066, respectively.

The D.C. mayor’s order is to remain in effect through Oct. 9, or through the end of the district’s state of emergency.

Travel to and from Maryland and Virginia is exempt under the order.

ROTA, Spain – The Navy announced that Petty Officer 2^nd Class Ryan Badillo, a native of Newport, is playing a critical role in the Navy’s efforts to maintain a healthy and ready fighting force in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.

As a hospital corpsman working at Naval Hospital Rota, Spain, Badillo’s skills are vital to maintaining the health of the sailors in the Rota area, and by extension, the readiness of the Navy’s operational ships and submarines on which they serve, according to the Navy.

“The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic brought an invisible enemy to our shores and changed the way we operate as a Navy,” Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday said in a statement. “The fight against this virus is a tough one, but our sailors are tougher. We must harden our Navy by continuing to focus on the health and safety of our forces and our families. The health and safety of our sailors and their families is, and must continue to be, our number one priority.”

Badillo is a 2010 West Carteret High School graduate and 2020 Purdue Global University graduate. According to Badillo, the values required to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Newport.

“Being able to face the current pandemic, I have applied the recognition that even the smallest action can help,” Badillo said. “With the contribution of many hands, any change can be adapted, and even the smallest voice can be heard and create the biggest impact.”

The Navy Hospital Corps is the most decorated career field in the Navy. Corpsmen have earned 22 Medals of Honor, 179 Navy Crosses, 959 Silver Stars and more than 1,600 Bronze Stars. 20 ships have been named in honor of corpsmen.

In its century of service, the Navy Hospital Corps has supported millions of sailors and Marines in wartime and peace around the world. As the years have progressed, technological innovations are transforming medical training for the next generation of hospital corpsmen, according to Navy officials.

“The legacy of the Navy Hospital Corps is knowing anywhere I go, the name corpsman is trusted as someone who anyone can go to for help,” Badillo said. “Following in the footsteps of my father, I’m always there with a helping hand and one to look to in times of trouble.”

Eligible, low-income households needing help cooling their home during the hot summer months or warming their home when the weather turns cold have access to financial help through the state Department of Health and Human Services’ Crisis Intervention Program.

“We know many families are currently facing additional financial hardships due to COVID-19, and this program is designed to bring aid to those in crisis to alleviate cooling or heating emergencies,” said David Locklear, Deputy Director of Economic and Family Services in the Division of Social Services, in a statement. “North Carolina is moving into its hottest months of the year, and we hope those eligible will take advantage of this program to help keep their families safe and healthy.”

A household must have at least one person who meets certain criteria, including being income eligible, and have a heating or cooling related emergency. Full eligibility details are available online at www.ncdhhs.gov/crisis-intervention-program.

Each household is evaluated by county departments of social services staff to determine if there is a heating or cooling crisis. Benefits may vary, depending on the amount needed to alleviate the crisis. Funds will be available through June 30, 2021.

The Energy Programs Application form is available online for applicants to print and mail, fax, scan or drop off at a their DSS office after completion or an applicant can contact their county departments of social services.

The Crisis Intervention Program is federally funded by the Administration for Children and Families. The funds are distributed through county departments of social services directly to the vendor or utility company, according to the state. During state fiscal year 2019-20, county departments of social services helped 137,850 North Carolina households experiencing a crisis by assisting with utility bills or securing fuel or cooling resources, according to the state.

Pender is one of 31 counties chosen to receive the first delivery of personal protection equipment for agricultural workers from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

DHHS is taking the step to prevent and respond to COVID-19 outbreaks among the agricultural workforce by implementing a plan this week to deliver more than 900,000 masks and other infection control supplies to North Carolina Cooperative Extension county centers, the state announced Tuesday.

The extension offices will distribute to farms and agricultural operations the masks as well as hand sanitizer and cloth face coverings for workers to take home.

“Agriculture is vital to our economy and food supply and it is critical that we protect farmworkers and their families from this virus,” said Gov. Roy Cooper in a release.

In addition to Pender, other counties to receive the first delivery are Alamance, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Bladen, Columbus, Cumberland, Duplin, Durham, Edgecombe, Forsyth, Franklin, Granville, Greene, Guilford, Harnett, Henderson, Johnston, Lee, Lenoir, Lincoln, Martin, Mecklenburg, Nash, Pender, Pitt, Robeson, Sampson, Wake, Wayne and Wilson.

“Many of our farmworkers live in group housing, putting them at higher risk of exposure to COVID-19. Providing masks is one way we are helping to protect workers,” said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen.

NCDHHS is partnering with the state Cooperative Extension, North Caorlina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, North Carolina Department of Labor and North Carolina Agromedicine Institute to inform the farming community about this resource.

“Some of these supplies have been difficult for farmers to source as demand has exceeded supply. I am grateful that farmworkers and farmers have been prioritized for these much-needed materials,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “The health of our farmers and farmworkers is very important because we all rely on them every day.”

Online tools available to help protect the agricultural workforce include the following:

• COVID-19 educational materials
• Farmworkers and the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Temporary Worker COVID-19 Guidance”
• Educational materials for farmers and farmworkers

Summer on the Outer Banks is in full swing. Even in the midst of a worldwide pandemic, Netflix’s hit show “Outer Banks” and Forbes’ listing the OBX as number one in the “20 Top Places Americans Are Dreaming About Right Now” have put the barrier islands on the global radar.

Lee Nettles, executive director of the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau, said that according to the bureau’s website traffic, the Outer Banks are drawing people from areas with higher rates of the virus. These numbers show that the Outer Banks may be perceived as a “safer vacation option,” he said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s  COVID Data Tracker shows that there are higher rates of total coronavirus cases in places like New York, New Jersey, Florida and Georgia states from which the CDC’s website shows Outer Banks visitors may be traveling.

This correlation “suggests people who live in those markets want to get out of those markets for vacation,” Nettles said. Other visitors to the Outer Banks this summer come from Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

In response to the virus, the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau created the Outer Banks Tourism Pledge, which encourages everyone to “Be Safe. Be Smart. Have Fun.” More than 100 businesses have promised to take specific steps that will best keep their employees and customers safe. Website users can click on the listings to see those steps.

The pledge also encourages visitors to do their part to keep the Outer Banks safe. “It takes everybody, not just locals,” Nettles told Coastal Review Online.

The way in which businesses have been handling the county’s mask mandate varies. In Nags Head, Morning View Coffee House & Roastery is serving customers at the door, while SeaGreen Gallery still allows customers inside as long as they follow the guidelines.

Duck’s Cottage Coffee & Books in Duck rerouted their foot traffic, as well as put markings on the floor to help customers know where they should go. They have stationed an employee at the door to make sure that there are only six customers inside at any given time.

“People have absolutely been responding positively to the changes,” said Allen Lehew, owner of Duck’s Cottage. They have encouraged larger families to send one person inside to order for everyone, so while their “transactions are down, (their) dollars are up.”

Currituck County Travel and Tourism Director Tameron Kugler at the county visitor center in Moyock told Coastal Review Online that the county-operated Whalehead Club in Corolla is operating directly under Currituck County’s mandates as well as the state’s.

While the tourism bureau’s administration buildings remained closed to the public, services such as county permits for four-wheel-drive beach parking are being sold outside with protection and social distancing measures in place. Officials ask that face masks be worn.

The Whalehead Club has protocols for disinfecting, once it’s allowed to reopen, and while the tourism staff say they miss their interaction with visitors, Kugler said that they “need to make sure everyone is safe.”

Visitors appear to be taking these new measures in stride. Laura Hobson from Mechanicsville, Virginia, is staying with a friend who lives in Colington.

“I’m kind of on the fence with (wearing a mask) but I understand it and it is for everybody’s protection,” she said. “If you want me to wear it, I’m going to wear it.”

“I’m kind of on the fence with (wearing a mask) but I understand it and it is for everybody’s protection.”

Laura Hobson, Outer Banks vacationer

Hobson said she has been limiting the times that she goes to the grocery store.

“We try and go during the least-busy times. (We use) lots of Clorox wipes, lots of hand sanitizer,” she said. “It’s pretty normal for us anyway to do a lot of hand washing.”

Another visitor, Mary from Chesapeake, Virginia, said she has been coming to the Outer Banks every year since she was a child.

“(I’m using) tons of hand sanitizer and hand washing,” she said. “I keep my wipes with me everywhere I go, so just a lot of practices of being clean, not touching my face with my hands, just the basic stuff that they recommend.”

She said she had noticed the changes that businesses have made and the measures that they have taken.

“My coffee shop (is different) – you can’t go inside. Masks or no masks, you’ve got to order outside,” she said. “I went into Owen’s (Restaurant) the other night and there was no wait. It was dead. I’m not used to that but it was nice to not have to wait, but sad for the businesses.”

There is a personal reason that Mary wears her mask.

“I’m torn (about the mask mandates) but you know, if they say it’s protecting someone else – my father’s 89 – I would want to protect the elderly,” she said. “If this is doing my part I’m fine with it.”

Kelly Nettnin, communications specialist at the Dare County Department of Health & Human Services, told Coastal Review Online that although, based on observation, it seems more people are wearing masks per Gov. Roy Cooper’s mandate announced June 24, the county office has been getting complaints about individuals not wearing masks.

Those not wearing masks are both Outer Banks residents and visitors alike.

“This is so important to stress as on social media there is a lot of finger-pointing to visitors not complying,” Nettnin said.

Also, contact tracing is made more difficult when individuals do not give accurate information regarding other individuals with whom they have been in close contact.

“The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact has been a significant one. It has been difficult and created hardships on many different levels for so many different people,” she said. “There isn’t a handbook on how to respond to COVID-19, and our response in Dare County can only be as good as the information we receive and the amount of individuals that are following the recommendations.”

She said that it can be disheartening to hear of people who do not comply with the recommendations, or who refuse to cooperate with contact tracing.

“What I try to remember is there are a lot of unknowns and people are scared, and when people are scared, they may act out of character.”

In some circumstances, Nettnin said, “police are giving citations if citizens are not complying with the mask mandate.” It is important to note that citations are not given to individuals “who cannot comply due to age, disability or health issue.”

She encourages people to follow the Three Ws and wear their masks, wash their hands, and wait 6 feet apart.

“The most important thing people can do to protect themselves and their loved ones is to follow the Three Ws and not attend mass gatherings of more than 10 individuals indoors and more than 25 outdoors.”

Plans for the school year

Businesses are not alone in taking new measures against the virus. Schools in Dare and Currituck counties are also figuring out how to operate under the new guidelines, looking towards the fall.

On July 14, Gov. Cooper announced that schools will be operating under an updated Plan B that provides safety protocols for children who come to school in person. It also gives school districts the opportunity to provide remote learning for children who prefer it. Complete remote learning will be an option for any school district who chooses it.

Currituck County Assistant Superintendent Secondary Instruction Renee Dowdy said that school officials are “anxiously optimistic” and are cautiously moving forward. Both parents and teachers are concerned, but everyone’s main focus is to provide that “hugely important education” while following Cooper’s guidance.

Dare County Schools Digital Communications and Secondary School Director Keith Parker explained that Superintendent John Farrelly, the senior leadership team and school administrators have spent the past month working on procedures for this fall to fit all three plans that the governor’s office developed.

Hybrids of the state Department of Public Instruction’s Plan B were presented to the Dare County Board of Education during its special meeting Monday.

During the meeting, the board adopted a plan that calls for remote learning until the end of the first quarter of the school year, Oct 23, with a decision to be made at that time on whether to begin in-person instruction.

“These hybrid choices were created to best meet the needs of students, take into account feedback from (Dare County Schools) staff and parents/guardians, and feasibility within DCS, and state regulations,” Parker said in an email Sunday.

School officials said during the meeting Monday that their concerns included maintaining staffing once schools reopen.

“We are concerned about a higher need for substitutes with less substitute availability,” Farrelly told the school board Monday.

Two options have been added to incorporate Plan C, or remote learning only, based on the state guidelines should the district choose to go that route.

“Providing safe, healthy, and effective instructional program options that meet state requirements is our top priority,” Parker said.

Coastal Review Online staff contributed to this report.

Reprinted from North Carolina Health News

John Wolfe doesn’t know what else he can do to protect himself against the coronavirus.

The Wilmington boat captain follows all of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. He wears a mask and requires tourists on his boat to do the same. He practices social distancing and washes his hands frequently.

But Wolfe, like thousands of others who live downstream of the Chemours chemical plant on the Cape Fear River, worries that he may be more susceptible to the coronavirus.

He has reason to be concerned.

Late last month, the CDC’s Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry released a report saying studies suggest that exposure to high levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — commonly referred to as PFAS or “forever chemicals” — could suppress the immune system and increase the risk of getting COVID-19 and the severity of infection.

Studies have also shown that exposure to PFAS could reduce the effectiveness of childhood vaccines and adult flu vaccines.

The agency’s report was followed by an opinion piece from some of the nation’s leading PFAS researchers, including Jamie DeWitt of East Carolina University. The article was published July 6 in Environmental Health News.

“Most concerning during this global pandemic … is that exposure to PFAS suppresses the ability of the immune system to make antibodies — the part of the immune system critically important in fighting COVID-19 and other infectious agents,” the article states. “Our studies have found that laboratory animals exposed to PFAS have decreased antibodies, verifying what we have seen in PFAS-exposed people and making us confident that PFAS are toxic to the immune system.”

Blood tests show high PFAS levels

PFAS, a class of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, have been in use since the 1940s to make products nonstick, waterproof or stain-resistant. They’re used in rain jackets, carpets, upholstery, cookware, fast-food packaging, dental floss and much more.

DuPont — and Chemours since 2015 — produced PFAS either as a product or a byproduct at a chemical plant near the banks of the Cape Fear River in Bladen County. The Wilmington Star-News disclosed in June 2017 that high levels of GenX and other PFAS had been found in the drinking water for New Hanover, Pender and Brunswick counties.

Wolfe knows that his blood contains high levels of a few of the estimated 5,000 PFAS that exist. He has the results of blood tests conducted by North Carolina State University  and released them to the public in November 2018 to prove it.

Researchers at N.C. State took tap water samples and drew blood from Wolfe and 344 other people living in the Lower Cape Fear River Basin. They found that the levels of certain types of PFAS were much higher in Wilmington than in the United States as a whole. Wolfe’s test results came back higher than the median for all of the study’s participants.

On Tuesday, Wolfe said he had just read the opinion piece linking PFAS to the coronavirus.

“My first thought when I read that article was like, ‘Of course, of course it does. Why wouldn’t it? It already does everything else that’s terrible for you. Let’s just throw this on the pile,’” he said.

According to the CDC, a large number of studies suggest that PFAS could cause an increased risk of testicular or kidney cancer, increased cholesterol levels, decreased vaccine response in children, changes in liver enzymes, increased risk of high blood pressure or preeclampsia in pregnant women and small decreases in infant birth weights.

Wolfe’s blood test found elevated levels of a particularly concerning type of PFAS called Nafion by-product 2, which has been used in the manufacturing process by both Chemours and DuPont. It has been found in tap water downstream of the chemical plant and in private wells surrounding it.

Wolfe said his blood tests revealed that he has a concentration of Nafion by-product 2 of 5.5 parts per trillion, double the median of everyone who participated in the testing.

A new study published in ScienceDirect found that the livers of mice given high doses of Nafion by-product 2 more than doubled in size compared with a control group.

Filtration systems coming

It’s estimated that 200,000 people get their drinking water from the Cape Fear River below the Chemours Fayetteville Works plant. The Cape Fear Public Utility Authority, which provides water to New Hanover County residents, is preparing to spend $46 million on a granular activated carbon filtration system that is expected to remove most of the PFAS in the finished water it delivers to customers. The system is scheduled to go online in early 2022.

Nearby, Brunswick County plans to spend $137 million on a reverse osmosis filtration system, completion of which appears to have been delayed until May 2023. Both utilities have filed lawsuits against Chemours and DuPont seeking reimbursement for the costs of installing the purification systems.

There are no federal or state standards for PFAS in drinking water. In 2016, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency set a health advisory for two of the oldest PFAS — known as PFOA and PFOS — at 70 parts per trillion, either by themselves or in combination. North Carolina set a provisional health advisory of 140 parts per trillion in drinking water for GenX. None of those advisories is legally enforceable, and no other PFAS have health advisories.

Private wells also contain PFAS

People living below the Chemours plant who get their drinking water from the Cape Fear River aren’t the only ones in North Carolina dealing with exposure to PFAS in their drinking water.

More than 3,000 homes surrounding the plant have been found to have PFAS in their well water. That contamination, which extends at least 10 miles from the plant, was deposited through the air by DuPont and Chemours and seeped into the groundwater.

Last month, N.C. State released findings of testing on wells and tap water of 85 homes in the stricken area. Of those, 70 were found to contain GenX — 33 at levels above the state’s health guideline. Researchers found that wells containing high levels of GenX also contained high levels of other PFAS.

The researchers drew blood samples from residents, but those results aren’t yet available because the university’s labs had remained closed during the pandemic.

PFAS hotspots in the state

There are other hotspots of PFAS contamination in North Carolina. The NC PFAS Testing Network just released a complete data set of testing it conducted at 320 municipal water utilities in the state.

Of those, nearly half had levels of PFAS above the reporting detection level, according to a July 1 article by NC Policy Watch. The network is part of the NC Policy Collaboratory, a consortium of seven universities funded through grants and the General Assembly.

The network found Pittsboro’s water supply to have the highest concentration of all types of PFAS measured — a whopping 844.8 parts per trillion. The contamination is believed to be coming largely from industries that discharge into the Haw River upstream of Pittsboro and from an airport in Greensboro.

Researchers at Duke University are conducting studies of blood from Pittsboro residents, and the town has established a task force to help determine the best way to remedy the situation.

Network findings

Data from the PFAS Testing Network show that 10 municipal water plants in the state had total PFAS concentrations above 100 parts per trillion.

• Pender County: 425.5
• Bladen Bluffs: 423.5
• Wilmington: 406
• Harnett County: 217.5
• Bladen West: 144.5
• Fayetteville: 115
• Cary: 110.6
• Bladen East: 107.4
• Aurora: 104.3
• Harris Nuclear Plant: 102

For a complete set of the data, click here: https://ncpfastnetwork.com/data-and-tools/

The state Department of Environmental Quality says residents should avoid drinking water that has any individual PFAS measuring above 10 parts per trillion.

Of the 405 samples taken by the collaboratory at the municipal treatment plants, 42 had a single PFAS measuring above 10 parts per trillion, according to NC Policy Watch. None of the samples found GenX, PFOA or PFOS at levels above the federal and state health guidelines.

Regulating PFAS as a class

The EPA says it continues to address the problems caused by PFAS contamination across the country, including efforts to set maximum contaminant levels for the substances.

But DeWitt, the ECU researcher who has been studying PFAS for 15 years, and other scientists say PFAS need to be federally regulated as a single class. They make that argument in a study published on June 30 in Environmental Science & Technology Letters.

“To date, managing the risk of PFAS has focused primarily on one chemical at a time, or a small group of PFAS,” the study says. “This approach has not been effective at controlling widespread exposure to this large group of chemicals with known and potential hazards.

“The more we study PFAS, the more we learn about the harm they can do to our health and the environment. However, it is not possible to thoroughly assess every individual PFAS, or combination of PFAS, for their full range of effects in a reasonable time frame. Without effective risk management action around the entire class of PFAS, these chemicals will continue to accumulate and cause harm to human health and ecosystems for generations to come.”

New PFAS research center

Some, including Gov. Roy Cooper, argue that the EPA isn’t moving fast enough to limit the danger posed by PFAS.

Wolfe, the Wilmington boat captain, feels the same way. He is angry at DuPont and Chemours and thinks they should be required to clean up the contamination they caused.

“I’m concerned for my health. I’m concerned for my family’s health. Why should this be my problem, you know? What failed in the system to allow this to happen the way that it did?” he said.

Wolfe is also frustrated about the coronavirus and the idea that PFAS could make him more susceptible to the disease.

DeWitt and other scientists can’t definitively answer the question of whether people with high exposure to PFAS are more susceptible to COVID-19. No studies on people have been done to confirm what the researchers believe is true.

But DeWitt hinted that that could soon change.

In March, N.C. State announced that it has received a $7.4 million federal grant to establish the Center for Environmental and Human Health Effects of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS).

The center will bring together researchers from N.C. State and East Carolina University to study PFAS toxicity and bioaccumulation. It is expected to become operational in the fall. When it does, DeWitt said she’ll be ready to go to work.

“One of the questions that I will be asking, is just that — why do PFAS suppress the ability of the immune system to make antibodies?” she said.

Mike Watters, administrator for the advocacy group Gray’s Creek Residents United Against PFAS in our Wells and Rivers, sent a letter dated June 23 to N.C. State professor Jane Hoppin supporting research into the possible link between PFAS exposure and the coronavirus.

Watters’ group has more than 2,400 members, most living just north of the Chemours plant. Hoppin has been the lead researcher in N.C. State’s GenX Exposure Study. Watters said he wrote his letter to support Hoppin’s quest for additional grant funding.

North Carolina schools will open for in-person instruction under an updated Plan B that requires safety measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19, such as face coverings will be required for teachers, staff and students.

“North Carolina schools will be open for both in-person and remote learning with key safety precautions to protect the health of our students, teachers, staff and families,” Gov. Roy Cooper said Tuesday during the briefing.

The Strong Schools NC Public Health Toolkit outlines the updated requirements for Plan B, which has been modified since it was released in June to make it more protective of public health.

“This is the plan B that we asked schools to prepare. In some measured, balanced approach that will allow children to attend, but provide important safety protocols, like fewer children in the classroom, social distancing face coverings, cleaning, and more,” he said.

“As a part of this plan we want local school districts to provide for remote learning options for any child that chooses it,” Cooper continued. “In addition, school districts will have the option of plan C, all remote learning, if that’s best for them.”

Cooper also announced that the state will remain in Safer At Home Phase 2 after the current Executive Order expires on Friday.

“As we continue to see rising case numbers and hospitalizations, we will stay in Safer At Home Phase 2 for three more weeks,” Cooper said in a statement. “Our re-opening priority is the school building doors, and in order for that to happen we have to work to stabilize our virus trends.”

State Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen and education and health leaders joined the governor Tuesday in the announcement.

“After looking at the current scientific evidence and weighing the risks and benefits, we have decided to move forward with today’s balanced, flexible approach, which allows for in-person instruction as long as key safety requirements are in place in addition to remote learning options.” said Cohen in a statement. “We will continue to follow the science and data and update recommendations as needed. We ask every North Carolinian to do their part to slow the spread of COVID-19 and follow the three W’s: Wear a face covering when in public, Wait 6 feet apart, Wash your hands.”

The state will provide at least five reusable face coverings for every student, teacher and school staff member in public schools and Cooper said during the briefing they are asking businesses to donate personal protective equipment to schools, just as they would other supplies.

Under Plan B, the state is requiring schools to follow these key safety measures:

• Require face coverings for all teachers and students K-12
• Limit the total number of students, staff and visitors within a school building to the extent necessary to ensure 6 feet distance can be maintained when students/staff will be stationary
• Conduct symptom screening, including temperature checks
• Establish a process and dedicated space for people who are ill to isolate and have transportation plans for ill students
• Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces in the school and transportation vehicles regularly
• Require frequent hand washing throughout the school day and provide hand sanitizer at entrances and in every classroom
• Discontinue activities that bring together large groups
• Limit nonessential visitors and activities involving external groups
• Discontinue use of self-service food or beverage distribution

In addition, the state strongly recommends schools implement the additional following safety measures:

• Designate hallways and entrance/exit doors as one-way
• Keep students and teachers in small groups that stay together as much as possible
• Have meals delivered to the classroom or have students bring food back to the classroom if social distancing is not possible in the cafeteria
• Discontinue activities that bring together large groups
• Place physical barriers such as plexiglass at reception desks and similar areas

“In-person education is important for children, and it happens in the context of a community. This plan strikes the right balance between health and safety and the benefits of having children learn in the classroom. We must all continue with proven measures to reduce COVID-19 transmission like wearing a face covering, keeping distance between people, and frequent hand and surface cleanings so we can move closer to safely reopening public schools,” said Dr. Theresa Flynn, a practicing pediatrician who serves on the board for the North Carolina Pediatric Society.

“Educators and stakeholders across our state have worked tirelessly to reopen our school buildings safely for our students, teachers and staff. Today, we take another critical step towards that goal. We also know families need to choose the option that is best for their children, so all school districts will provide remote learning options,” State Board of Education Chairman Eric Davis said in a statement..

Reprinted from Outer Banks Voice

Dare County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved at a special morning meeting Monday a settlement in the case of Bailey v. Dare County that would, in future public health emergencies, classify nonresident property owners, or NRPOs, the same way as residents and allow them the same entry into the county.

In that lawsuit, brought in federal court, the plaintiffs said their Constitutional rights were violated when county officials initially denied nonresident property owners access to the county during the COVID-19 outbreak.

In approving the settlement, Dare County also agreed to pay $16,500 in legal costs, and County Manager Bobby Outten told the commissioners that the settlement was not an admission of fault or liability on the part of the county.

The decision to restrict access to nonresident property owners was a controversial one that spawned fierce and often angry debates on social media and elsewhere.

In an interview, Dare County Manager Bobby Outten stressed that the settlement only applies to public health emergencies as defined by the World Health Organization and would not include hurricanes or other natural disasters.

“There was no point in carrying it further,” he said of the Bailey v. Dare County litigation. When asked why the county had decided to settle, Outten said that original modeling had suggested that the return of nonresident property owners during the pandemic would have overloaded the health care system here. He acknowledged that the modeling had proved to be inaccurate.

“In hindsight,” he added, “the number of people who would have returned as non-resident property owners would not have been significant” in terms of worsening the COVID-19 outbreak in the county.

In a brief interview, plaintiffs’ attorney Chuck Kitchen said his clients were happy with the settlement agreed to by the Dare County Board of Commissioners and, “We are happy that this reaffirms that the Constitution is still in effect, even during a pandemic.”

The Ocracoke Express passenger ferry resumed service Friday and will make three trips a day between Hatteras and the Silver Lake Terminal in Ocracoke Village until the second week of September.

The state Department of Transportation’s Ferry Division resumed passenger ferry service Friday, after the final approval of Senate Bill 750. The bill includes up to $1.14 million to lease and operate the passenger ferry through Sept. 10.

The ferry will leave from Hatteras at 9:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. and will leave from Ocracoke at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. A one-way trip takes about 70 minutes.

The fare is $5 one way for adults plus $1 for bicycles. Children 3 and under may ride for free. A free tram operated by Hyde County will be available to shuttle visitors around the village, with golf carts and bicycles available for rental from private vendors.

Passengers may can purchase tickets at the Hatteras or Ocracoke-Silver Lake Terminals on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations will be available at www.ncferry.org or by calling 1-800-BY-FERRY.

The Ferry Division continues to work with state health officials to develop procedures to protect Ocracoke Express passengers and crew during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ferry Division will limit the number of passengers to 96, which is about half of what the vessel’s certificate of occupancy allows, encourage face coverings and passenger groups to remain 6 feet apart from each other, add onboard hand sanitizing stations and provide enhanced cleaning of the vessel between departures.

Due to COVID-19 concerns, no refreshments will be offered at this time, so passengers may bring bottled water and snacks with them when they board.

The Ocracoke Express carried nearly 29,000 passengers between Ocracoke and Hatteras islands last year during its first season.

Because of the potential spread of COVID-19 from mass gatherings, the state Division of Coastal Management, or DCM, is urging the public not to celebrate Independence Day at Masonboro Island Reserve.

If planning to visit the reserve for the July Fourth holiday, DCM recommends visitors observe social distancing measures, including the current state requirement to wear face coverings in public.

Masonboro Island Reserve is a research reserve and dedicated state nature preserve. In past years, unofficial large gatherings of visitors have taken place during July Fourth on the island, which resulted in an increase of arrests for underage drinking and unlawful behaviors, along with boating violations, accidents and injuries, said DCM officials.

DCM and the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office are working together to provide public safety and to increase public awareness of responsible visitor behavior on the island. An increased law enforcement presence in recent years, along with public outreach prior to the holiday, has helped significantly decrease potentially dangerous behavior on the holiday. The agencies would like to remind visitors not to attempt the dangerous swim across Masonboro Inlet.

“Visitor safety is always our greatest concern during the July Fourth holiday at Masonboro Island, particularly during the continued community spread of COVID-19. Our partnership with the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office has helped to prevent illegal activities and ensure visitor safety,” said Division Director Braxton Davis.

“This year we encourage visitors to consider celebrating the holiday with family and friends at alternate locations instead of this historically crowded site to help reduce the spread of COVID-19,” Davis continued. “I encourage anyone who does visit to adhere to the current 25-person limit for outdoor gatherings and to protect family and friends by wearing a face covering.”

