Daily N.H. Coronavirus Update (Apr 15-July 31)

These are previous updates.

Get the most recent updates here.

Friday July 31

On Thursday state officials announced 33 new cases and 4 new deaths—all among residents of long-term care facilities. Here is the other news you need to know about the pandemic in your state to start your Friday.

1. Portsmouth’s Active COVID-19 Cases More Than Double Within One Week. Last Wednesday, city Health Officer Kim McNamara reported to the Portsmouth City Council that the city had between one and four active cases. But this week on the Department of Health and Human Services’ active cases map, Portsmouth showed 13 active cases on Wednesday and then 12 on Thursday. This week’s numbers show Portsmouth with the most active cases in the Seacoast region. McNamara said she’s been speaking with the state epidemiologist on this issue, because “the information they are relaying to us is not very clear.” McNamara said if Portsmouth “starts getting hit like other places,” the city will have to take steps to mitigate an increase. (Source: Seacoast Online) Update: The updated map for July 30 for Portsmouth showed 14 active cases on Friday.

2. Sununu: ‘Elevated Message’ About Masks, Distancing, and Good Hygiene Will Help Prevent Post-Race NASCAR Outbreak. At his news conference on Thursday, Gov. Sununu said race drivers and crews will be exempt from the state’s 14 day quarantine period but will need to confine themselves to their hotels and the speedway. The 12,000 race fans attending the Saturday event in Loudon will also need to go through temperature and health screenings before entering the stands. Out-of-staters from outside New England are also subject to the state’s 14 day quarantine period. Sununu said he and Dr. Benjamin Chan, state epidemiologist, felt confident that with an “elevated message” to wear masks, practice good hygiene with washing hands frequently and staying six feet apart, New Hampshire can avoid an outbreak. (Source: InDepthNH)

3. Laconia Police Chief Urges Cancellation of Motorcycle Week. Amid fears about growing weekend crowds at Weirs Beach and the health risk posed by expected large numbers of visitors for Motorcycle Week, Laconia Police Chief Matt Canfield said the 97th rally should be canceled. The event is scheduled for August 22-30. (Source: Manchester Union Leader) Meanwhile, other Laconia officials are hoping new parking rules will cut down on the amount of crowding during the event on popular Lakeside Avenue. Town Manager Scott Myers says the town did not experience a spike in case after the busy July 4 holiday and he does not expect to see cases surge following Bike Week, an event that usually draws 250,000 people. (Source: WMUR) Crowds have been steadily escalating over the summer. The attendance cap at Weirs Beach was recently raised from 400 to 1,000 because of the strain caused by people being turned away from Weirs Beach who have been crowding other nearby beaches. (Source: Laconia Daily Sun)

4. Unruly Tourists Put Additional Strain on Town Budgets. Tourists “acting like sailors on shore leave” are straining town services in Conway, New Hampshire, the town manager said Thursday. Tom Holmes was among several municipal, county and state officials who joined U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas for an online discussion about the next round of virus relief aid being debated in Congress. Holmes said the influx of summer visitors to his town has led to an increase in everything from road rage incidents to dangerous fires set by people camping in off-limits areas. And the town has doubled its spending on trash collection and cleaning at recreational areas, he said. While the state has passed on some of its initial $1.25 billion in federal emergency funding to communities, no New Hampshire town, city or county got money directly from the federal government because their populations fall below the threshold for such help. Pappas backs a House measure that would provide $1.5 billion for New Hampshire towns, cities and counties. (Source: Associated Press)

5. NH Unemployment Claims Drop. As unemployment claims increased at the federal level, new claims in New Hampshire for the week ending July 25 (the last week of enhanced federal unemployment benefits) dropped by 14% to 3,024, after ticking up slightly the previous week. That’s more than ten times less than at the height of this pandemic induced recession, but still more than five times what it was before it began, showing that a lot of people are still getting pink slips. Continuing claims also dropped substantially by 8.4%. (Source: NH Business Review) The news comes at the same time negotiations on extending a $600/week supplemental unemployment benefit have stalled in Congress. Senate Republicans want to cut the benefit to $200/week out of fears it is acting as a disincentive for people to return to work. But Democrats want to continue to provide the full $600 because the economy is still weak and the jobless need assistance—especially with eviction protections expiring at both the federal and state levels. (Source: CNN)

6. NHIAA Releases Guidance on Fall Sports. The New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association Executive Council released new guidance for fall, winter and spring sports on Thursday, voting to delay the start of the fall preseason to Sept. 8, while unanimously deciding to move forward with all fall sports — including football and indoor girls volleyball — for the 2020-21 school year. New to the NHIAA roadmap is a Phase 3, which includes guidance for practices, training sessions, competitions, games and tournaments/jamborees. The guidance was created by NHIAA’s Sports Medicine Committee has been approved by the state Economic Re-Opening Task Force and the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. All athletes, staff members and volunteers will be required to bring face coverings to practices and games, and will be asked to wear them in circumstances where closer contact for sustained periods is necessary. Hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol must be made readily available, including at the entrance of locker rooms or changing areas, and kept with staff and equipment at all times. Athletes will use their own water bottles and will be prohibited from sharing personal equipment with other people. The state is banning spitting, chewing gum, licking fingers and sunflower seeds. Worth noting is that returning to interscholastic competition this fall still remains up to each individual school district. (Source: Seacoast Online)

7. Portsmouth School Superintendent Outlines Protocol for COVID-19 Cases. In a question and answer session for parents of high school and middle school students held Thursday on Zoom, Portsmouth Superintendent of Schools Steve Zadravec said the response when a student or staff member is displaying symptoms will be swift. The staff member or student will be immediately sent to nurse, isolated and sent home. Before returning to school, a negative test will need to be shown. In the event of a positive test, the school would work with the N.H Department of Health and Human Services on contact tracing. The school system has also asked DHHS to be notified immediately of any positive results involving staff or students. In situations where a student or staff member tests positive, school officials will work with DHHS and the city health officer to determine next steps, including the level of quarantining needed. Zadravec also said that parents will play a key role by ensuring that children with symptoms are not sent to school. He said a checklist will be provided help parents understand what to do. (Source: Personal Notes)

8. Rochester School District Announces School Reopening Plan. Under a plan approved by the Rochester school board, students and staff will be returning for full-time, in-person learning. Masks will be mandatory for all staff and students with mask breaks will be incorporated throughout the day, including during meals. Classrooms will be arranged to maximize the distance between students and assigned seating will be required. Teachers will also move from classroom to classroom for lessons as necessary to limit the amount of students walking in the halls. (Source: WMUR)

9. Portsmouth PopUpNH Venue Postponed One Week. While volunteers rush to complete construction of the venue in Portsmouth’s Bridge Street Parking Lot, organizers announced a one week postponement “out of an abundance of caution to make sure everything is done correctly from a COVID standpoint on day one.” The Service Credit Union pop-up venue is planned to last through the end of October and include food from local restaurant, a beer garden, and an entertainment stage. For more information, tickets and to donate toward the project, visit popupnh.org. (Source: Seacoast Online)

Thursday July 30

New Hampshire’s recent roller coaster ride of COVID-19 cases continued Wednesday after 17 new cases were reported after 59 new cases were reported on Tuesday. Two additional deaths were also announced. Here is the other news you need to know about the state and local response to the pandemic in New Hampshire to start your Thursday.

1. Number of New Cases is Starting to Rise Again. After a month of good news, there are signs that New Hampshire may be heading the wrong way with COVID-19. Day-to-day changes in reported case numbers are not always significant because reporting patterns can fluctuate but Tuesday’s report by the state of 59 new confirmed cases was the third time in five days that the tally was unusually high. Ominously, it raised the 14-day average of new cases to 33, the most it has been since July 1. (Source: Concord Monitor)

2. Strawbery Banke Museum Announces Temporary Closure Due to Possible COVID-19 Exposure. Strawbery Banke Museum announced Wednesday it is closing temporarily after learning someone associated with a member of its staff has tested positive for COVID-19. While no one on the museum staff has tested positive so far, the museum announced it intends to self-quarantine for 14 days, as recommended by CDC and N.H. Department of Health and Human Services guidance, according to a press release. Updates to the temporary closure will be reported at StrawberyBanke.org. Those who have purchased tickets for use in the next 14 days will be rescheduled or have their money refunded. (Source: Seacoast Online)

3. Portsmouth to Conduct Parental Input Session As School Districts Across the State Rush to Finalize Strategies for Reopening. With the governor stepping away from making critical decisions from mask-wearing to what should be done if students or staff test positive, the clock is for ticking school districts across the state to decide how, when, or even if schools will reopen—and for parents to provide input into the process. Tonight in Portsmouth, middle and high school parents can ask questions in a school reopening Q&A scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Registration is required and parents can register here.

   • As plans begin to emerge in other districts, so is opposition. After a 5-2 school board vote for a phased reopening in Derry, leaders representing the teachers’ union, the Derry Education Association (DEA), spoke in opposition to the town’s plan, saying teachers are “scared” to come back to work and that the guidelines, as written, are inadequate to ensure everyone’s safety. (Source: Manchester Union Leader)

   • Meanwhile, it’s becoming clearer that returning to the classroom in many communities will be very different in 2020 from 2019.

     • SAU 16 in Exeter is preparing for a “hybrid return” scenario where students would stay with the same “cohort” of fellow students throughout the day, per public health guidance directing groups of students and staff to remain together throughout the day. (Source: Seacoast Online)

     • Hampton is planning to open schools Sept. 1 under a hybrid instructional model with students spending two-thirds of the week in classrooms and the remainder of the week engaged in remote learning from home. (Source: Seacoast Online)

4. Portsmouth School Leaders Weigh Merits of Canceling Interscholastic High School Sports in Fall. The Portsmouth school district is considering a revised approach to the fall sports season that could involve opting out of the upcoming NHIAA season. At Tuesday night’s Portsmouth School Board meeting, as at least 20 community members weighed in on Zoom video conference on the importance of athletics for the overall health, well-being and education of students. While a final decision on the district’s involvement in fall sports is not expected to be made for 7-10 days, Superintendent Steve Zadravec and Athletic Director Rus Wilson laid out a plan that would involve opting out of interscholastic competition this fall. In its place, students would have the opportunity to participate in skills clinics and rec-league style activities after school, with a heavy emphasis on social distancing. Portsmouth School Board Chair Kristin Jeffrey informed the panel at the beginning of Tuesday’s meeting that the board will not vote on what to do with fall sports. That decision will ultimately be made by Zadravec, Wilson and City Health Officer Kim McNamara. (Source: Seacoast Online)

5. Catholic Medical Center Lays Off 71 Employees. As Catholic Medical Center in Manchester takes stock of the tens of millions of dollars it has lost this year and the millions more it will lose, hospital leaders laid off 71 employees this week. The Manchester hospital had furloughed 423 workers in late April, as losses from the cancellation of elective surgeries piled up. Many of those workers have since been brought back. But the hospital announced today that 50 of those who had been on furlough would be laid off, along with another 21 employees who had been working at Catholic Medical Center. Hospital leaders have been warning for months of dire losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “While we have been able to bring the vast majority of those employees back, we still anticipate losing more than $40 million dollars this fiscal year,” CMC spokeswoman Lauren Collins-Cline said in a statement. Catholic Medical Center along with Manchester’s Elliot Hospital together have received just 9% of the federal funding that came to New Hampshire hospitals, even though the two hospitals have treated about two-thirds of the people hospitalized with COVID-19 in New Hampshire. (Source: Manchester Union Leader)

6. With Deadline Looming, UNH Students Continue to Question Waiver to Return to Classes. Following pressure from students, the University System of New Hampshire extended the deadline to sign an informed consent agreement, a document some students are refusing to sign. But as the new deadline approaches on Friday, students say their questions about the form remain unanswered. Students and legal experts have criticized the agreement, claiming it acts as a liability waiver that could absolve the university of legal fault if a student contracts COVID-19 during a return to campus. The university says students who don’t sign won’t be allowed to return to campus. (Source: Concord Monitor)

7. State Epidemiologist Urges N.H. Voters, Poll Workers To Wear Masks At Fall Elections. New Hampshire's state epidemiologist is encouraging all election workers—and voters—to wear masks at all times inside the state's polling places during this fall's elections. Dr. Benjamin Chan, in a briefing with local election officials Wednesday, says he's encouraging the Secretary of State's office to adjust its expectations on verifying voter identification, so that voters would not have to lower their face mask when checking in at the polls. Chan also recommends that election officials find ways to accommodate voters who refuse to wear a mask outside of the polling place, through drive-up voting or other methods. (Source: NHPR) Meanwhile on a separate call with long-term care providers, Chan addressed concerns about whether staffers with children returning to school should continue working in their facilities. “The guidance doesn’t change for long-term care staff depending on whether someone has a child or whether they’re in school or not,” Chan said. “The guidance, universal precautions, so to speak, universal masking, testing of long-term care staff remains the same.” (Source: WMUR)

8. Kuster Highlights Pandemic’s Impact on Sexual Violence. The coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated both sexual violence and racial disparities in how survivors access help, advocates told U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster on Wednesday. Kuster, D-N.H., leads the Bipartisan Task Force to End Sexual Violence, which hosted an online discussion for leaders from within the domestic and sexual violence fields. Kuster said one crisis center in New Hampshire has reported a 270% increase in visitors to its website since March. She wants Congress to allocate $40 million for organizations in communities of color that understand the impact of sexual assault on people of color and the nuances of healing strategies. She said many of those organizations have been left out of relief efforts so far because money has gone to existing grant recipients. (Source: Associated Press)

Wednesday July 29

After a Tuesday that saw 59 new COVID-19 cases, no new deaths, and a new nursing home outbreak at Ridgewood Genesis Bedford involving 2 residents and 7 staff members, here is the other news you need to know to start your Wednesday.

1. State Announces Ventilation Systems to be Examined in Nursing Homes. As news broke of another nursing home outbreak in New Hampshire, state officials announced a plan on Tuesday to examine the ventilation systems of long-term care facilities to see if they might have contributed to the spread of the coronavirus. Lori Shibinette, the state director of the Department of Health and Human Services, said as concerns for possible spread of COVID-19 through the air increase, the state hopes to look at whether there are similarities in the HVAC systems at the long-term care facilities which have had more than three cases of the coronavirus constituting an “outbreak.” The two-week study began on Monday and may lead to suggestions for changing those HVAC systems and others, she said. If so, there could be federal funds spent to help fix the problems, Shibinette said. (Source: InDepthNH)

2. Amid Pandemic, N.H. Motor Speedway Prepares For 12,000 Fans at Sunday's NASCAR Race. The New Hampshire Motor Speedway expects 12,000 fans to show up for this Sunday’s Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 NASCAR race, the largest in-person sporting event in the region since the pandemic began. Gov. Sununu has approved a plan that allows the track to have up to 35% of capacity, or around 19,000 people in attendance. Mask-wearing under the stands and in concession lines, a temperature check, and maintaining physical distance between groups will be required. A waiver posted on the Motor Speedway’s website warns “We cannot guarantee you will not be exposed during your visit.” (Source: NHPR) At the governor’s press conference on Tuesday, he was again asked if he is considering imposing a mandatory mask requirement in light of the recent surge in cases in other states and several large events scheduled in the state for later in the summer. He told reporters that he doesn’t see the need for a state mask requirement and believes there is no need for one at this time. “A mandatory mask order is not an end all, be all. There’s very little way to enforce such an order. At the end of the day it’s up to the people,” he said. (Source: Laconia Daily Sun)

3. Sununu Announces $1.5 Million in COVID-19 Funds Will Be Used to Provide Scholarships to Private Schools. At a time when NH schools are scrambling for funding for PPE, adding school bus capacity, and other school safety measures, Gov. Sununu has announced $1.5 million in CARES Act funds will go to support ‘scholarships’ for students to attend private elementary, middle, and high schools. Sununu says the boost in K-12 funding comes after minority business owners and community leaders wrote to Sununu saying they are being left behind in efforts to repair the economic damage wrought by the coronavirus. Among the group’s suggestions was spending $1 million for minority student scholarships. While the funding announced Tuesday won’t go entirely to minority students, 22% of the recipients will be from minority families, which Sununu said was more than double the percentage of minority residents in the state. (Sources: Manchester Union Leader and Seacoast Online)

4. With Expiration of Federal Jobless Aid, Unemployed NH Residents Could Lose a Lifeline. New Hampshire housing advocates and community leaders in the Monadnock Region say the expiration of a federal program that added $600 per week to Americans who qualified for unemployment;Lyme this assistance during the pandemic will force many residents to miss rent payments, reduce their grocery bills or forgo other important expenses. In New Hampshire, the last week for which residents were eligible to receive Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation benefits ended Saturday, although anyone claiming unemployment has not yet been paid for that week. Ben Frost, managing director for policy and public affairs at N.H. Housing, Nearly 50 percent of New Hampshire renters spend at least half of their monthly income on rent, Frost said. With the expiration of FPUC assistance, he worries that some of them will not be able to afford rent at all. The possibility of widespread missed rent payments is particularly alarming, housing advocates say, given the expirations of state and federal eviction moratoriums on July 1 and July 25, respectively. (Source: Keene Sentinel)

5. After a Four-Month COVID Delay, Census Workers Prepare to Knock on Doors. This weekend marks the start of a series of events around New Hampshire by census workers to remind people to fill out the every-10-years form that is used for such vital things as deciding on congressional representation and distribution of government funding. On Monday, Aug. 3, up to 1,600 workers will begin going to houses in New Hampshire that have not yet complied. For more information or to fill out the census online, go to 2020census.gov/. (Source: Concord Monitor)

6. Broadband Funds May Not Help Rural Areas Much. The $50 million in CARES Act funds intended for broadband expansion aren’t likely to help rural parts of the state, the Monadnock Broadband Group wrote last week to the state’s Office of Strategic Initiatives. Grant recipients are expected to be announced any day now following a July 2 application deadline. But the grant’s timeline and payment schedule was discouraging to a number of potential internet provider applicants, Dublin Broadband Committee and Select Board representative Carole Monroe said. New Hampshire has interpreted that the federal grant requires selected projects be complete, with users connected to internet by Dec. 15 – an impossibly fast turnaround time for any internet provider that doesn’t already have a stockpile of equipment and access to utility poles. Furthermore, the grant only pays 10 percent up front. “So that’s a big risk,” she said, for any provider unable to complete the project in time. (Source: Concord Monitor)

7. Fall Sports Suspended for Keene State and Plymouth State. Both schools are part of the Little East Conference, which has voted unanimously to suspend all regular season and conference championships this fall because of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Source: WMUR)

8. Portsmouth Mayor Pitches in to Help Build PopUp Stage. With donors supplying the lumber, Portsmouth Mayor Rick Becksted and his father supplied the labor and the know-how needed to build a 20’x30’ stage for the PopUpNH venue on the former Bridge Street Parking Lot. Other crews worked Monday and Tuesday in scorching 90 degree heats and humidity building food and beer sheds nearby. The new outdoor venue was championed by a Portsmouth citizens group as a way to provide an outdoor venue for businesses struggling to keep their doors open during the pandemic. (Source: Seacoast Online)

#MaskUpPortsmouth #MaskUpNH

Tuesday July 28

A masked-up City of Portsmouth street barrier protecting diners outside Ceres Bakery.

Only days after New Hampshire saw the highest single-day increase in number of new coronavirus cases since June, Monday saw the state announce only 7 confirmed new cases and no new deaths. Here is the other news you need to know about the state and local response to the COVID-19 pandemic to start your Tuesday.

1. Governor Lifts Ban on Reusable Shopping Bags. Reusable shopping bags will be allowed again at New Hampshire grocery stores, after Gov. Sununu lifted the state’s COVID-19 ban on reusable bags on Monday. Scientists say the bags are safe as long as people wash them between uses; that single-use plastics are just as susceptible to carrying the virus; and that face masks are a far more effective way of preventing new infections. The ban, one of the first like it in the country, had been in place since March. (Source: NHPR)

2. Coronavirus Cases on the Rise Again in Massachusetts. Over the weekend, there were nearly 500 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Massachusetts and the percentage of tests that come back positive for the coronavirus is rising. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed 210 new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday and 273 more cases on Sunday, along with the announcement of 31 recent COVID-19 deaths between the two days. The number of daily new cases, which had generally settled at fewer than 200 a day earlier in the month, has been above 200 each of the last four days. In response, the president of the Massachusetts Medical Society tweeted that the state should consider "backing down a phase" in its reopening plan. (Source: NECN) Meanwhile, the wedding industry in New Hampshire has been getting a boost as couples abandon wedding plans in Massachusetts to tie the knot in New Hampshire, where COVID-19 guidelines are less strict. (Source: Manchester Union Leader)

3. NH Schools Seek Additional Federal Aid for Pandemic Relief. Education officials struggling to line up transportation, technology and teaching staff for the upcoming school year in New Hampshire told U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan in an online discussion Monday that they need more money from Washington to respond to the coronavirus pandemic. Mark MacLean, superintendent of the Merrimack Valley and Andover school districts, said the next relief package from Congress should help parents — including school employees — who can’t work if their young children remain at home. The districts are spending their first allotment of federal funds on technology, cleaning supplies and personal protective equipment, but, he said, “We know that we need more money.” Kevin Carpenter, principal at Kennett High School in North Conway, agreed. “The CARES Act funds don’t go very far at all,” he said. “We’ve already exceeded what we’ve been allocated.” (Source: Associated Press)

4. Deadline for Appeals for SELF Grants Nears. The clock is ticking on the appeals process for economic relief for self-employed Granite Staters through the federal funds being distributed by the state. Applications for the Self Employed Livelihood Fund closed July 17, but the appeals process is still open. Anyone who applied to the fund but was rejected can file an appeal until 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 7. (Source: WMUR)

5. Portsmouth School Board to Discuss Fall Sports During Tues. Night Meeting. The Portsmouth School Board will discuss the fate of fall extracurricular activities, including sports, during a Tuesday night meeting scheduled from 7:15 to 9:15. Portsmouth High School athletic director Rus Wilson said Monday that he, Superintendent of Schools Steve Zadravec, and City Health Officer Kim McNamara have started talking about plans for fall sports. Wilson said Zadravec will continue that discussion with the school board during Tuesday night’s meeting, which is open to the public on Zoom and includes time for public comment. (Source: Seacoast Online)

6. Pandemic Brings Surge Of Interest In Homeschooling. The uncertainty over school reopening plans has more parents in New Hampshire exploring the option of homeschooling for the first time. Two of the state’s major homeschooling groups - New Hampshire Homeschooling Coalition and Granite State Home Educators - are seeing a surge of traffic on their websites, membership in their Facebook groups, and requests for support. Parents are required to notify the state, their school, or their district, within five days of homeschooling for the first time. The state’s homeschooling laws can be found here. (Source: NHPR)

7. Mandatory Mask Ordinance Debated at Plymouth Hearing. More than 75 people attended a virtual meeting of the Plymouth Selectboard with Plymouth State University President Donald Birx supporting an ordinance that would require face coverings to be worn inside businesses by customers. Birx, who is the brother of White House Coronovirus Task Force member Dr. Deborah Birx, said the measure is an attempt to set the tone for the 4,000 incoming students and an attempt to protect the 5,000 citizens from COVID-19, a respiratory virus that, as of Sunday, has killed 145,727 residents of the United States according to the World Health Organization. While some residents spoke in favor of the ordinance saying it needs to be in place before students return to classes at Plymouth State in late August, others questioned the need for it and how it would be enforced. The selectboard will vote on the matter Aug. 10. Plymouth is one of several communities, including Durham, Keene, and Portsmouth considering such ordinances. (Source: InDepthNH)

8. Hospital CEOs Speak In Favor of Masks. The CEOs of three hospitals in New Hampshire are asking residents to wear masks when in public to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Dean Carucci of Portsmouth Regional Hospital, Jeff Scionti of Frisbie Memorial Hospital in Rochester and John Skevington of Parkland Medical Center in Derry issued a joint letter Monday saying that science has proven masks are effective in slowing the transmission of the deadly virus. “By wearing a mask, you significantly reduce the risk of spreading the disease if you have it – with or without symptoms – and of contracting a disease which continues to put our loved ones, friends, neighbors and co-workers in hospitals, on respirators, and in graves,” the letter says. (Source: Manchester Union Leader)

9. Planet Fitness to Require Masks in All Locations Starting Next Month. New Hampshire-based Planet Fitness has announced that its gym members and their guests will be required to wear a mask at all times while inside all open locations, beginning Aug. 1. (Source: WMUR)

10. COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate Heads To Widespread Testing In U.S. The COVID-19 vaccine candidate made by the U.S. biotech company Moderna and developed in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health starts its final phase of testing Monday. This phase is called Phase 3 efficacy testing, and it is designed to see if the vaccine actually prevents disease. Up to 30,000 volunteers will be assigned to one of two groups. One group will receive two injections of the vaccine spaced approximately 28 days apart. The other group will receive an injection containing only salt water. Neither the volunteer nor the person administering the injection will know what's in the syringe in order to avoid bias in favor of one outcome or another. Researchers will monitor both groups to see who, if anyone, gets sick after being exposed to the virus. If trials for the Moderna vaccine are successful and it is selected for distribution, production will take place at Lonza Biologics in Portsmouth. (Source: NHPR)

11. Absentee Ballots Have Arrived. Here’s How to Get Yours. As of Monday, residents of every NH town may ask for and receive advance ballots for the September state primary election and apply for a ballot for the Nov. 3 general election. That’s according to the Secretary of State’s office, which oversees the distribution of ballots in New Hampshire. This article tells you how to get yours and what to do if you’re not yet registered to vote in New Hampshire. (Source: Concord Monitor) Note: With the status of the pandemic less than certain, it’s a good idea for EVERYONE reading this to take steps to vote absentee. That way, regardless of surges in the virus or anxiety over precautions in polling places, you’ll be able to cast your vote in the safety of your home and make sure your voice is heard in these critical elections. If you live in Portsmouth, see the Portsmouth City Clerk’s Voter Information page for additional information.

