Our take
Everyday the government makes decisions that affect our lives; from the water we drink, the food our kids eat and how much money we bring home. Being informed is one of the first steps in building our power and creating change in our communities.
Medical professionals share challenges, urgent needs with lawmakers as COVID-19 cases rise
According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, North Carolina currently has 1,498 confirmed coronavirus cases across the state. As cases continue to rise, medical professionals remain concerned about lack of protective equipment, medical supplies and the potential for hospitals across the state to become overwhelmed by patients. At the first meeting…
Where you can and can’t go under North Carolina’s ‘stay at home’ order
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has announced a stay-at-home order for the state of North Carolina that will go into effect at 5 p.m. today until April 29, but “can be revised or extended”. The mandate is an effort to combat the COVID-19 pandemic as it continues to spread through the state. Travel is only…
Coronavirus reveals vulnerabilities within states like N.C. that rejected Medicaid expansion
Uninsured people within the 14 states, including North Carolina, that have not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, could face numerous challenges as COVID-19 cases increase. Almost 5 million people across the country are without access to health care coverage and states that have turned down billions of federal dollars that would have come…
200,000 NC residents have filed for unemployment benefits. Here’s how to apply.
Since March 16, North Carolina Division of Employment Security has reported over 200,000 new unemployment claims, of which applicants have filed their job loss due to COVID-19’s impact on their employment. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper’s executive order on March 17, expanded access to unemployment benefits in an effort to minimize the economic impact of…
North Carolina ranked among the bottom 10 states for Census response, researchers say
According to research by Carolina Demography, a research group affiliated with UNC-Chapel Hill, in the first 12 days that the 2020 Census forms were made available, only 16.6 percent of North Carolina households filled theirs out. Compared to the national average of 19.2 percent, North Carolina currently is ranked 41st for its response rate —…
Area hospitals seek donated protective gear, medical supplies amid pandemic. Here’s how to help.
As coronavirus cases continue to surge across the nation, hospitals in every state are dealing with the stressful demand to combat the virus, but with limited resources. North Carolina hospitals, along with others around the country, are asking for donations of medical supplies, especially personal protective equipment, or PPE, for health care providers. Health care…
Appalachian Voices: NC groups call for prohibition of all utility shut-offs in state due to covid-19
Over 30 North Carolina organizations are calling for the suspension of all utility shut-offs across the state during the coronavirus outbreak. In a letter addressed to the NC Utilities Commission, Governor Roy Cooper and key officials, the groups are urging for an immediate suspension of service disconnections and late payment fees for customers. The letter…
Senate passes ‘Families First Coronavirus Response Act’
A second coronavirus emergency aid package came into law last week, named the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. The latest package includes a federal emergency paid-leave benefits program, free COVID-19 testing for the public and expanded unemployment benefits. The first emergency bill allocated over $8 billion for coronavirus prevention, preparation, and response efforts across the…
Need food during your coronavirus quarantine? NC farmers want to provide it.
North Carolina farmers in several counties across the state are providing communities with access to fresh produce in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. With over 230 farmers markets and roadside stands in North Carolina, residents will be able to get local fresh food in their communities, rather than at grocery stores. From North Carolina…
Making sure rural gets counted — Census 2020
Between March 12 to 20, you will be invited to participate in the 2020 Census. With over 80 rural counties out of the total 100 counties in North Carolina, the census will be an important moment, as vital resources and programs will be decided for the next decade. Active participation in the 2020 Census will…