Before visiting Masonboro Island or the other reserve sites, review visitor guidelines on the website.

Featured Image

Earth-moving equipment from T.D. Eure Marine Construction in Beaufort operates near a barge Monday, June 22, in the Atlantic Harbor of Refuge where a project is underway to build a 1,720-foot living shoreline.

The North Carolina Coastal Federation worked with Carteret County to install a living shoreline in conjunction with maintenance dredging of the Harbor entrance channel. The living shoreline is to help prevent the dredge spoils on White Point from entering the entrance channel to Atlantic Harbor, which has had navigation issues for the past 20 years.

Dredging began in mid-April to improve navigation in Atlantic Harbor and wrapped up in May. About 8,800 cubic yards of material was placed on White Point, according to the Coastal Federation. Construction of the living shoreline began May 15, when Wake Stone Corp. started delivering about 9,545 tons of granite stone to the site.

As of June 23, 1,000 of the 1,720 linear feet living shoreline had been built on the harbor side of the White Point peninsula and the contractor was beginning to work around the point of the peninsula to complete the living shoreline along the Core Sound side. The remaining portion of the granite sill was expected to be completed by Aug. 1.

Learn More

• Work Begins on Atlantic Harbor Project

Carteret Big Sweep Coordinator Dee Smith is encouraging students to help beach towns clean up litter from now until Labor Day weekend.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Carteret Big Sweep has been having a difficult time recruiting participants for the volunteer litter program and is asking students to join in the effort.

“We want to help towns and communities across the county supplement the work their staff is already doing,” Smith said.

Students are being asked to commit a minimum of 25 volunteer hours between now and Labor Day Weekend. This will be a solo effort and students will be assigned sections of busy beaches to clean. All equipment for a safe and effective cleanup will be provided. This type of cleanup will provide needed social distancing, but will allow for cleanup actions to continue.

Many students are not able to get community service hours needed for classes and wanted to reach out to students specifically, she added. “Essentially, Carteret Big Sweep is doing two things to help our community: Providing community service opportunities, while advancing our cleanup efforts.”

To participate in the project,  contact Smith at dee_edwards-smith@ncsu.edu.

North Carolina will stay in Safer at Home Phase 2 for three more weeks and face coverings will now be required in public places.

Gov. Roy Cooper and state Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen made the announcement during a media briefing Wednesday, when they were joined by Dennis Taylor, president of the North Carolina Nurses Association, and Eugene A. Woods, president and CEO of Atrium Health.

“I’m concerned,” Cooper said during the briefing. “As we’ve watched and studied and dissected these numbers in recent weeks, that concern has grown. Since the beginning of this pandemic, I’ve been clear that data and science would lead the way. In following that standard, it’s clear that our numbers will keep us from moving ahead into the next phase of easing restrictions. So today I’m announcing that North Carolina will pause and continue our Safer at Home phase 2, for another three weeks.”

He continued that is not where we plan to be or want it to be, “but it is one of two important decisions that we need to make to effectively fight this disease. The other important decision is requiring face coverings when people are out in public.”

Cooper explained that face coverings are a simple way to control this virus while protecting ourselves, families and others, adding that requiring the face coverings not only cause zero harm to the economy but in fact help the economy by making it safer to shop, do business and keep small businesses running.

“We’re adding this new requirement, because we don’t want to go backwards. We want to stabilize our numbers, so we can continue to safely ease restrictions. And most importantly, get our children back in school,” he said.

Growing evidence shows that cloth face coverings, when worn consistently, can decrease the spread of COVID-19, especially among people who are not yet showing symptoms of the virus, according to officials. Until now, face coverings had been strongly recommended. Under Wednesday’s Executive Order No. 147, people must wear face coverings when in public places where physical distancing is not possible.

Based on the metrics laid out in April by Cooper and Cohen, trends in North Carolina are moving in the wrong direction, prompting officials to pause at Phase 2.

“I know North Carolinians are strong, resilient and care deeply about our communities. We pride ourselves on helping our neighbors. The best way we can do that now is by taking the simple action of wearing a face covering that covers your nose and mouth. If we each do our part, we can get back to the people and places we love,” said Cohen in a statement.

Additionally, employees and customers must wear face coverings at retail businesses, restaurants, personal care and grooming; employees of child care centers and camps; state government agencies under the Governor’s Cabinet; workers and riders of transportation; and workers in construction/trades, manufacturing, agriculture, meat processing, and healthcare and long-term care settings.

“Wearing a face covering is an easy thing to do that can make a huge impact for all of us. A major spike in cases would be catastrophic to the system, and without your cooperation, nurses and our fellow healthcare providers will have a harder time caring for sick patients for weeks and months to come,” Taylor said.

“As the leader of the state’s largest health system, I am pro-health and also 100 percent pro-business. In fact, the two are inextricably connected and I’m very proud of the way business leaders and health experts are working together to keep our economy strong,” said Woods. “Medical science says to reduce the spread of COVID-19 masking works, and my sincere hope is that all the people of North Carolina can join forces to make wearing a mask not something we feel we have to do – but something that we want to do to keep each other, our neighbors, our children and our loved ones healthy and safe.”

Learn More

• Templates for signs on face coverings are available online as well as social media graphics for use.
• Frequently Asked Questions about the executive Order and mandatory face coverings.
• NCDHHS guidance on face coverings.
• View the slide presentation from Wednesday’s briefing.

Oyster sales in North Carolina and other coastal states throughout the country tanked when restaurants halted dine-in service in March as part of the effort to curb the spread of COVID-19.

“Everyone – East Coast, West Coast – once COVID-19 shut down restaurants pretty much all growers saw their sales drop between 95 and 100%,” said Chris Matteo, East Coast Shellfish Growers Association North Carolina representative. “Restaurants are our primary client. Most high-end and middle-tier restaurants aren’t normally involved in the takeout business. Even the ones that did pivot to takeout, people just generally aren’t comfortable buying or selling raw shellfish for takeout. The market collapsed.”

Oyster farmers are among the ranks of numerous American growers who’ve experienced tremendous crop losses as a result of the pandemic. Yet oysters are not on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s list of specialty crops, leaving shellfish farmers out of the running to receive federal aid afforded other farmers, including the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, or CFAP.

Oyster farmers are eligible to receive a portion, though small, of more than $5 million North Carolina received as a part of a $300 million allocation from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to states, tribes and territories with coastal and marine fishery participants.

Participants include resident commercial fishermen, seafood processors and dealers, for-hire fishing businesses and privately owned marine aquaculture businesses that grow products in state or federal U.S. waters, such as shellfish leases, hatcheries and nurseries.

Commercial fishermen and marine aquaculture businesses that have lost more than 35% of revenue between March 1 and May 31 as a direct or indirect result of the pandemic as compared to the previous five-year average will receive a little more than $3.3 million.

Most of that is expected to be doled out to more than 5,600 commercial fisher license holders.

“Very little will go to the growers,” said Ana Zivanovic-Nenadovic, assistant director of policy for the North Carolina Coastal Federation. “That’s been historically like that.”

The federation earlier this month sent a letter to the USDA urging the department to include shellfish crops to the list of those eligible for under the proposed CFAP.

“We really don’t think there’s any reason they shouldn’t be included in specialty crops,” Zivanovic-Nenadovic said. “In our view shellfish aquaculture is controlled environment. You’re still controlling for the density of the oysters, you’re still controlling what depth they’re in.”

In her letter to the USDA on behalf of the federation, she argues that shellfish farmers meet the federal Notice of Funding Availability eligibility requirements because aquaculture crops are grown in a controlled environment.

Shellfish farmers plant seed in cages, which allows them “substantial” control over the size of their crop, where it is planted and how deep it is planted in the water, “all of which would have occurred differently in an uncontrolled and purely natural environment,” according to the June 8 letter.

These practices are in line with other specialty crops and some non-specialty crops, including almonds, beans, lemon, peaches, soybeans, corn, oats and upland cotton – all of which are grown in farming practices that do not control temperature, rainfall, humidity, or storms, Zivanovic-Nenadovic wrote.

The pandemic’s effect on food crops has become part of the narrative on COVID-19’s crippling toll nationwide. For oyster farmers, the pandemic has revealed just how much they depend on the service industry.

Raw shellfish are not a convenient takeout meal, Zivanovic-Nenadovic said, thus the overwhelming loss of sales.

The result is that oyster farmers are left with a product that is not attractive to half-shell markets – oysters 3 inches or larger sell for less — and have to use gear for oysters that can’t be sold instead of planting seeds for the next harvesting season. Growers are stuck with a product surplus that will lower premium prices.

Matteo, a full-time oyster farmer since 2013 and an appointee to the recently formed Shellfish Cultivation Lease Review Committee, which hears appeals of the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission’s decisions regarding oyster leases, said oyster farmers receive on average 50 cents an oyster in the half-shell market.

Sales in the shucked market average 25 cents to 30 cents per oyster.

“That higher price point are what folks are trying to get,” Matteo said. “Those prices won’t remain stable if there’s a glut of shellfish available. That puts additional pressure on the growers.”

The oyster farming industry is predominately a half-shell market geared toward the sale of oysters on the half-shell at restaurants and oyster bars, explained Ryan Speckman, co-founder of Locals Seafood in Raleigh.

Locals Seafood distributes North Carolina-caught and -raised seafood to restaurants and grocery stores in the Triangle and own oyster bars in downtown Raleigh and Durham.

When Gov. Roy Cooper announced stay-at-home orders and the closing of dine-in restaurants, Speckman said 80% of his business was wiped out overnight.

“The problem with the oyster industry and mariculture industry is that it’s so new people don’t know how to treat it,” he said. “I consider what they are is a farmer and farmers have to be subsidized to stay alive. Right now, there’s not really good options for crop insurance on oyster farms. It’s always like oyster farmers are the forgotten entity when it comes to disaster relief.”

In an effort to try and boost oyster sales, Locals Seafood has been sharing educational information with its customers on how to prepare the shellfish for consumption. The business is selling oysters by the count directly to customers at local farmers markets in the Triangle.

“We’ve kind of pivoted toward retail and home deliveries and I was pleasantly surprised how fast that replaced our retail business,” Speckman said. “Demand for fish went through the roof. What was odd to me was the oyster business never bounced back. It’s actually a really easy food to prepare.”

But direct-to-consumer sales are not likely to help the industry much.

“The challenge with that is very few people are comfortable with buying live oysters and shucking them themselves,” Matteo said. “We’re trying to be creative and find a way to make sure markets are still there once all the dust settles.”

Under the CFAP program, farmers are eligible to receive up to $250,000 per individual, a substantial amount more than the relief shellfish farmers anticipate receiving from NOAA, he said.

“It’s critical to get real relief, not $500 from NOAA,” Matteo said. “It has to be much more meaningful. We’re not trying to double-dip. We’re talking millions of dollars’ worth of product that is essentially at risk and doesn’t have a market.”

The industry will continue its fight to get its product on the USDA’s list of specialty crops.

“We always have to fight like crazy to be seen as farmers and not fishermen,” Matteo said. “It’s almost as if shellfish is the only specialty crop that’s carved out of this program and we haven’t been given a good reason why. It’s just frustrating. We’re just going to stay on them and hopefully there’s additional funding and they bring us into the program. We are farmers and we’re farmers suffering more than most terrestrial farmers because they still have markets. We don’t have many alternatives here. It’s not like we can have a chicken sale in a parking lot.”

Employees and residents at a congregate living facility in Brunswick County have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, meeting the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ definition of an outbreak.

Brunswick County Health Services said that one employee and one resident at the facility received positive test results for COVID-19 Saturday at the Universal Health Care of Brunswick facility in Bolivia. Officials said Wednesday that the facility had since completed testing and received results for all residents and employees at the facility and identified 17 residents and seven employees with positive test results for COVID-19. All were said to be doing well.

The Department of Health and Human Services defines an outbreak at a congregational living facility as being two or more people, including residents or employees, who receive a positive test for the virus within a 28-day period.

Learn more

• NCDHHS reports on outbreaks in congregate living facilities statewide are available on its COVID-19 dashboard.
• Find the latest information on case counts, including demographic data.  
• Testing in Brunswick County, answers to frequently asked questions, mental health resources and resources for residents and businesses.

MOREHEAD CITY – The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries is seeking input from the public on a draft spending plan for $5.4 million in federal coronavirus fisheries assistance.

The spending plan must be approved by National Marine Fisheries Service for the state to receive the funding provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security, or CARES, Act.

The draft spending plan proposes an approach for disbursement of the funding through direct payments to eligible commercial fishermen, charter businesses, seafood dealers and processors, and qualified aquaculture operations who can document a greater than 35% revenue loss compared to the previous five-year average due to COVID-19.

The draft spending plan and other information pertaining to the draft can be found online on the CARES Act Fishery Assistance Information page. Written comments on the plan may be submitted through an online form that can be accessed via the website or by mail to: Draft CARES Act Fisheries Assistance Spending Plan Comments, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, N.C. 28557.

Comments should be posted online or postmarked by 5 p.m. June 19. The division will not accept comments submitted by email.

The CARES Act authorized $300 million for economic assistance to affected fishery participants due to COVID-19.

Officials said the number of fishing industry participants that may be eligible for assistance likely will exceed the $5.4 million provided.

The money will be disbursed through the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to the state once the spending plan is developed and approved by the National Marine Fisheries Service.

Gov. Roy Cooper announced during a media briefing Thursday a new executive order to address the social, environmental, economic and health disparities in communities of color that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Executive Order 143 establishes the Andrea Harris Social, Economic, Environmental, and Health Equity Task Force to focus on economic stability, health disparities and environmental justice in the state and directs state agencies and offices to provide targeted measures to help communities of color that have been affected by the pandemic.

“COVID-19 is shining a light on disparities that have long existed in our health care and economic institutions for communities of color,” said Cooper. “Today’s Executive Order will expand our state’s efforts to help North Carolinians recover from the pandemic and improve access to affordable healthcare and quality economic opportunities in our state.”

COVID-19 disproportionately affects communities of color for several reasons, including existing social, environmental and health inequities. Despite making up 22% of North Carolina’s population, as of June 1, African Americans account for 30 percent of confirmed COVID-19 cases and 34% of COVID-19 deaths in cases where race is known. Similarly, Hispanics account for 39% of confirmed COVID-19 cases, in cases where race or ethnicity is known, despite only making up about 10% of the population in the state, officials said.

The order puts in motion several directives, including tasking the Department of Environmental Quality to create a common discourse on environmental justice and coordinate with state executive agencies on the integration of environmental justice considerations into current and future policies, programs, and procedures.

Environmental justice refers to the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.

The order also does the following:

• Tasks the North Carolina Pandemic Recovery Office to ensure the equitable distribution of pandemic relief funds.
• Directs the Historically Underutilized Business Office to provide small historically underutilized businesses with access to opportunities, tools, and resources that promote equitable economic recovery and procurement of State contracts.
• Directs the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to ensure all communities have access to COVID-19 testing and related health care.
• Tasks the Office of Public Engagement to increase awareness about COVID-19, COVID-19 relief services and resources, and provide education on eliminating disparities.
• Directs the Division of Emergency Management to continue coordinating efforts to protect the food supply chain and support feeding operations at food banks and school systems.
• Directs the North Carolina National Guard to provide planning and logistical support and personnel where feasible to support mass testing of food processing plant workers in impacted communities and migrant farm workers.

The task force is named after the late Andrea Harris, a cofounder of the the nonprofit North Carolina Institute of Minority Economic Development and serving on the Advisory Council for Historically Underutilized Businesses.

Department of Administration Secretary Machelle D. Sanders will lead the task force.

“Health inequities are the result of more than individual choice or random occurrence — they are the result of the historic and ongoing interplay of inequitable structures, policies, and norms that shape lives,” said Sanders. “I am deeply honored to carry Andrea Harris’ torch on this new task force, as we grapple with these complex and critical issues for North Carolina.”

Learn More

• Read more about the order in a Frequently Asked Questions document.
• Read the full executive order.

The 2020 hurricane season begins Monday and state Emergency Management Director Mike Sprayberry reminded residents to get ready.

“Today is the first day of the 2020 hurricane season, and North Carolina has already seen the impacts from two early storms, Arthur and Bertha,” he said Monday during a media briefing regarding COVID-19. “Now is the time to make sure that your family is ready for the season.”

Sprayberry recommended visiting readync.org for instructions on building an emergency kit and creating a family emergency and communications plan. “And this year to stay healthy, make sure you include hand sanitizer face coverings and sanitizing wipes in your kit.”

Coastal county residents will want to visit the new know your zone website to see if you’re in a predetermined coastal evacuation zone, Sprayberry added. “Officials in 20 coastal counties have developed these evacuation zones to simplify the process of ordering evacuations, if there are needed.”

In regards to preparing for hurricane season in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sprayberry said, “we’re in the process of stockpiling PPE (Personal protective equipment) for shelters as needed. We’re also encouraging our local partners to ensure that their folks have PPE and we are encouraging people that may need to evacuate to have PPE in their kits and their emergency kits.”

Sprayberry said his department is generating a list of hotels willing to serve as noncongregate shelters, which are places where evacuees could stay and maintain social distancing as well as larger facilities.

“As you might imagine, having an evacuation to shelters during a COVID-19 pandemic presents unique challenges for us and so we’re trying to expand the number of places that we can actually shelter,” he said.

State Division of Public Health officials cautioned residents as they are preparing for hurricane season not to use gasoline-powered generators or tools, outdoor grills and camp stoves in enclosed spaces.

These devises should be used outside only and at least 20 feet away from windows, doors and air vents to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, officials said Monday.

Carbon monoxide can be deadly in minutes. Poisoning by the odorless, colorless gas produced whenever fuel is burned can be fatal to anyone, especially children, pregnant women, older adults and/or those with chronic illness. In an enclosed space, such as a home, garage, car, or camper, carbon monoxide can build up to deadly levels quickly. Even low levels of carbon monoxide can cause dizziness, fatigue, nausea, headaches, confusion or fainting.

When buying a generator, make sure to buy or use the correct extension cord to allow the generator to be placed outdoors, at least 20 feet from doors, windows and air vents, and still have enough power to work correctly. For fuel-burning devices, read and follow instructions carefully, use the proper fuel and make sure there is enough air for ventilation and fuel burning.

If you experience symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning including dizziness, fatigue, nausea, headaches, confusion or fainting, get to fresh air immediately and seek medical care. For more information about carbon monoxide poisoning prevention, visit epi.publichealth.nc.gov/oee/a_z/co.html.

Officials are reporting good compliance with public health recommendations among passengers traveling aboard vessels in the state Ferry Division’s fleet.

Jamie Kritzer, assistant director of communications for the North Carolina Department of Transportation, told Coastal Review Online Wednesday that ferry usage was in the thousands for routes to and from Ocracoke Island over the Memorial Day weekend, even on the reduced schedule imposed as a result of the pandemic.

“We’ve been pleased with the passengers’ willingness to do their part to stop the spread of COVID-19 while on-board ferry vessels. For the most part, people have followed our recommendations to stay in their vehicles or maintain social distance from other people,”  Kritzer said.

Along with the scaled-back ferry schedule related to the governor’s stay-at-home order March 30, the division added measures to help passengers abide by social distancing guidelines. They placed occupancy limits for cabin lounge areas and are encouraging passengers to stay in their vehicles.

A total of 13,312 passengers rode ferries to and from Ocracoke during Memorial Day weekend, May 20-26, compared to 26,304 passengers who rode the same ferry routes during the same period in 2019.

The Ferry Division expanded service on the Hatteras-Ocracoke route May 13 from seven to 15 daily round trips ahead of the reopening to visitors of North Carolina’s Outer Banks. The schedule for May 14-Sept. 30, 2019, included 36 round-trip departures Monday through Saturday for the Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry and 30 on Sunday.

Trips were increased starting Saturday, May 23, for all ferry services. The current schedule for ferries leaving Cedar Island is 8 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and from Ocracoke to Cedar Island 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Ferries from Swan Quarter to Ocracoke leave at 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. and head from Ocracoke to Swan Quarter at 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Featured Image

This handwritten sign reading “Fishermen Only” at the Ocracoke Seafood Co. on Silver Lake at Ocracoke Island sets guidelines in line with  COVID-19 restrictions determined by the state. As Phase 2 of North Carolina’s reopening begins, Elizabeth Dyer with the company’s retail market said the company is taking strict precautions, including cleaning routines.

“We require masks for our patrons and even have complimentary disposable masks and hand sanitizer,” said Dyer. “There is a one-way flow of traffic and lines of tape to enforce social-distancing.”

Dyer said business has been fair, although “Memorial Day weekend was great, we are making enough each day to stay open.”

She said the message for seafood lovers is that there is high-quality seafood in North Carolina waters and to support commercial fishermen as a resource.

“I don’t wanna lose that,” she said.

Starting Saturday, the North Carolina Ferry Division will offer more round trips for ferries starting Saturday to accommodate the greater expected demand and the easing of some COVID-19 restrictions, officials announced Friday.

 The newly announced ferry schedule adds trips for ferries traveling to and from Ocracoke, between Cherry Branch and Minnesott Beach, and Bayview and Aurora.

The adjustments follow Gov. Roy Cooper lifting the stay-at-home order and moving the state to the safer at home recommendation. Officials hope to accommodate the increase of ferry passengers expected Memorial Day weekend and into the peak season.

The Ferry Division will continue to encourage passengers to remain in their vehicles or stand at least six feet from other people while on board to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Ferry Schedule

Currituck-Knotts Island

Service temporarily suspended

Hatteras-Ocracoke

From Hatteras: 5 a.m., 6 a.m., 7 a.m., 8 a.m., 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 8 p.m., 9 p.m., 11 p.m. and midnight.

From Ocracoke: 4:30 a.m., 6:30 a.m., 7:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m., 10:30 p.m. and midnight.

Cedar Island-Ocracoke

From Cedar Island: 8 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

From Ocracoke: 7:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Swan Quarter-Ocracoke

From Swan Quarter: 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

From Ocracoke: 7 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Cherry Branch-Minnesott Beach

From Cherry Branch: 5 a.m., 5:45 a.m., 6:45 a.m., 7:45 a.m., 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.

From Minnesott Beach: 5:25 a.m., 6:15 a.m., 7:15 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 7 p.m., 8 p.m., 9 p.m., 11 p.m.

Bayview-Aurora

From Bayview: 5:45 a.m., 7:15 a.m., 8:45 a.m., 2 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 5:40 p.m.

From Aurora: 6:30 a.m., 8 a.m., 10:15 a.m., 2:45 p.m., 5 p.m. and 6:15 p.m.

Southport-Fort Fisher

Route closed for a ramp replacement project

The beaches are open, and locals as well as out-of-towners, all eager to escape the confines of their home, are heading to their favorite beach. Perhaps the lure of sun and surf has never been so enticing as folks yearn for some fun, freedom and escape from the restrictions imposed during COVID-19 lockdown.

The good news is that the beach is a great place to be. The chances of getting infected from COVID-19 are low, as the ocean breeze disperses the droplets that contain the virus, according to Frank Scholle, associate professor in biological sciences at North Carolina State University.

However, to keep the virus in check, it’s essential that all beachgoers practice social distancing. Otherwise, we could see outbreaks such as those that occurred in Florida in February, warned Cameron Wolfe, associate professor in Duke University’s infectious disease division.

“I’m cautiously optimistic that people will recognize they all have a responsibility to do a good job with some level of social distancing, and we can open the beaches and do it safely,” he said. “If we forget all the lessons learned in the last three months, I have anxiety.”

Last weekend, beachgoers seemed to be taking social distancing seriously. Most kept a good 6 feet or more of sand between themselves and other families. Many planned to move to another spot if their area became congested or to go to another beach altogether.

“We’re staying away from everyone,” said Dan Bruno, a Wilmington native who was at Wrightsville Beach with his daughter Sunday morning. “It’s really important that everyone adhere to some kind of rules.”

Many beaches, including those at Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Surf City and on the Outer Banks, took measures to ensure the beaches were safe. Lifeguards, police, National Guard members or volunteers patrolled the beaches and reminded families to stay 6 feet from other groups and to follow the ordinances each town has enacted.

“Many tourists don’t know that they need to practice social distancing at the beach,” explained Sheila Nicholson, executive assistant to Carolina Beach’s town manager. “It’s an educational process.”

Regardless of parental or official admonitions, social distancing proved to be hard for some children. A few little ones ran right up to strangers, and others regularly traded sand pails and shovels. Some young people shared cell phones and sodas.

To ensure children stay safe, Lisa Brown, New Hanover County’s public preparedness coordinator, recommended explaining to children what they can and cannot do before visiting the beach and determining whether they can handle the environment.

“You have to know your family and how good they are going to be at social distancing,” said Brown.

Though no one was wearing a mask at the beach — there is that issue of a really funky tan line – health officials said it’s not a bad idea, especially if the beach is crowded.

Another recommendation is to keep beach trips short. This may be a necessity as numerous beaches have closed public bathrooms. Those that are open should be avoided, said Scholle.

“Bathrooms, especially on the beach, are not the cleanest, and it’s a small space,” he added.

Further, the longer people are at the beach, the more comfortable they become, said Brown. That’s when they may let down their guard and forego social distancing.

Another time when people relax is when they leave the beach. Looking at the activity in coastal communities Sunday, it was easy to forget there’s a pandemic. People crowded the streets of Wrightsville Beach, riding bikes, strolling along the sidewalks and passing within 2 or 3 feet of each other. Long lines formed for Carolina Beach’s Britt’s Donuts, where people sort-of social distanced from each other.

These are common and expected behaviors when beachgoers take a break from the seashore for some food, drinks or conviviality. That’s also when it’s most likely the virus will spread, said Wolfe.

“The beach isn’t the problem,” Wolfe said. “It’s what people do outside the beach. They crowd the ice cream vendor, sit down in close proximity in a restaurant beside the beach. Thirty people gathering and sharing large drinks is not social distancing.”

Instead, Wolfe recommended that people bring their own food, separate utensils for everyone in the family and take hand sanitizer to the beach. He also reminded beachgoers to keep social distancing in mind. They may also want to wear masks for that extra bit of protection.

If last weekend was an indication, beach popularity is at a record high. Surf City was as crowded as it was on July Fourth in years past, said Denise Lippert, administrative assistant for the Surf City Police Department.

Public parking at Carolina Beach was filled by 12:30 p.m., said Nicholson. The beaches will likely be as busy or busier during the long Memorial Day weekend.

“We could see quite a surge,” Brown said. “It’s great weather, and people are tired of being cooped up.”

To keep everyone safe, in addition to taking the precautions mentioned above, residents and visitors alike should be prepared to adjust their beach plans, Brown said. Their Plan B could be moving to another, less crowded beach or going to a park for part of the day.

“Be ready to be flexible,” Brown said. “Don’t put yourself in a higher area of risk.”

Additionally, those planning Memorial Day gatherings for family and friends should take steps to minimize the risk of the virus spreading. Brown recommended limiting gatherings to 10 people or fewer, holding the event in a park so people can spread out and ensuring the gathering lasts only a few hours rather than all day.

If someone must hold a gathering at their home, the host should determine if everyone will use the same restroom and how the interior of the home will be kept sanitized.

“We must plan ahead, think through the potential risks, and how to manage or avoid them,” Brown said.

The state will move into a “Safer At Home” second phase of lifting COVID-19 restrictions starting at 5 p.m. Friday that will be in place until at least June 26.

After two weeks in Phase 1, the state’s overall key indicators remain stable but the continued increases in daily case counts signal a need to take a more modest step forward in Phase 2 than originally envisioned, Gov. Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen announced Wednesday.

“North Carolina is using the data to guide our decisions about when to lift COVID-19 restrictions, and overall our key indicators remain stable,” said Cooper. “Safer At Home Phase 2 is another careful step forward, and we have to continue taking this virus seriously to prevent a dangerous spike in infections.”

Executive Order No. 141 limits gatherings to 10 people indoors or 25 people outdoors under most circumstances. These limits apply to event venues, conference centers, stadiums, sports arenas, amphitheaters, and groups at parks or beaches. Night clubs, gyms, indoor fitness facilities indoor entertainment venues such as movie theaters, and bowling alleys will remain closed.

“From the beginning, North Carolinians have joined together to confront this crisis. We need to rely upon one another to practice the three Ws as we begin leaving our homes more. When we wear a face covering, wait six feet apart, and wash our hands often, we are showing we care for our loved ones and neighbors,” said Dr. Mandy Cohen.

Also under the executive order, restaurants, personal care businesses such as salons and pools can open at 50% capacity with distancing and cleaning requirements. Employees of personal care businesses will be required to wear face coverings. Retail businesses allowed to open in Phase 1 at 50% capacity will continue at that level.

Childcare facilities, day camps and overnight camps can open with enhanced cleaning and screening requirements.  Public health recommendations are provided for worship services to practice enhanced social distancing and other cleaning and hygiene practices.