12. Life and Death on the COVID Floor. In New Hampshire, nursing homes have been at the epicenter of the pandemic, with over 80% of all COVID-19 deaths occurring among residents of long-term care facilities. The outbreak of COVID-19 at Hillsborough County Nursing Home in Goffstown started on the Saturday of Mother’s Day weekend. David Ross, a nursing administrator at the home, had just driven home from his shift when he got a call from a staff member – another resident had tested positive. The nursing home already had a couple of isolated positive tests, but this time it was different. This article explores what happens when an emergency becomes a crisis and the toll it takes on front line nursing workers. (Source: Concord Monitor)

13. Construction Moves Ahead on Portsmouth Pop Up Venue As Ethics Complaints Roil Behind the Scenes. Construction has begun at the Bridge Street parking lot for a months-long pop-up food and entertainment venue, while an ethics investigation has been launched against City Councilor Esther Kennedy in a dispute over her registration of the nonprofit organizers’ former name. Former city councilor Nancy Pearson has filed two complaints with the city against Kennedy, both alleging Kennedy violated the city’s code of ethics. Kennedy said Monday she and the entire City Council were advised by City Attorney Robert Sullivan not to comment about the complaints. The mayor and the city attorney will now decide if there is enough evidence to bring it to the Ethics Committee, which meets only as needed. The City Council has authority to censure a member. (Source: Seacoast Online)

#MaskUpPortsmouth #MaskUpNH

Monday July 27

A graphic trajectory of daily confirmed coronavirus cases in New Hampshire as compared to New York. (Source: Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University)

After a weekend where 68 confirmed new cases were reported and two new deaths, here is the news you need for know about the state and local response to the pandemic to start your Monday.

1. New Hampshire’s COVID-19 Cases Could Be Headed in Wrong Direction. Friday’s 59 new COVID-19 cases was an eye opener. While 11 came from an outbreak at a long-term care facility, the new cases had not reached that level since June 17 when there were 73 new cases, and on June 27 there were 51. The nearly 60 new cases are more reminiscent of what occurred at the end of May and the first part of June as the state began “reopening” in earnest. And the new cases have been increasing slightly since July 17, or two weeks after the July 4 holiday weekend and that is reflected in the seven-day average as well. But although the new numbers—including an increase in the death rate—are a cause for concern, the real test for New Hampshire is coming in the next few weeks as the effects of many out-of-staters coming here for Bike Week and the NASCAR race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway next weekend, may cause an uptick in cases. (Source: InDepthNH) Meanwhile, the Concord Monitor’s weekly analysis of four key coronavirus metrics, which doesn’t mention the noticeable uptick in cases at the end of last week, indicates the state continues to do a good job containing the virus. But a cause for concern is the number of new cases, which the Monitor’s analysis says is no longer declining. (Source: Concord Monitor) You can view a chart showing progress in the daily number of new cases in New Hampshire here.

2. NHIAA Moving Ahead on Fall Sports. New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association Executive Director Jeff Collins said the NHIAA sports medicine committee is currently forming guidelines to keep athletes and coaches safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, and they will be forwarded to the NHIAA executive council this week. The guidelines for each fall high school sport could be announced as early as Friday, Collins said. But Collins added that the start of NHIAA sports could be pushed back two weeks to facilitate the reopening of schools. If that happens, he said each sport’s season would be shortened rather than extended. Londonderry football coach Jimmy Lauzon said most of the coaches he’s spoken with are in favor of playing this fall. “By playing high school sports, we’re going to have some control over keeping things safe, whereas if we eliminate all high school sports, kids are gonna play elsewhere,” he said. (Source: Manchester Union Leader)

3. NH Dems to Launch ‘Educators Against Sununu’ Campaign. On Monday, the New Hampshire Democratic Party will launch an “Educators Against Sununu” campaign criticizing Gov. Chris Sununu’s school reopening plan. Spokesperson Holly Shulman said typically these types of constituency campaigns are launched after the primary, but the N.H. Democratic Party believes educators and parents from all political parties are really angry over this issue. “This year, education policy has become more personal than ever as parents, educators, and school districts decide – without any serious guidance nor additional funding from Sununu – whether it’s safe for them and their children to go back to school in September,” Shulman said. (Source: InDepthNH) State teacher’s unions have been extremely critical of the governor’s reopening plan for not doing enough to protect the health of students and teachers. The state’s largest teacher’s association, NEA-NH, has gone as far to release its own set of reopening principles which include mandatory air quality testing in schools, higher bus capacity, rigorous cleaning standards, and adequate amounts of PPE for students and staff. (Source: NEA-NH)

4. Online Church Services During Pandemic Draw New Interest. As churches nationwide are seeing an uptick in online engagement during the pandemic, the same is true in New Hampshire. The Unitarian Universalist Church in Keene has noticed that offering services online has not only brought in some people new to the congregation, but also garnered interest from those who may have lost touch with the church over the years, Rev. Michael F. Hall said recently. Attendance has increased, and people's connection to the church and each other appear to be stronger, he said. "I think people really miss things when they're gone," he said. "That live connection, even if it's now through a video connection, we have a lot more folks participating in the life of the church even when the church is mostly closed." (Source: Keene Sentinel)

5. Kittery Launches Public Art Project to Beautify Street Barriers. Kittery has launched a street barrier beautification project, calling on local artists to submit proposals to paint or decorate the jersey barriers. Artists are asked to “transform them into public art.” The barriers were installed in response to the COVID-19 crisis to allow businesses in Kittery’s Foreside neighborhood to extend their operations onto town sidewalks and nearby parking spaces to accommodate outdoor dining. (Source: Seacoast Online)

Sunday July 26

It’s OK for sunflowers to crowd together, but people shouldn’t. From now until August 2, visitors attending the Coppal House Farms Sunflower Festival in Lee are encouraged to practice social distancing.

New Hampshire officials reported new 45 cases and announced 2 new deaths on Saturday. Here is the other news you need to know about our state’s battle with COVID-19 to start your Sunday.

1. Granite Staters Relying on Unemployment Fear Losing Additional $600 Weekly Benefit. New Hampshire residents who have relied on a weekly $600 federal unemployment benefit say they are worried about what life will look like if it’s not renewed. More than 3,000 people in New Hampshire are currently collecting unemployment, and claims were up this past week. Many say they are grateful for the help but are eager to get back to work.“We need that $600 lifeline to help us stay afloat until things get back to normal,” said Jimmy Bourque of Farmington. It's unclear what Congress will agree upon. Democrats in the House passed a proposal in May that would continue the aid as well as provide new stimulus funds for states, municipalities, small businesses, schools, and health care providers. But Republicans in the Senate refused to vote on the measure, preferring to wait and see if the pandemic would ease. It hasn’t. A Senate proposal is expected on Monday. (Source: WMUR) Although the program doesn’t technically expire until July 31, payments are only provided for weeks ending on either Saturday or Sunday—meaning there will be no payment next week unless Congress acts to extend the benefit. GOP lawmakers are debating whether to reduce the payments and to possibly include a bonus for those who accept job offers because of concerns that the generous enhancement is a disincentive to returning to work. Democrats have proposed continuing the $600 benefit into 2021. (Source: CNN)

2. Uptick in Unemployment Could Signal Return of Layoffs. The economic recovery appears to have stalled for a bit in New Hampshire, according to unemployment claims data, just as enhanced unemployment benefits are coming to an end. For the first time in four months, initial claims have gone up slightly, showing that layoffs are starting to pick up again, especially in manufacturing, perhaps reflecting the impact of the upsurge in the virus in the rest of the country and the world. In addition, the number of people going back to work, while still increasing, appears to be leveling off.(Source: NH Business Review)

3. Absentee Ballot Demand Soars. Town and city clerks are starting to see a large uptick in requests for absentee ballots. Six weeks before a typical fall primary, a handful of Durham voters would have requested absentee ballots, most of them overseas, said Town Clerk and Tax Collector Lorrie Pitt. But so far almost 400 voters have asked for them. “We’re definitely anticipating a huge, much bigger turnout than in the past of absentee voters due to COVID,” Pitt said. Under a new absentee voter law that expires at the end of the year, voters may request ballots for the Sept. 8 primary election and Nov. 3 general election with one form. Election officials think as many as half of New Hampshire voters could cast absentee votes this fall. Voters can download forms to request an absentee ballot on the Secretary of State’s website. and return the forms to their town or city clerk by mail, fax or in person. They also may fill out the forms at town hall or city hall. Absentee ballots will be mailed to those who request them. (Source: Manchester Union Leader) In Portsmouth, more information—including details on both absentee voting and voter registration by mail—is available on the Voting Information page of the City of Portsmouth website.

4. ‘Very Stressed’: Parents Struggle with Back-to-School Decision. “Some days I’m for sending them to school, and some days I’m scared out of my brain to send my entire family back, sending every kid and my wife back to the district,” said Somersworth parent Patrick Kinneavy. Kinneavy’s sentiments are shared by parents across the Seacoast who face difficult decisions over sending their children back to brick-and-mortar schools or continuing with a remote learning or home school option as the coronavirus pandemic continues to evolve across the country. Ryan Russman – president of the Parent Teacher Association at Portsmouth’s Little Harbour Elementary School – quoted boxer Mike Tyson and said, “Everybody has a plan until they get hit, and at this moment, we’re planning for that punch in a face.” That punch, Russman said, is when a student or teacher gets sick with COVID-19. Speaking candidly, Russman said, “The real problem is everyone wants to get back to normal, and as much as we want to get back to normal, going back to school is not going to be normal, and there’s a real disconnect there, I think. School is going to be something different.” (Source: Seacoast Online)

5. Merrimack Valley Families Can Choose Between Fully Remote and Hybrid Approach. As area schools continue to hash out the best way to resume classes at the end of the summer, the Merrimack Valley School District has decided to gives families two options: remote learning from home, or a hybrid model where students go to school two days of the week and stay home the rest of the week. According to the framework, if families choose the hybrid plan, their students will be assigned to one of two groups that will attend school on alternating days. Siblings will be assigned to the same groups, to avoid cross-mixing. One group will attend school in-person on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and the other group will attend on Wednesdays and Fridays. When the students aren’t in school they will be learning remotely, and Mondays will be remote for everybody. Masks will be required for everyone, although there will be scheduled “mask breaks” and exceptions in certain circumstances. (Source: Concord Monitor)

6. Restrictions Extended in NH Courts. Restrictions on in-person proceedings in New Hampshire state courts will be extended at least through Aug. 17, the Supreme Court said Friday. The order, which covers all circuit, superior and supreme court functions, means judges will continue to conduct court proceedings by video and other remote means. Face coverings must also be worn by anyone entering Judicial Branch buildings. (Source: Seacoast Online)

7. Business Owners Continue to Navigate Uncertain Times. Owning or opening a small business is difficult under normal circumstances, but since the start of the coronavirus pandemic in March the circumstances have been anything but normal. Staying in business has been the No. 1 priority. For some it meant switching to an online platform to keep sales moving forward, while others needed to adopt creative ways outside their normal operations to stay afloat. Meanwhile, despite the pandemic, still others have chosen to open new businesses after spending months, sometimes even years, creating a business plan to fulfill a longtime dream. This article profiles five business owners and their struggles to keep their dream alive. (Source: Keene Sentinel)

8. Protesters Urge Portsmouth City Councilor to Resign. About 20 people gathered in Market Square Saturday to call for the resignation of City Councilor Esther Kennedy. A controversy arose this week involving Kennedy and Pop Up Portsmouth—a fledgling nonprofit group formed with the cooperation of city staff and a local citizens task force to create an outdoor food, drink and entertainment venue at the city’s Bridge Street parking lot. When the group tried to open a bank account under the name Pop Up Portsmouth, it was informed the name had already been registered with the state by Kennedy, delaying the group’s application. A social media firestorm erupted with numerous community members criticizing Kennedy, saying she was harming the efforts to start the pop-up events, which are intended to help local businesses hurting during the coronavirus pandemic. “The fact that a sitting city councilor intentionally impeded a recovery effort in this time of COVID-19 is reprehensible and unconscionable,” said former city councilor Nancy Pearson, who organized the event. “She did it after a hearing by the Citizens Response Task Force to release the facts of the effort, where she was told this group was forming a nonprofit and would register. What Esther is saying publicly is in direct contrast to what she was told.” When reached by Seacoast Online, Kennedy said she has no plans to resign. (Source: Seacoast Online)

Saturday July 25

Here is the news about New Hampshire’s response to the coronavirus pandemic that you need to know to start your Saturday.

1. New COVID-19 Cases in NH Surge to Highest Single Day Level Since Mid-June; 2 More Deaths Reported. New Hampshire health officials reported 59 new cases of COVID-19 Friday, saying 11 were connected to an outbreak at a long-term care facility. The number of new cases is the highest daily increase in the state since June 17, when 73 cases were reported. Health officials said eight of the new cases were in people under the age of 18. Officials also announced two more Granite Staters have died of COVID-19 and four more people have been hospitalized. (Source: WMUR)

2. NH Now the Only NE State Without Mandatory Mask Order After VT Gov. Signs Emergency Order. There was no indication Friday that Gov. Chris Sununu might change his mind about issuing an emergency order requiring face coverings after Vermont Gov. Phil Scott, also a Republican, issued an order mandating the wearing of face coverings in his state. Scott’s move leaves New Hampshire as the only New England state without one. At his Thursday press conference, Sununu said each community has the right to implement a mask ordinance to protect the public from the spread of COVID-19 in their municipalities, but he said again that he would not impose an order on a statewide basis. The New Hampshire Science and Public Health Task Force has sent more than eight letters to Sununu and Lori Shibinette, the commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services, voicing their concerns, said Mindi Messmer, a member of the task force and Democratic candidate for Executive Council. “We all want our economy to recover and our children to get back to school but we want it to happen safely. As Governor Scott did, we again urge the governor to implement a clear, consistent, and firm emergency order that mandates mask/face coverings to avoid needless sickness and prevent additional deaths,” Messmer said. Sununu’s press office didn’t respond when asked if he would change his mind. (Source: InDepthNH) On Friday, news also came that the governor didn’t change his mind about enacting a state minimum wage. Sununu vetoed a bill that would have raised the minimum wage in New Hampshire from $7.25 an hour to $12 over three years. In his veto message, the governor said the veto was necessary to help small businesses and entry level workers during the pandemic. Worth noting is that in 2019, prior to the coronavirus pandemic, Sununu vetoed a similar bill. New Hampshire is the only New England state that does not have a minimum wage. (Source: InDepthNH)

3. NH Residents Exempt from New Massachusetts Travel Order with $500/Day Fine. Starting next month all visitors to Massachusetts and residents reentering the state from most other states will be subject to a new travel order and the threat of $500 per day fines for noncompliance. Similar to the current travel order, individuals coming from low-risk states are exempt. Those states include New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maine, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire and Hawaii. Under the new order, anyone entering Massachusetts from other states will be required to fill out a new "Massachusetts Travel Form" and quarantine for two weeks unless they can produce a negative result from a COVID-19 test administered no more than 72 hours before they arrived in the state. (Source: WMUR)

4. Sununu Opponents Present Alternative School Reopening Plans. Democratic candidates for governor Andru Volinsky and Dan Feltes have unveiled separate plans for safely reopening schools. Both say school districts need more specific guidance from the state and that Gov. Sununu’s plan downshifts costs and responsibility to local districts. Feltes says he would get kids back into the classroom safely by imposing hard-and-fast health measures and laying out circumstances that would mandate the shutdown of classrooms if the COVID-19 pandemic escalates. Feltes’ plan would require all students in middle schools and high schools and all staff to wear masks while at school. Elementary school students would be encouraged to wear them “if they are comfortable.” His plan would also require air quality assessments in schools, sets clear guidelines for community spread circumstances that would trigger a return to remote learning, and calls for the state to provide free on-site testing for educators once a week. While Volinsky’s proposal calls for similar measures, it differs by requiring masks for younger children and would use more outdoor instruction. Volinsky’s plan is also built on the assumption that schools will likely need to close in October and again transition to remote learning as colder weather drives more people indoors and increases the risk of viral spread. (Sources: Concord Monitor and WMUR)

5. Performing Arts Continue to Struggle. As the state and the country try to return to normal amid the COVID-19 pandemic, one industry that is still trying to recover is the performing arts. "You know, it's funny. We've gone from comedy used to be a two-drink minimum, and now it's a 6-feet minimum," said comedian Juston McKinney. The arts in New Hampshire have been particularly hard-hit by the pandemic. While performance groups have been given the go-ahead to resume limited operations under state guidelines, Nicolette Clarke, of the Capitol Center for the Arts, said it's still tricky to put on a show. (Source: WMUR)

6. UNH Leaders Say Partying Could Doom Return to Classes. Dr. Shari Robinson didn’t mince her message in a virtual UNH Town Hall on Zoom: Students’ desire to party at the University of New Hampshire is inevitable, but they need to be cognizant that social irresponsibility could lead to the demise of on-campus learning this fall. Partying, she said, could lead to fully remote instruction. “The students will decide whether we get to stay together this semester, and that’s going to really be 100% based on their behaviors,” said Robinson, director of Psychological and Counseling Services at UNH. Provost Wayne Jones stressed the importance of students’ proactive, mindful behavior to ensure the fall semester doesn’t move online again and to protect residents of Durham. “The best chance we have for a fall semester on campus, with the engaged learning that we all value, is our behavior, it’s your behavior,” he said. (Source: Seacoast Online)

7. Attendance Cap at Weir’s Beach Doubled. Limitations on the capacity of Weirs Beach to minimize risk of spreading the coronavirus have caused other area beaches to become overcrowded, creating headaches for some residents, prompting complaints to public officials and triggering a decision to more than double the attendance cap at Weirs Beach. The city’s Parks and Recreation Commission increased the maximum number people allowed on Weirs Beach from 400 to 1,000, city Parks and Facilities Director Amy Lovisek said, a move designed to take pressure off other beaches in the city, especially Bartlett Beach. (Source: Laconia Daily Sun)

Friday July 24

3 new deaths and 25 new COVID-19 cases were announced yesterday. Here is the rest of the news you need to know about our state’s response to the pandemic to start your Friday.

1. Governor Complains About Lack of Action on New Federal Stimulus Bill. Gov. Sununu said Thursday he's frustrated by a lack of action in Washington, D.C., to pass a COVID-19 stimulus bill. Sununu said the latest draft of a stimulus bill contradicts an earlier promise lawmakers made to help states. The governor said lawmakers told him there would be another stimulus bill coming out with provisions to help states, cities and towns, something that wasn't specifically provided for in the first bill. (Source: WMUR) What the governor didn’t say was that the biggest obstacle to additional federal relief for states and municipalities may be members of his own party in the Senate. While Democrats in the House of Representatives have called for $875 billion in new aid to states and municipalities, Senate Republicans would prefer to see a much smaller package that, at this writing, includes additional aid for schools and small businesses, but does not include relief for states and municipalities dealing with potentially devastating budget shortfalls due to sharp declines in tax revenues. (Source: CNN)

2. State Will Not List COVID-19 Outbreaks in Schools. State public health officials say should a COVID-19 outbreak occur in New Hampshire schools, daycare facilities or child care centers, no public list of those facilities will be released. Lori Shibinette, commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services, says that public notification of an outbreak would depend on how contact tracing goes. “If through contact tracing we get to a point where we’re not able to identify every close contact, then we would do a notification to the public, as we have done all along.” (Source: https://www.nhpr.org/post/coronavirus-update-3-more-deaths-nh-state-doesnt-plan-make-school-outbreaks-public ) Meanwhile, guidance released last week by the governor urges local school districts to develop emergency response communication plans involving a website and use of social media “to avoid community panic which may result in parents arriving at school to remove their children based on inaccurate information or at inopportune times.” The guidance goes on to say that “Communication about any person suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 while at the school should be coordinated with NH DHHS, Division of Public Health Services (DPHS) because details about the specific situation and context will impact public health recommendations and further actions that the school should take to protect students and staff from further spread of COVID-19.” (Source: New Hampshire Grades K-12 Back to School Guidance, page 3) In a related story, in a call with state health care providers, state health officials addressed the testing situation for children."There is not a requirement or recommendation that students need to undergo testing for COVID-19 before coming into the school setting," said Dr. Benjamin Chan, the state epidemiologist. Health officials said that along with social distancing and hand washing, masks remain the best protection—even for someone wearing a face shield. (Source: WMUR) Note: While DHHS typically does not release information on active outbreaks in particular workplaces, such as manufacturing facilities, offices or restaurants, it does release information each week listing nursing homes with current COVID-19 cases. Families of residents have complained throughout the pandemic of lack of timely notification when outbreaks occur and delays in subsequent testing.

3. DHHS Announces Changes to Testing and Hospital Visit Policies. Dartmouth-Hitchcock will take over surveillance testing for the coronavirus at long-term care facilities in a move to help increase the state’s testing capacity, control costs, and get results back faster by keeping test processing in-state. The transition will begin next week. In addition to announcing the state’s new partnership with Dartmouth-Hitchcock, Department of Health and Human Services commissioner Lori Shibinette also announced a change in hospital visit policies that will allow patients going into the hospital for non-coronavirus reasons to name a designated person to have at their bedside. (Source: Associated Press) At the same press conference, Gov. Sununu said the state was working to reduce the turnaround time for test results in New Hampshire, which have been delayed by back-ups in out-of-state labs due to a surge in the virus in other states. But Sununu also said he will not call on President Donald Trump to invoke the Defense Production Act to try to build more nationwide testing capacity—something he called on the president to do earlier in the pandemic—because he believes that “current private sector efforts” are going “all-out” to meet the demand. (Source: WMUR https://www.wmur.com/article/more-covid-19-testing-capacity-headed-to-states-sununu-says/33409152 )

4. With Flu Season Coming, New Test Will Detect Both Flu and COVID-19. With health care providers concerned about the potential confusion between identifying the flu and versus COVID-19, a new test is on the way that can identify both. The new test was discussed in a call between health care providers and state health officials. Expected to be available at the start of flu season in September, the test will make it easier to detect and treat people for the correct illness. During the call, officials also clarified when somebody should get tested. "When someone calls in sick, you should immediately direct them to testing," said Dr. Elizabeth Talbot, the deputy state epidemiologist. (Source: WMUR)

5. GAP Program Offers NH Businesses One Last Chance to Recoup COVID-19 Losses. The application period has started for non-profits and small businesses that haven’t been able to get adequate emergency COVID-19 support under previous state programs to apply for relief. Eligibility for the $30 million New Hampshire General Assistance & Preservation (GAP) program is similar to the Main Street Relief Fund, with some small differences. For instance, GAP makes single unit franchises eligible, which Main Street did not. GAP also covers businesses with at least one employee (but not businesses where the owner is the only employee), and covers nonprofits that fell though the cracks of another assistance programs. The program is open to parties that received aid under the earlier relief programs, but any earlier assistance will be taken into consideration for eligibility and the amount of any GAP award. You can find specific eligibility requirements and a link to the online application here. The application period closes August 4. (Source: NH Business Review)

6. Demonstration Planned Against Plymouth Mask Ordinance. A Campton man is part of a group of people planning to demonstrate against a proposed face mask ordinance, calling it an infringement of his rights. David Lheureux, one of two organizers of the protest, said he and others will demonstrate at the Town Common on Sunday, from noon to 7 p.m. or until dark. A public hearing has been scheduled by the Plymouth selectboard as part of its meeting on Monday, July 27. (Source: Laconia Daily Sun)

7. Keene Divided on Proposed Mask Ordinance. At least 50 people tuned in to Wednesday’s meeting of the Keene City Council’s planning, licenses and development committee, where councilors fielded three hours of comments regarding a proposed ordinance that would require the use of face masks. While some said an ordinance would impinge personal freedoms and hurt businesses, others argued for the council to take a firm stand to protect public health. The only area of apparent agreement between the two sides was the belief that any restrictions should be more relaxed when it comes to outdoor activities. (Source: Concord Monitor)

8. Keene State Students to Begin Classes Online During Move-in Week. Keene State College students will begin the fall semester with a week of online classes while they return to campus the week of Aug. 24, a week earlier than classes were originally scheduled to begin. The shift means the college will be able to finish in-person instruction before Thanksgiving, and will allow students to finish classes and take final exams remotely, Keene State President Melinda Treadwell said Wednesday evening during a virtual town hall meeting with college alumni and community members. (Source: Keene Sentinel)

9. Pop Up Portsmouth Changes Names, Hires General Manager. A summer-long pop-up street venue, scheduled to start next week, has registered with the secretary of state under a new name and will be managed by Tristan Law, who is well known for booking acts at the Press Room, Book & Bar and 3S Artspace. Former city councilor Josh Denton, chair of the group organizing the event venue at the Bridge Street parking lot, said the group is now registered with the secretary of state as PopUpNH. The nonprofit managing the event was previously calling itself Pop Up Portsmouth, but an organizer went to open a bank account Tuesday and was informed the name had already been registered with the state by City Councilor Esther Kennedy. PopUpNH is a grassroots citizens’ effort to help struggling downtown businesses. (Source: Seacoast Online)

Thursday July 23

After a Wednesday when state officials announced 2 additional deaths and 36 new cases, here is what you need to know about the state and local response to the coronavirus pandemic in New Hampshire to start your Thursday.

1. Portsmouth City Attorney to Draft “Hypothetical” Mask Ordinance. At the end of a two-and-a-half hour work session Wednesday evening that saw members of the Portsmouth City Council and the public weigh-in on the need for a mandatory mask-wearing ordinance as well as its potential effectiveness and legality, City Attorney Robert Sullivan agreed to draft a “hypothetical ordinance” for the council to consider at its next meeting in August. While Mayor Rick Becksted said he thought an ordinance would be useful for the council to “have in our back pocket” should the governor issue an emergency order making mask-wearing mandatory statewide, Assistant Mayor Jim Splaine said passing the ordinance should not be dependent on the actions of the governor. “We need to get ahead of this,” said Splaine. “Lives are at stake.” Portsmouth Health Officer Kim McNamara endorsed masks as “one of the tried and true measures” to prevent infections. But she added that even though the virus is surging in other parts of the country, the current level of cases in Portsmouth isn’t high enough for her to declare a public health emergency under her authority. City Manager Karen Conard told the council that the recommendation of city Emergency Management staff based on “what we know now” is to “continue” with the resolution requiring masks passed at the council’s previous meeting. She also said the team recommended that any additional mask mandate be handled statewide because of potential “unintended consequences”. During the work session, Councilors Petra Huda, Paige Trace, and the mayor continued to raise doubts about the city’s power to enact a mask ordinance, with the mayor saying “New Hampshire is not a home rule state”. However, City Attorney Sullivan reminded the council of a judge’s ruling earlier in the month that affirmed the right of the City of Nashua to impose a municipal mask mandate. In that case, the judge refused to grant a preliminary injunction that sought to overturn Nashua’s ordinance, ruling that the legislature had specifically authorized communities to create ordinances related to public health. City Councilor Deaglan McEachern, who along with Assistant Mayor Splaine requested the work session, said that enforcement of the ordinance would be more of an opportunity to educate residents and visitors rather than simply having police officers write tickets. “Just because he [the governor] chooses not to act on this at a state level does not mean we have to choose not to act to protect Portsmouth and to create the habits that are necessary to continue reopening in the fall,” said McEachern. A recording of the full work session is available here. The council’s next meeting is August 3. (Source: Personal notes) In related news, the Keene City Council also met Wednesday night to discuss a mask ordinance and to hear public input. (Source: WMUR)

2. Pembroke Votes to Continue Remote Learning When School Restarts. On Tuesday, the Pembroke School Board voted 3-2 to continue remote learning for its students at the start of the school year next month. With the decision, Pembroke splits with two communities in the same school district. Allenstown and Epsom have both announced plans to start classes with a hybrid model combining in-person instruction with remote learning. (Source: Concord Monitor) While several communities have announced plans and strategies for reopening, Pembroke is the first to announce it will start with remote instruction rather than have students and teachers return to the classroom at some level.

3. NH-NEA Teacher’s Union Releases Proposed Steps for School Reopening. In a series of “principles for reopening”released Wednesday, the state’s largest teachers union said that before schools reopen, districts need full staffing and funding, a phased reopening plan, and health and safety agreements for staff and students. Released a little over a week after the state announced its own guidance for districts, the union’s principles call on districts to take steps prior to reopening, including planning for smaller classes, adding more bus capacity to enable physical distancing, performing air quality evaluations, and ensuring adequate supplies of PPE for students and staff. When schools reopen, the plan calls for phased reopening based on current public health conditions at the time. “If, after working together with the district, it is determined these requirements will not be met, students and staff must return to remote instruction until their school can be made safe,” Megan Tuttle, NEA-NH president, said in a statement. A spokesperson for the NH Dept. of Education declined to comment on the document. You can read the full document here.  (Sources: Associated Press and NH-NEA)

4. Equity Response Team Says NH People of Color at Risk. A panel appointed by Gov. Sununu to look into racial disparities in COVID-19 cases in New Hampshire’s minority communities says that in order to keep people of color safe from the COVID-19 pandemic, New Hampshire needs to work on racial inequalities already plaguing the state. In a report presented to Gov. Chris Sununu on July 12 and released by Sununu’s office late Wednesday, the COVID-19 Equity Response Team says people of color in New Hampshire are contracting the illness at a higher rate because of racial biases already at work. The team wants the state to work on dealing with the racial inequalities that lead to poor access to healthcare, nutrition, education and other opportunities for people of color. Other recommendations included increasing testing in minority communities, assuring testing sites have written protocols for community outreach, and providing housing support for people who are required to isolate or quarantine. You can access the full report here. (Source: InDepthNH)

5. Sununu Joins GOP Governors Seeking COVID-19 Liability Protections for Business. In a letter to congressional leaders, Governor Sununu joined 20 other Republican governors Tuesday in pushing for liability protection for businesses in the next round of Coronavirus legislation. The letter urges extending “common sense civil liability protection to healthcare workers business and schools,” but most of the letter goes on to talk about protecting employers from lawsuits from workers and customer claiming that their actions resulted in them getting sick and possibly dying from COVID-19 related illnesses. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell – one of the recipients of the letter – has said that liability protection is the “red line” for him to agree to any deal on a new stimulus package. (Source: NH Business Review) 

6. Shaheen, Pappas Call for More Testing Capacity. Members of New Hampshire congressional delegation said Wednesday that more COVID-19 testing capacity is needed to ease a national backlog causing 5-10 day delays in reporting results. U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen said she first heard about new issues with backlogs when visiting the National Guard testing site in Concord. Shaheen and U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas said states need more funding in the next coronavirus stimulus package to expand their testing capability and to supply needed personal protective equipment to schools. (Source: WMUR)

7. After UNH Students Petition, Provost Offers Extension On COVID Consent Agreement. In an email to the UNH community sent out on Tuesday evening, Provost Wayne Jones said that based on concerns and questions raised by students and parents, UNH would extend the deadline to sign a controversial consent agreement from Friday July 24 to July 31. The extension came in response to a petition signed by nearly 700 students asking for two-week extension. The agreement asks students to sign off on a list of policies and protocols they will need to follow and steps they’ll need to take if they’re experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. By signing, students are saying they assume the risks associated with being at UNH, including the risk of exposure to COVID-19. (Source: NHPR)

8. Pop Up Portsmouth to Open July 30 But Hurdles Remain. The planning committee for a pop up venue in Portsmouth’s Bridge Street Parking lot to help struggling downtown businesses has announced a July 30 opening date. Plans for the venue include a beer garden, rotating food and retail vendors and a performance area. The city has announced the lot will be closed and fenced in starting at 12:01 a.m. Friday. Challenges remaining to be worked out include a need for detailed plans and liability insurance, a shortage of portable toilets, and how to move people in and out of the area safely to minimize the risk of transmission of the coronavirus. (Source: Seacoast Online) 

Wednesday July 22

After a Tuesday when two additional deaths brought New Hampshire’s COVID-19 death toll to 400, here is the other news you need to know to start your Wednesday.

1. NH Looks to Build up Local COVID-19 Testing Capacity as Demand Soars Across Country. As states such as Florida and Arizona endure massive spikes in COVID-19 cases, the demand for testing nationally has made it harder for labs to quickly get test results, an issue New Hampshire is trying to work around in time for back-to-school season. COVID-19 test turnaround times at national laboratories are now a week or more, prompting New Hampshire officials to attempt to build up local testing capacity. While in-state labs can process results in only one or two days, capacity is limited. This has prompted state officials to explore “pool testing”. Pool testing involves combining samples from multiple people into a single batch and test them as a group for the coronavirus. "You're able to put five samples together, test it on one reagent, and if everything tests negative, then all five samples -- all five patients -- are negative," said Health Commissioner Lori Shibinette. "If it tests positive, then you have to go back and test each individual sample, but with a 2% positivity rate, you're going to save a lot of time, a lot of supplies." (Source: WMUR) For more information on how pool testing works, this article from CNN has a good explanation.

2. Latest NH Nursing Home Outbreak Hits Evergreen Place in Manchester. In its daily update, the NH Dept. of Health and Human Services identified Evergreen Place as the latest New Hampshire nursing facility to experience a COVID-19 outbreak. The state listed 17 new cases among residents, but no new deaths. Evergreen Place is one of four nursing homes listed by DHHS as currently experiencing active outbreaks. The others are the Hillsborough County Nursing Home, Birch Hill, and Greenbriar Nashua. (Source: NH DHHS)

3. State Launches PSA Campaign Urging Mask Use. The state of New Hampshire is launching a campaign to promote mask use and testing that targets young people age 15-40. The “Don’t go viral” campaign will mostly appear on social media. Governor Sununu, who has consistently refused to issue an emergency order mandating the wearing of masks, said the PSAs are aimed at an age group that has been less likely to wear masks. (Source: WMUR)

4. Masks Now Mandatory in State House Complex. Face masks will be required to enter or pass through the State House complex after the Joint Facilities Committee voted 11-0 to approve the new policy Tuesday. Currently the State House complex is closed to the public and is only open to legislators and legislative staff. Under the policy, which takes effect immediately, everyone except children and people with health issues must wear a mask. But if a person does not have a face mask, one will be provided. The new policy may be controversial with some lawmakers who refused to wear face coverings during the last two sessions of the 2020 term when the House met at Whittemore Center on the University of New Hampshire’s Durham campus. (Source: InDepthNH)

5. Lawmakers Hear School Opening Concerns About Funding and Safety. The House and Senate education committees held a joint meeting Tuesday to be briefed on plans for the beginning of the school year by Department of Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut. They also heard from superintendents around the state, the state’s largest teachers’ union, local school board members, school nurses, and athletic and transportation officials, and special education teachers. When Edelblut was asked about funding for unbudgeted expenses, he said districts received CARES Act money to offset costs of the pandemic and there are additional funds for broadband and other money as well. But superintendents from five regions of the state said most of the money they received from the CARES Act is already spent and some of what they received had to go to private schools in their districts. Lisa Witte, superintendent of the Monadnock School District, said her district received “$440,000 and that will not come close to covering all of the costs we are looking at.” Several school board members expressed frustration with the way the Department of Education handled the guidelines, noting there was little collaboration with local districts. (Source: InDepthNH) The commissioner also argued that masks may not always be universally appropriate, pointing to studies that suggest children could be more tempted to touch their mouth and face if they were wearing masks, which could spread the virus more. “And then those little hands that have now been touching that saturated mask from the aspirations of that child in a little class are going to again be touching many surfaces in that room,” Edelblut said. In general, the commissioner said, no one mitigation approach is a “silver bullet” for the virus, with each one a layer of “Swiss cheese” with holes and faults, borrowing a metaphor from state epidemiologist Benjamin Chan. “Each district is going to build their Swiss cheese with the mitigation factors that make sense for their communities, to mitigate risk to a level that their communities are comfortable,” Edelblut said. (Source: Concord Monitor)

6. School Nurses Say More Clarity Needed on State Reopening Guidelines. The New Hampshire School Nurses' Association said Tuesday that the state's guidelines on how to handle COVID-19 when students return to the classroom are a good starting point, but they don't go far enough. The guidelines were very general from a nurse's standpoint," said Paula MacKinnon, president of the New Hampshire School Nurses' Association. "We are very disappointed to see that masks have not been mandated. We take a very strong stance on that." (Source: WMUR)

7. N.H.'s School Bus Drivers Concerned About Reopening. It’s not just nurses, teachers, and administrators. Mark Raposo of the New Hampshire School Transportation Association says that in order to get school bus drivers back behind the wheel, schools will need to answer a lot of questions. From how to screen kids before they board the bus to how to enforce mask-wearing, Raposo worries that individual districts decisions could have unintended consequences for bus drivers. He says additional staff may be necessary to monitor students on the bus, and help with sanitation between runs. (Source: NHPR)

8. Sununu: ‘Hard Part’ Will Be Keeping Schools Open Through Next Surge. The “money will be there” to support the hybrid reopening of public schools, Gov. Chris Sununu said Tuesday. But his biggest concern is whether students can stay in classrooms should another big wave of COVID-19 hit this fall. “Getting kids back to school on day one? That’s not the hard part. Getting those kids to remain in school in November and December? That’s the hard part.” (Source: Manchester Union Leader) Also on Tuesday, Sununu signed a bill into law that expands telemedicine in New Hampshire and permanently ensures that health care providers can bill insurance companies for visits by phone and internet at the same rate they would if the patient came to their office. (Source: InDepthNH)

9. As N.H. Continues COVID Ban On Reusable Bags, Some Say Politics Is Trumping Science. Massachusetts recently announced that it was ending its pandemic moratorium on reusable shopping bags, saying towns could go back to reinforcing their bans on single-use plastic bags. But New Hampshire is still not letting shoppers bring their reusable bags to stores despite evidence showing reusable bags are safe as long as they’re cleaned between uses. Epidemiologist John Nwangu investigates disease outbreaks all over the globe for the World Health Organization. He says current research shows the virus can live on surfaces like plastic, metal and cloth. “However, the chances are not as high as the communication of the virus through droplets,” he says. “And of course the droplet comes out of the mouth or the nose.” (Source: NHPR) California recently became the latest state to lift the ban. The only catch is that shoppers who want to use reusable bags must also bag their own groceries. (Source: San Jose Mercury News)

10. Portsmouth City Council to Hold Work Session Tonight on Mask Ordinance. The Portsmouth City Council will hold a work session at 7 p.m. to start crafting a formal ordinance mandating face coverings be worn in the city. Councilors voted unanimously last week to pass a resolution requiring masks be worn in Portsmouth when individuals are within the social distancing guidelines of 6 feet. But the resolution, as passed, did not include any enforcement provisions. So tonight the City Council will consider the idea of penalties or fines for those who do not comply. The work session will include a public input session. You can find registration information and an agenda here. (Source: Seacoast Online)

11. Exeter UFO Festival Canceled. The Exeter Area Kiwanis Club announced the cancellation of the 2020 Exeter UFO Festival, stating it doesn’t believe the two-day Labor Day weekend event could be held safely during the coronavirus pandemic. The festival celebrates one of the Seacoast’s most famous UFO sightings and raises money for local children’s charities, children’s programs and community programs. (Source: Seacoast Online)

Tuesday July 21

After a Monday when no additional deaths were announced, but new COVID-19 cases in NH rose significantly, here is what else you need to know to start your Tuesday.

1. Monday Sees New Cases in NH Almost Double. New Hampshire health officials reported 46 new positive COVID-19 cases Monday, a larger increase than usual that was partially attributed to an outbreak at a long-term care facility. Health officials said 17 of the new cases were associated with a facility experiencing an outbreak. Officials said they would release more details at Tuesday's planned press briefing. (Source: WMUR)

2. Ongoing Isolation of NH Nursing Home Residents a Growing Concern. At a meeting of the State Commission on Aging Monday morning, state long-term care ombudsman Susan Buxton said the restrictive visitor rules in place at many nursing homes and assisted living facilities are robbing residents of essential social interaction and access to outside advocates who can raise issues about their quality of their care. As ombudsman, Buxton serves as a watchdog and an advocate for the state’s long-term care residents. One proposal backed by Buxton and other advocates would allow New Hampshire long-term care residents to designate a “support visitor” who would be allowed to “visit on-site and provide emotional and other support.” While N.H. Health and Human Services Commissioner Lori Shibinette says the state will look into the proposed change, she also says she’s been receiving calls from family members urging her to keep current restrictions in place. While New Hampshire recently started allowing family visits to facilities with no active cases on a limited basis, those with active cases remain closed to outside visitors. (Source: NHPR)

3. Market Basket and Hannafords Join Businesses Requiring Masks. On Monday, the seacoast’s two largest grocery chains posted signs letting customers know that shoppers are now required to wear masks or cloth face coverings when inside their stores. While both stores have implemented protective measures including limiting the number of customers in stores, sanitizing carts between use, and installing plexiglass shield at registers, masks had remained optional until yesterday. Shaws is expected to implement the requirement later in the week and Aldi by next Monday. (Source: NHPR)

4. Plymouth Considers Town Mask Ordinance. Plymouth may soon join the small but growing list of communities where face masks are not just recommended while in public spaces, but required by local ordinance. The selectboard will be holding a public hearing on Monday to consider such a measure. Selectboard Chair Bill Bolton said he is proposing the face covering ordinance not because of how things are, but how they might become. “We’re a university town, obviously, and in a few weeks we’ll be expanding our population by 4,000. The students come from all over the nation and internationally. We’re very concerned about the effect on our community,” Bolton said. (Source: Laconia Daily Sun)

5. Survey Says Few Expect Students to Socially Distance in School. The state Department of Education has released the results of four separate surveys that gathered the input of parents, instructional staff, administrators, and school wellness providers on school reopening. According to the survey, neither parents nor teachers are confident that young children or teens will comply with restrictions aimed at preventing the spread of the coronavirus. About 8 in 10 parents surveyed said their children were eager to return to the classroom, though parents were split on whether that should happen. Asked to rank their preferences, about half said their top choice would be onsite instruction. Depending on their children’s grade levels, between 12 and 15% of parents said they’d prefer remote learning, while 15-21% favored a mix. Among teachers, 38% listed onsite instruction as their top choice, with 27% picking remote learning and 26% favoring a hybrid model. Compared to parents, teachers were more likely to say they would be concerned about their health and safety and that of their students. And teachers were far less likely to say students—especially younger children—will be able to maintain new restrictions such as social distancing and avoiding congregating in groups. Complete survey results are available on the School Transition Reopening and Redesign Taskforce website. (Excel required) (Source: Associated Press) In a related story, parents with students in the Portsmouth School District received a separate survey late last week asking them to make a choice by August 1 between sending their children back to school buildings for in-person instruction or continuing with a remote learning option in the fall. The survey also asks if students will require bus transportation, as the district is encouraging parents to drive their children to school, but will offer bus service along current routes for those who require it. (Source: Seacoast Online)

6. State Epidemiologist Offers Reopening Tips for School Nurses. Dr. Benjamin Chan is recommending that schools have a daily screening process in place for students, staff, and visitors. He says if nurses treat a student at school with COVID-19 symptoms, they need to be wearing at least a surgical mask. ”If you will be within six feet of the person or if the person is unable to wear of face mask, we also recommend the nurse wear googles or a shield,” says Chan. If a nurse is exposed to a student who tests positive, Chan says the nurse will only have to go into quarantine if he or she didn’t wear proper personal protective equipment. (Source: WMUR) Note: This story underlines the need for schools to acquire adequate stocks of PPE prior to reopening.

7. School Reopening Strategies Announced for Manchester, Bedford, and Hampton. With the state choosing to focus on “flexibility”, the hard work of hammering out exactly how and when students will return to classrooms in the fall has been left up to local school districts. Yesterday, Bedford and Hampton announced tentative reopening plans, while Manchester’s school superintendent laid out a series of recommendations to the city’s Board of School Committee. For more information see these articles:
   A. Bedford (Source: WMUR)
   B. Manchester (Source: Manchester Union Leader)
   C. Hampton (Source: Seacoast Online)

8. Big Enrollment Jumps in Some Districts Could Be Families Moving From Out of State. Enrollment in some schools in vacation areas has near tripled. In Waterville Valley’s K-8 school, enrollment has jumped from 17 in the spring to nearly 40 students expected this fall. "There's many skiers that already have homes up there, so my guess is they don't like the option being offered out of state, so they're moving up here for the year, and many of them have been up here since March when we all went to a remote setting anyway," said SAU 48 Superintendent Kyla Welch. (Source: WMUR)

9. Pop Up Portsmouth Heads Towards the Finish Line. A pop-up venue with beer, food and retail vendors is quickly taking shape at the former Bridge Street Parking lot in downtown Portsmouth. Funded mainly through private donations, the temporary venue is being created to support struggling local businesses an outdoor option to reach potential customers. Pop Up Portsmouth has now reached a point where it is seeking a general manager to run the operation. (Source: Seacoast Online)

Monday July 20

After the announcement of 2 additional deaths and 18 new cases on Sunday, here are the other things you need to know about New Hampshire’s response to the pandemic to start your Monday.

1. Testing and Time Lag in Reporting Results Cast Shadows on NH’s Good Results. In its weekly update on the state’s progress to control the spread of COVID-19, the Concord Monitor says the state continues to do well. But potentially inadequate testing and the steadily increasing time it takes to get test results back from the lab are causes for concern. While the number of tests given last week rose to 2,460–exceeding the minimum target of 2,000 PCR tests for a state of New Hampshire’s size, the Monitor reports that as many as a third were likely front-line health workers who were tested numerous times. If you subtract them from the total, there is not enough testing going on to adequately detect of potential resurgence of the virus in the general population. Meanwhile, as other states deal with a mammoth surge in cases, test results are now taking 5 days or longer to come back from national labs. This means that asymptomatic people who have been tested but who don’t self-isolate are at higher risk to spread the illness to others. (Source: Concord Monitor)

2. More Grocery Stores and National Chains Requiring Masks. As COVID-19 cases have surged in other states in recent weeks, many large retailers and grocery stores are changing their policies to require customers to wear face coverings. Businesses with mandates now include CVS, Kohl’s, Lowe’s, Market Basket, Sam’s Club, Walmart, Apple, Best Buy, Costco and Starbucks. Later in the week, Shaw’s and Home Depot will join the list. Aldi and Target plan to make the change next week. The New Hampshire Grocer’s Association says that they will soon send out a memo to all 800 of their members requesting they too implement a mask requirement. (Source: WMUR)

3. Some UNH Students Uneasy About 'Consent Agreement' On Coronavirus. The University of New Hampshire is asking students to sign an informed consent agreement this week—nearly a month-and-a-half before the campus reopens for classes on August 31. The consent agreement includes a list of policies and protocols students will need to follow and steps they’ll need to take if they’re experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. Josh Marshall, a second year law student at UNH, said he said he and others are concerned by the part of the consent agreement that says students assume the risks of being on campus. “Students are asked in advance of this to submit to terms we don’t know yet,” Marshall said. “In practice, really, what does it mean for me to quote-unquote ‘assume the risk of coronavirus?’ ” Students are required to sign the form by this Friday. They have the option to agree to the terms to be on campus or to disagree and take online classes instead. (Source: NHPR)

4. Manchester Teachers Express Concerns Over Return to Classrooms. As school administrators in the state’s largest city prepare to discuss preliminary plans for reopening schools this fall, the head of the Manchester teachers union says members are worried about returning to traditional classrooms. As of July 17, there were 142 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in children in Manchester. An additional 555 have had close household contact with a person confirmed to have had the virus. Manchester also leads all New Hampshire communities with 99 deaths attributed to the coronavirus. “Many educators have expressed sheer terror in returning to school sites,” said Sue Hannan, president of the Manchester Education Association (MEA). “They are more than willing to provide online education for our students. All staff wants to be able to return if we had the ability to go back like we were pre-COVID, however that is not the case. We are not in normal times. This is not a ‘new normal’ — this is pandemic times.” Manchester Superintendent of Schools John Goldhardt is expected to provide members of the city’s school board with an overview of the city’s plan tonight. (Source: Manchester Union Leader) In a related national story, a study of children and contact tracing reports in Korea reveals that while children under age 10 may transit the virus at a lower rate, children ages 10-19 transmit it at the same rate as adults. (Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control) Meanwhile, in an analysis of the New Hampshire school reopening framework rolled out last week by Gov. Sununu, veteran New Hampshire State House reporter Gary Rayno says there’s a reason why the governor talked-up “flexibility” and “local control” at his press conference and why the plan has no mandates for mask wearing or classroom capacity. Under an amendment to the NH Constitution, the state is required to pay for any “unfunded mandates”. Rayno says by leaving final rules for reopening up to cities and towns, the governor is able to legally downshift costs and responsibility from the state to local communities. (Source: InDepthNH)

5. State and Federal Governments Debate Role of NH National Guard Going Forward. The question of how long hundreds of Army and Air Force National Guard personnel will continue to aid the state’s COVID-19 efforts, and who will pay them if they do, is getting more heated as New Hampshire joins 30 other states and territories asking for federal support to continue until Christmas. The Guard is currently assisting with call centers, operating drive-through test centers, and helping with food and PPE distribution. Normally when the National Guard is called up under a governor’s emergency order, the state pays the bill. But under what is known as Title 32, the federal government is picking up the tab through Aug. 21. Gov. Sununu has previously asked that this be extended through September, and last week asked for funding to keep up to 400 personnel through Christmas to help respond to COVID-19. A key reason to try to avoid a state takeover of the deployment is that it would end eligibility for troops to receive benefits such as health care and access to the GI Bill. It would also make them ineligible to seek disability through the Department of Veterans Affairs if injured on state orders. (Source: Concord Monitor)

6. Delegation Secures Another $26+ Million in Federal Funding for 4 NH Hospitals. New Hampshire’s congressional delegation says more than $26 million will go to Granite State health care providers that faced the brunt of the state’s coronavirus caseloads. U.S. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan and U.S. Reps. Annie Kuster and Chris Pappas announced the federal relief funding on Friday. (Source Seacoast Online) The funds come as good news for non-rural hospitals in southern New Hampshire that provided care for many of the hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in the state, but received little federal financial support because New Hampshire hospitals have not been considered “hot spots”. Hospitals receiving the aid include Elliot Hospital and Catholic Medical Center in Manchester, Parkland Hospital in Derry, and Northeast Rehabilitation Hospital in Salem. (Source: News Release U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen) Despite the funding, many New Hampshire hospitals remain deeply in the red for 2020 and continue to pin hopes on a new stimulus package that Congress will take up when it returns to work this week.

Sunday July 19

After a Saturday where state officials announced one new death and 26 new COVID-19 cases, here are the other things you need to know about the pandemic in New Hampshire for Sunday.