Based on the metrics laid out in April by Cooper and Cohen, North Carolina is evaluating a combination of the data that shows the state is stable but still has increasing daily new lab confirmed case counts.

Over the past 14 days, the state’s syndromic surveillance trend for COVID-like illness is decreasing and the trajectory of lab-confirmed cases is increasing, the percent of tests returning positive has been decreasing and is starting to level and hospitalization is level over 14 days.

In addition, the state continues building capacity to be able to adequately respond to an increase in virus spread. These areas include:

• North Carolina has more than doubled the daily testing rate with more than 8,000 tests completed daily on average. More than 300 testing sites across North Carolina are posted on the DHHS testing information website.
• The Carolina Community Tracing Collaborative has already hired more than 150 new contact tracers adding to the 250 already working at local health departments.
• Supply chains continue to improve for personal protective equipment.

Learn More

• Read NC DHHS guidance for various sectors.
• Read Frequently Asked Questions about Phase 2.
• View the graphs and slides from the Phase 2 press conference.

Over the last few months, families have been staying home to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 at great cost, especially financially, and measures have been put in place both by the governor and electric cooperatives along the coast for families to keep the lights on.

During this slowdown, researchers, who acknowledge that the pandemic has caused untold hardships for families, noted that during the time the stay-at-home order has been in effect, air quality had improved due to the drop in energy demand. They say water quality could improve similarly.

Gov. Roy Cooper put in place the 30-day, stay-at-home order that went into effect March 30 to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in North Carolina.  The order was extended to May 8, when Cooper began the first, two-week phase of a three-phase plan to reopen the state.

Cooper also issued an executive order to help families with their electric bill.

“Our region has been substantially impacted by COVID-19, BEMC is listening to all of our members and catering programs and plans to the needs of our members,” Corey Thurlow, chief operations officer for Brunswick Electric Membership Corp., told Coastal Review Online. He added that Brunswick Electric, which has 76,000 members, made the decision March 15 to suspend disconnects and waive late fees and penalties on all past due accounts in an effort to help members.

Cooper issued an executive order that expires May 31 requiring all utilities to suspend disconnects and waive late fees and penalties. Utility customers are to be given at least six months to repay any amounts owed during the period under the executive order. Utilities regularly report data to the North Carolina Utilities Commission on the number and type of accounts that are past due and the related past-due amounts, Thurlow explained.

“Currently about 6% of our accounts have past due balances with the average past due balance being around $155. We project that at the end of May when executive order is lifted approximately 7% of our accounts will have past due balances, with the average being $195. With a six-month repayment arrangement, the average amount would be $33 per month,” he said. “After the executive order is lifted, we will be working with our members to establish repayment arrangements that are fair to both them and the cooperative membership as a whole.”

Regarding usage, Thurlow said that after adjusting for weather fluctuations, there haven’t been large spikes in usage.

“We did see a typical morning peak move closer to the middle of the day, due to people staying in their residences,” he said. “Small business sales have been impacted, with consumption moving slightly over to residential. Considering weather, the overall sales have been pretty flat.”

Lisa Galizia, communications director with Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative, said that with children home from school, people working from home, or even out of work, there have been increases in residential energy use. “But fortunately, we have had mild weather, which means most people are not needing heating or cooling, one of the biggest contributors to home energy use,” she said.

The cooperative serves about 42,000 accounts in Carteret County, Havelock and a small portion of Jones and Onslow counties. These are mostly small homes with one or two residents, to more modest homes with families, and second homes, like many in Emerald Isle and elsewhere along Bogue Banks.

“We do see, in general, that household energy use is spread out across the day more like weekends, rather than having peaks in the morning before work and school and evening after school and work,” she said.

“We are encouraging people to avoid high-energy use appliances when they can. Grill outdoors instead of using the stove or oven. Wash clothes in cold water, and hang them out to dry. Avoid long, hot showers,” she said. “Nonetheless, we have recognized that the COVID-19 outbreak has been a financial hardship for many of our co-op members. Since mid-March, we have suspended all disconnects and waived late fees. We will continue to work with those who are having difficulties paying once the governor’s ‘stay home’ order is lifted and we resume normal business operations.”

She added that since the co-op members are the “owners,” they have equity in the business. “When our finances allow, we return part of that investment to them in the form of capital credits. This year, CCEC’s directors voted to return a portion of capital credits early. Members are getting a credit on May bills that should help those who are seeing higher energy use,” she said.

Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative is also taking steps to help its customers.

“For members experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19, we have suspended all disconnects for nonpayment and late fees through May 31st. Although we have suspended disconnections for nonpayment temporarily, members will still be responsible for electric use during this time. We encourage you to make payments towards your account, as you are able, to minimize the balance due when we resume regular business,” General Manager Susan Flythe wrote in a letter to customers.

During these difficult times, member safety remains our top priority. Due to the ongoing #COVID19 pandemic, CHEC is suspending all disconnects for nonpayment & late fees until Dare County lifts the State of Emergency declaration. #HatterasIsland #OBX

— Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative (@CHEMC09) March 23, 2020

Laura Ertle, director of public relations & marketing for Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative, which services 7,600 accounts on Hatteras Island in Dare County, said they had noticed a decrease in use since Cooper’s stay-at-home order was put in place in March.

“April gave us a good picture, since the stay-at-home order lasted the entire month. The decrease is notable in both residential and commercial sales,” she said, adding that the area may be different than others along the coast because at the end of March, Dare County restricted access.

“All visitors and nonresident homeowners were not allowed to come down. Last week the county opened back up to nonresident homeowners and we will be welcoming visitors back beginning this weekend,” she said. “So even though many of us are working from home, energy use has been down across the board because we missed out on things like spring break and spring fishing — both big economic drivers in the area.”

Kate Konschnik, climate and energy program director at Duke University’s Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions, explained that during normal times, there are usage spikes in the morning when a lot of people are getting ready for work or school, and then when they get home at the end of the day, but as temperatures rise, electricity use will increase when people begin air conditioning.

Konschnik was joined by two experts last week during a media briefing coordinated by Duke University Communications to discuss how the pandemic is affecting the environment and energy industry.

“We’re already seeing in Florida a shift to residential electricity demand … and the temperatures have required people to start air conditioning their homes. We’re not seeing overall electricity demand go down and we’re not seeing these spikes. So it’s looking like there’s sustained increase across the day in electricity use in residential buildings,” she said.

“That could show where the rest of the country, as temperatures rise, is heading,” she said. “We could see a shift from commercial spaces to residential spaces being air conditioned in the summer. In some parts of the country … that could go against this general trend of a drop in electricity usage.”

Drew Shindell, Nicholas Professor of Earth Science at Duke University, explained during the briefing that the drop in energy demand is making “a substantial difference to emissions of all things that affect air quality and climate change.”

“As we change the emissions over the course of weeks, days, months … we see a response very quickly. Most of the public can see that,” he said, adding that he can feel a difference in his breathing now while running in Durham. “I think we will be able to see (a profound difference) in human health. As people breathe less pollution, fewer people go to the hospital. So we’re seeing people go to the hospital for COVID, but fewer people go to the hospital for respiratory problems. So there’s some really interesting medical questions going on.”

Carbon dioxide, or CO₂ emissions, have dropped substantially during the pandemic, Shindell said.

“We see the largest percentage drops in things like shipping and aviation, but those are in general smaller contributors to global emissions. In terms of the total tons of CO₂ coming out into the world, the largest drops are from industry — the decline in industrial manufacturing — and from transportation, primarily motor vehicles. We’re seeing smaller declines in energy,” he explained.

New research supports Shindell’s statements. Two studies show that levels of two major air pollutants have been drastically reduced since lockdowns began in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, American Geophysical Union reports, though ground-level ozone has increased in China.

The new studies in AGU’s journal, Geophysical Research Letters, found that pollution from nitrogen dioxide, which is a highly reactive gas usually emitted from vehicles, power plants and industrial activities, over northern China, Western Europe and the United States has decreased by as much as 60% in early 2020 compared to the same time last year. One of the studies found that pollution from particulate matter, which are small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and cause damage, decreased by 35% in northern China.

The research, announced May 11, is part of an ongoing special collection of research in AGU journals related to the current pandemic.

“The current COVID-19 pandemic interacts with many aspects of earth system science. Although painful and disruptive to society, it also provides unprecedented opportunities for scientific discovery. In recognition of these unique circumstances, AGU’s journals have established a cross-journal special collection to publish and highlight COVID-19 related research on the links between societies, environment, and health, as well as the multiple effects of ongoing changes in human behavior on the earth’s environment,” according to AGU.

“Maybe this unintended experiment could be used to understand better the emission regulations,” said Jenny Stavrakou, an atmospheric scientist at the Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy in Brussels and coauthor of one of the papers. “It is some positive news among a very tragic situation.”

Stavrakou and her colleagues used satellite measurements of air quality to estimate the changes in nitrogen dioxide pollution over China, South Korea, Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Iran and the United States, where there have been outbreaks.

Researchers found that nitrogen dioxide pollution decreased by an average of 40% over Chinese cities and by 20-38% over Western Europe and the United States during the 2020 lockdown, compared to the same time last year.

The significant drop in emissions is unparalleled since air quality monitoring from satellites began in the 1990s, said Stavrakou. The only other comparable events are short-term reductions in China’s emissions due to strict regulations during events like the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

The improvements in air quality is probably temporary, but the findings give scientists a glimpse into what air quality could be like in the future as emissions regulations become more stringent, according to the researchers.

Shindell agrees with the researchers that these changes aren’t permanent.

“Going into the future, we expect industry to largely return. It’s still a big unknown what will happen with transportation, and if we’ll go back to the same demand and usage patterns and commuting patterns,” Shindell said.

The pandemic is showing that people can be cleaner and are seeing that when we make a change, “we can have an immediate impact on the environment — a profound impact. Obviously we don’t want to deal with climate change by locking everyone up at home. But the public will to live in a clean environment is enhanced because they’re seeing what can happen when we get rid of pollution.”

Down the line, researchers may find that with the “slowdown” associated with COVID-19 water quality may improve.

With the stay-at-home order, folks are driving less, and urban, agricultural and industrial activities have decreased. “One possibility is that due to less human activity, there will be a decrease in nutrient inputs, potentially leading to improved water quality. A ‘silver lining’ to the dark COVID-19 cloud. Stay tuned, as these system’s responses will likely take months to gauge,” Hans Paerl, Kenan Professor of Marine and Environmental Sciences at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Institute of Marine Sciences, or UNC-IMS, in Morehead City, explained to Coastal Review Online.

He said that the slowdown will likely lead to a decrease in nutrient inputs to coastal waters and the effects on estuarine and coastal water quality are being assessed the state Department of Environmental Quality’s ambient water quality monitoring program, the collaborative UNC Chapel Hill and North Carolina Water Monitoring and Modeling Program, ModMon; and the ferry-based water quality monitoring program, FerryMon, for the Neuse River Estuary and Pamlico Sound.

As of now, water quality testing on the coast is showing normal results.

Swimming season typically begins April 1, the North Carolina Recreational Water Quality Program has not been able to test coastal waters until recently due to the stay-at-home order, but officials have found that waters are within safe swimming standards.

State officials sample about once a week 210 sites throughout the coast from April to October. Fewer tests are done during the colder months.

The state began testing May 4 said Erin Bryan-Millush, environmental program supervisor and laboratory quality assurance officer for Shellfish Sanitation and Recreational Water Quality Section of the Division of Marine Fisheries under DEQ.

“The delay was due to the governor’s stay-at-home order and because most beach access were blocked or closed, so accessibly was a concern,” she said in an interview. Last week there was a swimming alert issued for Brunswick County but was lifted the next day. “This alert is nothing out of the ordinary, occasional random bad samples occur from time to time,” she explained, adding shorebirds, domestic animals or people could have been the source.

The resample result of the water in Brunswick County shows that bacteria levels have dropped below the state’s and Environmental Protection Agency’s standards set for swimming and water play. “All other results throughout the state have been well within safe swimming standards.”

The real question is what happens moving forward, according to the scientists participating in the Duke University media briefing.

“If you ask a lot of Americans, and tell them we’ve dropped our CO₂ emissions 11% over the last year, they’ll say I’m trapped in my house and I’m unemployed, so if this is what it takes to tackle climate change, no thank you. That is a real risk going forward,” Konschnik said.

Shindell added, “I think what we’re really going to be looking for is how governments respond post-pandemic. Do we build back better and get a new society where we put people to work doing things that will help the environment long term? All these 20 million people who have lost jobs, they need something to do.”

Cape Lookout National Seashore started Friday gradually increasing public recreation opportunities within the guidelines of the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state and Carteret County public health authorities, park officials announced Friday.

To limit the spread of the Covid-19 virus, all visitor centers were closed March 19. North Core, South Core and Shackleford beaches have been open for use. A return to full operations will continue to be phased and services may be limited. The public should follow local area health orders, practice Leave No Trace principles, avoid crowding and avoid high-risk outdoor activities.

The park reopened restrooms Friday at Shackleford Banks Dock, the Light Station Visitor Center near the Lighthouse, the Lighthouse Pedestrian Beach, the Cape Point, the Great Island Bath House, the Longpoint Bath House, Portsmouth Salter House and the Harkers Island Shell Point.

Limited passenger ferry service provided by the park’s authorized concessioner, Island Express Ferry Service LLC. also began Friday and can be reached at islandexpressferryservices.com or 252-728-7433.

The ferry service will meet Coast Guard recommendations, and CDC social distancing recommendations by limiting passenger capacity to 50% of actual vessel capacity, requiring crew and passengers to wear masks, and by cleaning of common touch areas after each trip. It is recognized that family groups may not maintain social distancing. Ticket booths and staging areas will be marked with social distancing signage and tapped with 6-foot spacing markers on the ground.

Great Island Cabin Camp will reopen Monday under specific cleaning protocols. Visit recreation.gov to make reservations.

Harkers Island Visitor Center and Bookstore, Beaufort Visitor Information Center, Light Station Visitor Center and Bookstore, the Keepers’ Quarters Museum, Cape Lookout Lighthouse climbing and in-person interpretive programming will remain closed.

The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. The National Park Service said it is working with federal, state and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis.

Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted on the park website and social media channels.

As beach towns up and down the North Carolina coast begin reopening vacation rentals, incoming tourists ready to trade out weeks of stay-in orders for open, salty breezes and sand-between-the-toes walks are getting an unusual message: BYOG.

Bring your own groceries. Bring your own (paper) goods. The meaning slightly differs depending on who you ask, but the point is all the same.

As they are seemingly everywhere now in this pandemic, shelves in grocery stores on the coast are still sparse on goods like toilet paper, paper towels and disinfectant wipes.

And, with reports of meat shortages continuing to make headlines, some stores have responded by limiting per-shopper sales.

The result has locals store-hopping on the hunt for what they need and worried how the demand on grocers at beaches, where the number of shoppers easily quadruples in the summer, will affect the ongoing scarcity of some supplies.

“It’s been daily on social media,” Sunset Beach Mayor Shannon Phillips said of locals expressing their woes about tourists adding to the strain. “They’re worried right now that there’s not enough to go around at the moment. It’s just a bad situation. A lot of people are upset about a lot of things, but at the end of the day no one saw this coming.”

The board during its May 4 meeting voted to lift short-term and long-term rental restrictions effective May 22. The following day, the town posted a short message on its website.

“As restrictions are lifted and you begin to make your way here for vacations, we are encouraging everyone to bring necessary supplies, food and beverages with you as our stores have not rebounded from the pandemic.”

“We just ask that if you get here you may not be able to find the items you’re looking for,” Phillips said.

Food Lion is the only grocery store in the Brunswick County town. A Dollar General and Walgreens offer a smaller selection of goods.

They’re all on the mainland side of town, a short drive from the causeway that leads to the barrier island.

“We just don’t have a big variety and that is where a majority of our citizens shop at,” Phillips said. “We encourage people not to hoard. The main thing I look for in my town is we’ve got to look out for each other. I want our beach known as a friendly beach and I would like to see neighbors reach out to each other and share during this time.”

An automated message informs callers to Food Lion in The Village at Sunset Beach shopping center that truck delivery and restocking updates are unavailable.

Jeff Melchione, the store’s manager, said he understands why the town is asking renters to bring their own goods.

“From a product level standpoint, I don’t know where we’re going to stand,” he said about the approaching vacation season. “I really don’t know. It’s super busy in the summertime here, probably four to five times what our normal winter and springtime is. We’re decent in some spots. Our warehouse could get better by summer.”

The store has been restricting shoppers to buying two of each kind of meat.

Surf City IGA store manager Don Clements said everything is pretty well stocked in the store, which is in the heart of that beach town’s business district on Topsail Island.

“It’s just keeping it as full as you can,” he said. “I order maybe 700 or 800 pieces of groceries and I’ll be lucky to get half of that. I would suggest (renters) bring paper products and I would suggest that they bring disinfectant wipes. Other than that, we’ve been pretty good.”

Rental restrictions on the island were recently lifted in all three towns, including Topsail Beach and North Topsail Beach.

Surf City officials instituted a mandate with the easing of restrictions that requires shoppers to wear face masks in all businesses.

Clements chuckled as he talked about the new requirement. The IGA’s customers get an old-time feel of beach life if they so choose – shoes and shirts are not required to shop there. Now, face coverings are.

“I would say to renters just be mindful of the fact that the people that live on the island here like myself, we’ve had it pretty nice these past couple of months as far as being safe from COVID-19,” Clements said. “We’ve been very fortunate. Now we’ve got 500 people coming through our doors from all over.”

Owners of rental properties are taking precautions seriously, said Bob Bourassa, a Sneads Ferry resident who owns the website carolinavacationhomerentals.com, which offers rental listings in North and South Carolina.

Judging by the number of inquiries hitting his site recently in a single day, Bourassa said people are ready to get out of their homes, their towns, their Groundhog Day lives.

“The website has just been boom, boom, boom, boom,” he said. “We’ve lost our spring rentals, but it’s probably going to be a banner summer. As far as what we’re advising, yes, tell your guests to bring their own toilet paper and bring groceries if you can. People, when they come here on vacation, they do a lot of cooking. There’s certain items you’re not going to be able to find. It’s going to be a challenge to all of us, but it’s nothing that if we use a little common sense we can’t get through.”

The North Carolina Ferry Division will increase service between Hatteras and Ocracoke from seven to 15 departures per day starting Wednesday.

The state Department of Transportation announced Tuesday that the adjusted schedule is in response to Outer Banks communities preparing to reopen to visitors this weekend. Dare and Hyde counties plan to reopen to visitors on Saturday.

All other ferry routes will continue operating on the same schedules put in place March 30 in response to Gov. Roy Cooper’s stay-at-home order and will remain in place until further notice.

The Ferry Division will continue to encourage passengers to remain in their vehicles or stand at least 6 feet from others while on board to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The schedule is as follows:

Currituck-Knotts Island
Service temporarily suspended.

Hatteras-Ocracoke
From Hatteras: 5 a.m., 6 a.m., 7 a.m., 8 a.m., 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m., 9 p.m. and midnight.

From Ocracoke: 4:30 a.m., 6:30 a.m., 7:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.

Cedar Island-Ocracoke
From Cedar Island: 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
From Ocracoke: 7:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Swan Quarter-Ocracoke
From Swan Quarter: 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
From Ocracoke: 7 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Cherry Branch-Minnesott Beach
From Cherry Branch: 6 a.m., 8 a.m., 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
From Minnesott Beach: 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Bayview-Aurora
From Bayview: 5:45 a.m., 7:15 a.m., 3:30 p.m. and 5:40 p.m.
From Aurora: 6:30 a.m., 8 a.m., 5 p.m. and 6:15 p.m.

Southport-Fort Fisher
Route closed for a ramp replacement project.

RALEIGH — Although COVID-19 response is expected to continue to dominate the agenda of this year’s North Carolina General Assembly session, legislators are pressing ahead with changes developed well before the pandemic took hold.

Over the past year, the legislature’s Program Evaluation Division has proposed changes to the makeup of state ports, the structure of the Division of Marine Fisheries and a more businesslike approach for the Department of Environmental Quality’s permitting reforms.

Bills filed in the early days of this year’s session follow through on those recommendations and are among the first slate of bills filed in this year’s short session.

This year’s bill deadlines are fast approaching. Legislators have until Wednesday to file bills recommended by study commissions. Budget bills and bills affecting state or local retirement systems are due by Thursday and all local bills must be filed by May 19.

Ports bill focuses on Morehead City

Senate Bill 707, State Ports Efficiency & Effectiveness, would require measures to address port utilization, throughput, gate times and ship-turnaround times at the Morehead City port and assess the service quality at both the North Carolina Ports of Wilmington and Morehead City in the State Ports Authority’s strategic plan.

The bill eliminates a legal requirement that the state provide cranes and container service at both ports, and gives the authority the discretion to decide on whether to add container service at Morehead City.

It also requires annual updates be provided to the General Assembly on environmental management plans at the ports.

Last year, a Program Evaluation Division study gave the authority good marks for general effectiveness and efficiency but citied declining performance at Morehead City. It also found that the authority does not have an adequate system to assess its customer service.

DEQ business plan

Also part of the package of changes proposed by the program evaluation committee is a requirement that the state Department of Environmental Quality adopt a business plan and “return on investment” analysis for its initiatives to reduce permitting backlogs and speed up turnaround times.

The bill would require DEQ to create formal benchmarks and performance assessments, and a data management system for its Permitting Transformation Project to assess the effectiveness and performance of the system.

The legislation also requires DEQ to review a Program Evaluation Division, or PED, study last year that found too many layers in the organizational structure for five of the department’s offices and divisions including Marine Fisheries, Mitigations Services and the Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs. The new legislation would require the department to review the study and report whether potential streamlining efforts and other proposed changes are feasible.

Both the structure report and the permitting program change proposals are due February 2021, near the beginning of next year’s regular session.

Another bill filed this month would change the local match requirements for Parks and Recreation Trust Fund projects, a requirement currently set at a dollar-for-dollar match.

The new system would lower the local government match for land acquisition and park or recreation site improvements, allow for local, in-kind donations to count as part of a match and reduce the match percentage for counties with greater economic distress.

Emergency relief for fishermen

The legislature is still studying how to put together its next round of COVID-19 funding, but legislators are already putting down markers for what they’d like to see in the next relief package.

Rep. Billy Richardson, D-Cumberland, who wanted to introduce help for fishing operations in the first relief package, has put his proposal to help the state’s fishing businesses into standalone legislation. It sets up a $10 million grant fund to be administered by the Division of Marine Fisheries.

The money would be made available to commercial and for-hire fishing operations. Each for-hire or commercial fishing license holder would be eligible for a one-time, $2,500 grant.

Bonds are back

Meanwhile, county and municipal officials charged with putting together funding for beach renourishment and parks are breathing a collective sigh of relief now that the state’s special obligation bond authority is back on the books.

Last year, legislators inadvertently repealed the statute that authorized municipalities to use the bonds for parks, beach renourishment, downtown improvements and other public infrastructure projects. The repeal was discovered this spring when Wilmington officials were informed that they couldn’t use the bonds for a downtown improvement project because the authority was no longer part of state law.

The repeal could have also affected the timing of bids for a handful of beach renourishment projects in Dare County and elsewhere that intended to issue bonds to finance the work.

The provision reinstating the special obligation bond authority was considered a high enough priority that it was added into the pandemic relief package passed last week.

This report has been updated.

North Carolina’s seafood industry is marked to receive nearly $5.5 million in assistance to help offset losses related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross announced Thursday that $300 million in fisheries assistance funding would be provided under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, to states, tribes and territories for those in coastal and marine fisheries negatively affected by COVID–19.

“This relief package will support America’s fishermen and our seafood sector’s recovery,” Ross said in a statement.

The National Marine Fisheries Service, part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, will use the allocations to award interstate marine fisheries commissions, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to disburse the money, which is to address direct or indirect fishery-related losses as well as subsistence, cultural or ceremonial impacts related to COVID-19.

“We are going to rely primarily on our partners at the interstate marine fishery commissions during the award process because they have a demonstrated track record of disbursing funds provided to them quickly and effectively,” said Chris Oliver, assistant administrator for NOAA Fisheries.

The commissions are to work with each state, tribe and territory to develop plans for the allocations that are consistent with the CARES Act and NOAA’s guidance.

Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are required to submit award applications and spend plans to the agency directly.

The plans must describe the main categories for funding, including direct payments, fishery-related infrastructure and fishery-related education that address direct and indirect COVID-19 impacts to commercial fishermen, charter businesses, qualified aquaculture operations, subsistence/cultural/ceremonial users, processors and other fishery-related businesses.

Once NOAA approves a plan, the three commissions will review applications and process payments to eligible fishery participants on behalf of the states and territories. The states will have the option to process payments themselves.

Fishery participants eligible for funding include tribes, commercial fishing businesses, charter or for-hire fishing businesses, qualified aquaculture operations, processors and other fishery-related businesses. They should work with their state marine fisheries management agencies to understand the process for applying.

NOAA noted that under this part of the CARES Act, businesses farther down the supply chain, such as vessel repair businesses, restaurants or seafood retailers, are not considered “fishery-related businesses.”

A spokesperson for the state Division of Marine Fisheries said Monday that NOAA Fisheries had notified the agency that it must develop a spending plan that may include direct payments to compensate commercial fishermen, charter businesses, seafood dealers and processor and qualified aquaculture operations that have sustained at least a 35% revenue loss compared to the previous five-year average.

“While the full impact of COVID-19 on North Carolina’s fishing industry is not yet known, given the number of fishing industry participants that may be eligible for assistance, the losses will likely exceed the $5.46 million provided,” said the division’s Patricia Smith. “The money will be disbursed through the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to the state once the spending plan is developed and approved by NOAA Fisheries. At this point, the state has not received all the requirements for the spending plan and the application process is still to be determined.”

Towns, counties, parks and other services will begin transitioning into Phase 1 of easing restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gov. Roy Cooper announced Tuesday that the first of the three phases to reopen the state will begin at 5 p.m. Friday and be in effect until 5 p.m. May 22. The state will move into phase 2 at this time if data and indicators are in the right place.

Executive Order No. 138 signed Tuesday removes the distinction between essential and nonessential businesses and allows retail businesses to open at 50% capacity. Childcare facilities and summer day camps can operate in compliance with state Department of Health and Human Services guidelines and small outdoor gatherings of no more than 10 will be allowed. Restaurants across North Carolina must remain closed for dine-in meals. Only takeout, drive-through and delivery services are allowed.

The North Carolina Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve will reopen the Rachel Carson, Masonboro Island, and Bird Island Reserves to visitors Saturday, the state Department of Environmental Quality announced Friday. The sites were closed April 3 to protect public safety and reduce the spread of COVID-19 and to support state and local restrictions and guidance. All other reserve sites remain open.

North Carolina State Parks announced this week that trails and restrooms at its parks statewide will open Saturday, including Carolina Beach State Park, Dismal Swamp State Park,  Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, Fort Macon State Park, Goose Creek State Park, Hammocks Beach State Park, Jockey’s Ridge State Park and Pettigrew State Park.

Sunset Beach announced Wednesday all special events in the town park and in town limits are canceled through May 31. Restrictions on the beach strand and the town park, which reopened Wednesday for nonstationary physical activities only, will be lifted at 6 a.m. May 15.  Public parking will open at 6 a.m. May 15. Long-term and short-term rentals will be allowed as of May 22.

Ocean Isle Beach lifted short-term rental restrictions April 30, as well as reopened public parking and the beach strand. Holden Beach began allowing rentals Friday and public parking and public accesses were opened April 30. Caswell Beach is opening up public parking Saturday and short-term rentals will resume May 22.

New Hanover County plants to open most facilities for regular business hours starting Monday, including the county Government Center, Health and Human Services building and 320 Chestnut building. Cape Fear Museum, public libraries and the Senior Resource Center remain closed to the public.

Wrightsville Beach is allowing short-term rentals beginning 5 p.m. Friday. Public parking lots at 2698 North Lumina Ave., 2498 North Lumina Ave., Stone Street and 650 South Lumina Ave. are open to the public. Restrooms will remain closed. With the exception of East Salisbury Street, all access points and beaches will be open for individual, nonstationary exercise activities to include only walking, jogging, swimming, and surfing/water sports.

Carolina Beach will lift all town-imposed restrictions including short-term rentals, public parking, and beach activities effective 5 p.m. Friday. Kure Beach is opening the beach to normal activities with limited open parking along Fort Fisher Blvd effective 5 p.m. Friday.

Topsail Island is opening Saturday short-term rentals. Public parking opened Friday. Surf City has reopened the sound side park boat ramp, open-space, and boardwalk and all public beach accesses and will at 5 p.m. Friday reopen public parking and allow short-term rentals.

Onslow County-maintained beach accesses and parking lots within North Topsail Beach were to open Friday in conjunction with the town opening all public beach parking. The town also lifted the ban on short-term rentals Friday to allow rentals to resume Saturday.

Carteret County officials opened April 27 county-maintained beach access points in Salter Path, Radio Island and Harkers Island.

Emerald Isle will lift its short-term rentals at 11:59 p.m. Friday. The restriction had prohibited the renting of a hotel room, motel room, rental housing unit, condominium, RV campsite, primitive campsite, or similar accommodation. Rental properties may accept occupants starting Saturday. The town is opening on Saturday Third Street, Station Street and Eastern Ocean Regional Access parking lots will be open to the public. The restrooms and outside showers will remain closed as well as the Western Ocean Regional Access due to construction.

Atlantic Beach, which opened on April 30 public beach accesses, starting Saturday is lifting its ban on short-term rentals. On May 15, all public parking lots and restrooms will be open and paid parking begins.

Dare, Hyde and Currituck counties are lifting visitor restrictions starting May 16. Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head and Manteo; Hatteras Island; Roanoke Island; Dare mainland; Currituck County Outer Banks; and Ocracoke Island will be open to visitors.

Entry restrictions for visitors to mainland Hyde County were lifted Wednesday. Ocracoke nonresident property owners will be allowed entry starting on May 11.

Indoor areas at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Wright Brothers National Memorial, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and Cape Lookout National Seashore remain temporarily closed but park lands are open, according to the National Park Service.

NAGS HEAD — The sun came out over the Bodie Island Lighthouse late Thursday morning just as Interior Secretary David Bernhardt wound down a chilly and drizzly morning touring Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge and Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

Bernhardt was visiting the Outer Banks parks on the last leg of a four-day regional tour to promote President Trump’s “Opening Up America” guidelines to safely access public lands as the country starts loosening restrictions put in place last month to stop spread of COVID-19.

“I absolutely love the Outer Banks,” Bernhardt said to a small group of media, adding that he and his family had last visited Hatteras Island in 2016. “I love to fish, I love to boat.”

Bernhardt said his mission was to ensure the safety and health of the visiting public and park staff at the nation’s parks and wildlife refuges. To that end, he said there are 60 public health officials available to work with parks to help take proper precautionary health measures.

Bernhardt said that the agency worked with Congress “early on” to ensure that the parks had resources to address the safety measures.

“So everything is important and we’ve got to take it in stages,” he said.

Visitors at park sites and beaches are encouraged to “clump” in family or group units, with each unit maintaining safe social distance from each other.

“I think America is realizing this is a good thing to do,” Bernhardt said.

In response to a question, the secretary said that he had acknowledged that climate is changing and it is “a factor in decisions.” Sea level rise and other impacts, he added, under Interior Department regulations, must be considered in environmental planning.

“I know there’s effects here,” Bernhardt said.

Bernhardt, who was confirmed last year, was also asked about when action would resume on the proposed Atlantic offshore oil and gas lease sales, which have been strongly opposed on the Outer Banks, and whether the economic crisis from closed beaches would be a factor in the risk assessment.

Responding, Bernhardt said that the lease proposal is “on pause.” But he assured that when it is picked up again, there would be opportunities for state and community input.

“I’ve worked in this area for a long time, and I don’t know of a single instance where there’s been leasing that was opposed by the state,” he said. “I don’t know of a single instance … In terms of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act history, I’m not aware of that. And I’m pretty familiar with that history.”

Enacted in 1953, the act defines the Interior secretary’s responsibilities in the administration of mineral exploration and development of the outer continental shelf.

Bernhardt started his tour of parks on Monday at Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, and in the afternoon, he visited Blue Ridge National Park headquarters in Asheville. He then traveled to the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians’ reservation in Cherokee; Great Smoky National Park, Guilford Courthouse at National Military Park in Greensboro and stopped at a local business, Regulator Marine, in Edenton before arriving on the Outer Banks Thursday morning.

On Saturday, March 14, Gov. Roy Cooper ordered all North Carolina schools to close. Classes would continue, but instruction would be entirely online.

Two days later, the nonprofit Outer Banks Community Foundation rolled out the first of its COVID-19 Rapid Response Grants, which it awards in times of crisis. The $4,500 grant awarded to the Dare Education Foundation helped Dare County Schools provide high-speed internet service to families with students who either did not have service or whose service was inadequate.

Lorelei Costa, Outer Banks Community Foundation executive director, worked with Amy Sasscer, executive director of the Dare Education Foundation, and Keith Parker, digital communications director for Dare County Schools, to put together a plan for the county.

“(We) were on the phone, text messaging all weekend trying to figure this out,” Costa said. “It was a three-way partnership. Dare County Schools, Dare Education Foundation and the Community Foundation.”

Since that time, the Community Foundation has awarded more than $140,000 in Rapid Response Grants from Currituck County to Ocracoke.

The first grants went to area schools, with the money targeting the families of students who would not otherwise be able to participate in online classes.

The school districts had different needs. Dare County Schools had already purchased hot spot devices needed to connect homes without broadband internet service.

“In late January, the thought was gaining traction that it (COVID-19) could be something to lead to a school closure,” Parker said. “We were trying to plan for worst-case scenarios.”

Because the school system already owned hot spots, Dare County’s grant was used to connect homes to the internet and to pay for service for the remainder of the school year.

On Ocracoke, Hyde County Schools had just returned hot spot devices that were no longer needed after being used in the wake of Hurricane Dorian. With schools closed statewide, suddenly the demand for those devices far outstripped supply.

The school district contacted its supplier, which responded they had the devices, but because of demand, they needed to know right away if Hyde County Schools would be able to take them.

“I’ll tell you how great it was,” said Hyde County Schools Superintendent Steve Basnight. “If the grant had taken several weeks, the supply of these jet packs would have been exhausted.

“It was actually done the day we submitted it,” he said. “I had been on the phone that day at the morning, (saying) ‘Please hold these. We absolutely need them. We’ll get this done as quickly as possible.’ I called him back that afternoon and said, ‘We have the money. Send them.’”

The turnaround was quick.

“It’s called a rapid response grant, but I didn’t expect it to go that fast,” said Mary McNight, counselor at Ocracoke School. McNight wrote the grant proposal leading to the award to the Ocracoke Youth Center. That’s because the grants must be awarded to a nonprofit organization.

Students of Currituck County Schools who were determined to lack broadband service also benefited from a grant from the Community Foundation.

“Through one of our donor-advised funds we were able to partner with the North Carolina Community Foundation and one of their donor-advised funds and give (internet) access to 200 of their students,” Costa said.

The Community Foundation’s Rapid Response Grants were first used in the wake of Hurricane Dorian, Costa noted.

“As far as I know the first round of Rapid Response Grants was after Dorian. It was a new concept for us. That money came entirely from existing endowments,” she said.

Typically grants can only be submitted at specific times during the year. They require significant amounts of paperwork and can take four to six weeks to be approved. The rapid response grants are intended to get funds to nonprofits to address immediate needs.

Rapid Response Grants are designed to reduce paperwork requirements to help the foundation’s partners known to be financially well managed, Costa said.

Focus on the basics

The initial grants were designed to help schools and students stay connected. When the grants moved beyond that, the priorities were apparent.

“We’ve got to focus our resources on the most basics. So, food, shelter, absolutely number 1,” Costa said.

That’s where another grant recipient, Food For Thought Outer Banks, comes in.

Food For Thought, or FFT, is an all-volunteer organization sends breakfasts and lunches home over the weekend to Dare County students who qualify for a free or reduced meals. Through some innovative social distancing practices, FFT has been able to continue sending meals to students.

However, concerned that some of the most economically vulnerable families would not be able to provide even the most basic necessities, the group wanted to also send home a monthly $20 gift certificate to Food Lion.

“When the world fell apart, we applied to the Community Foundation and they gave us a grant for $8,800,” said FFT Vice President Margaret Lawler. “I can order (Food Lion) gift cards that exclude alcohol and tobacco. I give them to the schools, and they distribute them to the families. It might be toothpaste. It might be soap. It gives them an opportunity to fill in the gaps.”

The Beach Food Pantry in Kitty Hawk is the recipient of a $25,000 grant, the largest to date. The funds will be used to purchase and distribute food on the Outer Banks.

As Beach Food Pantry Executive Director Elizabeth Silverthorn explained, the COVID-19 pandemic forced organizations that provide food for those in need to radically change what they were doing.

“There was a bit of a perfect storm that happened with this COVID-19. We get food in three main ways: One way is from retail donations from local stores, one way is through purchases … from local stores, (and) then we also get food from food drives and regular donation locations,” she said.

What followed were runs on grocery stores, disrupting distribution, so the organizations could no longer purchase food from local retailers, nor could those stores continue to donate as much as they had. And churches and donation sites were no longer options.

“Our food drives were canceled and churches, where people were bringing food, the churches were closed,” she said.

The needs were greater than ever — demand has nearly doubled at the Beach Food Pantry location at 4007 N. Croatan Highway — and the only way to supply those needs was to go to the distributors directly. The distributors, though, facing their own pressures, could only send full trucks of food, and the funds had to be immediately available.

The $25,000 grant will bring a truck to the Kitty Hawk location and from there it will be sent to other area food pantries.

“It (the grant) will be to purchase a truckload of product that can be … distributed across the county. They (the distributor) have to have one group that it goes to but we’re working on behalf of all the pantries,” she said.

Rapid Response Grant cycles are currently running in two-week intervals. With a board of directors composed entirely of Outer Banks residents, there appears to be recognition of their important role during times of crisis.

“We have thrown all the resources we have at this. We’ll continue to be there for the community if there continues to be needs. We’ll figure it out,” Costa said.

Food pantries on the Outer Banks

From Ocracoke to lower Currituck County, there are a number of food pantries offering help to those in need, including the following:

• Bread of Life Food Pantry – 459 Lighthouse Road, Ocracoke. 252-928-9001.
• Lifeline Outreach Food Pantry – 26651 N.C. Highway 12, Salvo. 252-489-0306.
• Hatteras Island Food Pantry – Buxton United Methodist Church, 48221 Buxton Back Road, Buxton. 252-995-4306.
• Roanoke Island Food Pantry – Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church, 300 Ananias Dare St. Manteo. 252-473-2089.
• Source of Hope Food Pantry – 318 Budleigh St., Manteo. 252-473-1911.
• Beach Food Pantry – 4007 N Croatan Highway, Kitty Hawk. 252-261-2756.
• The Lower Currituck Food Pantry – 109 Forbes Loop #4, The Shops in Grandy, Grandy. 252-202-6005.

The Cape Fear Museum of History and Science is looking for objects, photographs and documents that illustrate the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on the lives of people in the Lower Cape Fear.

“The current coronavirus pandemic is an important event in history and residents are encouraged to save items that tell the COVID-19 story and would be a good contribution to the museum’s collection. Cape Fear Museum will preserve artifacts so that future generations will be able to learn about what is happening today,” according to the release.

All items must have a connection to the Lower Cape Fear, which is defined as a 50-mile radius around Wilmington, and may include life during stay-at-home orders, including working and schooling from home; closures of businesses, schools, restaurants and institutions; frontline workers, including medical personnel, grocery store employees and delivery drivers;social distancing and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for being in public; and  any other aspects of life during the pandemic.

To donate an item for potential inclusion in the museum’s collection, the following information is required:

• What is the item?
• Who used or made the item?
• Where was the item used or made?
• How does this item relate to the pandemic?
• Is there a photograph of the item being used or made?

To make a donation, ask questions or receive additional information, contact curator Heather Yenco at hyenco@nhcgov.com or 910-798-4359, who will compile the collection.

There is no deadline for donations as many items may not be available now. The museum is temporarily closed and will resume physical collections operations upon reopening. More information may also be found at www.capefearmuseum.com.

North Carolina State Parks announced this week that on Saturday most trails and restrooms will reopen at all state parks that have been closed to limit the spread of COVID-19.

The parks are opening during the first phase of Gov. Roy Cooper’s three-phased plan to lift restrictions under the current stay-at-home order, according to the State Parks website.

Visitor centers, exhibits, meeting rooms, community buildings, picnic shelters, and retail areas will remain closed so staff can focus on keeping restrooms clean and implementing social distancing on trails and other open areas. Campgrounds are expected to open May 22 but group camps will not open until at least June 30. No facility rentals will be available, including picnic shelters.

Parking will be limited to available spaces to keep parks under capacity. Overflow parking will not be allowed. Several parks will further limit parking capacity to allow for social distancing.

The parks have been closed the last several weeks due to the state of emergency in most counties and the governor’s stay-at-home order.

The following coastal state parks will open Saturday:

• Carolina Beach State Park will open trails, restrooms, boat ramp, marina and picnic area.
• Dismal Swamp State Park will have trails and restrooms at the welcome center open.
• Fort Fisher State Recreation Area will open the four-wheel drive beach to annual pass holders only, the basin trail and the restroom.
• Fort Macon State Park will open the beach, trails and restrooms.
• Goose Creek State Park trails and restrooms will be open.
• Hammocks Beach State Park trails, restrooms, will be open. Boat ramp open to annual pass holders and cash payments only may use the boat ramp. Bear Island will be open to private boat access.
• Jockey’s Ridge State Park trails and restrooms will be open as well as the swim beach at Roanoke Sound.
• Pettigrew State Park trails, restrooms and boat ramp will open.

Each state park has its own webpage that will be updated with the latest information. More information about other state parks can be found on the North Carolina State Parks website.

Officials remind visitors to do the following while visiting state parks:

• Maintain a social distance of 6 feet, regardless of the behavior of others.
• Step to the side of a trail, wait at the end of a bridge, and do not enter the restrooms until others have cleared out.
• Touch as few surfaces as possible. Wash or sanitize your hands before, during, and after your visit.
• Do not share equipment like phones or cameras with other visitors.
• Go home and come back another time if the park seems crowded when you arrive.

Albert Einstein once said that the monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind. That is the case for many young people across the Outer Banks. With no school to attend or jobs to work, many are starting creative projects to pass the time.

North Carolina State University graphic design student and Outer Banks resident Katy Spore understands the importance of art at a time like this, and what it can mean to people.

“I love to make things that really hit home for people and remind them of a time or place that they hold close to their heart,” she said.

Ryan Seal, assistant manager at Surfin’ Spoon Frozen Yogurt Bar, has felt her desire to create during the pandemic on a deep level.

“It’s something that makes me feel grounded, productive, and accomplished,” she said.

Creativity can serve as a release from moments when you feel overwhelmed, and for many there is nothing better than getting lost in writing a story or painting a sunrise. This expression can come from deep in the creators’ souls, a manifestation of the hopes and desires that cannot otherwise be conveyed. It draws upon a universal range of experiences and emotions.

Recent research suggests that both environment and genetics may affect creativity. If you grow up in a home full of artists, you may be more likely to choose that path later on in life. It worked out that way for Emma Alter, a junior at East Carolina University.

“My mum has always been super creative,” said Alter. “She’s been an interior designer for over 30 years and has worked with costuming. She sews a lot from home. I’ve always looked up to her creative side and ever since I was really little I think I acquired that trait from her.”

Recently, Alter has been sewing on her own. After receiving a sewing machine for her 21^st birthday, she picked up the hobby and began spending hours at the machine every day. Looking into the future, she is hoping that it will evolve into something more.

“I have been working on making a swimsuit line,” she said.

She gushed about her lifelong obsession with bathing suits and admitted to wearing them underneath her work clothes. Unfortunately, she has not had the time to hone this passion while at school.

“I started losing my motivation for becoming a future band director and school was burning me out,” Alter said.

As a music major, she was taking 19 credit hours a semester and was in class from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day.

“Once I came home, I became a lot more motivated to get up early and start on some sewing projects, redecorating my room or filming new YouTube videos.”

This outbreak is not the first time that a pandemic has led to a spike in art. The European Renaissance bolstered the human spirit against the Black Death for 300 years, and the work of both Isaac Newton and William Shakespeare benefited from lockdowns similar to the ones currently in effect around the world.

Before the virus hit, Spore was studying abroad in Prague, Czech Republic, drawing inspiration from a very different aesthetic than the one in northeastern North Carolina. “I wasn’t designing or creating much at the time because I was trying to soak up every minute I had abroad.”

When she returned to the U.S., Spore spent two weeks quarantined with her brother in Washington, D.C.

“Every day I talked about all of the projects I was going to make once I got back home,” she said.

Once she returned to the Outer Banks, she began making five to 10 projects a day, a variety of crafts within the art category.

“The free time has been really good for me to expand all of my creative skills,” she said.

Spore began making graphics both as a fun activity and a way to strengthen her Adobe software skills, and it did not take long for her art to make its way around the Outer Banks. She was pleasantly surprised when her bosses at Duck’s Cottage Coffee & Books approached her about selling some in the store.

“I realized I might really have something special in my hands,” she said. “So that’s when I approached SeaGreen Gallery about selling them and they said yes. Since then they have been very successful there.”

Recently, her projects have taken on a new form.

“I have been creating a graphic illustration series that highlights every town on the Outer Banks and some of my favorite things in that town,” she said. “I have also been working on collages made out of vintage photos of the Outer Banks.”

Living in such a beautiful environment has led many, including Seal, to draw inspiration from the island itself.

“Bright colors — think sunset or sunrise — inspire me the most,” she said. “Especially blues that remind me of the ocean.”

Pouring time and energy into art has proven to be a comfort for Seal during the lockdown. She has been working on paintings, sketches and even songs depending on how she is feeling on any given day.

“Painting or drawing is more of a mindless task so I’m usually drawn to that after work to decompress,” she said. “If I’ve had a slower-paced day or have lots of anxious thoughts, I usually process it through writing.”

Artwork boasting hope for the future and bright colors amid a sea of darkness reminds us to see the beauty in the difficult, she said.

Spending more time with family and rediscovering passions are just some of the positive outcomes that this time at home has allowed young people to experience. Creativity is blossoming in the monotonous, and simply having the time to rest and recharge allows students more space to breathe, to imagine.

“I’m thankful for time to get back to the things that truly set my soul on fire and not just living the mundane to aspire to the ‘American dream,’” Seal said. “There is so much more to life that I think we’ve all been missing out on because we haven’t been tending to those areas of our soul.”

Visitor restrictions will be lifted beginning at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, May 16, for Dare, Hyde and Currituck counties.

The three counties worked together to make the decision after Gov. Roy Cooper Tuesday issued Executive Order 138  that modified the state’s stay-at-home rder and transition to Phase 1 of slowly easing certain COVID-19 restrictions and made the announcement Wednesday morning.

Visitors will be permitted entry to Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, Manteo, Hatteras Island, Roanoke Island, Dare County mainland, Currituck County Outer Banks and Ocracoke Island. Visitors are encouraged to contact their accommodations provider to confirm reservation and arrival plans.

Allowing visitors on May 16 will allow seven days for local businesses, attractions, and accommodations providers to prepare for the arrival of visitors following the new business operating requirements put in place by the governor’s order, according to the counties.

Entry restrictions for visitors to mainland Hyde County were lifted at 5 a.m. Wednesday, Hyde announced. Ocracoke nonresident property owners will be allowed entry May 11. All nonresident property owners should bring their own supplies to sustain themselves in their homes as much as possible such as groceries, medication, paper products and other essentials.

Officials reminded visitors that the pandemic is not over and state and local restrictions are in effect including:

• Social distancing guidelines.
• Gatherings limited to 10 people or less.
• Restaurants operating on a takeout or delivery basis only.
• Limits on the number of people allowed into stores.
• Continued closure of personal care and grooming businesses and entertainment businesses without retail or dining.

Visitors are encouraged to wear a mask or cloth face covering in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. Officials stressed CDC recommendations to not travel if you are sick or were exposed within 14 days to COVID-19.

Learn More

• Dare County: www.darenc.com/covid19.
• Ocracoke Island: http://hydecountync.gov/ocracoke-covid/index.php
• Hyde County: http://hydehealth.com/public-health/
• Currituck County: https://co.currituck.nc.us/

North Carolina is set to begin this week the first phase of lifting restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Beginning at 5 p.m. Friday, Phase 1 of slowly easing certain restrictions will begin, allowing people to leave their homes for commercial activity at any business that is open.

Gov. Roy Cooper signed Tuesday Executive Order No. 138 , which removes the distinction between essential and nonessential businesses. The modified stay-at-home order will allow retail businesses to open at 50% capacity. Businesses are required to direct customers to stand 6 feet apart, perform frequent cleanings, provide hand sanitizer when available and screen workers for symptoms.

Other changes include the opening of childcare facilities to serve families of parents who are working or looking for work. The facilities are also required to follow strict cleaning protocols. Summer day camps can operate in compliance with state Department of Health and Human Services guidelines and small outdoor gatherings of no more than 10 will be allowed.

“We must continue to protect our families and neighbors as we take this cautious step forward. When you leave your home, follow the three W’s: Wear a face covering, wash your hands, and wait six feet apart,” said Dr. Mandy Cohen, DHHS secretary.

Certain businesses will remain closed, including bars, personal care businesses, entertainment venues and gyms. Restaurants may only continue to serve customers for drive-through, takeout and delivery. All workers at retail and other businesses are recommended to wear cloth face coverings.

Teleworking is still encouraged for businesses that can practice it.

“COVID-19 is still a serious threat to our state, and Phase 1 is designed to be a limited easing of restrictions that can boost parts of our economy while keeping important safety rules in place,” said Cooper in a statement. “This is a careful and deliberate first step, guided by the data, and North Carolinians still must use caution while this virus is circulating.”

The order encourages cloth face coverings to be worn when outside the home and in contact with others. Everyone who uses a face covering should adhere to this guidance without fear of profiling or bias.

Officials have posted a list of frequently asked questions about the governor’s latest executive order.

Reprinted from the Ocracoke Observer

The Hyde County Commissioners Monday night agreed to allow visitors to mainland Hyde starting at 5 a.m. on Wednesday and will work with Dare and Currituck counties to lift the visitor restriction on Ocracoke before Memorial Day, possibly on May 21.

Hyde County Manager Kris Nobel will work with the two counties as to the exact date for reopening and to issue a joint press release, which could come in a day or two.

The commissioners met in the Hyde County government center in Swan Quarter with Ocracoke Commissioner Tom Pahl participating via a video feed from his home.  Due to the restriction of not having gatherings of more than 10 persons, the meeting was closed to the public and broadcast live on Hyde County’s Facebook page.  Much of the meeting was devoted to the COVID-19 pandemic and Hyde County’s response.

Commissioner Pahl said the Ocracoke Control Group, which is made up of various officials who convene when hurricanes threaten or other disasters strike, met to discuss visitor reentry.

Ocracoke wants to coordinate its reopening with Dare since many visitors travel through Dare to get to the island. Otherwise, they would have to go through Swan Quarter or Cedar Island.

The Hyde County commissioners previously OKed allowing all nonresident property owners, or NRPOs, on the island starting May 11.  Hyde County is asking them to bring their own provisions.

“We can’t stay closed forever,” Pahl said and Hyde, Dare and Currituck want businesses that do open to put some restrictions in place.

He said Gov. Roy Cooper was to give further directions Tuesday and noted that even if Cooper extends the statewide Stay At Home order, which expires on May 8, “that would not prevent us from lifting the visitor restriction.”

He said that once the restrictions are lifted, businesses will be asked to put (social distancing) restrictions in place.

“I had a woman begging me to go back to work,” said Commissioner Ben Simmons III. “We’re stopping people from making a living.”

He said Hyde and Ocracoke residents have been going in and out of the county the whole time of the lock down and that to really stop the virus, “we’d have to stop everything.”

He also stressed that businesses that don’t want to open don’t have to.

Earl Pugh Jr., board chairman, said he and Dare County Board of Commissioners Chair Bob Woodard agreed to the joint statement.

During the public comment period, Noble declined to read the many letters and comments the county received, noting that many would have exceeded the 3-minute limit and that if all were read, “we would be here until midnight.”

However, she said, county staff would post all of the comments on the Hyde County website within 24 hours.

The pandemic caused numerous travel restrictions nationwide to help prevent the virus spread. Hyde County followed by prohibiting visitors and nonresident property owners on Ocracoke unless the repairs to their homes from Dorian damage was extensive enough for a building permit.

“I think that when we put this visitor restriction in place, the COVID virus was very, very new to us,” Noble said. “I don’t think that this board or any other municipalities put the COVID restrictions in place to completely keep the virus from coming into our communities because I think we’re well aware that that’s not possible. But I think those restrictions were put in place to give us enough time to make sure we have adequate precautions in effect and over this period of time we’ve had our restrictions in place.”

Nevertheless, the NRPO restriction was met with anger from some Ocracoke nonresident property owners, many of whom expressed themselves on Facebook and wrote letters to the commissioners.

“These property owners, NRPOs, of which we are part, support Hyde County extensively with property taxes, some with occupancy taxes, and many with funding for nonprofits on the island of Ocracoke such as the Fireman’s Ball/Volunteer Fire Service, and Ocrafolk/Ocracoke Alive,” wrote Dr. Brenda Peacock of Washington.

“They are also year-round customers of many of the local businesses on the island. With so many NRPOs concerned about our status, and hurricane season basically upon us, now is the ideal time for the Hyde County Commissioners to address at least some of these issues.

“One: Hatteras ferry priority access as a property owner same as a resident of the island. Two: representation of NRPOs on the decision-making bodies such as the Ocracoke Control Group. These property owners could then at least be involved in determining restrictions and re-entry criteria for themselves as well as tourists.”

Peacock acknowledged some restrictions had to be put into place in both after Dorian and pandemic but noted that “exposure with virus was ongoing, maybe even more so, without more restrictions on permanent residents and off island contractors.”

Hers and other letters are included in a separate post.

In other business, Luana Gibbs, Hyde County health director, reported that there is only one confirmed COVID-19 case in the county.

 This story was updated May 8.

RALEIGH — If the federal government allows flexibility in use of the $300 million for the North Carolina Department of Transportation included in the General Assembly’s $1.6 billion pandemic relief bill approved Saturday, the cash-strapped agency will be able to respond to hurricane impacts.

Without access to the funds for anything that’s not virus-related, all bets are off.

“You’ll see barricades, and our crews go home,” state Transportation Secretary Eric Boyette said at the April 24 meeting of the NC First Commission, which was held remotely and streamed online.

The start of hurricane season June 1 puts new pressure on an agency already teetering on the financial edge.

Created in April 2019 to devise a long-term transportation investment strategy, the 14-member NC First Commission is now confronted with an emergency funding situation for the state’s roads, bridges, ferries, railroads and airports.

“The fear is, we’ve made obligations and we’re not going to be able to meet those obligations,” Boyette told the commission. “And that’s something this department has never done.”

Under the current scenario, with no funding help, he said, as much as 80% of the agency’s activities would cease.

“The only thing we could do is safety,” Boyette said. “We would try to keep everything safe for the traveling public.”

To illustrate the dire situation, a number of slides were shown of damaged culverts — one propped up with a pipe and others with rigged-together repairs from scrap wire and rebar — and undermined roads and bridges that had to be closed because repairs were not affordable.

The additional loss of revenue from gas taxes and fees related to the COVID-19 restrictions have been a crushing blow to NCDOT, resulting in a loss of about $300 million this fiscal year, according to Boyette’s presentation. Traffic volumes plummeted 40 to 50% since the governor issued the stay-at-home order last month.

NCDOT is funded through the Motor Fuels Tax, which is currently about 36 cents per gallon, the Highway Use Tax and state Division of Motor Vehicle fees. Revenue shortfalls have caused delays in all but 50 major projects statewide, according to an NCDOT press release.

Whatever work that will be done is funded by grant anticipation revenue vehicles, or GARVEE bonds, BUILD NC bonds and federal grants. Deleted contracts include the controversial Mid-Currituck Bridge between the Currituck County mainland and the Outer Banks and the state Ferry Division passenger ferry from Hatteras Island to Ocracoke Island.

Victor Barbour, director of North Carolina government relations and highway-heavy division at Carolinas AGC, a construction trade association, said that the cuts have been “devastating” to the industry that works with NCDOT, from the engineers to the road builders to the material suppliers.

Barbour had retired in 2014 from NCDOT before accepting the position last year from Carolinas AGC. During his three decades with the agency, he was charged with design and construction of numerous projects, and helped develop the agency’s design-build program.

The situation for the department is bad from both sides of the aisle, he said.

“From the selfish perspective, it’s about the industry,” Barbour said. “From a public perspective, it’s about safety. I think as this continues on, that part of it will get worse.”

For example, if there’s no funding to do bridge maintenance, the concrete and metal will deteriorate and weaken. When delayed repairs are finally done, they will be much more expensive.

Barbour said that North Carolina had been known for the quality of its highway system, and it still is, but that reputation is starting to suffer.

“I think we’re better than most, but we’re headed in the wrong direction,” he said.

In 2018, he said, the department had about $3 billion in highway construction contracts. But in the next 12 months, there will only be $676 million in contracts.

The downturn is impacting “thousands” of jobs in the state, he said.

“That infrastructure spending helps drive our economy,” Barbour said.