1. As NH Schools Prepare to Reopen, Unions Negotiate for Teacher Protections. As districts scramble to put school reopening policies into place, they also have to contend with a demographic reality: there are around 7,000 members of the New Hampshire National Education Association over 50 years old – and more than 3,000 who are over 60. To address the safety concerns of older teachers as well as those with family members vulnerable to the virus, teachers are divvying up districts among their negotiators in order to push for protections for teachers and staff. The New Hampshire NEA has sent out nine different “UniServ directors” to help local chapters guide negotiations with schools. The goal is to get each district to draft a memorandum of understanding laying out specific COVID-19 work protections for staff. If an MOU is not practical, the unions are pushing for the district to include them in their reopening plans. “We want in-person instruction, but we want it safe,” said Megan Tuttle, president of the New Hampshire NEA. (Source: Concord Monitor)

2. UNH Students Worry About Peer’s Lack of Public Health Precautions. Numerous current students and recent graduates of UNH have expressed agitation and worry over a seeming absence of COVID-19 preventative practices by their peers currently residing in Durham or visiting the campus. When classes scheduled to begin on Monday, Aug. 31, the university will require staff and community members to wear face masks in classes and will be testing for COVID-19.But some students worry that such efforts won’t be enough to combat a potential Durham COVID-19 spike. Julia Caddell, a rising senior social work major says that most students living in off-campus housing don’t seem to care. She has seen videos of groups of about 25 to 30 students partying at The Lodges at West Edge apartments. “Everyone I have seen that’s been in Durham recently is partying in big groups. They will be the reason we get sent home again!” she said. (Source: Seacoast Online)

3. Accuracy and the Number of People Being Tested Continue to Be Issues in NH. In his weekly coronavirus column in Seacoast Online, health care executive Dr. Ben Locwin is critical of the state’s testing plan saying that it “is increasing the misinformation about our status in the state.” Locwin says the state’s testing rate is being skewed by a high number of people being tested multiple times. This means fewer people are being tested than the numbers would indicate. “Not only do we not really have a handle of the proportion of the state who are actually positive for COVID-19, pushing for more testing without better testing technology and protocols on who to test and how to retest as I’ve described is also increasing the rate of false results,” Locwin says. (Source: Seacoast Online)

4. Brentwood Couple Battling COVID-19: 'It's Emotionally Wrecking Us'. For nearly three weeks, Dan and Michelle Negri have been fighting the coronavirus while trapped inside their Brentwood home. “It’s emotionally wrecking us,” said Dan, 41. While their infection hasn’t left them hospitalized and dependent on a ventilator to survive, it’s been the worst few weeks of their lives. “I feel like I’ve fallen from an 11-story building onto concrete,” said Michelle, the 39-year-old owner of Bombshell’s Salon in Epping. She feels the experience has been worse than other health scares she’s had in the past, including spinal bacterial meningitis and pneumonia. To chronicle their experience, Michelle started a blog at www.apeaceofthought.com called “The COVID Couple” in which she chronicles their misery and urges everyone to do their part and wear a face mask in public. (Source: Manchester Union Leader)

5. COVID-19 Creating Opportunity for Some NH Businesses and Hard Times for Others. A big expansion is in the works for a Keene medical device manufacturer whose parent company just won a $20 million contract to produce more than 78 million syringe-and-needle units that will be used to deliver vaccines. (Source: NH Business Review). On the other side of the ledger, a Sullivan County maker of warning equipment for various industries has announced that it will be cutting 246 employees, or 17% of its total workforce – 148 of them at the firm’s plant in Charlestown, NH. George V. Whelen V, president and CEO of the firm placed the blame firmly on the Covid-19 pandemic, saying it “created significant financial constraints and has resulted in a reduction in our product demand. He said the cuts were made “to preserve our ability to rebuild when this recession is over.” (Source: NH Business Review)

6. Pandemic Prompts In Home STI Testing. While coronavirus is the public health issue that’s most concerning for many New Hampshire residents, the state is quietly experiencing an outbreak of other viruses, including the sexually-transmitted infections syphilis and gonorrhea. To help combat that and overcome the fact that fewer people are coming to health clinics for STI testing during the pandemic, Planned Parenthood of Northern New England has started offering at-home STI testing. The program allows people to book a tele-health appointment with a PPNE provider and A testing kit is mailed to the patient in discreet packaging with pre-paid postage for return. The patient collects their sample and mails it back to PPNE. Test results are usually available within 48 hours. (Source: Granite State News Collaborative via Monadnock Ledger-Transcript)

7. Reopened NH Amusement Parks Deal with New Virus Protocols. Three weeks ago, amusement parks were given the green light to reopen with 25% capacity restrictions due to COVID-19. Both Canobie Lake Park in Salem and Santa’s Village in Jefferson are now open, but crowds are more characteristic of the late spring than the middle of summer. Fewer people combined with the requirement to make online reservations has led to an unexpected benefit for most park-goers—shorter lines. (Source: WMUR)

8. Laconia Pumpkin Fest Cancelled. The 2020 NH Pumpkin Festival, an October event that generates large crowds of paying customers for local businesses, has been canceled this year because of the coronavirus pandemic, Karmen Gifford, president of the Lakes Region Chamber said Thursday. Other lakes region events that have been called off because of the virus include the Greek Food Festival, the Laconia Multicultural Festival and various Old Home Days. (Source: The Laconia Daily Sun)

Saturday July 18

The NH Hospital Association previews a new mask-wearing campaign on Friday for members of the Portsmouth Chamber Collaborative.

After a Friday with 26 newly announced cases but no new deaths, here is the news you need to know to start your Saturday.

1. Seacoast Teachers: ‘Lives at Stake’ in School Reopening Decision. Teachers across the Seacoast are expressing concern over the state’s school reopening guidelines released earlier this week. Teacher Caroline Siecke, an eighth-grade social studies teacher at the Cooperative Middle School in Stratham, says she understands New Hampshire’s love affair with rugged individualism, but not when it comes to “setting school districts loose” to each develop their own reopening plans. “The (state’s) response was very much, ‘Go figure it out,’ and that’s unconscionable,” she said. Janet Prior, president of the Exeter Education Association, said, “The guidelines that were sent out are a very low safety bar. In fact, it’s like the bar is sitting on the ground, in my opinion.” Lisa Dillingham, President of the Dover Teacher’s Union and a sixth-grade science teacher at Dover Middle School, said, “Yes, kids are less likely to get this virus, but what about us? We’re the ones on the front lines with these children, the ones in contact with both each other and the children.” In Portsmouth, the school district’s local reopening task force has already taken matters into its own hands, mandating masks to be worn by all teachers and students. “We are taking a pretty firm (mask) stance that this is not an option, this is a requirement,” said Erin Bakkom, president of the Association of Portsmouth Teachers. “I can reassure my members with that.” (Source: Seacoast Online)

2. Business Leaders Work to Prevent a Second Surge with MaskUpNewHampshire Campaign. Portsmouth business leaders are warning that if the state experiences a surge in COVID-19 cases and small businesses have to close again, many might close for good. Members of the Chamber Collaborative of Greater Portsmouth met Friday in a Zoom meeting to share ideas about how to prevent and survive a surge. Valerie Rochon, President of the Chamber Collaborative, said she has heard from small business owners who are worried about another surge in the virus. "If we have a surge and they have to shut down again, a number of them have told me they don't have the reserves to start back up again," she said. During the meeting, Valerie Strafford of the New Hampshire Hospital Association previewed an education campaign designed to encourage more people to wear masks when out in public. Strafford told the group, “Wearing a mask is not a political statement.” The campaign is focused on encouraging the members of the public to wear masks to protect workers in New Hampshire small businesses as well as first responders. Strafford said the campaign is designed to amplify the #MaskUpNH theme already in use by New Hampshire mask-making groups. Chamber Collaborative President Valerie Rochon endorsed the campaign saying, “We have a moral and legal obligation to protect our staff.” Rochon said the Chamber has purchased mailboxes that will be positioned near the Chamber’s kiosk in Market Square. She said the intention is to use them to provide shoppers and visitors with free masks “as soon as someone can tell me how to buy them.” (Source: personal notes and WMUR)

3. Keene Council to Consider Mask Mandate. A proposed face mask ordinance is back on the table in Keene after a judge upheld a similar ordinance in Nashua. The Keene City Council had been set to vote on a resolution similar to one passed Monday by Portsmouth’s City Council that would strongly recommend the use of face masks in public to help stem the spread of COVID-19, but wouldn’t make them mandatory. Prior to Thursday’s vote, however, Mayor George Hansel said new information had emerged and that some councilors had expressed interest in submitting the resolution as an ordinance. In the end, the council voted both to approve the resolution that encourages the use of masks, as well as to suspend the rules and reintroduce the ordinance that would make mask-wearing mandatory. (Source: Concord Monitor)

4. Sununu Signs Temporary Expansion of Absentee Voting. Voters will be able to vote by mail this fall to avoid coronavirus exposure after Gov. Sununu signed an omnibus election into law Friday. The bill only applies to election procedures taking place in 2020. It includes changes to the absentee ballot application that allow voters to claim COVID-19 as a reason for voting absentee. The application will also allow voters to check off boxes for both the primary and general election in order to receive ballots for both. The legislation also has a provision to speed processing of absentee ballots by letting election officials begin opening the outer envelopes and sorting them before election day. The chair of the House Election Law Committee David Cote, D-Nashua, said work is needed in the next session to make the changes permanent. “The temporary measures included in this bill are absolutely necessary to protect the health of voters this fall,” Cote said. “After Gov. Sununu rejected legislation to permanently expand absentee voting rights, this bill temporarily permitting absentee balloting by voters concerned about exposure to COVID-19 became critical to short-term public health and election fairness.” (Source: InDepthNH) The revised absentee ballot application form is now available on the New Hampshire Secretary of State’s website. Meanwhile, the Secretary of State’s Office says it will begin sending out ballots to voters who have applied to vote absentee in the September primary election as early as next week. (Source: WMUR)

5. Sununu Vetoes Pandemic Worker Relief, Nursing Home Assistance, and Net Metering Bills. Gov. Sununu added to his record number of vetoes on Friday, starting with a bill aimed at protecting workers during the coronavirus pandemic. The bill, part of a package of pandemic-related legislation pushed by Senate Democrats, would have provided unpaid leave for those affected by the virus and waived insurance cost-sharing for testing and treatment of COVID-19. It also would have provided personal protective equipment to small businesses and used federal money to upgrade the state's unemployment system computers. But it was the provisions related to unemployment benefits, including permanently waiving eligibility requirements for those citing fear of the virus as a reason for not returning to work, that Sununu found problematic. He claimed the provisions would have left the state out of compliance with federal law and jeopardized $30 million in federal funding. (Source: Associated Press and InDepthNH). Worth noting is that an examination of the bill itself at https://tinyurl.com/yyvypfgn, reveals that it contains a severability provision that addressed the governor’s concern with the following language: “In the event the United States Dept. of Labor provides a written notice to the NH department of employment security that any specific statutory change in this act will result in the loss of federal funding to New Hampshire then that specific statutory change, and that specific statutory change only, shall be inoperative.” He chose to veto the bill anyway.

6. UNH Postpones All Fall Sports Due to COVID-19 Pandemic. The University of New Hampshire announced Friday that the fall sports season would be postponed because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Among the teams affected are football, field hockey, soccer, volleyball and cross country. The announcement was made in conjunction with the America East Conference and the Colonial Athletic Association. A decision about the fate of winter sports, including hockey and basketball, will be made in the fall, officials said. The university’s Homecoming Weekend and Family Weekend scheduled for this fall have been canceled, school officials said. (Source: WMUR)

7. NHIAA Preparing to Release Guidance for Fall School Sports. The New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association's phase 3 guidelines for high school sports are expected to be released by the end of the month. They will include things like sport-specific rule modifications to keep athletes safe. But individual districts will make the final decision about whether or not to field teams to participate. (Source: WMUR)

8. Market Square Day Moves Online for 2020. Pro Portsmouth, producers of large downtown events since 1978, has announced that the Market Square Day Festival and 10K Road Race will go virtual this year. Postponed from its traditional June date due to the coronavirus pandemic, organizers announced the change “out of an abundance of concern for the health and safety of participants, attendees, volunteers and staff.” The virtual festival will take place Friday, Sept. 25 through Sunday, Sept. 27, with a “live broadcast” Saturday, Sept. 26. Live portions of the street festival will include musical performances, demonstrations and interviews with booth hosts and artisans. (Source: Seacoast Online)

9. Portsmouth Officer Rochelle Jones Donates COVID-19 Pay to 12 Charities. Portsmouth Police Detective Rochelle Jones has made 12 donations of $200 each to local charitable groups, donating her entire COVID-19 first responder stipend. Since May, full-time police, fire, corrections and emergency medical technicians have been receiving a $300 stipend in addition to their regular pay. Jones said she received payment this week and made online donations to 11 local charities and sent a check to a 12th that doesn’t have an online donation mechanism. She said she chose some of the beneficiaries because “they’re close to my heart” and others based on suggestions from the public. (Source: Seacoast Online)

Friday July 17

One new death, 27 new cases, and LOTS of new coronavirus-related news to start your Friday.

1. Surge in Other States May Be Delaying NH Results. A surge in coronavirus cases in nearly every other state in the country is delaying testing times in New Hampshire. Approximately 70% of the swabs taken in New Hampshire are sent to labs in other states for COVID-19 analysis. What has been a 2 or 3 day turnaround has now expanded to seven and sometimes even 10 days for some tests conducted in New Hampshire. (Source: NHPR)

2. NH School Guidance Plan May Have Been Authored by Consulting Firm Hired by DeVos. Under questioning by after a meeting of the New Hampshire Executive Council, Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut admitted the state’s school reopening plan was written by a consulting firm hired by President Trump’s U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. According to Edelblut, the final document was never sent back to the task force set up by Gov. Sununu for approval because the role of the task force was limited to guidance to develop the document, not approve it. “It took me ten minutes of questioning to get a straight answer from our Education Commissioner,” Executive Councilor Andru Volinsky said. “The ultimate answer is the STRRT committee did not review this guidance document—it was never presented back to them. They put together a 2-3 page top-level, ten-item, skeletal outline of some issues and then Frank Edelblut took those and used a consulting firm that Betsy DeVos put in place called AIR to draft the school reopening plan.” (Source: InDepthNH) The task force sent its recommendations over to the governor on June 29. The two week gap between the governor receiving the final recommendations and issuing final guidance is unusual. At his press conference yesterday, Sununu denied the accusation that the firm wrote content for the final guidelines saying that its role was to help coordinate meetings and logistics. (Source: WMUR) Earlier in the month, DeVos had threatened to cut off federal finding for school districts that do not reopen classrooms in the fall. But she recently walked back those statements saying that a better idea would be “for families to take that money and figure out where their kids can get educated if their schools are going to refuse to open.” (Source: Forbes) During DeVos’s confirmation hearing, Sununu wrote a letter to Sen. Lamar Alexander expressing his enthusiastic support for her nomination, framing her as “a strong champion for local control of education.” You can read the full letter here.

3. Local School Districts Mull Student Transportation Options. Local school districts are putting together transportation plans that minimize the potential for crowding on buses as they prepare for the first day of school. Bedford Superintendent Mike Fournier said that 60% of parents say they will not be using bus services. He added that the volume of students coming to K-8 will be less because the town is looking at bringing about half the students to school at a time. Additional routes will be added for high school students to help maintain physical distancing on buses. (Source: WMUR)

4. REMINDER: Grant Applications for NH Self Employment Livelihood Fund Due Today at 4 p.m. Self-employed business owners in New Hampshire only have a few hours left to apply for relief under a program designed to help offset pandemic-related financial losses. Learn more and apply here. (Source: WMUR)

5. NH Businesses, Universities, Foster Care Get Pandemic Funds. Allocations of new funds to help businesses, higher education, and foster care children during the coronavirus pandemic were announced by Gov. Sununu on Thursday. A fund administered by the Business Finance Authority fund will provide $30 million for new businesses that have "fallen through the cracks" and didn't qualify for other funds established through the state's share of federal coronavirus relief aid. The application process will start next week and run through Aug. 4. Also, $19 million is planned for the University System of New Hampshire to assist with testing, personal protective equipment, facility updates, and other needs, while $6 million is going to the community college system for tuition support. Caregivers of foster children will be eligible to receive up to $500 to help pay for camps and day trips over the summer. (Source: Associated Press via Seacoast Online)

6. Governor Signs Two Bills, No Word Yet on Signature for Temporary Election Changes. On Thursday, Gov. Sununu signed an omnibus criminal justice bill outlawing choke holds, penalizing police officers failing to report officer misconduct, banning private prisons, and addressing issues with the bail process. Rep. Renny Cushing, D-Hampton — who authored several of the reforms and drew scattered boos from House Republicans when he said “Black lives matter,” on the day the House approved the bill — said the changes are long overdue. “We are in the midst of a nationwide awakening to the realities of racially motivated brutality and discrimination by officers of the law,” said Cushing. “These measures are important and long-overdue but by no means exhaustive and I look forward to continuing the conversation moving forward.” Sununu also signed a bill whose prime sponsor is Sen. Dan Feltes, a potential opponent in the November election, that would allow lower-priced drugs, including insulin, to be imported from Canada. However, the governor has yet to act on other critical bills still on his desk, including time-sensitive legislation that would allow temporary pandemic-related changes to voter registration, absentee voting, and ballot processing procedures in time for this fall’s elections. (Source: Associated Press)

7. NH’s Pandemic-Scarred Legislative Session: Which Bills Made it Through? This article summarizes what the legislature was able accomplish during a pandemic-shortened session and identifies some of the key bills now on the governor’s desk. While only 61 bills made it through, the count includes dozens of bill that were passed but were in danger of not making it through because of the time crunch caused by the abbreviated legislative session. (Source: NH Business Review)

8. Sununu Says No to Lifting Reusable Bag Ban. On Thursday, Gov. Sununu was pressured again by environmental advocates to end a ban on reusable cloth bags in grocery stores that he put into place early in the pandemic with one of his first emergency orders. The governor said he will not lift the ban because reusable bags remain a threat to customers’ and employees’ health. Meanwhile, New Hampshire is the only remaining state that banned reusable bags that has yet to lift the ban. (Source: Manchester Union Leader)

9. Epping Diner May Be Forced to Close for Using a Comma Instead of a Period in Main Street Relief Application. Due to an input error when applying for a coronavirus relief grant through the state’s Main Street Relief Fund, Ryan’s Place, a 70-seat diner in Epping the diner’s listed $386 million in projected sales in its application, 100 times its actual anticipated gross revenue. As a result, the diner was denied a Main Street Relief grant by the state Department of Revenue Administration June 18. Less than 24 hours later, owners Andy Tierney and Mickey McDermot filed an appeal to DRA explaining their mistake with the correct amount of $386,000 in expected gross sales. A week later, Tierney and McDermot received notice their appeal was denied, plunging their business into an uncertain future. State Sen. Jon Morgan said the lack of recourse for businesses in similar positions as Ryan’s Place on the part of the state is inexcusable. “We’re not California, Florida or Texas,” Morgan said. “We’re a small state and this was a very minor error. The fact no one in state government stopped to wonder how a diner increased its sales by a factor of 100 from one year to the next is unbelievable.” (Source: Seacoast Online)

10. Portsmouth Looking Into Changing $3 Million Insurance Requirement for Restaurants Serving Liquor. Earlier this week, the Portsmouth City Council voted unanimously to instruct city manager Karen Conard to research the city’s $3 million insurance requirement for restaurants to serve alcohol outside, and to take action if she finds a way to reduce it. The vote came a week after the Portsmouth Herald reported concerns from smaller restaurant owners who said that between the cost to set up new outdoor cafes and losses related to closures and capacity restrictions during the pandemic, they can’t afford the cost of the additional insurance needed to serve liquor at newly approved outdoor cafes. (Source: Seacoast Online)

Thursday July 16

The cover of the draft report of Portsmouth’s School Reopening Plan.

After a day when 2 new deaths and 24 new cases were announced, here are the other things you need to know about New Hampshire’s response to the coronavirus pandemic to start your Thursday.

1. Portsmouth Schools to Reopen With In-Person Instruction and Remote Option. The Portsmouth School Board has accepted a recommendation to reopen schools for in-person instruction starting Sept. 9, but will gather feedback from families before making a final decision. The plan calls for four levels of reopening based on the level of risk presented by the coronavirus. Should infections remain “low but present” in the seacoast area, the plan’s “phase three option” would go into effect with most children going back to the classroom, but with remote learning offered to parents uncomfortable sending their children back to schools. The phase three plan includes a social distancing recommendation of three-to-six feet, face masks and/or shields required by all students and staff indoors, and screening, hygiene and disinfecting protocols. Schools will send a feedback survey out to parents on July 16, who will be asked to return it by Aug. 1. The city’s full draft plan for school reopening is available here. (Source: Seacoast Online) Portsmouth’s approach is consistent with other districts across the state as school boards and superintendents rush to finalize reopening plans to deal with areas of unanswered questions and parent and teacher concerns. Some districts are also looking to take advantage of circumstances provided by the pandemic to reimagine and improve instruction in different grade levels. For example, Francestown Elementary School’s multi-age approach to teaching could be scaled up in other appropriate situations. Like Portsmouth, other districts are also juggling reopening plans with budget concerns. The ConVal School Board recently decided to implement a budget freeze. “The impact,” said Superintendent Dr. Kimberly Rizzo Saunders, “is not that we won’t be spending money, but we are spending it very strategically.” She added that a district the size of ConVal may need to reallocate between 1.8 and 2.2 million to support the school’s eventual reopening plan. (Source: Monadnock Ledger-Transcript) Another issue bubbling in the background is a lawsuit filed by the ConVal district against the state prior to the pandemic to force it to address disparities in public school funding. The lawsuit is now in the hands of the N.H. State Supreme Court which has been asked by the N.H. Attorney General’s Office to overrule a lower-court judgment that agreed the state’s current funding formula is unconstitutional.

2. NH School Guidelines Criticized for Being Too Vague. While Governor Sununu and Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut have framed the state’s new school reopening guidelines as offering “flexibility” and “local control”, state teachers union officials slammed the guidelines again on Wednesday for not being directive enough. “There’s a lot of ‘should’s in there, and that makes us nervous,” said Megan Tuttle, president of NEA-NH, the state’s largest teacher’s union. Meanwhile the President of the New Hampshire chapter of the American Federal of Teachers, Doug Ley, who also serves as the Democratic Majority Leader in the state House of Representatives, says the guidance leaves key gaps for districts. “No required use of masks. No state support to aid districts facing huge costs for heightened sanitizing and cleaning regimens. No aid for districts when it comes to transportation (how many kids can you fit safely on a school bus?) No help in obtaining PPE for schools. No help in ensuring all students have equal access to remote learning when it becomes necessary,” said Ley. (Source: Concords Monitor)

3. Nashua Health Officials Worried About Uptick in COVID-19 Infections Among Young People. Nashua health officials say that a recent uptick in cases might mean that young people aren't taking COVID-19 seriously. Nashua Public Health Director Bobbie D. Bagley said there has been an uptick in COVID-19 cases in people under 30. Contact tracing shows that exposures are also up. After one gathering, 26 people were asked to quarantine for 14 days, Bagley said. According to data on the state's COVID-19 dashboard, from June 8 through July 8, the number of positive tests among people under 30 increased 22%, compared to a 16% increase among older residents. (Source: WMUR)

4. UNH Outlines Reopening Protocols for This Fall. With students starting the move-in process in less than a month, UNH leaders held a Zoom town hall to speak to the Durham community. “We’ll test all faculty, students and staff before the semester starts and repeatedly throughout the semester and we have the capacity to test thousands of people every day to provide rapid turnaround of test results,” UNH President James Dean Jr., said. Students will be responsible for their own testing before they come to campus and then the university will handle additional tests after they arrive. Dean also said two residence halls will be set aside for COVID-19 positive students and everyone will be required to wear a mask on campus. (Source: WMUR)

5. Durham Prepares to Enact Mask Ordinance. As UNH prepares to reopen with a requirement for masks to be worn on campus, the Town of Durham is taking steps to ensure masks are worn off-campus too. Town Administrator Todd Selig is preparing to bring a proposal to the Town Council on August 3 to create an ordinance mandating members of the public wear masks or face coverings during the coronavirus pandemic. Selig said an administrative order he issued in late May requesting members of the public voluntarily wear face coverings to slow the spread of the COVID-19 disease caused by the virus is not working due to lack of compliance. He said fines for violations are likely to be part of his proposal, because the ordinance would be a “toothless tiger” if it did not include a penalty, but the goal will not be to impose fines. Selig said the ordinance will likely include requiring face coverings for employees of all businesses when interacting with the public or co-workers within 6 feet, as well as for members of the public entering businesses. The mandate would also apply to residents and visitors and members of public in residential or commercial building complexes of greater than two units while in common areas. (Source: Fosters.com)

6. North Country Doctors Urge Coos Residents to Mask Up. While rural Coos County has not experienced a single fatality or hospitalization, local health care providers say two positive cases reported last Friday are a reminder that the region cannot get complacent about taking preventive measures to avoid the spread of the virus. Androscoggin Valley Hospital President Michael Peterson said the North Country’s ruralness and lack of density has been a big advantage in helping the region avoid an outbreak of the coronavirus. But Peterson said health-care providers are all holding their breath because the region is a destination for many who come here to hike, paddle, ATV and bike. If a surge should come, he said it could still overwhelm the health-care system. Peterson said the hospital is operating at 80% capacity and the supply chain for personal protective equipment has not returned to pre-COVID-19 levels. While the hospital is set for now with PPE because it did not experience the surge it had prepared for, Peterson added that protective equipment is still a concern because if the supply is depleted, it would take weeks to replenish. (Source: Berlin Sun)

7. Muffled Motorcycle Week is a Go for August. When Motorcycle Week finally happens from August 22-28, it will look a lot different following a decision by the Laconia City Council. Under the plan approved 5-0 by the council, vendor booths and beer halls will be banned to minimize crowding. The only exceptions will be booths for the Motorcycle Week Association, and certain local non-profits. (Source: Laconia Daily Sun)

8. Nashville Singer from Hampton Debuts COVID-19 Song on WMUR. Nashville singer-songwriter Mike Dunbar is releasing a new song this Friday that finds meaning in the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dunbar wrote the song in Nashville during the early days of the stay-at-home order. The lyrics contemplate how many of us felt before the virus struck and everyday life was put on hold: that life was moving too fast and there was too much we had to run out and do. Now, in this “new normal,” Dunbar finds renewed gratitude for those simple, precious moments of human contact that are now so hard to come by. The song is called, “Let’s Stay In”.

THANK YOU again to all of the working journalists and media outlets across New Hampshire responsible for gathering the news highlighted in these summaries each morning. With many newsrooms being forced to cut back because of the pandemic, it’s more important than ever to support local journalism with a subscription or a donation. See how here.

Wednesday July 15

Gov. Sununu announcing school reopening guidance on WMUR.

After a day when 23 new cases of COVID-19 were announced, here is the news you need to know about the pandemic in New Hampshire to start your Wednesday.

1. Sununu Lays Down Rules for School Reopening. Newly released guidelines for reopening New Hampshire schools call for in-class instruction in most circumstances, but leave major decisions for how to resume teaching during the pandemic to local districts. At a press conference in Concord on Tuesday, Sununu said the guidelines are designed to keep students safe and to give districts flexibility to reopen based on local conditions. “What we didn’t want to do at the state level is say ‘You must adhere,’ and have those certain circumstances where it just wasn’t possible, and then those districts come back and say, ‘I guess we have to close, there’s no way to manage what you’ve mandated,’ ” The 54-page guidance document recommends that schools develop a process for screening staff, students and visitors daily; ensure HVAC systems are working properly to encourage air circulation; assign students to seats at desks at least three feet apart; and keep windows open and make hand sanitizer available on school buses. The document says cloth face coverings for teachers are “strongly encouraged” but not required by the state, and that students should only have to wear face coverings when they can’t maintain social distancing, such as at bus stops, classroom entrances, or in hallways. Under the guidelines, school districts can also decide whether or not to reopen and parents dropping off students at public schools must wear face coverings. (Source: NHPR)

2. Reaction Mixed to School Reopening Guidelines. The guidance drew a quick response with Berlin Mayor Paul Grenier calling it “fantastic” and the state’s largest teachers union calling it “scary” for teachers and students. “I agree not one size fits all,” Grenier said. “This allows the Berlin School Board to tailor recommendations for students. NEA-NH President Megan Tuttle said judging by the texts she received during the televised announcement, teachers are still worried and anxious. “They want to be back in school but they want it done safely,” Tuttle said. (Source: InDepthNH) In a prepared statement from NEA-NH, Tuttle also said, “Three to six feet of social distancing is recommended by the guidelines. But the Governor goes on to say that if it’s not practical, he’ll leave it up to each school to deal with. The result is that kids in some school districts get proper distancing, but others are put at risk. That is not acceptable.” The union claims there are far too many ‘shoulds’ in the guidance, “leaving more questions unanswered than answered.” It also said that the guidance does little to address the fears of teachers who fall into higher-risk categories. (Source: NEA-NH) While the governor praised the flexibility the guidelines provide for individual districts to make their own decisions, Sununu’s two Democratic primary opponents, Executive Councilor Andru Volinsky and Senate Majority Leader Dan Feltes, criticized the governor for not giving schools enough direction. “With less than two months before school starts, families and teachers wanted certainty; Sununu just delivered chaos. A governor’s job is to make tough decisions, not wait for months and then punt everything to everyone else,” Feltes said. (Source: Manchester Union Leader) Perhaps the most unintentionally humorous assessment was provided by State Epidemiologist Benjamin Chan who said, “I almost think about this as a Swiss cheese model. Each layer has holes.” Chan elaborated that while no layer is going to be 100% effective at preventing transmission, “when you put the layers together, the goal is to minimize the risk to staff, to children in the classroom, while trying to maximize the educational benefit of bringing students back to class.” (Source: Associated Press) You can access the entire 54-page guidance roadmap document here.