What is needed, he said, is the $50 billion national infrastructure initiative that has been presented to Congress by an industry group. But meanwhile, the state has to find a way to restore NCDOT.

“There’s hard choices that have to be made,” Barbour said, “and they’re extremely difficult.”

NCDOT Assistant Director of Communications Jamie Kritizer said that even without the help of federal dollars, transportation workers would still be able to do some storm response.

“If a storm were to hit while we’re under the budget floor, we would have to respond using our own employees, equipment and supplies,” Kritzer said in an email. “We could not start any new contracts with outside vendors.”

Transportation maintenance projects have long been underfunded by the state, but NCDOT’s budget in recent years has suffered major hits from multiple storms and a court ruling that involves a large financial obligation.

According to a September 2019 financial review conducted for the department, its cash reserves had been depleted over the past year to the near minimum required by law over costs related to hurricanes Florence, Michael and Matthew, as well as response to snowstorms, rockslides and flash flooding. There were also high costs from the Map Act court case settlements and for projects that exceeded initial estimates.

One-third of the cash deficit, the review said, was attributed to the high number of natural disasters.

Boyette said it would take an infusion of $600-$700 million just to bring NCDOT financially back to where it was before the pandemic hit. It would take $1.34 billion “to be whole,” he added.

A temporary gas tax hike?

Michael Walden, a commission member and an economics professor at North Carolina State University, suggested that if the agency is in critical need of funding, it may be worth considering a temporary increase in gas taxes, which fund more than 50% of the transportation budget, while the price at the pump is so relatively low. Considering that gas is projected to cost only $2.21 a gallon in 2021, the public may be willing to tolerate a notoriously unpopular hike in the gas tax if it’s not permanent.

Walden told commissioners that he expected it will take a year or more for recovery of the state’s economy, which pre-COVID had relatively low inflation and rising wages.

“I think that makes this more difficult,” he said, “because it went from fairly good to fairly bad.”

In a later telephone interview, Walden, who at 70 has seen six recessions, said that the state is probably looking at losing about a third of its economy until it begins to grow again in the fall and winter. The good news, however, is that he did not expect North Carolina to suffer any loss of its brand, barring a huge spike in infections.

In the meantime, a 10- to 15-cent increase in the state’s gas tax could be a reasonable answer to keeping the lights on for NCDOT, he said.

“I understand that people don’t like paying the gas tax,” he said. But people also like good roads. “So, it’s a trade-off.”

Restrictions in travel and commerce, not to mention personal contacts and large gatherings, have had enormous consequences to local governments and small businesses. Tourism, one of the state’s largest revenue producers, has been crippled. Under such extremes, Walden said, government aid is not only appropriate, it is necessary.

“If you want to have an economy coming out of this, you’ve got to have some aid to sustain people through this,” he said. “The alternative is you don’t have half your economy.”

In time, Walden said, people will be driving all over North Carolina as much as ever because of its beautiful beaches and mountains, and tourism and business will come back.

But he warned against expecting a quick bounce back to normality.

“My brain tells me that people are going to stick their toe in the water and not go full fledge,” he said. “I hope I’m wrong, but my counsel would be: Be careful, be cautious.”

Because of a dramatic decline in revenue, the North Carolina Department of Transportation has had to halt signing new contracts for projects, among other measures.

NCDOT has fallen below the statutorily mandated cash floor of $293 million, which according to state law means that the department can no longer enter into new contracts that spend money on transportation projects.

The department is fully funded by the Motor Fuels Tax, Highway Use Tax and Division of Motor Vehicles fees. The drop in revenue from these sources because of COVID-19 will result in more than $300 million in lost revenue for the fiscal year ending June 30, officials said. A shortfall of more than $370 million is projected for next fiscal year.

“Never in the history of NCDOT has there been such an immediate and sustained decline in revenues,”  Transportation Secretary Eric Boyette said in a statement. “We need revenue to begin putting people back to work across North Carolina.”

The North Carolina general statutes restrict the department’s ability to enter into agreements that obligate additional funds for transportation projects until cash on hand is above the statutory cash floor, as certified on the last day of the month.

During this time, NCDOT said it can continue active projects, maintain existing infrastructure with existing supplies and staff,  pay incoming invoices from private sector companies as long as funds exist, continue operating DMV functions, respond to emergency situations with existing staff and materials, and hire new employees for critical, safety-related positions or DMV functions.

Actions the department has taken include laying off nearly half of all temporary employees and embedded consultants, a hiring freeze except for positions that affect public safety, and developing a department-wide plan to furlough employees.

Additionally, most programs have been suspended, the passenger ferry contract has been canceled and programs and areas are being evaluated for cuts.

The department said it was uncertain when cash reserves will be above the cash floor but it must continue meeting existing obligations and pay invoices for work completed or currently underway. For the department to begin reinstating suspended projects and programs, NCDOT would need revenue replacement to compensate for COVID-19 losses for this fiscal year and next.

RALEIGH — New laws in response to the COVID-19 pandemic were signed into law Monday, clearing the way for more than $1.5 billion in aid and shaping an all out response to the virus and its damage to the economy.

At a briefing along with legislative leaders, Gov. Roy Cooper signed the COVID-19 Recovery Act and Pandemic Response Act around noon Monday. Both the governor and legislative leaders promised that more help would be on the way.

The legislature returned last Tuesday to take up the bills, and passed them passed unanimously in both chambers on Saturday afternoon.

Spending in the legislation includes $50 million to build supplies of masks, gowns and other person protection equipment; $150 million for relief to counties and municipalities not eligible for direct aid under the federal CARES Act; $25 million for testing and contact tracing; $25 million in supported for assisted living facilities; a $65 million backstop for rural hospitals; $70 million for response operations and $20 million for loss of fees and receipts for state agencies; $30 million for computers and other devices for schools; $75 million for school nutrition programs; $12 million for improving internet connectivity; roughly $100 million for public education programs and to cover lost revenue; $85 million for public and private university research; $69 million for state universities and community colleges for online learning; a $125 million small business loan program; and $5 million for tourism industry support.

Policy provisions in the bill include dozens of waivers for school requirements for this year and planning requirements for next year. It sets the school opening date at Aug. 17.

The legislation allows agencies across state government to extend due dates and includes a five-month extension for all Division of Motor Vehicle-issued credentials.

It also fixes an error in legislation last year that inadvertently eliminated of state special obligation bond authority for local governments, a common financing vehicle for parks and beach renourishment.

The legislation sets up a special Coronavirus Relief Reserve Fund and creates a temporary Pandemic Recovery Office to administer the funds and the complicated stipulations for federal aid.

The state is still waiting on a decision on the extent to which transportation and public education costs will be covered. State schools are facing an expensive conversion of facilities and upgrades to online learning. Meanwhile, the free fall in fuel tax revenues means a sudden deficit in funding for road construction and maintenance. The legislation sets aside $300 million in state funds in the event federal aid is unavailable.

During bill discussions last week, Sen. Harry Brown, R-Onslow, the Senate’s chief budget writer, noted N.C. Department of Transportation funding problems were already on the legislature’s agenda prior to the pandemic.

At Monday’s briefing, House Speaker Tim Moore said the state could see a shortfall in the next fiscal year of between $4.5 billion to $5 billion.

The legislature will spend the next two weeks in skeleton sessions and is expected to return on May 18 for the rest of this year’s short session.

Moore said working groups with the House Select Committee on COVID-19 will continue to meet during that time to begin developing the next round of legislation.

Learn more

• Senate Bill 704
• House Bill 1043

Clyde Phillips Seafood Market, like fish houses across North Carolina, is open during coronavirus, but, as the rest of them, it’s doing business a little differently.

Normally, people would hang around the wee pink house where Phillips’ shrimp trawlers dock between two bridges over White Oak River in Swansboro. As fishmongers prepped orders, locals and customers would chitchat or peruse wall photos of the place, in business since 1954.

These days, Phillips has strict rules: Call in orders before you arrive and wait your turn outside if customers are in the market when you get there.

“They’re having to find different methods to go to,” said John Aydlett, seafood marketing office manager for the state Department of Agriculture, of seafood retailers maneuvering change in the age of coronavirus.

Markets are deemed essential services and, therefore, open, but with sales down as much as 80%, thanks in a large part to pandemic-related restaurant closures, market owners are working to get more seafood into home kitchens, Aydlett said.

So are fishers like Ana Shellem. Based in New Hanover County, Shellem sold and delivered the clams, oysters, mussels and stone crab she harvested exclusively to restaurants. That ended March 17, when Gov. Roy Cooper issued an executive order shuttering dine-in service at eating and drinking establishments.

“If that continues into May, I’ll definitely be doing those home deliveries,” Shellem said in late April as governors and the White House debated when businesses could reopen.

While the pandemic has posed challenges to seafood retailers, fish are still running, shrimp are filling nets and seafood is available to purchase, whether you want to pick it up at the market, get curbside service or have it delivered to your door.

How to find seafood markets in North Carolina

Urban seafood markets are easy to find online. Most of them have websites and Facebook pages, as well as other social media sites. Rural fish houses may have no online presence. These organizations have rounded up the names, addresses and contact information for what appears to be every single seafood market in North Carolina.

N.C. Seafood Marketing: ncagr.gov/markets/seafood/index.htm

Hit the “seafood directory” tab at this agency’s webpage to run detailed searches for seafood markets in your area. This division of the state Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services also posts recipes, charts showing what’s in season and links to other seafood resources.

NC Catch: facebook.com/NCCatch

Get regular news reports from coastal North Carolina seafood markets by following NC Catch’s Facebook feed. Pin down what’s up in various regions by following the organization’s regional partners:

• Carteret Catch
• Brunswick Catch
• Ocracoke Fresh
• Outer Banks Catch

Seafood delivery and online orders

Don’t see your favorite market or one in your community on this list? Ask what’s in the works when you call those markets. As the coronavirus lockdown and social distancing continue, seafood markets are constantly adapting by adding online ordering, delivery and shipping, Aydlett said.

Seaview Crab Co.

1515 Marstellar St., Wilmington, and other locations in the Wilmington and Fayetteville areas, 910-777-1228, seaviewcrabcompany.com

Let fishmongers curate a box of mixed seafood (free shipping to some states, including North Carolina) or make a custom order. You may also shop multiple locations in the Wilmington and Fayetteville areas. Seaview owners are working on home delivery to Wilmington residents. In February, owners, who started as crabbers and still harvest some of the N.C. seafood they sell, added a take-out kitchen to Seaview’s Marstellar Street location in Wilmington. Recent menus have featured grilled or fried fish or shrimp in tacos or on fried grits with cheddar cheese sauce. Po’ boys, crab cake sandwiches, seafood salads and daily specials are also available.

Fresh Catch Seafood

57 Harbor Road, Wanchese, 252-473-7484, freshcatchobx.com

This fish processing and packaging operation, owned and operated by fishers, just started putting together family packs, one of which comes with a pound of grouper and a half-pound of plain or bacon-wrapped scallops, ready to cook. Shipping and curbside service is available for all kinds of fish and shellfish.

Carolina Meat & Fish Co.

16709 Orchard Stone Run, Charlotte, 704-458-1011, carolinafishmarket.com

Get bake-and-eat seafood bags shipped to your door. Build your own spicy fra diavolo bag or choose combinations like just shrimp and corn or crab, lobster and shrimp. Each bag comes with “secret sauce.” Eat right from the bag, toss with pasta or spoon over rice. Carolina also ships sea scallops. Order the monthly seafood subscription boxes, and the shipping is free. Each box contains five portions of seasonal seafood, most of it harvested in North Carolina.

R.E. Mayo Seafood

183 Mayo Road, Hobucken, 252-745-5331, remayoseafoodinc.com

The longtime hub for locally harvested seafood will ship small and large amounts of seafood, even 50 pounds of shrimp. Seasonal seafood is packed fresh and then frozen before it hits the road. Depending on the season, offerings include flounder, mullet, sea bass, croaker, spot, drum and trout, crabs, scallops, shrimp and oysters. Call to find out what’s available.

Washington Crab & Oyster Co.

321 N Pierce St., Washington, 252-946-5796, washingtoncrab.com/shop

Shop online for whatever is biting, shellfish, too, and then have it delivered to your door. Get raw seafood like shrimp and sea scallops and cooked seafood including picked crab meat and whole steamed blue crabs. Also find ready-to-cook crab cakes. Check the list online to see what fish are in season.

Topsail Steamer

Surf City, 910-328-2645; Wrightsville Beach, 910-679-5004; topsailsteamer.com

Both locations are open for curbside pick-up — check the website for schedules – but Topsail Steamer also ships its delectable seafood boils nationwide via goldbelly.com/topsail-steamer, and shipping is free. The classic blends jumbo shrimp, andouille sausage, sweet corn, red bliss potatoes and Topsail Steamer’s own seasoning blend. Other pots include clams, scallops, kielbasa and snow crab. You just add beer or water.

Walking Fish

walking-fish.org

Run by a Carteret County-based fishermen’s cooperative, the community supported fishery, or CSF, supplies members in Raleigh and Durham a variety of seasonal N.C. seafood in spring, fall and winter. Sign up at the website for 2- or 4-pound packages delivered weekly or bi-weekly. Choose seafood dressed as close to ready-to-cook as possible, for instance fish filets, or minimally processed seafood like bone-in fish. Find prices and what’s in season at Walking Fish’s website.

Locals Seafood

Various locations in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area, 919-675-2722, localsseafood.com

The company was founded by fishers who offer N.C. seafood all the time. Pre-order online and then pick up at the Raleigh State, Chapel Hill or Western Wake farmers markets. Weekly “seafood shares” — 2-pound boxes of what’s in season – are also available. Curbside pick-up and local delivery of prepared food like grilled striped bass sandwiches or meal kits like shrimp and grits, tuna lasagna and lemon-herb-stuffed sea bass, are available at Locals Oyster Bar 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. Order online ahead of time. Credit and debit cards only for all purchases. No cash. Visit the website and Locals’ Facebook and Instagram for details

High Country Seafood Co.

215 Beaver Creek School Road, 336-977-1827, highcountryseafoodco.net

This shop is in the North Carolina mountains, but owners work with our state’s fishers to source high-quality seafood in season. Selections change weekly and have recently included red snapper, wild shrimp, wahoo, tilefish and swordfish. Order online, even N.C. favorites such as shrimp burgers, and pick up at the market. Also text or email preorders for family meal boxes that contain all the ingredients you need for dinners such as seafood tacos, shrimp gumbo and Low Country boils. Meals generally feed four people.

Shrimp, rockfish and more seafood recipes

Fried seafood platters are crave-worthy for sure, but seafood is versatile. Here’s where to find recipes galore.

Coastal Review: coastalreview.org/category/ourcoast/food

Sure, we’ll toot our own horn. Coastal Review’s food section serves lots of recipes. Find a story about how to fry shrimp, which puts you one step away from making shrimp burgers at home. Also, learn how to make crab cakes. There’s a recipe for stuffed shrimp and another for classic shrimp cocktail.

Mariner’s Menu: ncseagrant.ncsu.edu/mariners-menu

For years, cooks working with N.C. Sea Grant have been developing seafood recipes for this blog, part of which is assembled in a cookbook by the same title. Besides dishes like grouper in cilantro butter, find tips for selecting, handling and storing seafood.

Haag & Sons Seafood

7901 E. Oak Island Drive, Oak Island, 910-278-1234, haagandsonsseafood.com

Scan Haag’s Facebook page and website for irresistible recipes like seared scallops on white bean and spinach ragu with charred lemon and then call in your order before heading to the market. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or request fish cut to order. Owner Jon Haag has been on the fishing scene for 25 years and has been voted Brunswick County’s top fishmonger.

North Carolina beach towns are adjusting restrictions put in place in response to COVID-19.

Emerald Isle, to align with Gov. Roy Cooper’s stay-at-home order that he extended on Friday from April 30 to May 8, extended Monday its mandatory restriction on short-term rentals through 11:59 p.m. May 8. This prohibits rental of a hotel room, motel room, rental housing unit, condominium, RV campsite, primitive campsite or similar accommodation.

Starting May 9, property owners and managers can accept occupants, and contracts on file for April 30 -May 8 may be honored at the discretion of the property owner or manager. Both the Third Street and Station Street parking lots will open to the public on May 9.

The Western Ocean Regional Access and Eastern Ocean Regional Access will remain closed until construction is complete and it is deemed safe to open the public restroom facilities.

Emerald Isle residents and property owners can access the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and Bogue Sound for swimming, surfing, kiting, kayaking, fishing and boating. Residents can walk, jog and sit on the beach strand but must adhere to the current social distancing guidelines.

While the town’s administration building and police department have limited public access, the community center and all parks & recreation maintained-facilities will remain closed to the public until further notice.

Pine Knoll Shores and Indian Beach extended short-term rental restrictions to May 8 to reflect Gov. Cooper’s stay-at-home order and will remain in effect until rescinded.

Atlantic Beach officials announced Tuesday that starting Thursday the town is lifting the voluntary self-quarantine and ban on travel from outside of Carteret County to Atlantic Beach for recreation. Also on Thursday, the town will open public beach accesses. There will be limited parking available on New Bern Avenue, Henderson Boulevard and on the street at the circle, though public parking lots there will be closed as well as all public bathrooms.

Starting May 8, the ban on short-term hotel and motel rentals will be lifted and rentals previously booked between April 30-May 8 will be allowed. All public parking lots and beach access public restrooms will open on May 15 and paid parking is to begin at public spaces as well as lifeguard services. New Bern Avenue and Henderson Boulevard public spaces will fully open. The town plans to open on May 22 town park, mini golf and splash pad.

Carteret County officials reopened Monday the county-maintained beach accesses in Salter Path, Radio Island and Harkers Island.

New Hanover County Chair Julia Olson-Boseman announced Monday that she would not be extending the county’s additional mitigation measures put in place in response to COVID-19 and will allow those to expire at 5 p.m. Wednesday. This step is to put the county directly in line with the governor’s stay-at-home order extension.

Starting at 5 p.m. Wednesday, businesses, including restaurants, can operate in line with the governor’s order and public gardens, basketball and volleyball courts will open but restrooms at these facilities remain closed. The grounds of Airlie Gardens and the Arboretum will be open to the public and the county’s landfill, household hazardous waste facility, and HazWagon. County public libraries and Cape Fear Museum will remain closed.

By letting these additional measures expire, all three New Hanover County beach towns no longer are restricted by the county.

Kure Beach opened up at noon Monday all access points and beaches for individuals to walk, jog, bike or participate in water sports. Sunbathing, sitting, fishing, games, and all other activities as well as beach equipment such as towels, blankets, chairs, tents, coolers and umbrellas will not be allowed on the beaches at this time.

Carolina Beach officials extended short-term rental restrictions through 5 p.m. May 8. Officials also amended the town’s March 24 state of emergency for the municipal beach strand to be opened on Monday for recreation only. All public parking lots and restrooms will remain closed. Freeman Park will remain closed to vehicular traffic. All restrictions will remain in place until they are rescinded or continued.

Wrightsville Beach opened on April 20 ocean and sound side beach access points and beaches for individual, nonstationary exercise activities to include only walking, jogging, swimming and surfing/water sports.

Ocean Isle Beach starting Thursday will lift short-term rental restrictions and public parking will reopen. The beach strand will be open to the public for exercise and recreational activity, the town announced Tuesday, with a few restrictions including that group should be 10 or less.

Oak Island as of Friday opened all access points and beaches for individual, nonstationary exercise activities but all public parking at beach accesses and parking lots and parking within town rights-of-way is prohibited, all town parks and recreational facilities, public boat ramps, kayak launches and associated public parking areas, remain closed as well as all public street end parking areas, docks, piers and public accesses and all associated public parking areas.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 contract for the Ocracoke Express passenger ferry has been canceled.

COVID-19 concerns make vehicle ferries safer for social distancing, the state Department of Transportation’s Ferry Division said Tuesday in its announcement.

Ferry Division officials said they would decide whether to resume passenger ferry service in 2021 in the coming months.

The Ferry Division will continue operating vehicle ferries between Hatteras and Ocracoke this summer but officials encourage passengers to remain in their vehicles or stand at least 6 feet from other people while on board.

Introduced in 2019 as a transportation alternative for travel between Hatteras and Ocracoke islands, more than 28,600 people used the passenger ferry last summer.

Copublished with Carolina Public Press

The North Carolina General Assembly returns this week with a focus on pressing needs like protective supplies for medical workers and more aid to deal with coronavirus testing and infections, but also with an eye on the future amid a rapidly heating debate over when and how to phase out business shutdowns and stay-at-home requirements.

Last week, Gov. Roy Cooper announced an extension of his main stay-at-home requirement until May 8, along with what he called a “roadmap” on easing restrictions later in May and June, should certain health goals be met.

“North Carolina cannot stay at home indefinitely,” Cooper said at a Thursday press briefing, but he said any decision to ease restrictions would have to be based on sound science. On Friday, he also announced that schools would remain closed for the remainder of the school year.

“North Carolina cannot stay at home indefinitely.”

Gov. Roy Cooper

At the same briefing, Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen said the state appears to be flattening the curve in terms of slowing the increase in cases, but that the current restrictions are still needed. She outlined a testing, tracing and trends plan to more than double the amount of testing each day and the number of people doing contract tracing. The trends the state will track focus on cases and hospitalizations and capacity of the state’s health care providers, including protective gear, to stay ahead of the curve, she said.

Thanks to the response to closures and social distancing efforts “North Carolina is in a very good place,” Cohen said. “We have flattened the curve, but we’re not there yet.”

“We’re staring down a multi-billion-dollar revenue shortfall, which negatively impacts our ability to fund the vetoed budget.”

Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger

The governor’s announcement sets the stage for a session that is likely to feature strong approval for relief bills along with a substantial airing of disagreements with the administration over when to and what should reopen.

What it won’t feature is a replay of tensions from last year over Cooper’s budget veto, an area of vehement disagreement between the governor and legislative leaders.

On Friday, Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, announced the session would focus on the relief legislation and that the long-running battle over the budget had been effectively ended by the pandemic.

“Our state’s financial outlook is in a vastly different place than it was before this pandemic hit. Because of that, we will not be reconsidering the veto of the state budget this year,” Berger said. “We’re staring down a multi-billion-dollar revenue shortfall, which negatively impacts our ability to fund the vetoed budget.”

Tourism questions raised

While the governor has received mostly broad support on his handling of the crisis from legislators, going into this week’s session some who represent areas of the state dependent on tourism said they’re worried that the administration is being overly cautious and should be willing to loosen restrictions in areas where infection rates are low.

In a Monday morning teleconference on the upcoming session sponsored by the North Carolina Chamber of Commerce, Rep. Pat McElraft, R-Carteret, called on the governor to give some areas flexibility in opening back up.

“I’d really like to see the governor give consideration to opening up those who have very few positives.”

Rep. Pat McElraft

McElraft said she understands keeping restrictions in place in areas where there are a lot of positive tests like Mecklenburg, Wake and Guilford counties, but she would like to see some leeway in making decisions to open back up for counties with fewer cases.

“I’d really like to see the governor give consideration to opening up those who have very few positives,” she said.

On the other end of the state, Sen. Chuck Edwards, R-Henderson, said reopening bars and restaurants is a critical part of serving the tourist trade. Downtowns in his district are “ghost towns,” he said, and many businesses won’t survive a prolonged shutdown.

Edwards said the governor’s plan is too vague and that businesses need greater certainty about when they could reopen.

“It’s unfortunate to say that they’re going to be businesses that are not going to make it, but let’s be real. This is a devastating crisis and some folks are not going to survive.”

Slate of bills being readied

An array of bills developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic will be read in Tuesday morning and fast-tracked to passage as early as Wednesday.

The legislature already scheduled a return to Raleigh this week for the even-year short session, which is typically set up to make second-year adjustments in the state’s biennial budget cycle. This year, however, is far from typical and the legislature is likely to deal with only a handful of bills before adjourning again to a date later in the summer.

During the brief session, the legislative complex will be closed to the public. Only staff, legislators and credentialed media will be allowed in and everyone will have their temperature checked at the door. The legislature will also have a video livestream available for most committee meetings and the House floor sessions.

Instead of the usual hearings ahead of the short session, a House Select Committee on COVID-19 held two months of meetings via teleconference to develop legislation in the areas of health care, education, economic support and state government operations. Working groups in the four subject areas have developed legislation to deal with policy changes as well as technical changes and workarounds to requirements in state law.

The legislature is also working on an overall spending plan to deal with the impact to both the public and private sector. Part of that plan is how to direct an estimated $2.2 billion in aid sent to the state in the initial federal response. Other sources will be $1.8 billion in the state’s rainy day fund and about $2 billion unspent from last year’s budget.

Cooper released his spending request last week, asking for about $1.4 billion in appropriations

Among the items on the governor’s list are $243 million for school equipment and to get ready for the next school year; $300 million for local governments; and $40 million to cover lost revenue at state cultural sites and aquariums and to cover positions at the Department of Environmental Quality that are paid for with regulatory fees.

The state budget office expects fee collections to slow down considerably until the economy recovers.

It will be one of the many budget sinkholes state and local governments will have to deal with going forward, everything from plunging gas taxes, which fund state transportation projects, to occupancy and meals taxes that pay for local parks, stadiums and beaches.

Further complicating the revenue picture is federal tax extension, which automatically moved the state’s April 15 tax deadline to July 15. The result shifts as much as $2 billion in revenue into the next year fiscal year. Among the policy changes Cooper is requesting the authority to use the rainy day fund for short term funds for cash-strapped parts of state government.

Updated to include information from Dare, Currituck counties

Ocracoke nonresident property owners will be allowed entry beginning May 11 but no decision had been made about allowing visitors, Hyde County announced Friday evening.

There was no update Monday on a decision regarding visitors to Hyde County but officials in Currituck and Dare counties announced Monday that they are working together to determine a date for visitor entry.

The board chairmen and county managers for Currituck and Dare counties have met to discuss coordinating entry for visitors, the two counties announced Monday in a joint release.

Currituck County will remove the tentative May 15 visitor entry date from their State of Emergency.

After Gov. Cooper’s statewide Stay at Home Order expires May 8, officials for both counties will meet to establish a timeline for visitor entry. The counties will jointly announced when a date for visitor entry is decided.

The Hyde County board of commissioners amended on Friday the local state of emergency order to not only lift the Ocracoke nonresident property owner entry restrictions but also to adopt the guidelines laid out in Gov. Roy Cooper’s Executive Order 135 and extend the stay-at-home order until May 22.

County officials will continue to meet regularly to review the effectiveness of mitigation efforts and make decisions regarding visitor access.

Allowing nonresident property owners into Ocracoke is the first step for Hyde County to slowly relax the current restrictions. The success of this process will greatly depend on everyone continuing to adhere to the social distancing guidelines and stay at home order, according to the county.

All nonresident property owners should bring their own supplies to sustain themselves in their homes as much as possible including groceries, medication, paper products and other essentials.

According to the announcement, the following restrictions will remain in place and must be followed:

• If you are sick, stay home.
• Mass gatherings are limited to 10 or fewer individuals.
• Travel should only be for essential needs.
• Only have direct contact with members of your immediate household.
• All essential retailers must adhere to the Executive Order 131 and comply with restrictions on the number of individuals allowed entry based on square footage of space.

Individuals are urged to wear a mask or cloth face covering in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain such as in grocery stores and pharmacies.

Information regarding entry to Mainland Hyde County and Ocracoke can be found on the county website. Visit the public health page to learn more about COVID-19 in Hyde County.

Carteret County-maintained beach access points, which are in Salter Path, Radio Island and Harkers Island, reopened Monday to the public, the county government announced.

Officials in the announcement also offered to those using the beach a reminder to practice social distancing and avoid mass gatherings to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Also, residents should review rip current risk and surf advisories prior to visiting the beach.

For questions regarding COVID-19,  call the county information line, 252-726-7060 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Reprinted from Ocracoke Observer

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and a statewide stay-at-home order, Hyde County has begun work on how to safely reopen the county, said Kris Noble, Hyde County’s manager, in a recent interview.

“This week, we are beginning with the county’s health care workers, the health department, medical center and EMS as well as our partners like the Cross Creek Health Center and home care hospice services,” she said. “We’ll be looking at the plans other counties are doing and the guidance of the state to see what preparations will be required.”

As for how and when Ocracoke will be reopened, she said much will be contingent on what the state and Dare County do.

Following Gov. Roy Cooper’s press conference Thursday, Noble said there will be more information regarding access to the island by the close of business on Friday.

Noble said there is a plan in place should there be an outbreak of the pandemic in the county.

As of Thursday in North Carolina there are 7,608 cases of COVID-19 in 93 counties with 253 related fatalities and 486 hospitalizations.

Hyde County is one of the seven out of the 100 counties that has not had a reported case. The others are nearby Camden and along the western border: Avery, Graham, Madison, Swain and Yancey.

On March 17, Dare County closed its borders to visitors. Hyde soon followed and restricted access to the mainland and Ocracoke.

Dare County officials on Wednesday released a plan that will allow phased entry of nonresident Outer Banks property owners beginning May 4.

The Dare County Control Group has also extended the Stay at Home order for Dare County until May 22, meaning no visitors will be allowed back until at least then.

Masks will now be required in stores such as pharmacies and grocery stores, as well.

North Carolina’s stay-at-home order has been extended through May 8.

Gov. Roy Cooper announced Thursday that he signed Executive Order No. 135 extending North Carolina’s Stay At Home order through May 8. The order also extends the closure of restaurants for dine-in service, bars and other close-contact businesses.

Once the data show that key metrics are headed in the right direction the three-phase plan to lift restrictions will begin.

“The health and safety of people in North Carolina must be our top priority,” Cooper said in a statement. “This plan provides a roadmap for us to begin easing restrictions in stages to push our economy forward.”

Cooper and Dr. Mandy Cohen, Secretary of North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, shared more specifics on those key metrics during the Thursday media briefing. The stay-at-home order and other orders have been extended because the state has not yet seen a downward trajectory of those metrics needed to begin gradually lifting restrictions.

“North Carolina cannot stay at home indefinitely,” added Cooper. “We have to get more people back to work. Right now, the decision to stay at home is based on the public health data and White House guidance. North Carolina needs more time to slow the spread of this virus before we can safely begin lifting restrictions. I know that this pandemic has made life difficult for many people in our state and I am focused on keeping our communities safe while planning to slowly lift restrictions to help cushion the blow to our economy.”

In order to begin lifting restrictions, North Carolina needs to see sustained leveling or decreased trajectory over 14 days in COVID-like illness surveillance, lab-confirmed cases, percent of tests returning positive and in hospitalizations.

“Data has driven our decisions, starting with the aggressive measures Governor Cooper took early on to slow the spread of COVID-19. Those actions combined with North Carolinians’ resolve to stay home to protect their loved ones have put our state on the right path. If we stick to these efforts right now we will continue to see a slowing of virus spread and we can slowly begin easing restrictions,” said Cohen.

The state will continue building capacity to be able to adequately respond to an increase in virus spread by increasing laboratory testing and tracing capability. The state is working to ensure there are adequate supplies to fulfill requests for critical PPE for at least 30 days.

Cooper also shared information about how North Carolina can gradually reopen over three phases to prevent hot spots of viral spread while also beginning to bring the economy back.

The Cooper administration provided the following details on the phases, which are based on the best information available now, but could be altered as new information emerges:

Phase 1

• Modify the stay-at-home order to allow travel not currently defined as essential, allowing people to leave home for commercial activity at any business that is allowed to be open, such as clothing stores, sporting goods stores, book shops, houseware stores and other retailers.
• Ensure that any open stores implement appropriate employee and consumer social distancing, enhanced hygiene and cleaning protocols, symptom screening of employees, accommodations for vulnerable workers, and provide education to employees and workers to combat misinformation.
• Continue to limit gatherings to no more than 10 people.
• Reopen parks that have been closed subject to the same gathering limitation. Outdoor exercise will continue to be encouraged.
• Continue to recommend face coverings in public spaces when 6 feet of distancing isn’t possible.
• Encourage employers to continue teleworking policies.
• Continue rigorous restrictions on nursing homes and other congregant care settings .
• Local emergency orders with more restrictive measures may remain in place.

Phase 2

At least 2-3 weeks after Phase 1

• Lift stay-at-home order with strong encouragement for vulnerable populations to continue staying at home to stay safe.
• Allow limited opening of restaurants, bars, fitness centers, personal care services, and other businesses that can follow safety protocols including the potential need to reduce capacity.
• Allow gathering at places such as houses of worship and entertainment venues at reduced capacity.
• Increase in number of people allowed at gatherings.
• Open public playgrounds.
• Continue rigorous restrictions on nursing homes and other congregant care settings.

Phase 3

At least 4-6 weeks after Phase 2

• Lessen restrictions for vulnerable populations with encouragement to continue practicing physical distancing and minimizing exposure to settings where distancing isn’t possible.
• Allow increased capacity at restaurants, bars, other businesses, houses of worships and entertainment venues.
• Further increase the number of people allowed at gatherings.
• Continue rigorous restrictions on nursing homes and other congregant care settings.

Dare County officials, in consultation with the Dare County Control Group, announced Tuesday evening plans to address lifting entry restrictions into the county for nonresident property owners. Decisions on allowing visitors will be made later.

Entry will be allowed for those nonresident property owners whose last name begins with A-I entry beginning at 6 a.m. Monday, May 4. Entry for nonresident property owners whose last name begins with J-R will begin at 6 a.m. Wednesday, May 6. Starting at 6 a.m. Friday, May 8, entry will be allowed for nonresident property owners whose last name begins with S-Z.

Nonresident property owners will need a valid entry permit with matching government issued ID. Entry permits can be obtained online at www.darenc.com/entry. Permits will be issued to the two primary owners listed on the tax record for each property. Display the permit and ID  against the glass for examination by law enforcement officers at the checkpoint. Business entry documentation remains unchanged.

The following restrictions will remain in place and must be followed:

• Dare County’s Stay Home – Stay Healthy order has been extended to May 22.
• North Carolina’s Stay at Home order – in place until at least April 29.
• If you are sick, stay home.
• Mass gatherings are limited to 10 or fewer individuals.
• Travel only for essential needs.
• Only have direct contact with members of your immediate household.

The announcement from the county states that there have been a number of changes that there have been a number of improvements with the county’s position regarding COVID-19, including:

• There have been no new positive COVID-19 cases in Dare County for over a week.
• Syndromic surveillance indicates no immediate increase in respiratory illness or COVID-19 related symptoms. Syndromic Surveillance is relying on detection of health indicators that are discernible before confirmed diagnoses are made.
• Testing is now readily available in Dare County in accordance with current NC DHHS guidelines.
• Testing turnaround, or the time between specimen collection and test results, has dramatically decreased over the past few weeks. Results are now received within 24-72 hours.
• The Dare County Department of Public Health has increased capacity for contact tracing.

Dare County Emergency Management has confirmed with essential business operators, primarily grocery retailers, that with advance notice they have the ability to increase delivery of essential goods.

Medical surge capacity has gone from planning to implementation locally, regionally and across the state.  Based on current COVID-19 case numbers and future projections, patients can be transported to a healthcare facility that can provide the higher level of care as needed.

All essential retailers must adhere to the Governor’s Executive Order No. 131 and comply with restrictions on the number of individuals allowed entry based on square footage of space, which may lead to a longer wait time for shoppers to enter stores.

Additionally, individuals are now required to wear a mask or cloth face covering in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain such as in grocery stores and pharmacies.

At this time, beaches remain open but will be monitored to ensure that social distancing guidelines are adhered to and that there are no gatherings of more than 10 people. If guidelines are not followed, some beaches and public areas may be closed.

Decisions regarding access for visitors will be addressed at a future date following necessary syndrome surveillance and monitoring of resource availability after nonresident property owners return and state orders are updated.

For additional information, call the COVID-19 Call Center at 252.475.5008. The Dare County COVID-19 Call Center is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Questions on entry can also be sent to COVID19@darenc.com.

Learn More

• Dare County Stay at Home – Stay Healthy Order 
• North Carolina Stay at Home Order

With the 50^th anniversary of Earth Day Wednesday, environmental and educational groups are offering creative ways to celebrate while maintaining social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The first Earth Day was held in 1970, marking the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement, according to the Earth Day global organizer, the Earth Day Network, which has taken its event online with the first Digital Earth Day.

“At Earth Day Network, the health and safety of volunteers and participants in Earth Day events is our top concern. Amid the recent outbreak, we encourage people to rise up but to do so safely and responsibly — in many cases, that means using our voices to drive action online rather than in person,” Kathleen Rogers, President of Earth Day Network, said in a statement.

Use hashtags #EarthDay2020 and #EARTHRISE to be part of the global conversation. To see the other digital events such as virtual protests, social media campaigns, online teach-ins and more during The 24-hour “Global digital mobilization,” visit earthday.org or check in with the organization’s social media, @earthdaynetwork.

On Wednesday, we’re going LIVE —

Tune into Earth Day Live on April 22 as we flood the world with messages of hope, optimism, and above all, ACTION.

Join us for 50 years of #EarthDay:https://t.co/f7yqlqPoNP | #EarthDay2020 pic.twitter.com/x6wn9Wj0PA

— Earth Day Network (@EarthDayNetwork) April 20, 2020

Rachel Bisesi, coastal education coordinator with the North Carolina Coastal Federation’s central office in Carteret County, worked with other agencies and organizations to create the Distance Learning Lab that launched online over the weekend, just in time to be incorporated into Earth Day activities at home.

The Distance Learning Lab is a compilation of resources organized by grade level to help educate about coastal science.

In addition to the Federation, partners and contributors include Hammocks Beach State Park, Jennette’s Pier, Lady Swan Tours, North Carolina Coastal Reserve, Albemarle Pamlico National Estuaries Partnership, North Carolina Sea Grant, Duke University Marine Lab, University of North Carolina Wilmington MarineQuest, NOAA Marine Debris Program, Clean Water Education Partnership, University of Nebraska-Lincoln and North Central Texas Council of Governments.

Bisesi said that the motivation behind the Distance Learning Lab was to have one site where people could go to learn more about the coast. The goal was to make the site easy for both teachers to share with their students and for families to follow along.

“It seemed like a lot of us were doing different things to educate others during this time of uncertainty, and it made sense to collect our efforts in one place. I’m very grateful for all of the contributing partners and everything they were willing to share on the page. It sends the message that we’re all in this together and we support each other in an overarching goal of educating others about our coast,” she said.

“There are lots of fun videos to watch and activities to do on the page. You can learn about water quality, oysters, marine debris, coastal wildlife and living shorelines. Some videos have crafts or experiments that can be recreated at home such as the UNCW MarineQuest QuaranSTEAM experiments, and the egg carton oyster craft,” Bisesi added.

QuaranSTEAM experiments with the MarineQuest Team, “Water Explorers,” is interactive video with hands-on science experiments to explore the properties of water using supplies easily found at home.

Harris Muhlstein, the University of North Carolina Wilmington MarineQuest school program coordinator, said in an email interview that Earth Day is an opportunity to celebrate the natural world around us, a world that is mostly blue at about 71% water.

“During the challenges of COVID-19 we wanted to reach out and offer families a way to stay engaged with science in the safety of their own homes. Water Explorers is a fun way for families to get hands-on as they uncover some of the amazing properties of water that make life possible on our blue planet,” he said.

Water Explorers is one of the many resources available on the Distance Learning Lab

The participating organizations were all very accommodating and positive about the project. “They willingly shared their resources, which I’m so grateful for. The page wouldn’t have nearly the impact that it does without their support. The coastal environmental education community is such a great network to be a part of,” Bisesi continued.

Lori Davis, education coordinator for the North Carolina Division of Coastal Management’s National Estuarine Reserve and Coastal Reserve Program, told Coastal Review Online she was thrilled when Bisesi asked if she could highlight the North Carolina Coastal Reserve’s education resources including curricular activities and videos.

“During this pandemic, it’s really hard for environmental educators to not be in our outdoor classrooms serving our audiences,” Davis said. “I miss seeing the excitement in the faces of students who have never been on a boat before and then being able to see and hold hermit crabs maybe for the first time ever. While videos and pictures are nice, there is no replacing the magical smell of marsh mud or having the Spartina grass graze your ankles on a hike,” she continued.

Davis said that with this being the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, she hopes everyone takes the time to enjoy the environment around them, even if it’s in their own backyard.

“I hope they strive to use resources like this to learn some new things about the ecosystems around them. Earth Day, in my opinion, should be celebrated every day,” she said. “The Earth and all of its wonders should be enjoyed using all the senses. To quote Rachel Carson, ‘One way to open your eyes is to ask yourself, What if I had never seen this before? What if I knew I would never see it again?’”

If you want to spend Earth Day outside, you can safely go outside while social distancing, she said.

“I would encourage people to go for a walk in their yard or neighborhood and look for ways to celebrate nature there. Nature doesn’t always have to be viewed at a park or along a trail like one may think,” Bisesi said. “You can find nature by simply looking out the window and observing the clouds, or by exploring the plants in your yard or even along the cracks of a sidewalk. While outside, look for ways to be a good steward of the Earth. Bring along a bucket to collect any litter and download the Marine Debris Tracker App on your phone to record what you find.”

She said that birding is another great Earth Day activity that can be done from home.

“In coastal North Carolina, we have some amazing birds we can observe, and there are numerous resources online to help you identify different species,” Bisesi said, adding to check out the Cornell Lab’s allaboutbirds.org.

In the Northeast, Earth Fair OBX VIII has gone virtual. The Coastal Environmental Educators Network, which has organized and hosted an Outer Banks Earth Day event each year since 2012, is comprised of the Coastal Federation, Coastal Studies Institute, Jennette’s Pier, North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island, Jockey’s Ridge State Park, Outer Banks Forever, and Nags Head Woods Preserve.

These organizations are working together to post Earth Day content across each of their social media platforms for 50 days to celebrate the 50 years since its establishment. A variety of topics will be featured for this virtual “event” including ethical angling, marine debris, reusables, recycling, green cleaning, water quality, living shorelines, coastal landscapes, prescribed burning, native species, and the benefits of enjoying nature.

The Earth Day posts began Monday and will conclude with World Oceans Day June 8. Each of the seven partners encourage others to follow along, share posts, and even participate by using the hashtags #EarthFairOBX and #NCEarthDay50.

Earth Fair OBX VII is going virtual!

April 20- June 8, BOLO for #EarthFairOBX + #NCEarthDay50 posts from @CoastalECU , @NCCoastalFed, @Jennettes_Pier, @OBXparksforever,Friends of Jockey’s Ridge, Nags Head Woods Preserve (@NC_TNC), and @NCAquarium_RI.
https://t.co/xBBhR29DX8

— ECU Integrated Coastal Programs (@CoastalECU) April 18, 2020

“In a nutshell, we’ve joined together seven of the groups that would have participated in our Earth Fair OBX event and each are using their social media platforms over the next 50 days to share information in honor of celebrating the 50th anniversary of Earth Day,” said Sara Hallas, coastal education coordinator.

“I’ve helped plan for and participate in an Earth Day event for so many years, and it’s usually one of my favorite times of the year. I’ve always wanted to apply ways to make an impact beyond a one-day celebration, and I’m glad this year has challenged us to educate and inspire in new ways – that also happen to be environmentally friendly,” she said.

The Wilmington Earth Day Alliance has taken its celebration online, too. Earth Day 2020: 50th Anniversary Virtual Celebration is set to begin at noon Saturday and will be on the organization’s Facebook page.

Organizers have created a virtual scavenger hunt. Those 21 and older who submit a photo of their correct and completed entries will be entered to win a $50 gift certificate to Bill’s Brewing Co. or Waterline Brewing Co. Additionally, the Rapping Red Oak from Mr. Mark’s Music will perform for the kids and Jesse from The Pinkerton Raid will play a short set that will be streamed as well. Shirts, water bottles, tote bags, and other swag for this year’s event are available online.

For #NCEarthDay50, our @NCDEQ Secretary @Michael_S_Regan spoke with 3 recently certified @NorthCarolinaEE Educators to raise awareness of the work of #NCEnviroEducators across the state. Here’s Libbie Dobbs-Alexander, educator at @TheNCArboretum ?5⃣0⃣ https://t.co/kPVlFznXjW

— NorthCarolinaEE (@NorthCarolinaEE) April 20, 2020

The Department of Environmental Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs is encouraging people to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day by enjoying the nature all around their homes.

“We may all be social distancing but we can go outside and share our backyard nature finds on social media. All month, we’ve seen educators, parents, caregivers, students and even local meteorologists posting photos of their backyard nature finds using the #NCBackYardNature hashtag,” Lisa Tolley, program manager for the Office of Environmental Education.

“We are also spotlighting North Carolina’s environmental educators throughout the month of April and on Earth Day, April 22, 2020, by highlighting to educators and encouraging others to give a ‘shout out’ on social media to their favorite educators the hashtags #NCEarthDay50 and #NCEnviroEducators,” Tolley continued. “Following these hashtags on social media is also a great way for the public to learn more about the state and to get ideas on how to celebrate Earth Day in their own backyard.”

Tolley said that the Office of Environmental Education has an online searchable database of professional development opportunities and other resources for educators to access from home that are provided by programs, agencies and nature and science centers throughout the state.

“We are also encouraging citizens to participate from their homes in citizen science programs such as the City Nature Challenge, an international effort to find and document plants and wildlife in cities across the globe from April 24 to April 27,” she said.

The Currituck County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously during its Monday meeting to reopen access for all nonresident property owners in Corolla.

Owners may return beginning at 9 a.m. Thursday.

The county also announced that the board set May 15 to reopen Corolla to visitors. The date is to be reevaluated during the May 4 board meeting.

Nonresident property owners must display the appropriate Currituck County entry permit at the law enforcement checkpoint at the Wright Memorial Bridge. Business officials and employees are to continue using their business entry permits to gain access to Corolla. Each employee must have  a permit.

To request either a nonresident property owner or business entry permit, contact Currituck Emergency Management atemstaff@currituckcountync.gov. Each car must have a permit to enter.

Officials recommend bringing  food and supplies to last at least two weeks, as the grocery stores on the Outer Banks may not be fully stocked at this time.

While in the Outer Banks, everyone should follow Gov. Roy Cooper’s directives on social distancing and limit public groups to no more than 10 people, officials said.

The economy will reopen! The questions are the timing and mechanism. To answer these questions requires a better understanding of how the virus functions and spreads the disease.

COVID-19 has never been seen before this outbreak. As a result, there are many details about the infection that remain unknown. Will COVID-19 go away soon? What can we learn from history?

The impact of the 1918 Spanish flu continues today. Descendants of the virus can still be found in pigs. Ever since a lab accident in 1977, nearly all human cases of influenza A have been caused by Spanish flu viral descendants.

The Spanish flu was the most devastating pandemic ever recorded. What are the similarities between the Spanish flu and the coronavirus pandemics? Both diseases appear to come from animal sources.

Research suggests H1N1 Spanish flu virus came from birds. Scientists suspect an animal originally hosted the COVID-19 coronavirus strain before it started to infect humans but, to date the animal has not been identified. We also know the Spanish flu became much more dangerous after an apparent mutation. Strains of coronavirus are known to mutate relatively easily. A third comparison shows how quickly both viruses spread. Spanish flu infected an estimated one-third of the global population. COVID-19 has spread rapidly from its late December origin in China. It is now found on all continents except Antarctica. The State of New York alone currently has more infections than any other country.

The graph below demonstrates the three waves of the 1918 influenza pandemic. The second wave was much more deadly than the first or third wave.

The first wave resembled a typical flu epidemic; those most at risk were the sick and elderly, while younger, healthier people recovered easily. Historians now believe that the fatal severity of the Spanish flu’s second wave was caused by a mutated virus spread by wartime troop movement. The second wave made adults who were young and fit more vulnerable. Will we experience a second wave of the COVID-19 infections if we open the economy to soon?

The current prerequisite for reopening the economy appears to be the development of an antibody test. Such a test will identify individuals who have been infected and therefore have antibody protection against the virus; the first group to go back to work. The antibody test will detect the body’s immune response to the infection but does not detect the virus itself. In order words, a positive antibody test indicates coronavirus infection in the past; it does not rule out the possibility that the virus is still present in individuals who test positive for the antibody.

Before an individual with a positive antibody test is allowed to go back to work, a real time polymerase chain reaction test (RT-PCR) should also be performed. The RT-PCR test will detect the presence of viral RNA. It is an extremely sensitive test that can detect as little as one virus particle in swabs from inside the mouth or nose. Since there are now 91 cases in South Korea where patients have recovered from the viral infection, but still test positive for the virus, it makes the TR-PCR test a critical part of the equation to open the economy.

Another problem with the antibody test is to classify individuals to go back to work is that we currently don’t know how long the COVIP-19 antibodies will protect against reinfection. In the case of measles, the protection lasts a lifetime but, this is not the case with some other viruses.  More research needs be performed on the longevity of the COVID antibody before allowing people to go back to work.

Finally, before stay-at-home orders are lifted, we need to improve our diagnostic capabilities so that scientists can calculate the R_o value of the COVID-19 virus. R_o indicates how contagious an infectious disease is. It’s also referred to as the reproduction number. As an infection spreads to new people, it reproduces itself.

R_o indicates the average number of people who will catch a disease from one contagious person. It specifically applies to a population of people who were previously free of infection and haven’t been vaccinated; this is the case for the COVID-19 virus. If the R_o is less than 1, each existing infection causes less than one new infection. In this case, the disease will eventually die out. If R_o equals 1, each existing infection causes one new infection. The disease will stay alive and stable, but there won’t be an outbreak or an epidemic. If the R_o is greater than 1, each existing infection causes more than one new infection. The disease will spread between people, and there may be an outbreak or epidemic.

What is the R_o value of the COVID-19 virus? Since the COVID-19 virus is still new, scientists are working on establishing its R_o value. Researchers who have calculated an R_o for the current outbreak have had to make assumptions. As the virus spreads more information will be made available and the number is likely to change. The current estimate of the World Health Organization is that COVID-19 has an R_o value between 2.0 and 2.5. The R_o value for the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic was estimated to be between 1.4 and 2.8. Clearly, before the economy is reopened, the R_o value for COVID-19 must be 1 or lower. Otherwise we will not stop the spread of the virus.

Once individuals that are immune to reinfection are given permission to go back to work, the Spanish flu pandemic demonstrates that social distancing must be enforced. Unfortunately, there are several industries where social distancing will be difficult to enforced. They include travel by airlines/mass transit, attending church services, movie theaters, sporting events, conventions, funerals, school, etc. Thus reopening the economy must start with industries where social distancing can be enforced.

The potential reopening of the economy is a very complex issue. We need a lot more information regarding the virus before considering the time and mechanism to reopen the economy.

To stimulate discussion and debate, Coastal Review Online welcomes differing viewpoints on topical coastal issues. See our guidelines for submitting guest columns. The opinions expressed by the authors are not necessarily those of Coastal Review Online or its publisher, the North Carolina Coastal Federation.

All Bogue Banks communities have lifted the restriction on recreational water access to the Atlantic Ocean, Carteret County announced Friday.

The public beach access and public parking areas remain closed until further notice. All short-term rental restrictions remain in place as well. Residents are asked to continue to follow the flag warnings displayed on the beach and practice social distancing.

Effective Saturday, Emerald Isle will lift the temporary restriction on recreational water access to the Atlantic Ocean.

“Emerald Isle residents and property owners will be able to access the Atlantic Ocean for normal activities including swimming, surfing, kiting, kayaking, and fishing. Residents can continue to walk, jog, and sit on the beach strand. All beach goers must adhere to the current social distancing guidelines,” Emerald Isle Town Manager Matt Zapp announced Thursday in an email. The town continues to discourage travel to the area.

Indian Beach rescinds all restrictions on water-related activities effective Friday. The town continues to request all residents and property owners to follow all travel restrictions per Gov. Roy Cooper’s stay-at-home executive order.

Pine Knoll Shores starting Saturday will lift the previously restricted recreational water activities.

Atlantic Beach announced Thursday that water access restrictions would be lifted starting Friday.

Atlantic Beach residents and property owners and county residents can access the ocean and all waters surrounding Atlantic Beach for swimming, surfing, paddle boarding, kiteboarding, and kayaking. Residents and property owners can continue to walk, jog, surf fish and sit on the beach strand.

Travel from outside of Carteret County to Atlantic Beach for recreational activities, including the water-based activities listed above, remains prohibited. The Circle, the town park, and all public beach access parking lots and bathhouses remain closed. Short-term rental restrictions remain in place. Hotels and motels remain closed for leisure travel. Town hall remains closed to the public, the town announced.

WILMINGTON – As the numbers of sick and dead from a rapidly spreading virus climbed and evidence mounted that our daily lives would be upended indefinitely, Cape Fear Public Utility Authority officials began hashing out how to maintain water treatment plant operations during a pandemic.

What happens if one or more of the onsite plant operators gets sick? What can be done to ensure the continuation of plant operations if operators have to be quarantined? What can be done to reduce operators’ exposure to COVID-19?

CFPUA officials started out by staggering shifts to maintain social distancing and allowing employees to work remotely. The facilities were closed to the public March 18.

It was a start, officials agreed, but more would need to be done to cut plant operators’ exposure to the virus.

“These operators – you can’t just pick somebody off the street,” to replace them, said Carel Vandermeyden, CFPUA’s deputy executive director. “It takes years of education and experience. We don’t want them to get sick. If somebody on the crew became ill then obviously there’s a concern that another on the crew would be potentially exposed as well.”

State rules dictate that water treatment plants may must be run by licensed operators.

Initially, authority officials discussed the possibility of bringing in backup operators, such as retirees with the knowledge and experience, but not an active license.

The backups would be onsite, working under the direction of certified operators in person or through remote communication.

CFPUA asked the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, or DEQ, for temporary guidance that would make this plan possible.

The authority has yet to receive a response.

“From there, we migrated more into what about what if we protect our operators more from exposure and house them at the treatment plant,” Vandermeyden said. “What would that look like?”

They turned their attention north, specifically Des Moines Water Works and Greater Cincinnati Water Works – utilities that have set up a system that groups operators into teams to work multiday shifts and live in temporary housing at their facilities.

By the third week of March, CFPUA framed a plan that cuts down on the amount of travel, and therefore, exposure of their licensed operators.

Seven campers (one for each operator), rented from local businesses, have been added to the grounds of the authority’s Sweeney Water Treatment Plant and Richardson Nanofiltration Plant.

Each camper has its own bathroom and kitchenette. They are equipped with WiFi and televisions.

During hurricanes, staff who need to ride out a storm on the grounds of the facilities have been provided cots – sufficient for a couple of nights, but not through a pandemic.

“In order to do this right, we went the extra step and we rented these trailers,” Vandermeyden said.

On April 6, the first of two, seven-person operational teams moved into the campers, kicking off a seven-day-on, seven-day-off, 12-hour shift rotation.

Four operators live and work on the grounds of the Sweeney plant. Two work the day shift and two the night shift. Three operators monitor the Richardson plant — two work the day shift and the night.

They are being supervised remotely. And, when the operators are at home, they continue to work, filling out paperwork and fulfilling other duties.

“They make their normal rounds at the plant. They monitor the plant’s performance. They take samples throughout the treatment plant. They work with our CFPUA lab that is outside the plant to coordinate official samples that we need to acquire for state requirements,” Vandermeyden said.

Food and cleaning supplies are provided at the campers. When operators wrap up their on-site work week, they clean and disinfect their campers. Before the next team of operators start their rotation, their temperatures are checked. Any potential symptoms of COVID-19 must be reported to management.

Social distancing and isolation are key.

A support team of other employees make food runs and replenish the necessary cleaning supplies.

Signs have been posted to prevent contractors from interfacing with the operators. In operations control rooms, the workers try to maintain social distancing.

“On one shift you may have two people working at the same time,” Vandermeyden said. “We have marked areas in the plant where only they can work. The real goal is to keep those folks as isolated as much as possible.”

When they’re not working the seven-day shift, operators need to stay home as much as possible, he said.

“To that point what they do when they come off their seven-day work shift is we provide an order of essentials and food for the next seven days,” Vandermeyden said.

The estimated cost is $160,000 a month.

CFPUA has a 90-day rental agreement for the campers.

Should the stay-at-home order issued by Gov. Roy Cooper and New Hanover County Commissioners be lifted by month’s end, operators will not be sheltered at the plants, Vandermeyden said.

When that happens, the operators will continue to work in the same teams, he said.

“The overarching goal for us in this is providing a continuous supply of safe water to the community,” he said. “That’s critical.”

Research staff and educators in Carteret County have responded to an ever-growing need for personal protective equipment by turning their homes into face shield factories, using 3D printers from area institutions.

They’re donating the shields to first responders and health care workers in eastern North Carolina.

Julian Dale, lead engineer in the Marine Robotics and Remote Sensing Lab at the Duke University Marine Lab in Beaufort, transported the lab’s larger 3D printer to his garage after the Duke Marine Lab closed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dale’s original plan was to continue making customized drone research equipment from home.

Then he heard that others were 3D printing personal protective equipment. People around the world have been collaborating online to share and revise designs for 3D-printed face shields and other gear.

Dale confirmed the need for this equipment with Beaufort Mayor Rett Newton, also a doctoral student in the Marine Robotics and Remote Sensing Lab, who asked Beaufort fire and police chiefs.

“Our first responders enthusiastically welcomed this protective gear,” noted Newton.

Dale found a relatively easy design online for a visor that could be outfitted with a shield. Rather than wait for an online consensus on face shield designs, of which there were several options, he jumped to work.