3. Philips Exeter Announces Plan for Students to Return to Classes. Phillips Exeter Academy Principal William Rawson has informed the Exeter Select Board of tentative plans for students to return to campus in the fall, though a definite return date is still unknown. Rawson said the return to on-campus classes will be done in a “staggered” manner with 100 student leaders coming back for Labor Day. Eleventh-graders and seniors will come back two days later, and ninth- and 10th-graders will return three and a half weeks after those students. (Source: Seacoast Online)

4. Moderna Vaccine Prompts Immune Response in All 45 Test Subjects. In a small early-stage clinical trial, a COVID-19 vaccine created by Moderna of Cambridge, produced antibodies in all 45 patients who received two shots 28 days apart in March. While many of the patients also experienced mild side effects, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the US government’s leading infectious disease specialist, said, “No matter how you slice this, this is good news.” Final stage trials are scheduled to start on 30,000 adults on July 27. Should the trials be successful and the vaccine is selected for production, it would be manufactured by Lonza Biologics in Portsmouth. (Source: Boston Globe)

5. COVID Response Recruitment Portal Now Available. During his Tuesday media availability, the governor announced the launch of a new “COVID Response Recruitment Portal”, which will connect job-seekers with employers across the Granite State. "There's already 1,000 open jobs there now," Sununu said. While the sorting features still need some work, the tool allows job-seekers to zero in on opportunities with specific employers, in specific communities, and in specific types of roles. Many of the available jobs are in long-term care facilities, which have been struggling to hire and retain staff during the pandemic. (Source: NECN)

6. Utilities Agree to Defer Utility Shutoffs for Low Income Residents Until Spring. The state’s electric utilities have a conceptual agreement not to disconnect low-income customers unable to pay their bills until next spring. Utilities, PUC staff and the governor’s office had earlier negotiated an agreement that would have begun the disconnection process in July for businesses, and in September for residential customers. But the state Consumer Advocate and a representative from New Hampshire Legal Assistance said more flexibility is needed for lower-income ratepayers, many facing losing $600 a week in unemployment benefits at the end of this month. In response, Eversource has worked out an initial repayment and shutoff plan for low-income residents that the state’s three other major utilities have agreed to with modifications. (Source: InDepthNH)

7. Eviction Cases Rising in NH. The New Hampshire Judicial Branch has released court filings showing eviction cases are on rise in New Hampshire since the state's coronavirus-related ban on evictions ended on July 1. In Manchester, the number of cases more than doubled between the first week after the eviction ban ended and the second week. Despite the jump, Stephanie Bray of New Hampshire Legal Assistance says that the federal moratorium on evictions under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act still protects many in New Hampshire. “If you are renting from a Section 8 voucher, or if you are renting in a subsidized complex, or if you are renting half a duplex that is financed with a loan backed by Freddie Mac...in all those situations the housing is touched by the federal government,” says Bray. (Source: NHPR)

8. NH Tourism Industry Still Dealing with PPE Shortage. Shipment delays and supply difficulties are hitting state lodging facilities and attractions hard. Cheryl Reardon, president of the White Mountains Attraction Association, said that if her members are lucky enough to find available products from their supplier, it takes up to two weeks for them to arrive versus the two to three days it took prior to the coronavirus. Facial coverings are being sold at liquor stores across New Hampshire, but Reardon said she wishes the state would also offer significant amounts of PPE and sanitation products for the tourism businesses to purchase for their own use. (Source: NH Business Review) In related news, the governor, during his Tuesday media availability, said the state is working to boost its reserve stock of PPE for an expected surge in cases later in the summer or fall. He cited disposable gloves as a category where there were good supplies in New Hampshire only a few weeks ago, but where there are now shortages because of ongoing supply chain issues.

9. 74 Prior COVID-19 Hospitalizations Added to State Data After DHHS Reassessment. Seventy-four Granite Staters who were hospitalized at some point during their COVID-19 battle are now being included in state health data after a reassessment was done, officials announced Tuesday. Dr. Benjamin Chan, the state epidemiologist, said the cases, which primarily occurred in April and May, involve residents diagnosed with COVID-19 who were hospitalized after their cases were initially reported to the state. (Source: WMUR) 

Tuesday July 14

The Portsmouth City Council meeting virtually via Zoom on July 12.

Here is what you need to know about the state and local response to the COVID-19 pandemic to start your Tuesday.

1. Judge Allows Nashua Mask Ban and NH State of Emergency to Stay in Effect. Nashua's face-covering ordinance and the governor's declaration of a state of emergency will both remain in place while they're being challenged in court, a judge ruled Monday. In denying the motions for preliminary injunctions, Hillsborough County Superior Court Judge Jacalyn Colburn wrote, "As anyone not living in a cave for the past few months would know, the state, the country and the entire world are in the midst of a once-in-a-century pandemic event.” The judge was equally blunt in rejecting a claim that the mask ordinance infringes on the plaintiff’s freedom of speech. She noted that the U.S. Supreme Court established more than a century ago that actions taken in response to a public health emergency should be upheld as long as they have a substantial relation to public health and safety and do not constitute a "plain, palpable invasion of rights." (Source: WMUR)

2. Portsmouth City Council Approves Mask Requirement, Will Now Consider Penalties. News that Nashua’s mask ordinance had been upheld by a Superior Court judge has prompted the Portsmouth City Council to look into enacting potential penalties for residents and visitors not wearing a mask. While City Attorney Robert Sullivan said a Portsmouth ordinance would likely look and work differently than Nashua’s ordinance, he believes the court’s ruling affirms that New Hampshire communities have legislative authority to create ordinances in matters of public health. “Do I think the City council has the legal authority to develop an ordinance like Nashua’s based on the court’s decision?”, Sullivan said. “Yes I do.” The next step, according to Sullivan, is for councilors to decide what should be in the ordinance and how they want it to work. In preparation for the meeting between councilors and the city attorney to discuss specifics, City Manager Karen Conard offered to contact officials in Nashua for more information on how their penalty works and how it has been enforced. Mayor Rick Becksted and Councilor Esther Kennedy expressed concerns about people with health conditions and disabilities that may make it difficult or impossible to wear masks. Becksted told the group that he suffers from a skin condition that makes it uncomfortable for him to wear a mask. Becksted and Kennedy said that any ordinance mandating masks should account for people with medical issues and disabilities. By a unanimous 9-0 vote, the council also passed a resolution created by councilors Jim Splaine and Deaglan McEachern requiring face coverings to be worn in Portsmouth. While the resolution is not an ordinance and does not include fines or penalties, it requires face coverings or plastic face shields to be worn by people over the age of 6 in situations where 6 feet of physical distancing is not possible. The resolution does not apply to people with medical conditions that preclude them from wearing masks or to walkers, runners, and bicyclists as long as 6 feet of physical distancing can be maintained. It also calls on Gov. Sununu to issue an emergency order to mandate face covering requirements statewide. The council also unanimously passed a separate resolution to work with citizens and city staff to come up with “positive incentives” to do what Councilor Jim Splaine said “will help more people be part of the solution rather than part of the problem.” During the public comment session prior to the meeting, several citizens spoke up in favor of a mask requirement, including Portsmouth Chamber President Valerie Rochon, former Councilor Josh Denton, and several other citizens, including members of the Citizens’ Response Task Force that has been working with the city to accelerate efforts to save local businesses. You can watch the debate on the two resolutions here: https://youtu.be/-ui0z0yUyDg Please note that the video does not include the public comments or the first several hours of the meeting. It begins as councilors were beginning to debate the first resolution. (Source: personal meeting notes)

3. Portsmouth Police Commissioner Defends Officer Who Broke Mask Requirement for Safety Reasons. A resident’s 911 complaint, about an officer responding inside her home without a face mask, was due to the officer’s quick response to a domestic altercation, said Police Commission Chair Joe Onosko. During the police response, a resident inside the home where the disturbance occurred, “called 911 because she wishes to have the officers leave her home because of COVID, she said they are in her home not wearing masks,” the log reports. Onosko said one of the responding officers was outside the home not wearing a mask. When he heard a scuffle inside, Onosko said, the officer ran inside maskless fearing for the safety of his fellow officer. The police commission chair said it happened “in the heat of the moment” during a domestic violence incident, which Onosko said are among the most dangerous for police officers. Current Portsmouth police policy requires officers to always wear masks while indoors as well as outside if they cannot maintain physical distancing. (Source: Seacoast Online)

4. Sununu To Announce School Reopening Policies Today. Following a weekend that saw President Trump order the nation’s governors to reopen classrooms this fall in all 50 states, Governor Sununu will outline guidance for a return to classes later today for New Hampshire school districts. While Sununu said Granite Staters should not expect blanket, statewide mandates, the guidance document is expected to include recommended safety procedures, including guidance on physical distancing, use of masks and sanitizer, and policies to avoid crowding. It is also expected to address several different scenarios based on the level of risk being presented by the virus at the time of reopening. (Source: WMUR) One group with a huge stake in a safe return to schools are teachers. The state’s largest teacher’s union, NEA-NH, is concerned that the needs of teachers are being pushed aside in a rush to reopen schools. While NEA-NH was invited to join a work group for the Governor’s hand-picked School Transition Reopening and Redesign Taskforce (STRRT), its representative wasn’t a voting member of the Taskforce itself. “Many of our educators fall into one the high-risk categories or take care of someone who does,” said Megan Tuttle, NEA-New Hampshire President. “Returning to in-person education too soon puts them at risk as well.” (Source: NEA-NH) A recent study by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that 1.5 million teachers (one in four) are at greater risk of serious illness if infected with the coronavirus. (Source: Kaiser Family Foundation) Also worth noting is that during last night’s Portsmouth City Council meeting, Portsmouth Health Officer Kim McNamara said keeping Portsmouth’s case numbers low (there are currently 6 active cases) will be an essential part of Portsmouth schools being able to reopen in the fall.

5. Battle Over COVID-19 Spending Authority Reaches Final Stretch. Final legal arguments in a lawsuit over who has the “power of the purse” were filed late Friday in a court case pitting Democratic lawmakers against Republican Gov. Chris Sununu. The case was originally dismissed earlier this year, when a superior court judge ruled legislative leaders did not have legal standing to bring the suit. But the judge agreed to reconsider the case last month when members of the Joint Legislative Fiscal Committee, who the judge agreed do have standing, were added to the suit. While about 75% the $1.25 million in federal CARES Act funds have already been allocated by the governor, a ruling in favor of the Fiscal Committee would give it the final say over how remaining and future funds are allocated. A conflict in state law gives the Fiscal Committee sole authority to allocate spending of federal funds. However, New Hampshire’s State of Emergency statute gives the governor broad powers to accept and spent money during an emergency. (Source: InDepthNH)

Monday July 13

From the City of Portsmouth website.

Here is the news about the coronavirus pandemic in New Hampshire that you need to know to start your Monday.

1. 31 New COVID-19 Cases, 6 of Them Children. The state Department of Health and Human Services on Sunday announced 31 new positive test results for COVID-19. There have now been 6,054 cases of COVID-19 diagnosed in New Hampshire. Several cases are still under investigation. Additional information from ongoing investigations will be incorporated into future COVID-19 updates. Of those with complete information, there are six individuals under the age of 18 and the rest are adults with 58% being female and 42% being male. (Source: InDepthNH)

2. Testing Numbers in NH are Slipping, Which Threatens All the Other Numbers. In the Concord Monitor’s 6th weekly update of how the pandemic is progressing, a key metric—testing—continues to decline. Since late June, the daily number of tests per 100,000 residents has declined from just over 2,000 per day to 1,884. The testing numbers are even more troubling because they include people like nursing home staff who are tested multiple times as part of regular surveillance testing. Accounting for them would reduce the number of people being tested on the average day to just 1,230 per 100,000. Another area of concern is that the number of new cases identified per day has stabilized at around 30 rather than continuing to decline. (Source: Concord Monitor)

3. Portsmouth Business Owners Frustrated with Customers Arguing About Wearing Masks. Business owners in Portsmouth are expressing frustration over customers who don’t want to wear a mask. While many have been complying with the policies of business owners—who have the option of requiring masks to be worn inside their shops and restaurants—some customers have been giving employees a hard time. Jannette Desmond, owner of Kilwins Chocolate, Fudge and Ice Cream Shoppe in Portsmouth, expressed her frustration over unruly customers. “I hate it,” Desmond said. “I absolutely can’t stand it and I feel – I employ a lot of young kids, 16, 17, 18-year-olds and they shouldn’t have to be dealing with somebody who’s kind of a little rude.” (Source: WMUR) Two separate measures are on the agenda for discussion at tonight’s Portsmouth City Council meeting that would create a stronger “ask” of the community to wear masks when social distancing can’t be maintained. Mayor Rick Becksted has thus far opposed efforts to make masks mandatory. Becksted also voted against an earlier resolution approved by the council 7-2 to “respectfully request” residents and visitors to wear face coverings in public. One measure being considered tonight by the council would establish a mask “mandate” in the city, but would not include any penalties or fines. The other would establish “positive incentives” for mask wearing. If you feel strongly about this issue, you can communicate with the mayor and city councilors here.

4. Restaurant Chains Move Forward with Openings as Industry Faces Uncertain Future. Set to open restaurants started before the pandemic struck, Tuscan Brands and Great NH Restaurants owners say their chains are still drawing customers, but like smaller eateries are facing a make-or-break fall and winter. Joe Faro and Tom Boucher agree if anything is keeping their restaurants afloat, it’s the outdoor seating. “Restaurants cannot pay their bills, let alone make a profit at a 50% volume. They just can’t,” Boucher, CEO of Great NH Restaurants, said of the current state seating limit on indoor dining. “I’m very worried about that.” Faro says some dining concepts are working better than others. Casual and traditional take-out model businesses like pizza and Chinese restaurants are weathering the crisis better, he said. But smaller restaurants that can only fit a few tables inside and in some cases have no space to seat customers outside may be the first to shutter for good, Faro said. “There are some amazing restaurants that are not going to make it,” Faro said. (Source: Manchester Union Leader)

5. Seacoast Residents Want Parking on Route 1A in Rye Reopened. Parking on Route 1A in Rye remains closed despite beaches at seacoast state parks reopening weeks ago. The ongoing parking restrictions, which effectively limit access to the coastal area between Wallis Sands and Odiorne State Parks to Rye residents are being questioned by residents of other nearby communities. Rye Selectmen Chair Phil Winslow said since Route 1A is a state road, selectmen have input but the final decision is up to the state. “The original decision to close the road was made in efforts to try and minimize people on the beaches,” Winslow said. “Parking was also restricted to 50% at state parks like Wallis and Jenness. Wallis Beach remains at 50% but Jenness is now open 100%, by reservation. Winslow said while the current word is that Route 1A will be closed to parking until Labor Day, he feels that might be revisited by state officials, maybe in August. (Source: Seacoast Online)

6. How 6 Problem-Solvers Tackled Pandemic Challenges In Their Neighborhoods. Cardboard beds. Urban farms. Roving mariachi bands. These are some of the ways that regular folks are solving problems and spreading happiness during the pandemic. The solutions aren't perfect — public health experts have some critiques and suggestions. But at the same time, they applaud the ingenuity and positive vibes. Read the stories of six grassroots change-makers — then nominate your own by sending an email to goatsandsoda@npr.org with your nomination, with "Problem Solver" in the subject line. (Source: NHPR)

Sunday July 12

After a day when New Hampshire topped the 6,000 mark for total COVID-19 cases, the president wore a face mask in public for the first time, and the U.S. broke the daily record for new cases for the 7th time in 11 days, here is the other news you need to know to start your Sunday.

1. Durham Residents Anxious Over UNH’s Reopening. Durham residents are growing concerned over the potential of a COVID-19 spike due to a lack of precautionary measures taken by University of New Hampshire students, according to Town Administrator Todd Selig. Selig said he and other Durham officials are responding to a growing number of resident complaints about a lack of mask wearing and social distancing by students living in off-campus housing. The town issued an order May 28 requesting community members and visitors wear face coverings when necessary to prevent spread of the coronavirus. (Source: Seacoast Online) 

2. Change in Federal Guidelines Provides Additional Budgetary Relief for State and NH Communities. A change in U.S. Treasury Department guidance will allow the state and local governments to use federal Cares Act funds to offset the 25 percent state and local assessment for FEMA emergency aid. When FEMA responds to an emergency as it did with the coronavirus, states or cities and towns are required to match 25 percent of what the federal agency spends. Prior to the change, state and local governments were blocked from using other federal money to pay their share of the 25 percent match. (Source: InDepthNH)

3. Black Trumpet Hits Roadblocks as It Tries to Stay in Business. Portsmouth chef and restauranteur Evan Mallett has re-worked his menu to fit a takeout model, started selling meal kits, arranged pop-up events and created a business partnership with Gather, a local hunger relief organization. But to generate the revenue he needs to stay in business, outdoor dining is essential. After having been blocked by the Department of Homeland Security from setting up tables outside his Black Trumpet restaurant on Ceres street, a lagging response from the city may be jeopardizing the July 15th start date for the Black Trumpet to become the anchor restaurant at a Bridge Street parking lot pop-up space for dining, shops and performances. (Source: Seacoast Online) Meanwhile, other Portsmouth restaurants are facing hard times and closures because of lack of available space for outdoor dining, customer concerns about the virus, and state guidelines that restrict restaurants in the state’s four most populous counties from opening indoor dining at more than 50% capacity. Portsmouth restauranteur Matt Louis said, “The scariest part for me is not the outcome of outdoor dining, it’s winter when we will likely see an economy in recession, unemployment and federal aid dry up. January and February – that’s when we will see the true ramifications of all this.” (Source: Seacoast Online) 

4. After Main Street Relief Fund, Picture Unclear for Concord Businesses. While New Hampshire’s small businesses have received state and federal support – from loans to grants – to keep their doors open, the next steps are less than clear—especially as programs like the Main Street Relief Program and Paycheck Protection Program wind to a close. Many say that even with the aid they’re struggling to hang on. “Once these federal monies disappear, I think we’re really going to see who survives and who doesn’t,” said Fred Keach, the vice president of operations at D. McLeod, a flower shop in Concord. Clouding the picture are three factors businesses and trade groups say are out of their control: whether there will be a second wave of the virus in New Hampshire; whether there will be another aid package passed in Congress; and when there might be a vaccine. (Source: Concord Monitor) 

5. NH WorkShare Program Helps Employees and Employers Weather Pandemic. With record levels of unemployment in New Hampshire because of the pandemic, people receiving unemployment insurance can qualify for WorkShare – a program allowing employees to work while still collecting unemployment insurance benefits. Eligible WorkShare participants whose hours have been reduced because of the pandemic can receive a percentage of their weekly benefit amount equal to the percentage of the hour reduction. Weekly benefit amounts may be reduced for additional hours worked. For employers, the program provides an alternative to layoffs. Amy Landers, executive director of Lakes Region Tourism Association, said she has tried to spread awareness of WorkShare to smaller businesses in the area that may be struggling to stay open and pay their employees. “A lot more employers would use it if they were aware of it,” Landers said. More information is available at the WorkShare page of the NH DES website.  (Source: NH Business Review)

6. NH Bankruptcy Filings Remain “Stunningly Low” for June. Bankruptcy filings in New Hampshire have sunk to a three-decade low for the last three months, coinciding with the highest unemployment rate since the Great Depression. “The numbers are stunning,” said Malcolm P. Blackwood, a Manchester bankruptcy attorney. He said that bankruptcy numbers were already “at historic lows before this crisis.” Blackwood says bankruptcies are low because workers have been helped by enhanced employment benefits and moratoriums on evictions and utility shutoffs. At the same time, business owners have been propped up by programs such as the Paycheck Protection Program and Main Street Relief Program. (Source: NH Business Review) However with eviction and shutoff moratoriums now over, supplemental federal unemployment benefits set to expire at the end of the month, and the vast majority of Main Street Relief program money already allocated, July and August may see bankruptcy rates start to rise.

7. Manchester’s Palace Theater Reopens. On Thursday, Manchester’ Palace Theater welcomed pint-sized patrons and parents back to the theatre for the first production in its usual children’s summer series, “Beauty & the Beast.” Palace President and CEO Peter Ramsey has been overseeing interior upgrades and developing new safety procedures designed to keep everyone safe once the floodlights switched on again. Ramsey says while no shows have been cancelled, there have been some postponements, including engagements with comedians Howie Mandel and Bob Marley. “And we haven’t lost one deposit. On the day we shut down in March we had sold 19,000 tickets for future shows. Four months later, we are at 20,000 tickets sold. Most of our patrons don’t want their money back – they trust us to do the shows as soon as we can,” Ramsey says. (Source: Manchester Ink Link) 

Previous Updates

Saturday July 11

After a day when 3 more Granite Staters fell victim to COVID-19, here is the news you need to know to start your weekend.

1. Trump Rally Postponed. President Donald Trump postponed a highly anticipated rally planned for today at Pease citing Tropical Storm Fay. White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany confirmed the decision to reporters traveling with the president in Florida on Friday, noting the "big storm" looming off the East Coast. She said the event would delayed "a week or two.” The National Weather Service forecast for Portsmouth, New Hampshire, shows a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9 p.m. EDT. The Weather Channel said that a stray shower or thunderstorm was possible. Tom Rath, a former New Hampshire Attorney General who has advised Republican presidential candidates, said he doubted many Republicans were disappointed by the decision to hold off on the rally. "Somewhat like learning the growth was benign," he said. (Source: USA Today) Mayor Rick Becksted had planned to hand out masks at the rally—and Councilor John Tabor and Rep. Peter Somssich had volunteered to join him. “We want to let visitors know these are our guidelines and rules we’ve lived by, and please be respectful when you’re here in our community,” Becksted said. Meanwhile, Somssich said, “I felt as a Democratic state rep, I should show my solidarity with him.” (Source: Seacoast Online)

2. Portsmouth City Officials Relieved to See Postponement, Council Will Meet Monday to Consider Mask Proposals. Assistant Mayor Jim Splaine said that while the postponement gives the city some time to “take a breather,” he and Councilor Deaglan McEachern plan to take advantage of the extra time to bring forward a motion at Monday’s City Council meeting to require masks in Portsmouth. McEachern said “while weather might have played a role” in the event’s postponement, he believed the 400 to 500 individuals who wrote to the City Council – and likely more to Sununu – “certainly factored in.” While the proposed ordinance would require masks to be worn in situations where social distancing can’t be maintained, it does not include any fines or penalties and would depend on “positive reinforcement” for compliance. (Source: Seacoast Online)

3. MIS-C Not Seen as Significant Threat in Granite State for Children. As the state readies to announce guidance for the reopening of public schools, a New Hampshire doctor says the threat to children from recently discovered Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C) remains low. Samantha House, doctor of osteopathic medicine and section chief of Pediatric Hospital Medicine at the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock, said MIS-C is a “serious but very rare disorder,” but the risk of a child contracting it, or COVID-19, is likely to be lower than the risk of catching other infectious diseases that circulate classrooms annually. New Hampshire has had one reported case of MIS-C. Among the total of 5,952 COVID-19 cases reported in the state, 6.2 percent were people under the age of 20, according to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. Barnett M. Christina, executive director of the New Hampshire School Board Association, said the board’s members “have not heard any mention or concern of MIS-C with respect to COVID-19,” in reference to conversations about concerns over opening schools in the fall. (Source: Granite State News Collaborative via the Concord Monitor)

4. Sununu Vetoes Family Leave, Voting Rights and Housing Protection. Gov. Chris Sununu on Friday vetoed three bills sent to him by the legislature that would have extended protections available to families, voters, and workers during and after the coronavirus pandemic. Topping the list was the governor’s decision to veto a bill establishing a state paid family and medical leave program. In his veto message, Sununu, who vetoed similar bills in 2018 and 2019, framed the program as an “income tax”. But House Finance Committee chair Mary Jane Wallner, D-Concord, said family leave allows someone to be with their loved ones when they most need it. “It is a fact that employees with access to this type of leave report higher job satisfaction, are more likely to stay in their jobs for longer, and even work more hours in the years following taking the time they need to care for themselves or a loved one,” she said. “We have been working on this legislation for over 20 years, and now the only person stopping it is Governor Sununu.” Also vetoed by the governor on Friday was an omnibus election reform bill he derided as “a wish list of unreasonable and unnecessary provisions.” The bill would make no-excuse absentee voting part of future elections and would implement online voter registration in New Hampshire. The third bill receiving a veto from the governor would provide additional protections for renters and homeowners unable to make their payments during the pandemic emergency. Sen. Dan Feltes, the prime sponsor of the bill, said “This veto is a slap in the face to the hard working New Hampshire families who have been devastated by this pandemic. Creating a housing fund is fine, but a housing fund is not housing protection.” The vetoes increase the number of bills vetoed by the governor during his current two-year term to 60. (Source: InDepthNH) You can see the complete list of bills vetoed by the governor in the current two year legislation here. (Source: NHPR) The legislature will meet in September to consider the governor’s vetoes, but a 2/3 majority is required in both the House and the Senate to override a veto.