“We should probably just have a crack at producing them,” Dale said he thought Saturday, April 4.

Since then, he’s sent out about 100 face shields and is continuing to produce more. Other 3D printers have joined the production chain too.

“IMS volunteered their printer as well that was sitting idle,” said Dale, referring to the University of North Carolina Institute of Marine Sciences in Morehead City.

Ryan Neve, IT and engineer support specialist at the institute, brought the lab’s 3D printer and Carolina blue plastic filament home for the specific purpose of printing face shields. Filament is a spool of plastic thread that feeds the printer.

UNC IMS has had their printer for almost two years, and Neve previously used it to make customized and inexpensive research equipment parts.

“We mainly used it to print out parts for field work, for profilers at Jordan Lake,” he explained. Profilers are floating platforms that release water measurement devices to the bottom of the lake every half hour.

That same 3D printer can print two plastic visors in about five hours. The larger printer in Dale’s garage can print two visors in about one and a half hours.

Todd Williamson, Project Lead the Way Teacher at Beaufort Middle School, is now using one of the middle school’s 3D printers to make the visors as well, with filament provided by UNC IMS.

The clear plastic shields that attach to the visors are ordered separately, and Dale rounds down their sharp edges for safety. The last piece of the face shield is a rubber band, which holds the back of the visor together. Dale said that each completed face shield costs about $1.30 in supplies.

The shields can be washed and reused, and the clear plastic part can be replaced when necessary. Dale said if he’s able to get enough parts they can give away extra plastic shields with the visors.

Shields protect the mouth, nose and eyes, though healthcare workers treating COVID-19 patients must also wear face masks for respiratory protection.

Dale provided Newton with face shields to distribute to Beaufort emergency medical services and fire rescue, and has left shields on the doorsteps of healthcare workers for them to distribute at their respective workplaces. Carteret General Hospital, New Bern Hospital, Carteret Medical Specialists PLLC, and Oceanside Pediatrics in Morehead City have received shields.

“This is another great example of citizens wanting to safely and effectively contribute to the fight against COVID-19,” commented Newton.

The Carteret News-Times reported Sunday that the county currently had a sufficient supply of personal protective equipment for first responders in the short term, but will likely need more face masks as the pandemic continues.

If residents want to donate extra personal protective equipment to Beaufort’s first responders, they can contact Public Information Officer Rachel Johnson at r.johnson@beaufortnc.org. For more information about 3D printing protective equipment for healthcare workers, you can visit the National Institute of Health’s collection of 3D-printable equipment.

Carteret County officials in this video discourage travel to the coast under the governor’s stay-at-home order and to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

State and coastal government officials updated coronavirus orders and precautions as the number of cases continued to grow Thursday.

Anyone coming from outside of Carteret County into Atlantic Beach for overnight stays will have to self-quarantine for 14 days starting at 11:59 p.m. Thursday, Trace Cooper, mayor for the Bogue Banks town, said during an announcement via Facebook Live Thursday afternoon. Exceptions are those performing essential services.

“Self-quarantine means you do not leave your home,” Cooper said, noting that property owners in town, including second homeowners, and those who work in an essential business can come, but all others must stay away. Cooper said that the emergency order is to discourage second homeowners from going back and forth between Atlantic Beach and larger cities.

“If you have a home here, and decide to stay at home and shelter in place here in Atlantic Beach, you’re welcome to do that, we just don’t want you to go back and forth between Atlantic Beach and Raleigh or Charlotte or Greenville. So you’re here, stay here. If you’re home stay at home,” he said.

The message from Atlantic Beach is similar to that from other coastal towns and counties as the holiday weekend approaches.

“We’re all in this together, even though we have to be far apart,” said Stephanie Cannon, health director for Carteret County, in a video the county released Thursday asking visitors to stay home. Carteret County had a total of 20 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and one is deceased as of Thursday afternoon.

The police department for Beaufort in Carteret County began Thursday operating an entry checkpoint on Turner Street near U.S. 70. County full-time residents, those sheltering in place in Beaufort as of March 31, those providing essential business and government services or outdoor service and providing necessary care for a Beaufort resident will be allowed entry.

Another Carteret County town, Cape Carteret starting Friday will have a curfew from 9 .m. to 5 a.m. daily. Also in place are essential retail business occupancy limitations and travel restrictions within town limits except on state-maintained roads and limitations on short-term rentals.

Brunswick County is urging residents not to travel or encourage others to travel to and from the county during the weekend or the rest of the month. The county is reporting as of Wednesday 29 positive cases of COVID-19 and one is a death associated to COVID-19.

New Hanover County residents remain under countywide restrictions.

“I know this weekend and coming days are typically a time for family get-togethers for Easter and Passover celebrations,” said New Hanover County Board of Commissioners Chair Julia Olson-Boseman in a statement. “But we are at a critical time in our fight against COVID-19 and it is so important that you stay at home. We know this virus is here in our community and our region, so traveling anywhere except for those essential reasons would put you and those around you at greater risk.”

North Topsail Beach officials reiterated Thursday that all residents and property owners this weekend are to “stay at your primary place of residence until further guidance is provided and our state leaders deem it safe to travel.”

Sunset Beach amended Thursday its state of emergency to limit movement within the town to residents, property owners and employees of essential businesses. Nonresident property owners can travel if absolutely necessary.

Holden Beach commissioners amended Wednesday the emergency order closing the beach strand in an effort to detract tourists and second-home owners from visiting unnecessarily this weekend, Port City Daily reported.

All nonresident property owners wishing to enter mainland Hyde County now need to be issued a temporary entry pass. Nonresident property owners and immediate family only will be issued entry passes.  The Ocracoke Island reentry pass system is active and can be accessed at www.hydecountync.gov/ocracoke-covid.

State’s death toll reaches 65

As of 11 a.m. Thursday, the state has 3,651 lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases and 65 deaths. Coastal counties are seeing an increase in both.

A Craven County resident died from complications related to COVID-19 Thursday at CarolinaEast Medical Center in New Bern. Craven County has 22 confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 1:30 p.m. Thursday.

Dare County Department of Health and Human Services reported Thursday the first COVID-19 associated death. There are three positive cases of COVID-19 linked to residents and staff at Peak Resources, a nursing and rehabilitation facility in Nags Head. The total number of cases of COVID-19 in Dare County are 13.

Martin-Tyrrell-Washington District Health reported Wednesday its first COVID-19 related death in Washington County. Currently there are 10 cases in Washington County and none reported for Tyrrell.

New Hanover County Public Health officials announced the total overall case count is 53. In Onslow County, there were 27 positive cases and one fatality. There are three confirmed cases in Pender County. Beaufort County has had a total of 11 cases.

Albemarle Regional Health Services is reporting as of 11 a.m. Thursday 10 lab confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Pasquotank County, two in Perquimans County, two in Chowan County, three in Currituck County, 11 in Bertie County and four each in Gates and Hertford counties. Hertford and Bertie counties have had one each COVID-19 related death.

Cooper signs new executive order

State DHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen thanks North Carolinians for staying home during this year’s Easter and Passover celebrations. 

Gov. Cooper signed Thursday a new executive order that requires new social distancing policies at retail stores.

Starting at 5 p.m. Monday, the number of people inside stores cannot be more than 20% of the stated fire capacity or have five people for every 1,000 square feet. The stores must also mark 6 feet of distance at places where people need to gather like at checkout lines. The order also encourages stores to make hand sanitizer be accessible, designate shopping times for seniors and at-risk people, use shields at checkouts and mark aisles as one-way to limit traffic.

The order also mandates protective measures for nursing homes such as requiring nursing homes to screen residents and staff for illness and requiring facemasks for employees.

Also in the order are additional measures to get more unemployment claims processed faster. Since March 16, the Division of Employment Security had accepted 497,000 unemployment claims.

Cooper’s Executive Order No. 130 provides more health care workers and orders essential childcare services for workers responding to the crisis.

DHHS is offering two new mental health resources. Hope4NC Helpline is for residents and Hope4Healers Helpline is for health care professionals, emergency medical specialists, first responders and other staff who work in health care settings.

Federal Emergency Management Agency approved the request for housing alternatives, such as hotels, motels, and dormitories, for residents with unstable housing who may need to quarantine in response to or are at high-risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced Thursday suspension of rent payments for the months of April, May and June for disaster survivors living in FEMA-purchased temporary housing units in North Carolina, as well as California, Florida and Texas, due to the effects of the pandemic. The suspension applies to rent only; rent collection is expected to resume July 1.

MOREHEAD CITY — Disinfecting your home is a critical part of slowing the spread of COVID-19 and a University of North Carolina Institute of Marine Sciences professor has created an infographic to help get the word out.

Rachel Noble, a professor of public health microbiology, told Coastal Review Online Monday that the infographic is intended to make accessible to the community accurate information about disinfecting the home and what can be used that’s already around the house.

“We know that because the virus can live on both porous and nonporous surfaces for a period of time,” she said, adding it looks like that it could be from about two to nine days, depending on the type of surface.

“This particular virus is fairly sinister in the fact that it only takes a few particles to make you ill,” she said, and these very small viruses can be carried. Being diligent about disinfecting and taking precautions is helping flatten the curve, or keeping the daily COVID-19 case load manageable for medical providers.

She said the goal with creating the infographic is to simplify the information found on federal agency websites and make it available in one spot, increasing the likelihood of the public finding the information.

“So, there’s a lot of information out there. Most of it is accurate and will help someone disinfect the home and we just hope to provide it in a simple format so that people could access it,” she said.

Noble compiled the information featured on the graphic created by UNC Research on how and what to disinfect. The infographic suggests a solution of 1 tablespoon of household bleach to 1 quart of water for hard surfaces; 1 part over-the-counter 60% or stronger isopropyl alcohol to 1 part water for technology; and 1 part over-the-counter hydrogen peroxide to 1 part water for soft surfaces like a wallet or purse. Apply, let stand 5-10 minutes, then wipe down.

“The point is that disinfecting and the ways that you think about disinfecting have to be different from just cleaning the home,” she said.

Without disinfecting, a person can touch a contaminated surface and transfer any number of those virus particles onto their hand and then to their face.

Noble said that most households across the country are doing a good job to prevent the spread, like social distancing, but one of the risks that remains are having to leave home for necessities such as for groceries, the pharmacy, bank and gas station.

“Those are realities. People are going to do it once a week or once every two weeks. Some people might be in a position, income wise, that they need to do it every three or four days. Those things are all going vary and we see people doing the best that they can,” she said.

The frequency and purpose of trips from home determines how often a person should disinfect their home. For example, if a person works an essential job, they’ll need to disinfect more.

“The disinfection process scales up and scales down, according to how much people are exposed to outside potential sources of this particular coronavirus,” she said.

Noble explained that upon returning home, the best process to disinfect is in the exact reverse of how you went out.

After pumping gas and properly disposing of gloves, you’ll touch the door handle, then steering wheel, and maybe the radio or your phone. “You have to work your way backwards and re-disinfect all of those surfaces that you touched.”

It’s an important part of being preemptive, she reiterated, but isn’t meant to be fearful; just work backward in a systematic way. Once this has become habit, you’ll be prepared if your particular area sees a surge in case counts and will help reduce the number of total people overall that are hospitalized.

Noble said that people need to assume that any time they’re in a public space and have contact with others, they should treat the situation as a potentially contagious event and be proactive about disinfecting.

For every patient with a positive, lab-confirmed COVID-19 test, she said that she calculates a ratio of five or 10 people that are infected but aren’t tested. Noble said that it’s a hard number to gauge and really depends on location; some states are doing a better job of testing the population than others.

She used Carteret County as an example. If there’s 15 confirmed cases here, she said that it’s most likely somewhere around 150 cases, though it could be much more — around 200 or 300 cases — or it might be fewer. “But that’s the way I think about it from everything that I’ve read, save for the places who have done a really good job of testing, where their numbers are higher.”

For those communities with higher numbers, it’s most likely because there’s more testing and not a failure of the residents to comply with social distancing measures. Washington and New York have been proactive because of the population density.

In Eastern North Carolina, the population is spread out with small pockets. A person who doesn’t know they’re infected in a small community would transmit the virus to significantly fewer people than in bigger city.

Noble said she was trying to read more about rural disease transmission but found there was no information; that all the models were based on major metropolitan areas. She’s putting a proposal together to look into rural disease transmission.

Regarding masks, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommends wearing cloth face coverings in situations that are difficult to maintain social distance.

Noble said that the masks are a key, but a lot of people are forgetting the details.

“First, the nose piece is crucial, without it, the air goes in the top of the mask and settles on or in the nose,” she said. “Second, boil or wash the masks after each use.”

She recommends making a mask for every other day of the week. Wash as soon as you return to home in hot water or boil in water for 5 minutes and then hang to dry in a safe private place — in sun would be excellent — and then only use that mask at least five days from that time.

She said that UV light, which is effective at breaking down coronaviruses, can complement other disinfecting steps, although natural sunlight doesn’t have the same properties as radiation in a clinical hospital setting and shouldn’t be relied on to disinfect.

“It’s one of those things that like helps, but it’s not a magical zap,” Noble explained.

After washing a cloth mask properly using detergent, hot water and bleach additive, set it in the sun as a great additive step.

“Finally, the air has to come through the mask, not around the mask, so if you use too many layers of cloth you are actually defeating the purpose. The cloth has to be very tightly woven, think high thread-count bed sheet, not the material of a sweater or any loose knit,” she said.

“One of the biggest pieces of advice is to really cut down on social interaction. Continue to be vigilant,” Noble said. It’s important to people in your community of all shapes and sizes, not just the older people but it might be that the child down the street who was just diagnosed with type 1 diabetes or you might be protecting a friend who in the medical field.

Rick Luettich, director of the UNC IMS, told Coastal Review Online that the mission of the institute is to provide service to the state through research, education and engagement.

“We are extremely fortunate to have Dr. Noble, a nationally renowned expert on viruses, on our faculty and we are pleased that she is able to share her expertise with our community. All of us at Carolina’s marine lab live and work in eastern North Carolina; we want to do everything we can to help our community during this extraordinary time,” he said.

Reprinted from Outer Banks Voice

A Raleigh attorney has filed a complaint in federal court on behalf of six out-of-state Dare County homeowners arguing that Dare County’s March 20 declaration restricting access to the county due to the COVID-19 pandemic is unconstitutional.

The April 7 complaint, filed by attorney Chuck Kitchen in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, argues that the county’s amendment to its March 16 State of Emergency declaration intrudes on the owners’ rights under the Privileges and Immunities Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

 “While the residents of Dare, Currituck, Hyde, and Tyrrell counties have the right to travel in Dare County, to engage in a common calling, and to obtain medical treatment in Dare County, the Plaintiffs are prohibited from engaging in these activities solely because they are residents of another State,” the complaint argued.

The complaint also asserts that the Privileges and Immunities Clause is applicable to the actions taken by local government, and that the March 20 declarations “could not survive under a strict scrutiny analysis” because the orders are not narrowly tailored to serve the government’s interest in public safety. The complaint also states that the county’s action “excessively intrude upon Plaintiffs’ rights … effectively banning them from engaging in conduct that is Constitutionally Protected.”

Since Dare County’s March 20 decision to bar access to nonresident property owners, an impassioned and often angry debate has erupted on social media, and elsewhere.

In remarks made at the April 6 meeting of the Dare Board of Commissioners, Chairman Bob Woodard said, “The decision to restrict visitors and nonresident property owners was not made lightly. We truly hope everyone will understand that this difficult decision was made to safeguard our citizens. These restrictions will save lives.”

Meanwhile, Dare County Sheriff’s Office has manned checkpoints into the county around the clock, dealing with some travelers who try to gain access to the county through strategies that range from securing temporary licenses to hiding in the trunks of cars.

Kitchen, who told the Voice he has since received calls from other nonresident Dare and Currituck property owners affected by the March 20 order, said that he did not know when the complaint would be scheduled to be heard. As of April 7, Dare County had not been served with the complaint.

“All of the (plaintiffs) own property in Dare County and are being kept from going to Dare County because they are not from one of the four counties Dare County lets in,” Kitchen said, referring to residents of Dare, Currituck, Tyrell and Hyde counties.

The compliant also argues that pursuant to North Carolina law, the March 20 declaration must be made through an ordinance rather than a resolution. “The Dare County State of Emergency Declaration is therefore an ultra vires act of the County as it was not lawfully enacted in accordance with a valid Emergency Management Ordinance,” it stated.

Dare County Public Information Officer Dorothy Hester confirmed that the county has not been served with the complaint and said that the county was unable to comment on possible litigation.

This story is provided courtesy of the Outer Banks Voice, a digital newspaper covering the Outer Banks. Coastal Review Online is partnering with the Voice to provide readers with more environmental and lifestyle stories of interest about our coast.

New Hanover County has put in place additional restrictions to limit the spread of COVID-19.

As of 7:30 p.m. Friday, all boat ramps and marinas, both public and private, were closed until 5 p.m. April 13. Public beach accesses at Carolina, Kure and Wrightsville beaches and Masonboro Island remain closed.

These additional restrictions are specific to motorized boats and does not apply to kayaks, paddleboards or other nonmotorized boats. Commercial fishing operations, boating use by governmental entities for public safety, and maritime fuel are excluded from this order.

The restrictions were implemented at the direction of New Hanover County Board of Commissioners Chair Julia Olson-Boseman and in collaboration with the mayors of Wilmington, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Statewide, there were 2,870 cases and 33 deaths as of 11 a.m. Monday, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.

Dare County Department of Health and Human Services announced Sunday the county’s sixth positive test result for COVID-19. The individual could have contracted the virus through community spread.

Some in the community have asked for more information on travel patterns of people who have tested positive for COVID-19, according to the county. “By law, patient confidentiality must be protected. In a small community such as Dare County, this means only limited information can be shared. Public health staff contacts individuals or facilities that may have had direct contact (6 feet or less for 10 minutes or greater) with an individual who tests positive as part of each contact tracing investigation,” according to the release.

Albemarle Regional Health Services, or ARHS, reported the following lab-confirmed positive cases of COVID-19: eight cases in Pasquotank; two each in Perquimans, Gates and Currituck; one in Chowan; two in Currituck; seven in Bertie; four in Hertford. ARHS has reported deaths in Hertford County and in Bertie County.

Beaufort County said Sunday it had 15 cases. Martin-Tyrrell-Washington District Health reported Sunday six cases in Washington County. Craven County reported at noon Monday 18 confirmed COVID-19 cases.

Carteret County Health Department announced Monday the first confirmed COVID-19 death of a Carteret County resident, who died April 2 from complications associated with the virus. The county is reporting 18 positive cases as of 9 a.m. Monday.

Pamlico County had reported three cases, Onslow County 21 cases and one death and Pender County one case, according to the counties as of noon Monday.

New Hanover County health officials reported 47 total positive cases as of late Sunday afternoon.

In Brunswick County as of Monday, there are 24 positive cases and one death associated to COVID-19, according to the county.

When March began, students all over the Outer Banks were looking forward to warmer weather. Happier, carefree days filled with spring break travels, hanging out with friends at the beach or grabbing a smoothie from The Spot seemed like they were right around the corner. Proms and graduations were on everyone’s minds, and talk about the Coronavirus, or COVID-19, seemed like a distant and improbable thing.

Eva Klauser, a 16-year-old junior at Manteo High School, never thought the virus would turn her world upside down. “I remember hearing about it for the first time and thinking that it would never have any sort of effect on me,” she said.

“At first I didn’t really think anything of it,” said Nags Head resident Mike Leech, 18. “I thought that the media was hyping it up way too much.”

It only took a few weeks, however, for everything to change.

Universities across North Carolina, as well as the rest of the country, began to shut down, closing campuses, requiring students to return home and moving all classes online. On March 23, Gov. Roy Cooper issued an executive order closing all K-12 schools through May 15. A statewide stay-at-home order took effect March 30.

These lockdown measures meant that face-to-face learning was finished for the school year, and remote learning quickly took its place. Generation Z, which includes anyone born from the late 1990s to the mid-2010s, already spends more than six hours a day on electronic devices. Since remote learning began, students have found themselves in front of their screens more than before.

University of North Carolina Chapel Hill senior and Kitty Hawk native Carla Hardy, 22, was not too bothered by the change initially. “I was apprehensive about transitioning to online classes, but I was truthfully a little relieved,” she said. “I was not upset about being able to complete (my general education credits) from my bed.”

For high school students, learning from home has allowed them the flexibility to create their own schedule. This is a far cry from the rigid nature of a normal school day.

“I like online school a lot because I can set a time for myself to do it every day,” Klauser said. “I was not sure if I was going to be OK with it, but I’ve learned to just make the most out of it because it is what it is.”

While the flexibility of learning from home may be a welcome change, having the school year end abruptly meant that club meetings, retreats and other activities were canceled. For seniors throughout the Outer Banks, that meant losing out on honored traditions and senior events they had looked forward to for more than four years. Commencement ceremonies were postponed.

“I started to become very disappointed. Graduation being canceled was probably the nail in the coffin for me,” said Hardy. “I’m really worried about how long this will all last and the long-lasting economic impacts.”

Young people across the Outer Banks who were preparing to enter the workforce later this year are now left without any idea of what to expect in the job market. On top of this uncertainty, many dread the isolation and are anxious about the health of their loved ones.

“I know a lot of us are struggling to get through without being able to do many of the things that bring us happiness, such as spend quality in-person time with friends or participate in activities outdoors,” Hardy said. But she is keeping her chin up. “I am trying to keep perspective about it all and remember that this is essential for the health of our population. Sometimes sacrifices must be made.”

While social distancing has radically changed the average school day, Leech, a professional photographer, hasn’t seen much of a difference in his work.

“Being in the water, while keeping my distance, gives me and other surfers a sense of normalcy to our lives,” he said. “It’s hard to not hang out with friends and go to work, but I am making the most of it.”

Even though lockdowns will help in the long run by flattening the curve, or reducing the surge in positive cases, there is no doubt that empty roads and boarded-up stores feel a bit like the apocalyptic novels that took over the Young Adult market in recent years. The sudden and jarring changes have left many young people feeling uneasy.

“Everyone seems a little more anxious, just because how much is unknown to us,” Leech said.

According to the American Psychological Association, 27% of Gen Z is likely to report poor mental health. While social media has played a part in this heightened anxiety in the past, it has now become a distraction from the stress and sadness of the virus. A plethora of new memes, videos or artwork await anyone who opens Instagram.

“You can tell that people are starting to get bored because they may post lots of things or post about what crazy thing they have done,” Klauser said. Recent challenges included posting embarrassing pictures of yourself, cute photos of pets or favorite Bible verses. Tagging friends’ accounts helps the challenge spread, and suddenly old middle school photos are on everyone’s feed.

Amid the boredom, anxiety and isolation, there are some bright spots. Hardy’s family, which is spread across different households, had a recent Zoom conference call to catch up with one another.

“My mom and sister held their respective cats up to the screen so they could ‘meet’ each other,” said Hardy. “The ridiculousness of it all was really funny.”

Klauser’s dog Stash is also helping to keep her spirits up. “He’s so cute every time I look at him, I can’t help but laugh.”

With her free time, Klauser has had more time for exercise, art and helping out around the house. She is also catching up on sleep.

While there is no minimizing the severity of the coronavirus, hope has risen despite it. Videos of city residents applauding healthcare workers from their open windows or musicians playing from their balconies have gone viral. Leech said he had seen a shift in the local community.

“This quarantine has given all of us the opportunity to reconnect with our families,” he said. “It’s given us the chance to spend time together and talk. I think it’s better to look at (social distancing as) opportunities rather than inconveniences.”

Even in the middle of a difficult time, he said, there is hope for the future, and comfort in routine. Spring is approaching, and with it, the flowers bloom and the birds chirp again. The Earth has begun to wake up, a reassurance that not every aspect of island life has changed.

“It reminds us that the world keeps turning,” Leech said. “Waves keep breaking, and time keeps moving forward.”

Now is not the time for beach trips or neighborhood cookouts , Gov. Roy Cooper said Friday afternoon during a media briefing.

“We’re entering the first weekend of my order to stay at home. I need you to do just that,” he said. “I know it’s tempting to get away from all this and gather with friends and extended family, especially when Friday means the end of the week. Don’t. This virus is still spreading quickly. No one is immune. There is no vaccination, and social distancing is our best protection.”

He said if you must be with others, please heed the order that bans gathering of more than 10 and stay 6 feet or more apart, he said. “It could save your life and prevent the spread of the virus to people that you care about.”

Cooper emphasized that even though there’s no medicines to stop the virus, “Stopping the spread is in our control. If we avoid mass gatherings. If we wash our hands like never before. If we stay at home as much as we can. If we keep our physical distance, these things work.”

He said the state is fighting for medical supplies and personal protective equipment.

“This is a bad situation folks. North Carolina has received three shipments from the Strategic National Stockpile,” he said. “We’re grateful for the supplies. But to be clear, we’ve gotten just 33% of what we’ve asked for. And they’ve told us not to expect more anytime soon.”

He added that they know they can’t rely solely on the Strategic National Stockpile. Teams are working around the clock to find the badly needed equipment but there isn’t enough in the market to go around for all of those looking for these products.

“So if supplies are short, we have to make more here in North Carolina. We’re encouraging manufacturers across the state to shift their production lines to create the masks, gloves, gowns and other materials that we so desperately need,” he said. “Some of those manufacturers are responding positively.”

Cooper added that another front the state is fighting is to help those who lost their jobs and livelihoods because of COVID-19. Through executive order, he said he made unemployment insurance more widely available. More than 100 times the usual claims have been filed.

“And of course, we’re battling on our most important front to keep people healthy and safe, we remain concerned about our congregate living facilities where people are confined and living closely together,” he said.

Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen said Friday she really needs North Carolinians to understand that “we need to be doing everything possible right now to avoid overwhelming our hospitals in the future. Our actions today will impact how this virus spreads across North Carolina in the weeks and months to come.”

That morning the state had 86 counties with cases, which is up from 61 counties one week ago,” Cohen said. There are statewide 2,093 cases, up from 764 cases one week ago. Of these cases 43% are ages 25 to 49; 29% are people ages 50 to 64; and 20% are in people older than 65. There are 259 people hospitalized and 19 deaths.

As of early Friday afternoon, Dare, Perquimans, Chowan and Gates counties have one case each; Currituck, Pamlico and Washington counties each have two; four in Hertford; Bertie County has six cases; seven cases in Beaufort and Pasquotank counties; and 11 cases in Craven County, according to NCDHHS. Onslow is reporting 11 cases, Carteret County is reporting 16 cases, Brunswick County is reporting 23 cases and New Hanover County is reporting 42. Bertie and Onslow have both had a death.

North Carolina Emergency Director Mike Sprayberry during the briefing said that with so many people working and learning from home right now, the environment is prime for hackers who want to cause cyber disruption.

“Be sure to be cyber smart,” he continued. “Keep your passwords secure and change them regularly. Make sure your computer is up to date with antivirus software and a current operating system. Be smart about the websites you visit and teleconferencing platforms you use. Don’t click on links or attachments in email from people you don’t know. These simple steps can help you stay safe secure and connected, while you stay at home.”

In an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, Craven County announced Friday it has prohibited as of noon Sunday short-term rentals in all unincorporated areas of Craven County and within the jurisdictions of Trent Woods, Bridgeton, Dover and Cove City. This proclamation does not apply within New Bern, Havelock or River Bend.

Volunteer health care workers can register through the State Medical Response System as clinical, clinical support or nonclinical support volunteers.

For more information and updates on COVID-19, visit the website.

BEAUFORT — Melvin Dunn, 41, is a shrimper from the Beaufort area. Dunn lost a shrimp season because of Hurricane Dorian in September 2019. Now he faces further economic challenges with COVID-19 putting the seafood industry in a near standstill.

Dunn is from South River, a predominantly black coastal community in Carteret County.

With increasingly intense hurricanes affecting his catch, Dunn decided to transition to a seafood truck delivery service after Hurricane Dorian. Now COVID-19 might change that.

The audio was originally published by Shoresides, a project of the nonprofit Working Narratives. The series compiles community stories about COVID-19 from coastal North Carolina. Coastal Review Online is partnering with Shoresides and Working Narratives to bring this feature to our readers.

Music: Ketsa. Editing: Working Narratives team.

In response to COVID-19, three coastal reserve sites have been closed to the public and Hammocks Beach State Park will not begin Friday ferry service as originally scheduled.

Hammocks Beach officials made the announcement Thursday that the ferry service from the park’s visitor center to Bear Island wouldn’t begin Friday as planned for the safety of park staff and visitors during the coronavirus pandemic.

Bear Island can be accessed for day use only by paddling or personal vessel. Restrooms, the visitor center and campsites on Bear Island are closed, but potable water is available. The trails are open.

Officials said a launch date for ferry services will be announced on Hammocks Beach State Park updates as soon as it is determined.