5. Lack of Lifeguards Keep Concord Pools Closed. The city of Concord will not be opening any of its seven pools this summer because not enough certified people have applied to be lifeguards. Earlier this year when there was no guidance yet from the state on how to safely open pools amid the pandemic, the city decided to keep them closed. But in “mid-June, the governor came out with the recommendations for the pools, and city council asked us to go back and look at seeing if we can get some lifeguards to open a couple of the pools,” said David Gill, Concord’s parks and recreation director. But there were not enough applicants with the proper certifications, Gill said, as there have been no new lifeguard classes due to the pandemic. (Source: WMUR ) Meanwhile at Hampton beach there are plenty lifeguards on staff, but because of changes to life saving procedures because of the coronavirus, lifeguards now wear masks while on the beach and no longer share the same floatation device with rescue victims during rescues. Instead, the person being rescued uses the device while the lifeguard swims to shore holding an attached rope to maintain 6 feet of distance. In another change, only 15 of the 70 lifeguards at Hampton are permitted to provide CPR during rescues. However, the 15 “administrative” lifeguards are spaced across the beach and have access to ATVs that allow them to quickly respond, if needed. (Source: Seacoast Online)

6. Canobie Lake Park Readies to Reopen July 16 at Limited Capacity. Park officials say that when the 65 acre park reopens next week, guests over the age of 3 will be required to wear a face covering around the mouth and nose, such as a surgical mask or cloth mask, anytime they are not riding a ride, eating or in a mask-free rest area. Park guests will be required to make reservations to ensure the park doesn’t exceed 25% capacity in the first few weeks. The Canobie Lake Park’s Fun Squad will also don Ghostbuster-like backpacks full of hand sanitizer that they can spray and will help encourage social distancing while still having fun. (Source: Granite State News Collaborative via Manchester Ink Link)

Friday July 10

Waiver language on the registration page of the Trump campaign’s Portsmouth event.

BREAKING NEWS: Portsmouth Presidential Visit Postponed. The Trump Rally scheduled for Saturday has been postponed because of expected bad weather. In response, Nashua and Manchester Black Lives Matter have cancelled a protest at Pease planned to coincide with the rally. (Source: NHPR)

Here is the news you need to know about the state and local response to the COVID-19 pandemic to start your Friday.

1. Sununu Scraps News Conference Raising Speculation About Trump Rally. Gov. Chris Sununu’s office cancelled his regular news conference on Thursday setting off speculation about why he would not provide a COVID-19 update or take questions from the media. Sununu’s office gave no reason for cancelling the regular press availability, but said the next conference would be next week. At the governor’s most recent briefing on Tuesday, a small group of protesters outside the emergency operations center where the press conferences are conducted held placards opposed to Saturday’s scheduled Trump rally in Portsmouth. Members of the national media along with the regular contingent of questioners from state and local publications peppered Sununu with questions about the President’s campaign rally. (Source: InDepthNH) Sununu also drew heavy criticism on Thursday from both of his potential opponents in the fall’s general election for protecting himself by greeting the president in a mask and not attending the rally, while failing to issue an order requiring masks to reduce the risk of potential viral spread. In an interview with WMUR, Sununu said of his critics, “that’s just politics.” Meanwhile, the Trump campaign is highlighting its efforts to make the event as safe as possible and senior White House advisor Kellyanne Conway said it was understandable that Trump supporters with “underlying comorbidities" may not decide to attend. “If they don't feel comfortable to go at all, they should not," said Conway. (Source: WMUR) However, while the Trump campaign said it will provide both masks and hand sanitizer at the rally, it is not taking any chances when it comes to protecting its own financial health. As a mandatory requirement for registering for the event, rally-goers must agree to assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19, and waive the Trump campaign and the Portsmouth International Airport at Pease from liability for negligence, illness, or injury. (Source: Donald J. Trump for President, Inc.)

2. Portsmouth Council to Consider Mask ‘Mandate’ With No Penalties. Assistant Mayor Jim Splaine will bring forth two motions at Monday’s City Council meeting related to a mask mandate without associated punishment for non-compliance. The first motion, in partnership with Councilor Deaglan McEachern, would require the wearing of face coverings in the city, but without fines or penalties. The second motion would encourage “positive re-enforcement” of mask wearing via a variety of potential incentives. The news comes after Mayor Rick Becksted’s refusal to call a special meeting to consider a mask ordinance prior to President Trump’s scheduled rally on Saturday. Becksted, who voted against an earlier resolution passed 7-2 by the council that “respectfully requested” residents and visitors to wear masks, has referred to a mask mandate as “a last defense”. (Source: Seacoast Online)

3. Nashua a Bright Spot in NH’s Effort to for Contain COVID-19. Nashua, the state’s second-largest city with almost 90,000 people, has slowed the spread of COVID-19 through a range of efforts, including a citywide mask mandate. In addition to requiring masks in enclosed public places, Nashua opted not to open its public pools, postponed its live high school graduation ceremonies for seniors, hosted weekly testing clinics, narrowed Main Street to allow more outdoor dining, and encouraged social distancing. It only recently began to reopen a portion of City Hall. Nashua has had 680 cases of COVID-19 compared to more than 1,500 for Manchester. Mayor Jim Donchess says Nashua’s success can be attributed to its residents following guidelines, staying home and wearing facial coverings in public. The city also recently hired several workers to prepare for a potential second wave of the virus. (Source: Manchester Union Leader)

4. Infections Rising in Younger NH Residents. Public health officials are monitoring an increase in the number of children and young adults testing positive for the coronavirus in New Hampshire. From June 8 to July 8, the number of positive tests among people under age 30 increased 22% from 1,030 to 1,255, compared to a 16% increase among older residents, according to daily data posted on the Department of Health and Human Services’ COVID-19 dashboard. “We are watching this very carefully as we see the trends that are happening in the rest of the country,” said Patricia Tilley, deputy director of the state Division of Public Health. (Source: Seacoast Online)

5. Sununu Facing Veto Decisions on Coronavirus Relief Legislation. After three bills providing coronavirus relief to N.H. residents reached his desk this week, Gov. Sununu now must decide whether to sign them, veto them, or to allow them to become law without his signature. The bills would provide additional safeguards for renters and homeowners facing eviction, would temporarily overhaul the state’s absentee voting process during the COVID-19 pandemic, and would create a mandatory paid family and medical leave program for Granite State employees. During the 2019 session, the governor vetoed a record 57 bills. (Source: Concord Monitor) Worth noting is both a new emergency paid sick leave benefit and an emergency paid family medical benefit that took effect in April as part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) are set to expire at the end of the year.

6. Business Tax Rates to Stay the Same After Trigger Avoided. New Hampshire’s business taxes are not likely to rise in 2021, after the state avoided a key trigger set in motion by the 2019 budget. The Department of Administrative Services announced this week that the state has likely sidestepped a trigger that would have raised business taxes if revenues fell short for Fiscal Year 2020. Under a 2019 budget compromise, the business profits tax was allowed to stay at 7.7% and the business enterprise tax at 0.6% – despite Democrats’ wishes to reverse prior tax cuts – but only if revenue stayed steady. If revenue for the whole Fiscal Year 2020 came in at least 6% stronger than planned, the business taxes would be reduced. If revenue came in 6% weaker, taxes would be raised. While revenue was weaker, based on the latest unaudited revenue estimates, the toll of the pandemic wasn’t enough to reach 6%. (Source: Concord Monitor)

7. Pandemic May Have a Crushing Impact on Women’s Long-Term Careers. With the pandemic undermining child care support structures like day care, summer camps, schools, and after school programs, many of the strides women have made in the workforce are at risk. “I’m afraid this is going to set us back decades in terms of the women’s movement,” says Paige Beauchemin of Nashua. According to a recent analysis from the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR), American women spend on average 37% more time on unpaid household and care work than men. In addition, the Center for American Progress (CAP), an independent nonpartisan policy institute, found that on days both parents are working for pay, women are much more likely to clock hours on household chores. During the pandemic, managing kids’ online learning has also rested more on women’s shoulders. A New York Times poll reported that among dual working parent households in lockdown, 80% of mothers said they invest more oversight on homeschooling than their children’s fathers. “In times of crisis,” according to Beth Humberd, an assistant professor and expert in gender and the workplace at UMass Lowell’s Manning School of Business, “we fall back on those inequitable patterns that maybe are still there.” Rebecca Glauber, an associate professor at the University of New Hampshire worries that work conflicts and added stress from managing child care issues will make it harder for women to be successful. “Increased family burdens reduce productivity and those who are less productive may be the first to go as employers consider furloughs and layoffs,” said Glauber. (Source: NH Business Review)

8. Diocese Officials Announce Plan to Fully Reopen Catholic Schools in Fall. Catholic schools in New Hampshire will reopen this fall with full classroom-based instruction with the “appropriate safeguards in place,” according to the Diocese of Manchester. David Thibault, Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Manchester, also announced the creation of a “Transfer Incentive Program” for newly enrolled students. Anyone in grades one through eight who is transferring from a non-Catholic school will receive $1,000 off tuition for the first year and $500 off for the second year. High school transfers will receive a $2,000 discount on their tuition for the first year and $1,000 off for the next year. (Source: WMUR)

9. NH PUC Agrees to Public Hearing on Resuming Utility Shut-offs. New Hampshire state regulators have agreed to hold a virtual public hearing next week on plans to resume utility service disconnections. The state recently ended its pandemic-related moratorium on shutoffs for overdue payments. Now, the Public Utilities Commission is deciding how utilities should resume the shutoffs, as well as late payment fees. The state's utility consumer advocate, Don Kreis, called for a public emergency rulemaking process on the issue earlier this month. Kreis said it wasn't fair for the PUC to make those decisions in private during an economic and public health crisis. (Source: NHPR)

10. No COVID-19 Patients Remaining at Exeter Hospital. After discharging a man who spent four weeks in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit and another two weeks as an inpatient, for the first time since the start of the pandemic Exeter Hospital has no COVID-19 patients in its care. Debra Vasapolli, director of public relations at the hospital, credits residents of greater Exeter for adhering to public health guidelines for the relatively low number of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations the past several weeks. (Source: Seacoast Online) As of Thursday, 24 people remain hospitalized across the state. Hospitalizations peaked in N.H. at 126 on May 13. (Source: N.H. Department of Health and Human Services).

Thursday July 9

After a day that saw 2 new deaths—and New Hampshire hitting its lowest rate for COVID-19 hospitalizations since mid-March—here are the other things you need to know to start your Thursday.

1. Portsmouth Mask Mandate Fizzles Ahead of Trump Rally. Portsmouth city councilors have received more than 150 emails from constituents concerned the rally for President Donald Trump on Saturday poses a threat to public health due to the potential spread of the coronavirus. But Mayor Rick Becksted rejected calls by several councilors to hold an emergency meeting ahead of the Trump rally to implement a mandatory mask policy. The governor also took a pass on mandating masks at the rally. Sununu said that although he plans to wear a mask when he greets Trump at Pease on Saturday, he is unlikely to attend the rally himself out of concern for his health and the health of his family. “I’m going to meet the president as the governor, I will not be in the crowd of thousands of people,” he said. The Pease Development Authority has also said it will not require masks at the rally. The only other possible option would be for the city’s health department to declare a state of emergency. But according to Deputy City Manager Nancy Colbert Puff, that’s unlikely to happen unless cases in the area spike before Saturday. (Source: Seacoast Online) Unlike recent rallies in Oklahoma and South Dakota, the Trump campaign says it will urge attendees at the Pease event to wear masks and will also distribute them. On Wednesday, public health officials in Oklahoma attributed a dramatic surge in recent coronavirus cases to a Trump rally in Tulsa earlier in the month. (Source: Associated Press) Meanwhile, NH House Speaker Steve Shurtleff and a group of medical professionals including one-time state epidemiologist Rich DePentima and former NH Medical Society President Leonard Korn separately called on the governor to mandate the wearing of masks or face coverings to blunt an expected surge in cases. (Source: Manchester Union Leader)

2. Trump Rally Also Raising Cost Concerns. In addition to safety, some Portsmouth officials are concerned about whether the city will be reimbursed for extra police, fire, and security costs. Police Commissioner Stefany Shaheen expressed dismay about the cost of the rally to the city on the heels of budget cuts related to the COVID-19 pandemic. "To be incurring unexpected expenses right now, not to mention what could likely happen relative to public health, it's not tenable, it's not fair, and these expenses should be reimbursed," Shaheen said. The Portsmouth city manager's office said it was told by the campaign that it will forward invoices to the Secret Service. Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh did not provide assurances that the costs would be reimbursed. (Source: WMUR)

3. As President Threatens Funding Cuts, NH School Officials Say Reopening Decisions Will Be Made Locally. With the White House threatening to withhold federal funds to schools that don't fully open their doors in the fall, school superintendents in New Hampshire are planning for multiple scenarios. As the governor prepares to release guidance developed by a task force, districts have been moving forward with their own planning processes, most of which are similar to the state task force recommendations. The options on the table are low-, medium-, and high-risk models that range from continuing with fully virtual learning, moving to a hybrid system with both in-person learning and online instruction, and returning to in-person instruction full-time. District superintendents say they would like more guidance from the state on whether students would be required to wear personal protective equipment and how lunches, recess, and bussing would be managed. Most districts would like to have a plan in place by August 1 to give plenty of time for parents to prepare. (Sources: WMUR and Monadnock Ledger-Transcript)

4. Health Experts and Peers Urge Young People to Take More Precautions Against Virus. As New Hampshire and other states have reopened, many young adults have flocked to beaches and other gathering spots, some taking no steps to protect themselves and others against the coronavirus. In Florida, the median age to contract the virus has plummeted from age 65 to 36. In New Hampshire, the age group consisting of 20 to 29-year-olds makes up 14.9 percent of the state’s cases but only a tiny percentage of hospitalizations. The only group with a higher percentage of cases, according to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, is adults age 50 to 59 at 16.8 percent. Dr. Jose Mercado, an epidemiologist at Dartmouth-Hitchcock said young adults should look at the spike in numbers for their age group as a reminder that while they are less likely to suffer complications from the virus, they are not immune to it and can easily pass it on to others. Meanwhile, some of the toughest critics of young people failing to take precautions are other young people. Benjamin Strawbridge, a recent UNH grad, said, “For a group of people who want it [coronavirus] to go away or lessen its statistical impact, their hypocritical disregard of the threat in the real world makes that dream almost impossible.” (Source: Granite State News Collaborative via the Concord Monitor)

5. $17 Million More Awarded to NH Healthcare Facilities. This week, another portion of the $100 million in federal CARES Act emergency funding set aside for healthcare facilities was allocated to New Hampshire nursing homes along with medical, dental, and eye care practices. The largest recipient of the $17 million in newly allocated funds was Catholic Charities, the operator of seven long-term care facilities across the state, at $881,200. Other recipients included several nursing facilities and practices in the Portsmouth area. You can view the full list here. (Source: InDepthNH)

6. Seacoast Art Galleries Struggle to Reopen. The art galleries that bring life and color to our communities are looking for new ways to do business in a COVID-19 world, and are nervous about the prospects. Limited hours, the need to build new online systems, declining sales, anxious customers, and nagging fear of another surge are causing some to question how long they can survive. The New Hampshire Art Association Gallery on State Street in Portsmouth closed halfway through its in-gallery silent auction March 13. Board President Renee Giffroy says the gallery’s long-term viability depends on what happens with the pandemic over the next several months, and what happens with the demand over that time. “We are certainly doing everything we can to survive,” she said. (Source: Seacoast Online)

7. Visually Disabled Voters Sue Over NH Absentee Ballot System. Disabilities Rights Center-New Hampshire is suing Secretary of State William Gardner on behalf of the National Federation of the Blind and its New Hampshire chapter, Granite State Independent Living, and three voters with disabilities. The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court, seeks to force the state to implement an accessible, electronic absentee voting system. "Every step of New Hampshire's absentee voting program is inaccessible," the lawsuit states. "Plaintiffs are entitled to equal access to New Hampshire's absentee voting program to vote privately, secretly, independently, and safely, as individuals without disabilities can." According to the lawsuit, technology is in use across the country that allows voters with disabilities to register to vote and request, receive and return absentee ballots electronically, and nearly half the states allowed such returns as of September. (Source: WMUR)

8. Exeter’s Powder Keg Beer & Chili Festival Canceled for 2020. The Exeter Parks and Recreation Department and the Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce announced Wednesday the cancelation of the 9th annual Powder Keg Beer & Chili Festival. The festival was scheduled to take place Saturday, Oct. 3 at Swasey Parkway, but is being canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Source: Seacoast Online )

9. Focused on Climate and Social Distancing, Shaheen Returns to N.H. Campaign Trail. U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen returned to in-person campaigning on the Seacoast Wednesday, positioning climate change at the center of her re-election bid. Shaheen, a Democrat, was at Throwback Brewery in North Hampton – joined, in masks and at a distance, by environmentalists, students and groups endorsing her. Shaheen said the coronavirus has had a disproportionate effect on people of color and other marginalized communities. She said it should be a reminder to Congress to focus their climate response on environmental and health justice, as well as science. (Source: NHPR)

Wednesday July 8

After a Tuesday that saw two additional deaths in New Hampshire from COVID-19, here is the news you need to know to start your Wednesday.

1. Sununu To Greet Trump, But Will Skip Portsmouth Rally. Gov. Sununu said he will not attend President Donald Trump’s campaign rally Saturday night in Portsmouth but will greet him wearing a face mask. The state does not have a requirement to wear masks in public nor a ban on public gatherings, Sununu said, but he urged the thousands expected to attend the Trump rally at the former Pease Air Force Base to wear masks. Sununu said he would not mandate the wearing of masks at the event nor did he say he would explicitly ask the President to do so. Sununu said any governor should always be there to greet the sitting President. But “I’m not going to put myself in a crowd of thousands of people,” Sununu said. “I try to be extra cautious for myself and my family.” (Sources: InDepthNH and NECN) Meanwhile, the executive director of the Pease Development Authority says the rally will be conducted on a “vast area” of private tarmac. While Paul Brean says the airport terminal will be closed on Saturday, he believes the rally won’t be too disruptive for PDA tenants. Brean says attendees should come prepared for bad weather and for security screenings. (Source: Seacoast Online) Also at Pease on Saturday, the Black Lives Matter chapters of Manchester and Nashua plan to lead a peaceful protest ahead of President Trump’s rally. The group is working with Portsmouth area organizers to figure out an exact location for the protest and plans to have medical professionals and peacekeepers on-site. (Source: Seacoast Online)

2. Seacoast Doctors Weigh in on Risk of Attending Trump Rally. President Trump’s rally at Pease has raised concerns among local medical experts about a potential spike in COVID-19 cases. Dr. David Itkin, infectious disease expert at Portsmouth Regional Hospital, said he worries the visit may undo the work that has led to a decline in new cases and hospitalizations. “I am not sure we have the ability to control infection in a really large crowd where some people will choose not to wear a mask,” Itkin said. Martha Wassell, director of infection prevention at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover, said any planned public gathering regardless of size during a pandemic is concerning from a public health perspective. “Crowds of any form inherently increase the risk of coronavirus transmission,” Wassell said. “Being in a group with people who aren’t social distancing or wearing cloth face coverings increases your risk,” she said. “Engaging with new people raises your risk. Some people have the virus and don’t have any symptoms, and it is not yet known how often people without symptoms can transmit the virus to others. Can you keep six feet of space between you and others? The closer you are to other people who may be infected, the greater your risk of getting sick.” The Trump campaign has said masks will be available at the rally for attendees who are “strongly encouraged” to wear them. (Source: Seacoast Online)

3. State Outlines Plans for Polling Place Protective Equipment. New Hampshire's pollworkers will be outfitted with masks, face shields, gloves and gowns for the September primary and November general election — but local officials will need to reuse some of those items, including face masks, in both elections, according to new guidance from the Secretary of State. While the guidance outlines what kind of protective gear voters and pollworkers can expect to to used on Election Day, the state has yet to issue guidance on how to respond to individuals who object to wearing a mask inside the polling place — something that local officials have been requesting in recent weeks. The state says it will cover the costs of election-related protective gear using federal COVID-19 relief funds it received earlier this year. (Source: NHPR)

4. Under Pressure from COVID-19, Assisted Living Facility Shuts Down. After 30 years in business, the family that owns Rose Haven Assisted Living in Merrimack has decided to close the facility. "This has been a very heartbreaking decision for my family," said administrator Cynthia Gaudreault. One of the biggest issues was staffing, Gaudreault said. She said the home has remained free of COVID-19, but one staffer had to self-quarantine, which meant others had to pick up her hours creating a snowball effect that made it challenging for the facility to operate. Rose Haven will close at the end of the month.(Source: WMUR)

5. Hospitals, Eateries, Media, Relatives of Elected Officials Get Forgivable PPP Loans in N.H.. Hospitals, construction companies, media outlets, car dealerships, private schools, nonprofits, restaurants and enterprises owned by relatives of elected officials were among 23,500 recipients of forgivable loans in New Hampshire through the federal Payroll Protection Program. A resort business owned by Gov. Chris Sununu’s family received a loan totaling $350,000 to $1 million from the Payroll Protection Program to offset financial losses from COVID-19, according to the Small Business Administration. Businesses involving Republican U.S. Senate primary candidate Corky Messner and the family of Sen. Jeanne Shaheen also received PPP loans. A database provided by the SBA did not include the exact amounts of loans companies received. (Sources: InDepthNH and Manchester Union Leader)

6. COVID-19 Relief Fund for the Self Employed Leaves Out Some. While applications are now open for the Self Employed Livelihood Fund Program to provide economic relief to people who are self-employed, eligibility rules continue to shut some people out. Businesses that received even small amounts of money from the state’s Main Street Relief Program are ineligible. The program is also closed to businesses having one or more employees (including seasonal workers) or that have been in operation for less than a year. Hospitals, health care and child care providers, farmers and nonprofits are also ineligible. The maximum award amount a business can receive is $50,000. Applicants have until July 17, 2020 at 4 p.m. to submit their applications. (Source: NHPR)

7. Lodging Business Improves as Quarantine Requirements Loosen. Area hoteliers and B&B owners are seeing business again after COVID-19 emergency orders relaxed, but acknowledge they’re taking guests at their word as they conduct COVID-19 screenings with guests both in and out-of-state. “I feel like we should have been deputized by the state,” Peterborough’s Jack Daniels Motor Inn owner Chris Lorimer said of the screening process. “It makes a lot of extra work. Every reservation is a special case,” he said. The change in restrictions lifts the requirement for residents of other New England states to attest that they have quarantined at home for 14 days. Lorimer said easing the requirement has brought back regular customers who are visiting family in the region, although the inn has been housing first responders, medical professionals and essential workers throughout the pandemic. (Source: Concord Monitor)

8. Manchester Proposal Would Expand Outdoor Dining. Restaurants in Manchester will now be allowed to request extra space for outdoor dining. The Manchester Board of Mayor and Aldermen passed a proposal on Tuesday that allows restaurants to take two to three parking spots in front of their business to add more tables. Mayor Joyce Craig said if things keep progressing, they would also discuss closing off Elm Street altogether for a couple of weekends in the fall to allow for expanded outdoor dining. (Source: WMUR)

9. As Second Wave Looms, Some NH Restaurants Stick to Curbside. Although New Hampshire began to allow indoor dining June 15, some restaurants have decided against going that route for a variety of reasons, from cost savings to health concerns for customers and staff. “People are still not wearing masks, people are going to bars, and mingling with tons of other people. I don’t feel comfortable, and my employees don’t feel comfortable with letting people into the store at this point,” said Michelle Lesmerises, owner of Crackskull’s Coffee and Books in Newmarket. Mike Somers, CEO and president of the New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association, says eateries around the state are doing their best to comply with state guidelines while remaining in business, but some are experiencing less interest in indoor dining than before the health crisis. (Source: NH Business Review)

10. Artwork to Fill Vacant Portsmouth Storefronts. Painter Frank Hyer has launched a new public, visual art project called “Art Through The Looking Glass.” Working with painter Alastair Dacey with support from painter and gallery owner Todd Bonita, the artists plan to fill vacant storefront windows in downtown Portsmouth with visual art exhibits for curbside viewing. Hyer says Portsmouth is a town where arts have a symbiotic relationship with surrounding businesses and non-profits, and are a major element in the city’s persona and economy. The team hopes to set up its first exhibit at 21 Daniel St., formerly the Provident Savings Bank. If you’re interested in supporting the effort, direct queries to www.toddbonitagallery.com. (Source: Seacoast Online)

11. City of Portsmouth Replaces City Manager’s Advisory Newsletter with Portsmouth Reopening Newsletter. Subscribers to the Portsmouth City Manager’s email newsletter noticed a big change this week as the city launched a redesigned version devoted to news and updates on the City's ongoing response to COVID-19. The redesigned newsletter provides updates on reopening efforts and the activities of the Citizens Advisory Task Force as well as links to critical economic relief resources for businesses and residents. You can subscribe here. (Source: City of Portsmouth)

Tuesday July 7

Here is the news you need to know about the state and local response to the coronavirus pandemic to start your Tuesday.

1. Portsmouth Councilors Urge Passage of Mask Mandate Ahead of Trump Rally. Concerned about the possibility of the Saturday night rally becoming a coronavirus super-spreader event, two Portsmouth city councilors are pushing for a special meeting to vote on a mandatory mask wearing ordinance. Councilor Deaglan McEachern said a mask requirement was already scheduled to come up for debate next week before the council. But with President Trump’s rally happening on Saturday, he’s now asking Mayor Rick Becksted to call a special meeting so the council can vote on the idea as soon as possible. However, Becksted is resisting the idea. “I do not feel I will go and call a special meeting for a one-day event,” he said. “I don’t see what the point of it would be to explore it any further.” Councilor Jim Splaine has also written the Portsmouth Development Authority urging the PDA to enact its own mandate. Splaine said, “I am also concerned that there will be a lot of visitors to Pease who will also go to our downtown and elsewhere in our community, not following the CDC guidelines of mask/face covering or social-distancing,” he said. “By the Pease Development Authority taking this action, it is more likely that people will get the message to follow those guidelines.” The Council is scheduled to meet on Thursday, but Mayor Becksted says the sole focus of that meeting will be discussing the performance of the City Manager. (Sources: Seacoast Online , NHPR, and InDepthNH) Meanwhile, in a statement provided to reporters, Gov. Sununu urged those attending the rally to wear masks. The statement did not indicate whether Sununu, a supporter of the president, would attend the rally. But the statement noted that “in the past, the Governor has greeted the President upon arrival at the airport.” The Trump campaign has said it will provide masks to attendees and will also make hand sanitizer available. (Source: Seacoast Online) More information about the Make America Great Again rally can be found here.