Rachel Carson Reserve in Beaufort,  Masonboro Island Reserve near Wilmington and Bird Island Reserve near Sunset Beach are closed to visitors effective at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The North Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve announced Friday the closure of these reserve sites to visitors to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and to support current state and local restrictions and guidance.

Closures are specific to beaches and uplands at the sites but waters remain accessible to navigate and use for recreational activities.

Currituck Banks Reserve near Corolla, Kitty Hawk Woods Reserve in Kitty Hawk, Emily and Richardson Preyer Buckridge Reserve near Columbia, Buxton Woods Reserve on Hatteras Island, Permuda Island Reserve near Topsail Island, Zeke’s Island Reserve near Kure Beach and Bald Head Woods Reserve on Bald Head Island will remain open, though some local governments have limited area access to residents only.

Learn more

• Updates regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) response in North Carolina.

Even under the current shutdown of the economy, North Carolina consumers still can find fresh or fresh-frozen fish in supermarkets. That belies the enormous financial hit facing the commercial and recreational fishing industries in a state that counts fishing as one of its most valuable resources.

“We do have retail markets all across the state that are open and selling,” said Glenn Skinner, executive director of the North Carolina Fisheries Association.

But only 20% of domestic seafood is sold through retail outlets, he said. The remaining 80% is sold through restaurants.

Most restaurant service, except for delivery and pickup orders, has been closed in North Carolina — as well as most other states — since last month to prevent spread of COVID-19.

“All our fishermen need now are markets.”

Glenn Skinner, Director, North Carolina Fisheries Association

That leaves fishers struggling to find markets for fresh fish they’ve caught, Skinner told Coastal Review Online Tuesday. Depending on the dealer or the location, freezers are at or close to capacity.

“Some are selling local, some are not,” he said. “All our fishermen need now are markets.”

Skinner said that there have been discussions about working with the state to find a way to get the current inventory of fish to people, ideally at a reasonable cost. In the process, it would not only free up freezer space, it would provide some income and delay, or prevent, the need to file for unemployment compensation.

“That way, instead of giving us free money,” Skinner said, “they would have a product they could utilize.”

Storage freezers can each hold tens of thousands of pounds of fish, he added, and frozen fish maintains its quality for “quite a while.” And with flounder, crab and shrimp seasons approaching, it would be helpful to have freezers available for fresh product to be kept until restaurants reopen.

Meanwhile, Skinner is keeping a close eye on any government help to keep the fishing industry afloat during the crisis. For the first time, unemployment insurance is being offered for self-employed or independent workers, which describes nearly every person who fishes for a living.

“We’re still relatively not far into this,” he said. “It’s still evolving and it’s getting worse by the day.”

According to a report released in February by the fisheries division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA Fisheries, in 2018 U.S. fishermen landed 9.4 billion pounds of fish valued at $5.6 billion. Shrimp and crab, two of North Carolina’s largest fisheries, were also among the most valuable fish nationwide.

Blue crabs start shedding their shells in mid-April or so, and depending on temperatures, will continue until early June. Crabbers spend many intensive hours keeping a close eye on their shedding operations to get the timing of the peeler harvest just right.

“Those guys have got a lot invested in their tanks and everything,” Skinner said.

Fresh soft-shell crabs, or peelers, are a favorite spring seafood specialty on the Outer Banks, and other coastal North Carolina communities, but now with such limited distribution to restaurants, nearly all of the harvest will be frozen.

Murray Bridges, the 87-year-old owner of Endurance Seafood on Colington Island, the largest and oldest shedding operation in the county, said that everyone is getting ready to start as usual.

As a veteran of a multitude of challenges over the decades as a crabber, Bridges didn’t seem too worried. Nearly 75% of the peelers are typically cleaned and frozen, he said, and much are freighted out of the county.

Part of the value of the crabs is influenced by how much inventory is left over from the year before, he said. But this year’s wild card will also be how many might try to “take advantage of something like this” to shortchange the crabber or undercut the market.

“It’s not really about getting rid of the crabs,” Bridges said about the impact on the market. “The only thing is price-wise.”

The burgeoning oyster-growing industry in North Carolina, however, is confronting a dire potential loss of revenue and investment, said Chris Matteo, president of the North Carolina Shellfish Growers Association.

Before the shutdown, he said, the 75 or so oyster growers in the state, not including those with bottom leases, were “set to do $6 to $7 million for 2020.”

The growers cultivate oysters on the half-shell, which have become popular offerings in the trendy local food market and food tourism.

But shuttering of the nation’s restaurants has had a devastating impact on the industry.

“Thousands of shellfish farm, processing, transportation and distribution workers have been let go or put on standby,” said representatives from the East Coast and the Pacific Coast shellfish growers associations in a recent letter to Congress seeking assistance. “Most are small companies without the wherewithal to continue to pay wages and benefits. Many are holding off on ordering and planting seed for future years crops due to the uncertain future and the need to reserve cash.”

Most of the oyster farmers in North Carolina plant multiple crops a year at different locations, so there’s a “rolling” harvest, Matteo said. In general, more oysters on the half-shell are available in early September, when ideal water temperatures catch up with the sales, but they’re also available during other months.

Oysters are still available. Buyers are not.

“Everyone has confirmed that their sales have gone down to zero,” Matteo said.

But the health emergency from the virus pandemic presents a “double whammy” to the oyster industry, he said. Oysters on the half-shell that are sold to restaurants are almost always eaten raw. But raw seafood — especially shellfish — can be unsafe to eat for people with compromised immune systems.

“Growers are panicking because they know this might be a drawn-out thing.”

Chris Matteo, President, North Carolina Shellfish Growers Association

So even in the unlikely event that restaurants can reopen soon, raw shellfish would probably be considered risky, at least for a while. The market for oysters used in backyard roasts is smaller and not as lucrative.

“Growers are panicking because they know this might be a drawn-out thing,” Matteo said.

Like many other businesses, for oyster growers this crisis is layered on top of losses and damages from recent storms. As it is, much of the tourism-based economy in the state is already on edge and in dread of another storm.

“That would be the nail in everybody’s coffin,” he said. “We’re all very vulnerable right now.”

The timing in spring is also terrible for the charter fishing boat operators, said Steve Coulter, who owns the 58-foot Sea Creature that runs out of Hatteras.

This is the time of year to shell out big bucks for boat repairs and maintenance, he said. But charter vessel owners also pay their annual insurance bills this month and make bait orders for the year.

With Dare County closed to all but residents and certain essential businesses and personnel, Coulter said that he has already had some charter boat groups cancel trips. He’s also gotten a lot of calls from others trying to figure out if they should cancel.

A full-day charter trip costs $1,850, typically divided among a group of about six, Coulter said. About 50 charter boats, including his business, operate full time out of Hatteras, he said, and about 30 more offer half-day trips.

People are not being stopped from fishing, as long as it was fewer than 10 people in a boat, but they can’t get to the Outer Banks to fish. Even if they could, virtually nothing is open for business. And with so many people suddenly out of work, recreational charter fishing trips may no longer be considered affordable.

“So, we’re taking it two-fold,” Coulter said. “We’re taking it from the economy and the fact that they can’t get here.”

Coulter said that so far, he has lost about 30% of his annual income. And it’s hard to predict when customers may start booking trips again.

“That depends on what the economy does when they open up,” he said. “We’re tied to the hip with the tourist industry.”

Since the COVID-19 crisis began, the online benefits system has taken more than 355,000 claims for unemployment benefits,  Assistant Secretary of the Division of Employment Security Lockhart Taylor said Thursday.

“To put that in perspective that averages to almost 1,000 claims, an hour for 24 hours a day for the last 14 days,” Taylor explained during an afternoon press conference. “So far this week, we have paid $8.2 million to those who have filed claims, identifying COVID as the reason for separation. That number is going to increase exponentially in the coming days.”

Taylor added that it will take up to two weeks before an applicant will receive their first benefit payment.

He said that they know that a lot of people have had problems accessing the system, or getting through on the phones, and that is unacceptable.

“We’ve taken immediate action in the face of this historic challenge,” he said. The division is bringing on 350 people to help individuals and businesses, to respond to claims and to file claims and more staff will be added as possible. The existing phone system is being modified to improve capacity and quality and made upgrades to improve the stability of the system.

Taylor reviewed the governor’s authorization Saturday to implement new federal unemployment programs.

“The first provides an additional $600 in weekly benefits. The second provides up to 13 additional weeks of benefits for those who have exhausted their claim. The third is called the pandemic unemployment assistance, which is an assistance for individuals who are traditionally not eligible for state unemployment benefits, such as self-employed workers and independent contractors,” he said. “I know people are anxious to start getting their benefits. Right now we are awaiting final guidance from the US Department of Labor, since we administer this program on behalf of the federal government. So we can program our existing systems to make the make these benefits and the application process available to those in need.”

Frequently asked questions and information related to COVID-19 unemployment insurance for individuals can be found here.

The state is reporting 1,837 positive cases of COVID-19 in 83 counties as of Thursday morning, Dr. Mandy Cohen, secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human services said during the press conference that afternoon.

She said that of these cases 9% are in people ages 18 to 24; 42% in ages 25 to 49; 27% in ages 50 to 64; and 20% in ages 65 and older. There are 184 hospitalizations and the state has had 16 deaths. More than 28,000 tests statewide have been completed.

As of Thursday afternoon, Perquimans, Chowan and Gates counties are reporting one positive case; two in Currituck and Pamlico counties; three in Dare County; four in Pasquotank and Hertford counties; six in Craven; six cases and one fatality in Bertie County; nine in Onslow County and one fatality; 15 in Carteret County; 22 in Brunswick County; and 39 in New Hanover County.

Cohen mentioned that the COVID-19 dashboard now includes more data such as information on available hospital beds, number of ventilators, Strategic National Stockpile requests and demographic information about cases and deaths in the state. She said that they will continue to add data. On Thursday, data on number of outbreaks in congregate settings, like nursing homes, adult care homes and correctional facilities, was added.

She reminded North Carolinians how important it is to stay home in order to save lives.

Updated to include information from Carteret County

In response to COVID-19 and in keeping with the governor’s stay-at-home order, the mayors of Carteret County’s Bogue Banks towns are imploring the public not to visit unless it’s essential.

Atlantic Beach Mayor Trace Cooper said early Thursday afternoon during a joint press conference via Zoom with Emerald Isle Mayor Eddie Barber, Indian Beach Mayor Stewart Pickett and Pine Knoll Shores Mayor Ken Jones, that they are all working closely together throughout this crisis, which is something the elected officials do during good and bad times.

“We know that for example, hurricanes don’t care about city limits and neither does the coronavirus. Bogue Banks is an island that is home to four distinct towns, but we are all part of one community. Our community is a vacation community that prides itself on hospitality,” Cooper said. “So what I’m about to say next is difficult for us. Don’t come here. You must stay away from our beaches.”

Cooper reiterated that the governor had issued a stay-at-home order for all of the state. “Our local police departments, along with their law enforcement partners at the county and state level are coordinating to strictly enforce this order,” he said.

All public beach accesses, town parks and recreation facilities are closed, as well as the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores and Fort Macon State Park. All hotels and motels are closed to leisure travel and vacation rentals are prohibited.

“If you don’t live on Bogue Banks or own property on Bogue Banks or work in an essential business on Bogue Banks, you can’t be here. Do not come, stay home and stay safe,” he said. Adding that the sooner we all comply to the governor’s stay-at-home order, the sooner we can get through this. When we do, when it’s safe, we’ll welcome everyone back with open arms but for now, stay away.”

Emerald Isle had its first water rescue Sunday. “As the weather warms our first responders need to be focused on the current crisis and not on water rescues,” he said.

Barber explained that effective immediately, all four towns will close the ocean waters of the Atlantic to swimming in coordination with the governor’s executive order.

Pickett said that all four beach towns will be flying with double red beach flags, which means the waters are closed. Also during the governor’s 30-day, stay-at-home executive order, swimming, surfing, kiting and nonmotorized recreational water access are prohibited on Bogue Banks but the beach area strand will be open.

Jones added that the sandy beaches are open for walking, fishing and small groups.

“Travel from outside Carteret County is not essential travel,” he said. “Please do not do this unless you meet the governor’s executive order criteria for essential activities.”

Jones said unless you have to cross the bridges in either direction for an essential need, don’t. “Bottom line, the less travel, the better.”

Cooper said that while the towns and all levels of government are working together to fight COVID 19, the governments can’t do everything. “We need your help as well.”

He reiterated that the public needs to heed the executive orders issued by the governor and others and “We need you to do the things that we’ve all been told to do over the past few weeks, stay at home. Wash your hands like crazy, do not touch your face and maintain social distancing.”

Carteret County announced Thursday afternoon that recreational water access for Salter Path has been restricted in accordance with the announcement from the four Towns of Bogue Banks. Recreational water activities such as swimming, surfing, kiting, and non-motorized recreational water access will be prohibited through April 29.

With vacation rentals shuttered and restaurants closed or open for takeout only, local governments in tourism-dependent coastal areas are bracing for bleak options as they begin to draft new budgets.

By law, North Carolina counties and municipalities are required to adopt new budgets by July 1, the beginning of a new fiscal year. None is allowed to run deficits, and borrowing is limited under a system put in place after a wave of local government failures during the 1930s.

That system and the ability for public sector spending to prop up teetering economies and deal with widespread unemployment will be tested in ways they haven’t been since.

In Raleigh, legislative hearings on the impact of the coronavirus have featured a litany of losses across all sectors of the economy, but none as quickly or deeply felt than in the areas of food service, hospitality and travel.

On Tuesday, members of the Economic Support Working Group of the House Select Committee on COVID-19, heard pleas for immediate state action from industry representatives.

“The biggest business challenge that I am hearing from restaurants and hotels is that they are cash strapped today,” Lynn Minges, president and CEO of the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association, told working group members during a teleconference Tuesday. Some businesses have resorted to making payroll using credit cards, she said, and all are faced with ongoing bills, leases and debt service. Adding to the urgency, she said, is that many small businesses are finding that there are pandemic riders on business interruption insurance.

Minges said help is coming from recently passed federal relief bills, but that will take time to arrive.

“The application process is long and cumbersome and we’re still waiting on guidance from the federal government. There are loan programs these folks can apply for, but they need cash in their pockets today. They cannot make their payments today. They cannot make their payroll today. They are really struggling.”

The association estimates that 350,000 of the state’s roughly 500,000 restaurant jobs and 23,000 of the 80,000 hotel jobs have been lost so far. It’s calling for a $100 million state emergency grant for hospitality businesses that would provide one-time grants up to $25,000 for smaller restaurants and $50,000 for larger restaurants and hotels to temporarily cover rent, utilities, payrolls and vendors. The association is also asking for the state to delay sales tax collections and other tax payments.

That would especially help restaurants trying to stay open on a limited basis to make payrolls and keep vendors paid, Minges said.

At Floyd’s 1921 Restaurant & Catering in downtown Morehead City, a dining room and patio that can hold up to 250 patrons is quiet, although the kitchen remains open.

Since the statewide ban on dine-in service began March 17, a small staff assembles there six days a week to prepare dozens of meals for carryout customers.

Restaurant manager Jason Eure said the special takeout menu was already in the works when the statewide order was announced. Even though they had a head start, he said, Floyd’s had to quickly adapt from being a dinner destination to a carryout food service.

“Eating is more of a necessity than a luxury at this point in time,” he said. The restaurant has always focused on local customers and wanted keep serving, but from a business perspective, Eure said it was like going from being a full-service restaurant to operating a food truck.

“The bills are still coming, as far as the mortgage, the power, all that kind of stuff, but you’re not able to utilize the basic square footage.”

Eure said it’s not all doom and gloom. The community has been supportive, he said, and there’s enough business to keep a skeleton staff of 10 employed.

But the front-of-house staff, which can grow to around 60 employees at the height of the summer season, is idle and those employees have started collecting unemployment. There’s also a lot of uncertainty about what’s ahead, especially how it will affect the typically busy summer season.

“We’ve all come to the reality that it’s going to go longer than we want it to,” Eure said. “We’re on the cusp of summer basically. Even if all is golden at the end of April, the public is going to still be gun shy about going out.”

Preparing for an economic hit

At Tuesday’s hearings, legislators also received warnings about how business closures and precipitous drops in sales and occupancy tax revenues would affect the bottom line for the hundreds of communities in the state that rely on travel and tourism.

Erin Wynia, chief legislative counsel for the North Carolina League of Municipalities, told members of the select committee working on the impact to state and local government that the hit to small businesses would have a big effect on local government.

Wynia said sales tax distributions, which typically make up nearly a quarter of the municipal revenue stream, are expected to drop considerably. Occupancy taxes, which take in roughly $300 million for the 63 local governments that have them in place, will take an even bigger hit. Those funds usually go to support tourism advertising and marketing but are also used for beach renourishment and dune repairs and facilities such as convention centers and stadiums.

“Nearly all of those funds will dry up for the time that the economic crisis is happening,” Wynia said.

Any major drop in commercial and industrial water use, which accounts for almost half of water system revenues, is also putting pressure on local governments, she said.

“Those revenues are sharply declining along with economic activity and that will be something to reckon with in the future.”

With the bulk of municipal budgets dedicated to public safety and transportation, Wynia said, cuts in those areas are more likely.

“If revenues decline to where we fear they might, this is where the cuts will take place,” she said. “There’s not a lot of bloat in these budgets already and it will be very difficult for local governments to continue providing services they’ve been providing through the crisis.”

Wynia said that since sales tax distributions lag collections, the loses in March will start showing up in lower distribution payments in June.

Washington Mayor Mac Hodges said he’s expecting to see revenues fall when the sales tax numbers are reported, but the Beaufort County city is in good enough financial shape to ride out the crisis.

“It just depends on how this thing drags out,” Hodges said in an interview Wednesday. “If it’s two or three more weeks, we’ll probably survive it OK.”

A month or more would be difficult, he said, but with a growing tax base and a built-up fund balance, the city budget should be OK in the long run. “Ours can take a beating,” he said. “Others may not be able to.”

The worry, he said, is if the shutdown extends further into summer and affects summer camps, which usually bring a lot of visitors to the area.

In the meantime, Hodges said the city took advantage of the shutdown to move ahead with infrastructure upgrades.

Since most of the businesses along Main Street were forced to close, Hodges said it made sense to go ahead and start tearing up pavement for a major streetscape project.

Local and state leaders must be able to be flexible given how fast things are changing, he said.

“What seems like a good idea today might not be so hot next week,” he said. “That’s just the way this thing is.”

Residents want to know when the virus is going to peak and when we can resume our lives again, explained Dr. Mandy Cohen Wednesday, and the state Department of Human Health Services is trying to answer some of those questions.

Additionally, the state has put into place measures to help families during the pandemic.

During a media briefing from the State Emergency Operations Center, Cohen, who serves as DHHS secretary, said that to answer those questions, there’s a lot of new modeling out there, with some models painting “a rosier picture than others.”

She said that the state is working with a team of data scientists from universities and the private sector, looking at models and information specific to the state, such as density, health and age of the population.

“But, as we look to any one of these models, I want to caution that modeling is not a crystal ball,” she said. The models are only as good as the available data at the time and the assumptions these models make. “And all of this is so new. We don’t have the perfect data. We don’t know the perfect assumptions, and we aren’t going to know with precision how things are going to play out.”

.@SecMandyCohen It is human nature to want definitive answers. And the one common answer that all the published evidence and new models show is that aggressive social distancing measures – like @NC_Governor stay at home order – do slow the spread of the virus.

— NCDHHS (@ncdhhs) April 1, 2020

Cohen explained that the data show over and over that “aggressive, social distancing measures, like the one the governor put into effect that started this past Monday to stay at home,” and similar types of interventions work to slow the spread of the virus, which is the goal, so fewer people get sick at the same time.

“So, as we work together to slow that spread of the virus, we’re working aggressively as well to increase our capacity of our medical system. We’re buying protective equipment, testing supplies, planning our search for available medical beds, recruiting doctors and nurses and other clinicians to this fight,” she said.

Cohen began the media briefing with a rundown of the numbers: As of Wednesday morning, there were 1,584 reported cases of COVID-19 in 79 counties and up to 10 deaths. Of the patients that tested positive, 43% of are between the ages of 25 to 49 but 78% of COVID-19 related deaths are people over 65. More than 26,000 tests have been completed by the state lab as well as private and academic labs reporting to DHHS. Another 5,000 are waiting to be run.

She added that 39% of inpatient hospital beds are empty and about 27% of ICU beds are empty, based on information provided by 94% of the reporting hospitals. The numbers did not include surge capacity.

As of Wednesday afternoon, Currituck, Perquimans and Pamlico counties had each reported one confirmed case; Washington County had two cases; Hertford and Pasquotank each had reported four; Bertie and Craven counties each reported six cases; Beaufort County had reported seven cases; Onslow County reported eight cases and one death; Carteret County reported 15 cases; Brunswick County reported 22 cases; and New Hanover County reported 34 cases.

Not all cases of COVID-19 are reflected in these numbers because not all cases of COVID-19 are tested. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that those with mild symptoms recover at home and call their doctor for medical advice. The updated guidance announced last week is intended to slow the spread of the virus.

When people with mild illness leave their homes to get tested, they could be exposed to COVID-19 if they do not already have it, and if they do, they can give it to another person, including those who are high risk and health care providers. Additionally, because there is no treatment for COVID-19, a test will not change what someone with mild symptoms will do.

Director of N.C. Emergency Management Mike Sprayberry during the media briefing reminded all North Carolinians to stay at home and to observe the social distancing guidelines.

“Please refrain from calling to report those who you don’t think are following the rules, call centers at the state and local levels including 211 and 911 are receiving far too many calls from people wanting to report where social distancing is not being observed,” he said. “Please stay at home, follow the guidelines and encourage others in your community to follow them as well.”

He said that the 911 lines need to stay open for true emergencies and 211 is for people who need information or help with resources like food utilities and other human needs.

.@DirectorNCEM For daily information updates on Coronavirus, you don’t have to call – just text COVIDNC to 898211 to receive regular text updates. About 60,000 people are already receiving texts.

— NCDHHS (@ncdhhs) April 1, 2020

Sprayberry said that numerous organizations are working hard to feed residents during the pandemic.

The state school systems are operating more than 1,100 feeding sites and serving more than a half a million meals a day to kids, he explained, and food banks are seeing an increased demand and need of financial donations or of shelf-stable foods. Visit feedingthecarolinas.org to find your local food bank. A visit to a food bank to get or give food is not considered a violation of the stay-at-home order.

In response to a question about the struggles of acquiring necessary supplies, Sprayberry said, “As you know, there’s an international, national statewide and local competition to get all of these medical supplies and equipment to respond adequately to the COVID-19 pandemic. We have had a difficult time finding vendors that can source our request.”

He said they’re trying to make sure that medical professionals caring for patients in hospitals are getting the supplies first. “But, having said that we’re still not getting enough we’re not even getting enough from the Strategic National Stockpile, but I can tell you that we are very persistent, and we are relentless in seeking out resources.”

Regarding the public wearing masks, Cohen said that because of tight supply lines, protective equipment needs to go first to healthcare workers who are treating those with COVID-19.

When supplies become more plentiful, masks may be an added element to “our tried and true things that work to stop the spread of the virus,” such as washing our hands. When a person wears a mask, they are actually preventing their germs from going out into the world, “protecting the world from them.”

And the viability of a homemade masks varies. Masks are always going to need to be used in combination with proven measure of hand washing .

“And then there are different materials that that masks can come in, there are certain materials that have natural antiviral antibacterial kinds of properties, versus other kinds of materials that may be more porous so homemade masks again are going to be variable in terms of their ability to block your, your droplets from getting into the world,” she said, reiterating, “Again, masks are protecting the world from you. It’s not really protecting you from the world. But I think there is a place for masks once we make sure that all of our health care workers have the masks that they need so that they are protected.”

State Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen shares ways to find help during COVID-19.

Families who receive Food and Nutrition Services, or FNS, began receiving on Wednesday an increase in benefits to help them access food during the COVID-19 pandemic. All families that receive FNS will receive the maximum amount allowed for March and April for their household size. For example, a family of four would be eligible to receive a total of $646 for each of the two months regardless of their usual benefit amount, according to a news release.

Parents who need food assistance for their children can text FOODNC to 877-877 to locate nearby free meal sites, according to DHHS. The service is also available in Spanish by texting COMIDA to 877-877. After entering their address, parents will receive a text with the location and serving times for nearby pick-up and drive-thru free meal sites while schools are closed. Sites have been set up across the state for families with children ages 18 and younger, including preschool children, who rely on free and reduced-price meals at school.

Gov. Roy Cooper signed Tuesday an executive order to prohibit utilities from shutting off services to those who are unable to pay.

“This action,” he explained Tuesday during a media conference, “is particularly important since tomorrow is the first of the month. And I know that that’s the date that many families fear when they can’t make ends meet.”

The action orders that electric, gas, water and wastewater services cannot be shut off for the next 60 days and telecommunications companies that provide phone, cable and internet services are strongly urged to follow the same rules, Cooper said. This order also encourages banks not to charge customers overdraft fees, late fees and other penalties. The order is in effect for 60 days.

“People should pay their bills and the vast majority want to, and do. But during this crisis, some just don’t have enough money. These protections will help families stay in their homes and keep vital services like electricity, water and communications going as we stay at home,” he said.

Cooper began the conference by reiterating that the stay-at-home order is in effect now. The executive order went into effect at 5 p.m. Monday and is for 30 days until April 29.

“I know it’s hard, but prevention is still the single most important thing you can do right now. Prevention. It means maintaining physical distance from each other, washing hands, coughing into the elbow, those simple things. They’re simple, but they can save lives, including your own,” he said.

Cooper asks residents to be mindful of families who need food and avoid over buying at the grocery store, particularly Wednesday, which April 1, and this week because federal food assistance for families in need comes at the first of the month.

“The decisions we’re making to battle this invisible enemy have not been easy but they’re necessary to save lives,” he said.

Attorney General Josh Stein said Tuesday during the conference that this past Sunday alone, more than 220,000 North Carolinians filed for unemployment.

“In just the last two weeks, this insidious virus has forced North Carolina businesses to lay off more than 300,000 people,” he said. “These are the people who service at restaurants, they fly us on airplanes and greet us at hotels, they produce and sell our clothing, they manufacture the products and machines we use every day, they do these things and so much more. They are our neighbors and they need our help.”

Stein said that the Tuesday executive order is about taking strong action to provide needed relief to these North Carolinians who are struggling financially through no fault of their own. “This relief isn’t just compassionate and appropriate, it will help protect all North Carolinians. Now is no time for people to be without water to wash their hands or forced into crowded, temporary living quarters.”

Stein added that his office is also “working hard to raise awareness of scams and fraud related to the virus, particularly those using robo calls. Because while the vast majority of folks in North Carolina are rising to the occasion to help others. There are a few heartless criminals trying to exploit people’s fears.”

His office has been gathering complaints about price gouging, and as of Tuesday, 755 have been received and each is being reviewed.

DHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen said that as of Tuesday morning, “we had 1,498 cases in North Carolina, and that’s in 77 counties. The median age of those testing positive for COVID-19 is 47 of all the people testing positive. Currently there are 157 people who are hospitalized and there have been eight deaths.

Across the state, Cohen said, there more than 23,000 tests have been completed. There are 17,000 hospital beds in the state, and 7,000 of those are empty. These numbers are based on about 84% of hospitals reporting and does not include additional surge beds.

“We’re working with our hospitals right now on a plan about what their maximum surge capacity is going to be,” she said.

Director of state Emergency Management Mike Sprayberry said that nearly 1,200 disaster medical volunteers have registered and more than 600 are now approved and at work. These volunteers include retired doctors, nurses and other medical professionals. Volunteers can register online.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Currituck, Perquimans, and Pamlico counties had each reported one confirmed case; Washington and Hertford each have two cases; Pasquotank has reported four; Beaufort County reported five cases; Bertie and Craven counties each reported six cases; Onslow County reported seven cases and one death; Carteret County reported 12 cases; Brunswick County reported 16 cases; and New Hanover County reported 30 cases.

Carteret County reported Monday its first COVID-19-associated death. The patient was a Virginia resident who died on March 28 from complications associated with the virus. The patient was in their 80s and had several underlying medical conditions. The confirmed case and death of this person will be reported in the county in which they resided in Virginia and will not be reflected on the state case count for confirmed cases and deaths in Carteret County.

Dare County announced Tuesday that it had two positive tests but these cases will not show up as Dare County cases with the state DHHS. Although the tests were performed in Dare County, the patients did not provide a Dare County address when being tested.

Brunswick County Emergency Services is welcoming donations of certain types of personal protective equipment for potential distribution to medical providers in the future should the need arise.

To donate unused masks rated N95 or higher, full face shields, impervious gowns, gloves or surgical masks, contact emergency services at 910-253-5383 or leslie.stanley@brunswickcountync.gov from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.