2. Second Wave May Hit NH Hard. New Hampshire may be particularly susceptible to a second wave of COVID-19. Lori Shibinette, the Commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services, said New Hampshire should expect a second wave that is just as severe, if not more severe, than what the state has already experienced. “Yes, you should have anxiety,” she said in a press conference. With one of the lowest rates of new cases in the country, New Hampshire has been successful in preventing widespread infection. But Lisa Adams, a professor of epidemiology at the Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine said this success may come at a cost. Adams said no state in the U.S is anywhere near the infection level that would achieve herd immunity, a resistance that develops when a certain percentage of the population is immune to a disease. But given the choice between coronavirus ravaging a state and low immunity, Adams said she would gladly take the situation New Hampshire is in now. (Source: Concord Monitor)

3. Pandemic Opens a Huge Hole in State Revenues. Unaudited state revenues for the recently completed 2020 fiscal year are $142.5 million below the revenue plan budget writers developed for a balanced budget. Business taxes, and the rooms and meals taxes took the biggest hit from the economic slowdown brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. With projections for the 2021 fiscal year estimating an even larger $182-$385 million shortfall, Gov. Sununu and other state officials are hoping another round of federal stimulus money will at least partially offset some of the state’s losses. To date, the federal government has provided $1.25 billion in emergency CARES Act relief to the state. But federal guidance for spending the funds prohibits states from using the money to offset revenue losses. (Source: InDepthNH)

4. Relief Now Available for Self-Employed Business Owners. Grant applications are now available online for self-employed business owners who have experienced pandemic-related financial losses. All applications must be completed by 4:00 PM on Friday, July 17, 2020. Help is available by phoning The Department of Revenue Administration (DRA) Call Center at (603) 230-5000, Option 0, from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. You can get more information and apply at https://gtc.revenue.nh.gov/TAP/SELF/_/ (Source: NH DRA)

5. Report Coming on Communities Disproportionally Affected by COVID-19. A group created by Gov. Sununu to address racial and ethnic disparities heightened by the pandemic hopes to submit a draft of its recommendations on Friday. The group is made up of leaders in the area of racial and ethnic disparities and health equity. It has been meeting for more than a month to develop recommendations to address disparities in communities that have been disproportionately impacted by the virus. (Source: WMUR)

6. Hospitals and Construction Firms Top List of NH PPP Loan Recipients. Rural hospitals, a software vendor, and a demolition contractor in Salem are among the largest New Hampshire recipients of Paycheck Protection Program loans from the federal government, according to new data released Monday by the Small Business Administration. Under the rules of the program, organization that used the funds toward approved expenses including payroll will have their loans forgiven. Companies that fail to use the money on payroll will have to pay back the loans at a small interest rate. In New Hampshire, more than 23,000 companies and nonprofits received loans. The release of PPP loan data for organizations receive over $150,000 comes after several national media outlets including the Wall Street Journal sued the Trump administration for its initial refusal to release the federal loan information to the public. (Source: NHPR). Over the weekend, President Trump signed legislation extending the deadline for small businesses to apply for forgivable loans under the program until August 8. (Source: Forbes)

7. Sununu’s Ratings High as TV Face of Virus, But What If His Vetoes Continue? While much of the work of the legislature has flown under the radar as both the House and Senate scrambled to find ways to meet during the pandemic, last week’s action by the House means Gov. Sununu will soon face a series of sign-or-veto decisions on key bills ranging from absentee voting changes, to PFAS, to criminal justice reforms. According to veteran State House reporter Gary Rayno, this session’s accomplishments hinge on what the governor decides to do. Rayno says if the governor vetoes almost all of the bills passed last week, Democrats and Republican lawmakers alike will have little to show for this year. But according to Rayno, vetoing a lot of bills is not a good look going into a general election bound to turn out more moderate voters than a primary. (Source: InDepthNH) The bottom line is that whether you are for or against specific legislation that will soon be sitting on the governor desk, now is the time to make your feelings known. You can get contact info for the governor here: https://www.governor.nh.gov/contact-us

8. NH Health Officials Move into Spotlight During Pandemic. Two of the most prominent faces during the pandemic have been State Epidemiologist Benjamin Chan and Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Lori Shibinette. Day after day throughout the coronavirus crisis, the pair have been fixtures on local television and the focus of daily news reports, giving updates on the number of illnesses and deaths, while offering advice on how to stay safe. This feature article explores their transition from behind the scenes administrators to public figures as the crisis took hold. (Source: Concord Monitor)

Monday July 6

Signs from Sunday’s Open Democracy march in Portsmouth to promote absentee voting.

Here is the news you need to know about the state and local response to the COVID-19 pandemic to start your Monday.

1. Trump to Hold Rally Next Saturday in Portsmouth. President Donald Trump will hold an outdoor campaign rally Saturday, July 11 at 8 p.m. at the Portsmouth International Airport at Pease. Attendees will be asked to sign a waiver to “voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19, and waive, release and discharge” the Trump campaign and Pease officials from liability. Like recent rallies in Tulsa and at Mount Rushmore, face coverings will not be mandatory. “There will be ample access to hand sanitizer and all attendees will be provided a face mask that they are strongly encouraged to wear,” the president’s reelection campaign announced. Portsmouth City Councilor Deaglan McEachern and Assistant Mayor Jim Splaine called for an emergency council meeting this week to implement a mandatory mask order in Portsmouth in advance of the rally. This would not address masks at the rally itself, because the airport is overseen by the Federal Aviation Administration and the tradeport by the state’s Pease Development Authority. Splaine also sent a note to the PDA urging it to enact a mask requirement for the rally. (Source: Seacoast Online)

2. NH COVID-19 Testing Numbers Slip As Other Key Measures Hold Steady. In its fifth weekly update on four key indicators of how the COVID-19 pandemic is progressing in New Hampshire, the Concord Monitor reports that state PCR testing rates have now fallen below 2,000 per day. This is an indicator that the state is running well short of conducting enough tests to adequately detect a potential uptick in the spread of the virus. According to the report, a rate of testing that falls below the target level is also reason enough to call the rest of the state’s data into question. That said, the report says three critical goals are now being met: The rate of positive tests is below 5%, the daily rate of new cases is under a level considered dangerous for the population as a whole, and the two-week running average of new cases has continued to fall since June 4. (Source: Concord Monitor) Note: the Monitor’s analysis is based on data provided by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.

3. Marchers Promote Absentee Voting in Fall Elections. With COVID-19 presenting potential safety issues for voters in this fall’s primary and general elections, voting rights advocates are encouraging voters to apply for absentee ballots now rather than waiting for a potential last-minute crunch. On Sunday, Open Democracy NH organized a march through several downtown streets with signs encouraging NH voters to vote absentee. “Don’t let COVID-19 keep you from voting this fall,” said Brian Beihl, deputy director of Open Democracy. “People can vote at home by absentee ballot and keep themselves and poll workers safer. They can apply now.” In past years, the group has organized long walks across the state calling for campaign finance reform. But this year, the focus is on maximizing voter participation in ways that minimize the risk of spreading the virus. (Source: Seacoast Online) You can find more information about absentee voting here. Applications for absentee ballots and for new voter registration are available from your city or town clerk. In Portsmouth, you can download them from the Voter Information page of the City of Portsmouth website. Please note that, for now, you must complete and return separate applications for ballots for the primary and general elections. However, last week the legislature passed a bill that will change the application process to allow voters to request both ballots with just one application.

4. Vermont Governor Lets Vote-By-Mail Bill to Become Law. Vermont Gov. Phil Scott says he will let a bill allowing mail in voting during the November presidential election to become law without his signature. The law allows mail-in voting in case the COVID-19 pandemic makes it too dangerous for people to go to the polls. Under the legislation, all voters will receive ballots in the mail and they can be returned by mail, dropped off at their local town or city clerk’s office, or brought to their polling place on Election Day. (Source: NECN) Note: In New Hampshire, two bills that would change election procedures are on their way to Gov. Sununu for action.

   1. HB1266 makes temporary changes to expand absentee voting in 2020 elections to anyone with health concerns about going to the polls. It also changes the absentee ballot application to allow voters to use the same application to request ballots for both the primary and general elections (see item above), while allowing moderators to open the outer envelopes of absentee ballots and organize them for counting prior to Election Day. While the governor is expected to sign HB1266, a second bill passed by the legislature has a less certain future.

   2. HB1672 would make no-excuse absentee voting permanent, allow online voter registration, and repeal the state’s use of the Crosscheck system, which has been criticized for providing bad data resulting in thousands of eligible voters—including a disproportionate number of minority voters—being purged from voter lists without their knowledge.

5. Experts Predicting a “Perfect Storm” for Tick-Borne Illnesses. As plagues of locusts descend on parts of Africa and South Asia, conditions are ripe for plague of ticks in New Hampshire. The combination of a mild winter and more people venturing outdoors after months of shutdowns and home isolation mean that doctors are expecting to see a spike in patients with tick-borne illnesses. Dr. Sorana Segal-Maurer, director of the Dr. James J. Rahal, Jr. Division of Infectious Diseases at NewYork-Presbyterian Queens, is concerned that many people are letting down their guard when it comes to ticks. She also says if you feel ill, it’s important to see a doctor because warning signs for tick-borne illnesses are "very similar to the severity that we've seen with COVID-19”, including fever, muscle aches, headaches, and severe fatigue. (Source: WMUR)

6. Hospitals and Medical Practices Resume Non-Emergency Services. Many elective and non-emergency medical and dental services that were put on hold in March are once again available and patients are starting to come back. Deb Cresta, President of CORE at Exeter Hospital said, “There is not any area right now that is not open to our patients.” Dr. Whitney Goode, Chief Dental Officer for Seacoast Community Health, said phase two of reopening included restarting preventive care and bringing back most of the dental team and hygienists. “We are still limiting aerosol producing procedures,” Goode said. For example, instead of using ultrasonic scalers, dentists are using hand scalers and are avoiding tools that squirt water or air. (Source: Seacoast Online)

7. Great Island Common Closed After Reopening for One Day. Great Island Common in New Castle, home to a town beach and some of the prettiest views on the New Hampshire seacoast, has closed its gates again after reopening for just one day on July 1st. An update posted on the town’s website cites the recent surge of coronavirus cases in other states along with resident concerns as reasons for the closure. While parking won’t be available, the beach and the common remain open for local pedestrian traffic from residents and visitors residing within walking distance. (Source: Town of New Castle)

8. NH Distilleries That Switched to Making Hand Sanitizer Switch Back to Making Spirits. As reopening restrictions loosen and national manufacturers of hand sanitizer boost production, many of the NH distilleries that switched to producing hand sanitizer at the start of the pandemic are now switching back. (Source: Manchester Union Leader)

Sunday July 5

Social distancing signage at a Lafayette road coffee shop.

After a day when state officials reported 4 new deaths attributed to COVID-19, here is the news you need to know to start your Sunday.

1. Seacoast Doctors Urge Vigilance in Response to Nationwide COVID-19 Surge. As coronavirus infections surged in 40 of the 50 states and the national daily infection rate last week hit an all-time high, local medical experts warn if residents and institutions get careless, the region could quickly become part of the resurgence that is leading many states to shut down for a second time. One risk factor, local health experts said, are summer tourists who come to the Seacoast from every corner of the country. “We are all thinking about what the tourist season will bring for all of our communities and how that will impact COVID rates,” said Robin LaBonte, York Hospital’s interim chief executive officer. “That is a question we all are watching closely to see what develops as we move through the next couple of weeks.” (Source: Seacoast Online )

2. Happy Beachgoers Stream Into Hampton Beach. On a beautiful July 4th Saturday, people flocked to Hampton Beach. According to the reporter observing the scene, most seemed to be respectful of the need to social distance, but few wore masks. John Nyhan, president of the Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce, said he was pleased with how the weekend and the return of visitors to the beach has been going. “A lot of people are trying to do the right thing and to bring back the tourists and businesses we all love,” he said. “The people are coming and we are happy to have them.” (Source: Seacoast Online)

3. NH Infection Data Shows Being Near “Cluster Cases” Is Highest Risk Factor. According the data from the NH Dept. of Health and Human Services, the people at greatest risk for contracting COVID-19 are non-infected people in facilities and workplaces where more than three infections have been detected. To date 41% of NH’s COVID-19 cases have been “cluster-associated” cases in nursing homes and other types of residences and workplaces. The next highest risk factor at almost 21 percent was contact with someone who had COVID-19, just slightly higher than the 19 percent from community transmission, 15 percent from international or domestic travel with 4 percent being unclear. (Source: InDepthNH) Worth noting is that while the state publishes infection data for long-term care facilities and for health care and nursing home workers, it does not publish data on infection rates for workers in other types of businesses or case data for individual workplaces and businesses where clusters have been detected. The state has also not published the precise number of cluster cases identified in NH through contact tracing, which would shed light on how many workplaces beyond nursing homes have experienced multiple infections.

4. COVID-19 Making NH’s Shortage of Nurses Even Worse. County nursing home officials say that even before the spread of the novel coronavirus which causes COVID-19, they were struggling to fill positions in their facilities. Now they also have to contend with the staff contracting the virus and potential employees shying away out of fear they might get it. Many homes have been trying to fill the gap by hiring more “per diem” nurses who work on a day-to-day basis, like substitute teachers, for a higher hourly rate. An advantage for nursing home administrators is that unlike full-time employees, per diem workers don’t have to be paid benefits. But a disadvantage is that nurses working in multiple facilities increases the risk of COVID-19 being spread from one facility to another. “We do have a concern about people being in multiple facilities,” said Tiffany McCary, the nursing director for the Rockingham County Nursing Home. “We are very careful with the facilities where they have been.” (Source: Granite State News Collaborative via Monadnock Ledger-Transcript)

5. Portsmouth Naturalization Ceremony Another Victim of COVID-19. A year ago, 81 new citizens took their oath of citizenship in the annual July 4th naturalization ceremony at Strawbery Bank. But this year’s ceremony was canceled because of the coronavirus—a situation that is causing deep anxiety for people whose dreams of citizenship have been put on hold. After halting all naturalization ceremonies several months ago amid the coronavirus pandemic, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services resumed swearing in small numbers of new citizens earlier this month. But with larger ceremonies disappearing in favor of small group and drive-through ceremonies, the backlog of new citizens waiting to take their oaths continues to grow. The delays come at a time when citizenship applications face greater scrutiny, delaying the transition of hundreds of thousands of applicants from permanent residents to U.S. citizens. With the November elections approaching, many applicants are concerned they may not be sworn in as U.S. citizens in time to register to vote. While some members of Congress have called for changes to suspend the oath-taking requirement or to allow oaths to be administered remotely, USCIS officials say that unless there are changes to the law in-person oaths will remain a requirement. Under Title 8 of the Code of Federal Regulations, naturalization ceremonies are required to be public and the applicant must ‘appear in person’ to take the Oath of Allegiance. (Source: New York Times)

6. Voters Urged to Apply NOW for Absentee Ballots. As a temporary measure related to the pandemic, all eligible voters in New Hampshire can register to vote by mail and apply for absentee ballots. But to avoid an expected surge in absentee voting, Deputy Secretary of State David Scanlan says voters should make their requests for absentee ballots and absentee voter registrations early. (Source: Granite State News Collaborative via the Laconia Daily Sun) To raise awareness of the need to act now, a NH voting rights group will be holding the 2020 Seacoast Walk for Voting Safety at 2 p.m. from Lafayette Shopping Plaza to Portsmouth’s Market Square and back. Applications for registering to vote as well as for absentee ballots are available now on the Voter Information page of the City of Portsmouth website.

7. As Some Businesses Benefit from Pandemic, Many Face Uncertain Futures. While NH’s economy was stable before the pandemic, there has been a devastating loss of employment in some sectors and a desperate need to fill jobs in others. Demand remains high for grocery and convenience store workers, delivery drivers, and staff in warehouse and manufacturing positions. But ultimately, how the pandemic will shape the workforce going forward—especially in quieter areas of the state like Cheshire County—remains a huge question mark. “I’m not sure anyone has a complete handle yet on the exact effects of COVID-19 on the regional workforce — now, or even what the situation might be 3-6 months from now,” Phil Suter, executive director of the Greater Keene Chamber of Commerce, wrote in an email recently. Suter noted that many of the region’s employers were experiencing workforce challenges before the pandemic. And while COVID-19 has altered the landscape in some ways, he said it has also exposed challenges that already existed, such as the region’s aging workforce and the need for more people to fill jobs in manufacturing. (Source: Keene Sentinel)

Saturday July 4

Here is the news you need to know about the state and local response to the COVID-19 pandemic to start your Independence Day.

1. One New Death and 38 New Cases Announced, 6 Involving Children Under Age 18. While COVID-19-related hospitalizations continue to trend downward, the number of newly announced cases in NH rose on Friday. 38 new cases brings the state’s cumulative total for cases to 5,857. Six of the new cases involve Granite Staters under the age of 18. (Source: WMUR)

2. Manchester Fisher Cat Fireworks Among Few Regional Displays. With COVID-19 canceling nearly every public fireworks display across the state, the Manchester Fisher Cats have been the exception. The team has been selling tickets to three consecutive nightly displays at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium. Masks and tickets are required and seats are being sold at picnic tables spaced 6 feet apart. Tonight is the final night. For tickets and more information, visit https://www.milb.com/new-hampshire/events/fireworks-shows. (Source: WMUR)

3. Pandemic Brings A Different Fourth of July for Politicians. A year ago, presidential campaigns and candidates were all over New Hampshire's well-worn Independence Day parade routes. But this year the COVID-19 pandemic has severely curtailed the kind of retail politicking the Granite State is known for. "Yeah, there'd be a whole bunch of parades and barbecues and those aren't going to happen. It's good on my waistline but it's tougher to reach people,” said Dan Feltes, Democratic candidate for governor. With little opportunity for in-person candidate-to-voter contact, analysts say the pandemic makes it more difficult for challengers to get their message out. (Source: WMUR) Over the summer, expect to see candidates holding virtual events, upping their presence on social media, and expanding voter communication efforts using text messaging, email, traditional mailings, and telephone outreach.

4. Advocates Ask State to Direct More COVID-19 Resources to Communities of Color. A group of Black, Latino and immigrant business owners and community advocates is calling on Gov. Chris Sununu and lawmakers to direct more COVID-19 relief money to minority communities. In a letter sent to the governor on Friday, the group asked officials to direct $5 million of the state's COVID recovery funds to businesses, health services, and other recovery efforts in Black, brown, and immigrant communities. In New Hampshire, data from the state health department indicates the state’s Black and Latino residents make up a disproportionately large share of the overall number of COVID-19 infections. Advocates say the state could have done a better job reaching out to minority residents and business owners, especially non-English speakers, about the availability of relief funds. The state isn't collecting demographic data on grant recipients, making it hard to know for sure whether relief funds are reaching minority communities. (Source: NHPR) You can read the entire letter here.

5. Feds to Stop Sending Useless Gowns to NH Nursing Homes. The federal government is no longer sending New Hampshire nursing homes disposable isolation gowns described in as “useless garbage bags.” Instead, it will provide a different style, according to a spokesperson for the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The New Hampshire Health Care Association, which represents nursing homes, said this week the bulk of the items sent by FEMA to protect workers against the coronavirus were unusable, including child-sized gloves, surgical masks with ear loops that broke when stretched, and isolation gowns with no arm openings. Gov. Sununu said the state is replacing defective items with items from its stockpile and is asking FEMA to do the same. (Source: Seacoast Online)

6. Hospitality Businesses Trying to Stay Positive During a Time of Uncertainty. COVID-19 is not stopping the Fourth of July holiday, but it is changing people’s vacation plans. Ron Wheeler and Teresa Muolo expected to be in Florida this week, “but with the increase in (COVID) cases down there, we decided to come up here,” said Wheeler, who grew up in New Hampshire, but now lives outside Syracuse, New York. As the summer vacation season begins in earnest, businesses across the Lakes Region that cater to tourists are banking that there will be a lot more vacationers like Wheeler and Muolo, whose Plan B or C will bring them there to escape and recharge. Lodging operators say the governor’s decision to end quarantine requirements for residents of other New England states will help. But many are finding it difficult to hire help, citing the $600 per week federal unemployment benefit that is scheduled to expire after July 25th. Also making hiring more difficult is the president’s executive order halting the ability of businesses to bring in foreign workers under the H-2B and J-1 visa programs. (Source: Laconia Daily Sun)

7. Portsmouth Continues to Add Outdoor Dining Options. For many years, outdoor dining in Portsmouth’s downtown was a rare sight mainly found on the waterfront. But with many restaurants needing an outdoor dining option to stay open during the pandemic, a task force made up of citizens and businesses has been working with city officials to rapidly carve out needed space from normally heavily-trafficked city streets. (Source: Seacoast Online) A list of Portsmouth restaurants permitted for outdoor dining and/or approved to resume indoor dining is available here.

8. What Renters Need to Know About Evictions. As state protections for renters expire, many residents are in danger of losing their homes. Jeff Goodrich, an attorney with the Legal Advice and Referral Center, says that while he’s not sure the $35 million in relief funds targeted at renters is enough, he hopes the $2,500 maximum for which renters applying for aid are eligible will at least make a dent. Goodwin says a tenant without the financial means to pay the back rent who owes more than $2,500 might be in a precarious situation. He suggests people falling into that category apply for the $2,500 through their local Community Assistance Program (CAP) AND go to their local welfare office for additional financial assistance. (Source: NHPR)

9. Boom Times for 2nd Home Market in NH. According to Andy Smith of Peabody & Smith Realty in Littleton, the coronavirus outbreak is spurring interest in seeking rural retreats among residents of more densely populated metropolitan areas like Boston and New York. However, Smith says that the prospect of working remotely is equally important. “Internet connectivity has improved significantly,” he said, “and without it there would be no interest.” He suggested that as many as 80% of prospective buyers were “fairly affluent residents of the Boston area.” Smith and other real estate brokers in the 2nd home business compare the current market to the rush to purchase 2nd homes after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001. (Source: NH Business Review)

Friday July 3

After a Thursday that saw 21 new cases and 2 new deaths, here is the news you need to start your Friday.

1. State Releases List of Businesses Receiving Main Street Relief Funds. On Thursday, the Governor’s Office of Economic Relief and Recovery released the names of businesses receiving $322 million in emergency aid under the state’s Main Street Program. The funds were part of a $1.25 billion emergency allocation to New Hampshire that was part of the federal CARES Act. In Portsmouth, 275 businesses received a total of $23,196,784—the second highest total for any NH city behind Manchester’s $24,619,748. You can see the full list here. (Source: InDepthNH)

2. Sununu Drops Quarantine Requirement for New England States, Relaxes Nursing Home Restrictions. As COVID-19 infection rates continue to spike across the country, the focus in New Hampshire remains on reopening as the rate of positive tests has remained under 5%. Yesterday, Gov. Sununu lifted the quarantine requirement for visitors to New Hampshire coming from other New England states. Visitors from Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island who stay at NH lodging facilities will no longer have to attest that they self-quarantined for 14 days before coming to New Hampshire. Meanwhile, Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Lori Shibinette announced the state is will be implementing a phased approach to opening up community activities in long-term care facilities. The guidelines include maintaining physical distance and wearing masks and allow residents of facilities in northern NH counties, where transmission rates have been lower, to resume communal dining and recreational facilities. Facilities in Rockingham and Hillsborough counties, where the virus has been spreading more actively, will not be able to move forward with the changes yet. (Source: WMUR) News of the relaxation of the restrictions came on a day when 2 the state announced the COVID-19-related deaths two more residents of NH nursing home facilities. To date 82% of NH’s COVID-19 fatalities, 25% of hospitalizations, and 35% of total cases have involved residents of long-term care facilities. (Source: DHHS Daily Coronavirus Dashboard) According to a DHHS summary report released yesterday, seven NH nursing facilities are still combatting active outbreaks. You can view a complete list of facilities with active outbreaks—as well as those where previous outbreaks have been closed—here.

3. Lonza Partner’s Vaccine Trial Delayed. A 30,000-patient trial of a coronavirus vaccine candidate developed by Moderna, expected to start next week, has been delayed. The day presents a potential hurdle in the company’s ambitious effort to deliver key data by Thanksgiving. Moderna did not respond to multiple emails asking how long the delay will last or whether it has anything to do with the vaccine’s safety or manufacturing. Moderna is one of over a dozen U.S. companies racing to develop a COVID-19 vaccine. Should Moderna’s trials be successful, Portsmouth’s Lonza Biologics would manufacture the vaccine. (Source: Stat News)

4. Preparing for Fall Elections, N.H. Pollworkers Seek Guidance on Mask Usage At Polling Places. While much of the recent focus has been on changes to make absentee voting easier, in-person voting will still be available in both the primary and general elections. While the state is planning to outfit local pollworkers with masks, gowns, gloves, face shields and other protective gear, local officials say they need more clarification on whether they can mandate mask usage at the polls. At an information session hosted by the Secretary of State’s office Thursday, officials said they’re finalizing guidance on this and other outstanding questions about New Hampshire’s COVID-19 election procedures and should be ready to share more details soon. Rep. William Bordy, a Democratic legislator and a local election worker in Nashua, said the mask issue is dampening pollworker recruitment. "I had quite a few election workers who said, I'm willing to process absentee ballots, but I don't want to deal with people in person because I feel as though I'm being assaulted by people without masks,” Bordy said. (Source: NHPR)

5. NH Consumer Advocate Wants More Public Input on On Plans To End COVID-19 Utility Shutoff Ban. New Hampshire’s utility consumer advocate wants more transparency and public input on plans to lift the state's ban on utility shutoffs later this month. In a new emergency petition, ratepayer advocate Don Kreis says the state's electric, water and gas utilities are reporting large swaths of customers who've held off paying their bills in the past few months. On Tuesday, Sununu announced a moratorium established with one of the first emergency orders at the start of the pandemic will lift on July 15. Kreis says that as recently as June 17, at the same PUC conference where the utilities presented their data on overdue bills, he and utility justice advocates from New Hampshire Legal Aid were recommending a more lenient approach to resuming shutoffs.During that discussion, Kreis says there was no mention that the shutoff moratorium might soon be rescinded, or of “behind-the-scenes discussions” between the PUC, utilities and governor’s office. (Source: NHPR) The two largest contributors to Gov. Sununu’s reelection campaign are both large utilities. NextEra Energy has contributed $28,000 and Eversource has contributed $12,000. (Source: Vote Smart)

6. Hampton Beach Readies for Fourth of July Crowds. Hampton Police Chief Richard Sawyer said police are preparing for a busy Fourth of July with the forecast being much sunnier than last weekend. Police have beefed up their presence after complaints about disruptive behavior the last couple of weeks. But Sawyer said recent efforts to quell civil unrest at the beach have been successful, including closing the sand on the main beach at 9 p.m. starting last weekend. Hampton officials have said they are being cautious to prevent overcrowding so orders like beach closures do not happen again this year. While the Village District is preparing to relaunch Monday night movies starting July 13 with a showing of “Toy Story 4” on a large projector screen, the traditional fireworks display has been cancelled. (Source: Seacoast Online)

7. Fireworks Industry Reeling from Fourth of July Cancelations. A boost in consumer sales for backyard displays hasn’t been enough to fuel an industry that has seen the cancelation of nearly all municipal fireworks displays. Steve Pelkey, CEO of Atlas Pyrovision, which provides consumer fireworks sales from its Rindge storefront and puts on professional displays around the world, said the two halves of his business have been impacted in profoundly different ways. Pelkey says sales from his consumer business are up 40%. But those sales represent only about 30 percent of their business. Pelkey said the rest of his business is professional displays, which have been devastated by the lack of outdoor events. “Typically, we’d be doing around 230 municipal displays. This year, we’re doing three,” Pelkey said. (Source: Monadnock Ledger-Transcript) Meanwhile, in the city’s daily email update, the Portsmouth Fire Department reminds residents that despite the disappointment resulting from the cancellation of this year’s Portsmouth fireworks display, a city ordinance prohibits the discharging consumer fireworks anywhere within the city limits.

Thursday July 2

Here is what you need to know about the state and local response to the COVID-19 pandemic to start your Thursday.

1. Manchester Sees Decline in COVID-19 Cases. For the first time since the start of the pandemic, Manchester has seen a two-week drop in COVID-19 cases. With a holiday weekend approaching, Mayor Joyce Craig urged residents to keep doing what they have been doing. "Again, it's stressing the health precautions that we have been doing -- wearing a mask, social distancing," she said. "Don't get together and stay home if you're not feeling well." Craig said any gatherings should be held outdoors. The city is also pushing residents to get tested for COVID-19. Manchester has been hit especially hard during the pandemic. The state’s largest city has seen more than 25% of the state’s total deaths, hospitalizations, and cumulative cases occur within its borders. (Source: WMUR)

2. If COVID-19 Spikes, Sununu Favors Limiting Hours, Not Shutdowns. If coronavirus cases surge, Gov. Sununu says New Hampshire likely would limit hours for restaurant dining or visits to bars rather than close those businesses. At his briefing Tuesday, Sununu faced a variety of questions about the prospect of rising cases, which have occurred in more than 35 states in recent weeks. “We don’t want to be in a position where we pull back too far. Limiting hours might be the better way to go rather than just closing down again,” Sununu said. “A shutdown is really the action of last resort.” Sununu has yet to act on the recommendation of his Economic Reopening Task Force to further restore indoor dining in restaurants. (Source: Manchester Union Leader)

3. State Revenue Picture Bleak Without Additional Federal Assistance. Two weeks after the House Ways and Means Committee provided revised revenue estimates, Gov. Sununu is predicting a significant drop in state revenues due to COVID-19 -- to the tune of over half a billion dollars in the current budget. Sununu says he'll oppose any efforts to raise taxes to make up for the shortfall, but is asking department heads to make cutbacks. “Eliminating discretionary spending, at least until we see what might be coming out of the federal government," he said. Sununu has implemented a hiring freeze and is delaying non-critical capital improvement projects. (Source: NHPR)

4. COVID-19 Hitting NH’s Black and Latino Communities Hard. New Hampshire’s minority residents have made up 26% of the state’s coronavirus cases where race was reported, showing a severely disproportionate impact of the public health crisis on Black and Latino communities. That’s according to a report released this week by the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute examining inequities among racial and ethnic groups in New Hampshire, and the impact on their opportunities to thrive. Long-standing inequities, lower incomes, resource limitations, less access to medical care, and a higher likelihood of employment in service jobs with more exposure to the virus were among the factors cited in the report. (Source: Seacoast Online) The full report is available here.

5. President Expected to Sign 8-Week Extension of PPP Loan Program. Less than 24 hours after the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) shut down, Congress has given the loan program new life. On Tuesday evening, the Senate approved a bill by unanimous consent that would keep the program accepting applications until August 8th. The move comes as good news for small businesses in states like New Hampshire. The extension buys time for businesses that had trouble getting their paperwork together or that were unaware of the program. (Source: Forbes)

6. N.H. Hospitals Say They Need More COVID-19 Relief Money From State. Hospitals in New Hampshire say without more money from the state to offset huge losses from responding to the coronavirus they could be in serious financial trouble within the next few months. Steve Ahnen with the New Hampshire Hospital Association told the Legislative Advisory Board of the Governor’s Office For Emergency Relief and Recovery on Wednesday that hospitals in the state have lost more than $530 million in revenue since March. Ahnen says state and federal grants delivered to hospitals in New Hampshire so far have only made up for about half of the total shortfall. “There's no question that hospitals will need significant financial support over the coming months,” said Ahnen. (Source: NHPR)

7. FAQs: COVID-19 Housing Assistance Information For N.H. Renters And Landlords. As the moratorium on evictions lifted this week in New Hampshire, tenants who have trouble paying their rent and utilities as a result of the pandemic can apply for relief from a $35 million dollar state fund. Help is available for any person, regardless of income level, whose ability to pay rent, mortgage, or utilities has been impacted by COVID-19. For more information and links, see the complete set of FAQs developed by NHPR. (Source: NHPR)

8. Election Officials Prepare for Socially Distanced Voting and LOTS of Absentee Ballots. Preparations are underway for a fall election season that will look very different for NH voters. Plexiglass screens separating poll workers from voters, polling places redesigned to accommodate social distancing, and longer lines caused by the need for separation as well as a potential shortage of poll workers are just a few of the changes voters will face. "I really think those that vote absentee are probably doing themselves a favor by not having to wait in line at the polls," said Manchester City Clerk Matt Normand. "Because of social distancing, it's going to draw that line out a little bit further than they're accustomed to." In Manchester, if 50% of voters opt for absentee ballots because of concerns over COVID-19, that would mean there would be 8,000 absentee ballots to count in September and 25,000 in November. "Even a conservative estimate of 40-50%, if everything is left to Election Day, it's going to overwhelm the polling places," said state Sen. Tom Sherman, D-Rye. (Source: WMUR) Bottom line: it’s time to request your absentee ballots for the primary and the general election. Portsmouth residents can find the application and more information about the process here.

9. Portsmouth Pop-up Roof Venue Moves to Parking Lot. Organizers of a popup arts, food and beer venue raised $90,000 in a week and the venue has been changed from the rooftop of the Foundry Place Garage to the Bridge Street parking lot. Those announcements were made during a Wednesday meeting of a task force formed to support local businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Plans call for a beer garden, theater performances, sheds for restaurants, and food trucks. The idea for the popup venue is credited to Kathleen Cavalaro, executive director of Seacoast Rep, former City Councilor Nancy Pearson, Cava co-owner John Akar, Black Trumpet Bistro owner Evan Mallet, Oomph Hair Salon owner Tanya Hart, marketing director for Seacoast Rep Brian Kelly, Diversions Games and Puzzles owner Laura Keith, and former Mayor Steve Marchand. For more information: popuprooftop.com (Source: Seacoast Online)

10. Seacoast Science Center Reopens for Weekend Visits. The Seacoast Science Center in Rye will reopen for public visits on weekends only this summer, starting Saturday, July 4, after nearly four months of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Source: Seacoast Online)

11. Movie Theaters Waiting for Major Releases to Reopen. Although New Hampshire movie theaters were allowed to reopen at 50% capacity this week for the first time since the start of pandemic, most will stay closed until major new movies are released later in the month. Regal Fox Run & RPX in Newington, Cinemark in Portsmouth, O’Neil’s Cinemas in Epping, and BarnZ’s in Barrington, remain closed. “We are keeping a close eye on CDC, local and state government guidelines to make the movie-going experience when we open again as safe and enjoyable as possible,” said Lori Dirksen, marketing manager at O’Neill’s Cinemas. “Although some states are allowing theaters to open now or soon, we also need to keep an eye on what movie studios are doing. As they delay the release of their new films to theaters, unfortunately we need to delay our opening day. There are always a lot of moving targets with everything involved in COVID-19.” (Source: Seacoast Online)

12. What You Need to Know Before Visiting a NH State Park. If you’re looking to plan a beach day at one of New Hampshire’s state parks, you might want to book your reservations now. Wallis Sands State Park in Rye doesn’t have any openings until Tuesday, July 28. Making a reservation means your spot in the parking lot is secure for the entire day, and it can be canceled anytime before 9 a.m. the day of the reservation for a refund. (Source: Concord Monitor) You can make a reservation here.

Wednesday July 1

The last House Calendar in a pandemic-interrupted session along with the remote control legislators used to vote, but weren’t able to use to change channels on the Whittemore Arena JumboTron.

After a Tuesday that saw 4 new COVID-19-related deaths in New Hampshire, here is what you need to know to start your Wednesday.

1. Governor Urges Mask Use As New Cases Surge in Other States. As many states move to tighten restrictions in light of an alarming boom of coronavirus cases, New Hampshire officials renewed their call for residents to continue wearing masks and to maintain social distancing. State Epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan said that despite New Hampshire’s more positive numbers, the experiences of other states show Granite Staters cannot become complacent. Chan said the best way to slow or stop the spread of the coronavirus is for individuals to wear face coverings and maintain social distancing when out in public. At a press event on Tuesday, Gov. Sununu, who has consistently resisted calls to make the wearing of masks mandatory, echoed Chan’s call to wear masks. Sununu said it is a commonsense way to protect the community and help ensure that New Hampshire doesn't have to reverse its reopening plans. (Source WMUR)

2. Nursing Homes Receive Defective Protective Equipment from FEMA. Massive amounts of the personal protective equipment sent to nursing homes by the federal government have been unusable, according to the New Hampshire Health Care Association. Some shipments included face masks with paper ear loops that were too brittle and broke when stretched. Other shipments included cloth masks, which, according to the CDC, are not considered adequate protection in a clinical setting. A Manchester nursing home administrator even received 1,800 extra-small gloves on Thursday that were nearly useless for a full staff of adults, said Brendan Williams, the president of the New Hampshire Health Care Association. In a photograph, Williams is shown trying to put on a protective gown sent by FEMA that lacks hand holes. (Source: Concord Monitor)

3. COVID-19 Absentee Voter Bill Heads to Governor’s Desk. Meeting at UNH’s Whittemore Arena for the final time in 2020 to consider legislation, the House approved a bill Tuesday by a 2 to 1 margin to allow voters fearful for their health and safety due to the coronavirus to vote by absentee ballot this fall. The bill also allows election officials to start processing ballots prior to Election Day. However, an earlier provision in a Senate committee amendment that would have allowed voters who show up at the polls but don’t feel comfortable entering them to cast their votes outside did not make it into the final bill. (Source: InDepthNH) The absentee voting bill was one of over 30 “omnibus” or combined bills that saw the House voting to concur with changes made by the Senate. In most cases, the changes included adding provisions from multiple additional bills that would have died without the changes. Some of the bills addressed pain points experienced during the coronavirus pandemic, such as such staff and resident safety at nursing home facilities, ensuring insurance coverage parity for telemedicine, allowing pharmacists to administer a COVID-19 vaccine after one is developed, protections for tenants facing eviction, and expanding broadband access throughout the state. The House also approved a resolution honoring the memory of those who have died during the pandemic and held a moment of silence. Others bills approved during the six-and-a-half hour session addressed issues that were priorities before the pandemic and will remain priorities afterwards. Legislation creating an independent redistricting commission, expanding net metering, and establishing a state minimum wage were approved. An omnibus criminal justice bill banning police use of chokeholds, penalizing police who fail to report officer misconduct, banning private prisons, and requiring pyschological screenings for police department applicants also passed by a large margin. Also receiving approval was an environmental bill that enacts New Hampshire’s toughest-in-the-nation PFAS drinking water standards formally into state law, requires insurers to cover PFAS blood tests, and bonds a $50 million fund to help cities and towns jump-start the clean-up of PFAS contamination in public water supplies. All of the bills approved on Tuesday now move on for action by the governor. (Source: InDepthNH)

4. Several Dozen GOP House Members Refuse to Wear Mask at Final House Session. Although there was room on the floor of Whittemore arena for all 400 representatives, about 35 representatives were banished to the stands for refusing to wear masks. While some reps were medically excused from wearing masks and were seated in a different section on the opposite side of the arena, several dozen reps chose to sit together—some side-by-side—in what they called “the Freedom section.” (Source: InDepthNH) Many thanks to state police and UNH security staff for their help ensuring that those representatives who childishly chose to flout common sense health procedures during a pandemic were kept well-separated from those who prioritized protecting the health of others.

5. School Reopening Task Force Recommendations Now in Governor’s Hands. A list of recommendations on how districts should welcome back students for the fall semester during the pandemic is now in the hands of Gov. Sununu. The recommendations encourage school districts to pay attention to the guidance of health officials, but keep much of the responsibility for decision-making at the local level. Districts are urged to develop policies around social distancing and health screenings for staff, students and visitors. But granular guidance on issues like who should wear a mask, how many students should be allowed in a cafeteria at a time or how to achieve social distancing with large class sizes has yet to emerge. By contrast, guidelines issued by the Massachusetts Department of Education on June 25 are more rigid, requiring all students second grade and older and all employees to wear face masks at all times when inside buildings, and desks must be spaced six feet apart. Districts are also advised to adopt contingency plans for providing in-person, remote and “hybrid” instruction for students in the 2020-21 school year, that can make it possible to keep learning going should public health conditions change. (Source: Concord Monitor)

6. Massachusetts Exempts NH Residents from 14 Day Quarantine Requirement. Starting today, visitors to Massachusetts from seven other northeastern states will no longer be asked to self-quarantine first. Gov. Charles Baker announced Tuesday that Massachusetts will exempt travelers — both arriving and returning — from Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, New York, and New Jersey from the state’s 14-day self-quarantine advisory, due to declining coronavirus rates in those states. (Source: boston.com)

7. NH Tourism Industry Shares Worries Over Workers, PPE Supply. During a webinar with Senator Maggie Hassan earlier this week, business owners and executives in the tourism industry expressed concerns about balancing the supply of personal protective equipment, finding enough employees to work throughout the summer and maintaining a profit with their businesses. As the key Fourth of July weekend approaches, Charlie St. Clair, executive director of Laconia Motorcycle Week Association (and a state representative), said that not having J-1 workers will be a “hardship,” as many businesses in the area have relied on international workers for the past 20 years to meet the seasonal job needs of the summer months. Christopher Bellis, owner of the Cranmore Inn in North Conway, said that it took him over a month and a half to receive the PPE that he ordered and worries that there may be another shortage soon. He also said how people choose to protect themselves and others has been mixed. “There have been larger sections of people that are choosing not to wear masks,” Bellis said. “If a business establishes protocol, people are generally respectful of that. Other businesses have not been so stringent and it has caused some confusion in the hearts of the travelers.” (Source: NH Business Review)

8. NH Arts Community Struggling to Reopen During Pandemic. New Hampshire performing arts venues are now allowed to reopen. But restrictions and worries about COVID-19 mean it will be a while before some can welcome people back. The Capitol Center for the Arts has lost or tentatively rescheduled more than 50 shows since the COVID-19 pandemic shut things down. "In total, it's $1.25 million gone," said Nicki Clarke, the center's executive director. Arts officials said there are ways the public can help the arts survive. Instead of asking for a refund on a canceled ticket, consider using it as credit or a donation. Memberships, sponsorships and charitable giving are critical. “It's the elephant in the room," said Trip Anders, a board member of Arts4NH. "We know that not all of us are going to be around in another year." (Source: WMUR)

9. Some Business Sectors Thriving During Pandemic. Although much of the nation’s economy has been crippled by the coronavirus pandemic and millions of people remain out of work, some businesses that cater to niches of the consumer market are seeing record volumes of customers. Hardware stores, gardening supply centers, plant nurseries, vendors of play sets, storage sheds and chicken coops, and baking ingredients company King Arthur Flour are all having banner years even as airlines, restaurants, theaters, and many retail shops are struggling to stay afloat. (Source: Concord Monitor)

10. Portsmouth to Open Peirce Island Pool on July 6. The pool will be open for use in one hour shifts between 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. Up to 50 Portsmouth residents will be allowed in at a time. A photo ID is required to prove residency. Reservations are required and masks must be worn when entering or leaving. (Seacoast Online) You can find more information and a link to the reservation system here.

Tuesday June 30

Here are the things you need to know about the state and local response to the COVID-19 pandemic to start your Tuesday.

1. Curtains to Go Up Slowly at Seacoast Theaters. Now that New Hampshire’s live theater venues have received the green light from the state for limited reopening, some are ready to raise the curtains. But others will take more time to implement new safety procedures and to consider how to best adapt operating models to minimize the financial risk of reopening at less than full capacity. The Seacoast Rep’s Director of Marketing and Development Brian Kelly says the Rep plans reopening on July 3, with “Andrew Brothers,” a two-day show with a 25-seat limit. The theater’s air exchange system, which is usually turned off to minimize noise during performances, will be left on. Masks will also be required. “We’re being extremely strict about this,” Kelly says. “We have no interest in the culture war around masks. Our duty is to our staff and patrons.” Meanwhile, The Players’ Ring is looking toward a fall opening while the Pontine Theatre isn’t setting any dates at the moment. 3S Artspace is hoping to open the galleries and artisan retail space in late July and then move to Loading Dock concerts outside, and finally to private rentals and indoor events.The Music Hall will reopen with its inaugural “Live Under the Arch” outdoor concert series with Jonathan Blakeslee’s band Kioea on Saturday, July 11. (Source: Seacoast Online) Meanwhile in an ominous note as NH theaters prepare to reopen, New York’s Broadway League announced that Broadway performances in New York City will be suspended through the remainder of 2020 due to COVID-19. (Source: USA Today)

2. Today is the Deadline for Small Businesses to Apply for Paycheck Protection Program Loans. New Hampshire businesses looking for a piece of $135 billion in low-interest loans they may not have to pay back have just a few more hours to run down to their local bank and apply. The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program provides loans for as much as $20 million that can be forgiven as long as most if it goes to payroll as well as other expenses. As of June 26, the SBA had approved $519 billion in loans, leaving $134.5 billion remaining. As of last week in New Hampshire, the SBA had approved $2.54 billion in loans to some 23,500 companies, with $20 million OKd for about 500 more firms. The cumulative average loan size of $108,000, the same as nationally. (Source: NH Business Review)

3. Sen. Hassan to Question Top Health Officials Today. At 10 a.m., Dr. Anthony Fauci and other top public health officials will update a Senate committee on key health issues related to the pandemic. Sen. Maggie Hassan plans to focus on three key issues: PPE supplies for long-term care facilities, plans to develop and distribute a vaccine, and CDC guidance for the return of students and teachers to the classroom. (Source: WMUR)

4. NH Dept. of Education to Deliver Preliminary School Reopening Guidelines Today. As policymakers and educators in New Hampshire continue to grapple with how to make school safe for students, teachers and staff this fall, the largest teachers union in the state issued a scathing rebuke of the education task force that is developing reopening guidelines. While a statewide Dept. of Education survey shows that a majority of parents want kids back in class, a survey conducted by NH’s largest teacher’s union finds that more than 75% of respondents were not comfortable returning to the classroom without a vaccine or effective treatments. Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut is scheduled to present the recommendations of the task force to the governor later today. (Source: WMUR) Note: While children are less likely to be severely impacted by the virus than adults, federal data shows about 29 percent of teachers are aged 50 and older. Older adults are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. The research group Child Trends also points out that teachers have significantly more social contact with others than the average adult, since they're in close quarters with dozens of students every day. (Source: Education Week)

5. NH Senate Approves COVID-19 Absentee Ballot Bill. Voters fearing for their health because of the coronavirus will be able to vote by absentee ballot this fall after the Senate unanimously approved HB1266, which makes temporary changes to the state’s voting statutes. The changes in law are needed to implement recommendations of the Secretary of State’s Select Committee on Emergency Election Support for absentee voting and ballot processing in light of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. (Source: InDepthNH ) Meanwhile, the Senate also approved a series of stand-alone bills already passed in the House which will now go to the governor for his signature. They include an Extreme Risk Protective Order or “red flag” bill, a bill to establish an independent redistricting commission, and a bill expanding the definition of felonious sexual assault to include sexual contact between school employees and students. (Source: InDepthNH)

6. Curtain Goes Down Today on a Challenging Session for NH House. The New Hampshire House of Representatives will meet today at 10:00 a.m. at UNH’s Whittemore Arena to conduct final, socially-distanced votes on a series of “omnibus bills” approved by the Senate. While legislators will be able to vote “yes” or “no” to “concur” (agree) with the Senate’s changes, they will not be able to make any additional changes. Among the bills the legislature is expected to send on to the governor for approval are: — HB1266, the omnibus election law bill mentioned in the previous item that enacts a series of temporary changes to make absentee voting easier for voters as well as for local election officials. — HB1264, an omnibus environmental bill that enacts strict PFAS standards into state law, extends the work of the Seacoast Cancer Cluster Investigation, requires insurers to cover PFAS blood testing, and provides funds for remediating PFAS contamination of public drinking water supplies. — HB1645, an omnibus criminal justice bill that would ban chokeholds, ban private prisons, penalize officers who fail to report officer misconduct, and fine-tune the state’s bail reform law. You can find a complete list of all of the legislation being considered on the House Calendar.

7. 'Tsunami Of Eviction Cases' Could Follow End Of N.H.'s COVID-19 Eviction Ban. New Hampshire’s ban on evictions ends tomorrow, removing protections imposed early on in the COVID-19 emergency to prevent renters from losing their homes. Stephanie Bray of New Hampshire Legal Assistance says an eviction crisis could follow despite a housing relief program intended to prevent one. The program offers two types of financial support: renters can apply for one-time $2,500 payments to help keep their housing, or they can apply for short-term rental assistance that can be used to either maintain or secure housing. (Source: NHPR) Applications can be made through local Community Action Program agencies by going to www.CAPNH.org, by calling 211 from any NH phone, or by calling 1.866.444.4211. You can find more information from the state here https://www.goferr.nh.gov/covid-expenditures/new-hampshire-housing-relief-program. Granite State Organizing Project has also developed a comprehensive set of useful FAQs for renters that you can find here.

8. Sen. Shaheen Raises Concern of How PFAS Exposure Affects Risk of COVID-19. U.S. Jeanne Shaheen is among several U.S. Senators asking if COVID-19 poses “any unique risks” to people who have previously been exposed to PFAS chemicals. In a letter to DHHS Secretary Alex Azar II, the senators cite studies suggesting that exposure to high levels of PFAS can have a detrimental effect on the body’s immune system and questioned whether that could leave individuals with PFAS exposure at increased risk for complications from many different diseases and conditions. A key question for the senators is whether any federal agencies have plans to fund research to assess the interaction of PFAS exposure and COVID-19. Portsmouth resident and environmental activist Andrea Amico said members of PFAS impacted communities worry that a vaccine developed for COVID-19 may it be less effective f as a result of their PFAS exposure. “It is critical that the relationship between PFAS exposure and COVID-19 is studied and examined closely,” Amico said. (Source: Seacoast Online)

9. Pandemic Causing Boom for N.H. Fireworks Shops. On a recent weekend afternoon, rows of vehicles — many with Massachusetts plates — filled the parking lot and spilled over onto the lawn next to Phantom Fireworks in Londonderry as patrons waited in a 15-minute line to enter the store. Bruce Zoldan, chief executive of Phantom Fireworks, said he and other fireworks sellers he’s spoken with have seen a huge increase in interest nationwide — sometimes double or triple the usual business. “We’ve never seen, in the history of our industry, demand so high for consumer fireworks,” Zoldan said. (Source: Boston Globe)

Monday June 29

Here is the news you need to know about the state and local response to the COVID-19 pandemic for Monday.

1. Final Wave of June Business Reopenings Set for Today. More New Hampshire businesses are set to open or reopen today, including adult day care services, amusement parks, arts and music education, movie theaters and performing arts venues. While some plan to open immediately, others—especially amusement parks and performing arts venues—plan to move more slowly to ensure they can minimize financial losses while operating safely. Under the governor’s guidelines, theaters are limited to opening at 50% capacity, while amusement parks are limited to 25%. (Source: WMUR) Restrictions were also eased on overnight camps for children yesterday. But only a handful of the camps are planning to resume operations because of capacity limits, liability concerns, and concerns about whether it’s even possible to protect the health of campers and staff in a camp environment. (Source: WMUR) Today the state is also expected notify about 600 childcare and early childhood programs and providers about their share of $15 million in federal funds. The money will go toward family childcare, after-school programs, recreation, and summer camps. (Source: NHPR) You can find complete guidelines for the sectors that are reopening today here.

2. Concord Monitor: Four Key Tracking Measures Have Been Met But This is No Time to Let Our Guard Down. In its fourth weekly update on how NH is progressing towards meeting four key metrics critical for a successful reopening, all of the measures were successfully met for the first time. With the exception of a spike on Sunday, the average number of new cases over the previous two weeks has fallen consistently since June 4. Positive cases detected from PCR tests are also well under 5%. For the first time, the state has also exceeded the goal of performing 150 PCR tests per 100,000 people—or 2,000 tests a day in NH—by performing 2,126. But the Monitor’s report warns that the actual number of people being tested is likely much lower because the overall number is being driven up by long-term care residents who are required to be tested multiple times. Despite the brightening picture for New Hampshire, cases are spiking in a majority of other states and a vaccine may be as far as a year away. Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Lori Shibinette urged NH residents not to let their guard down. “If we get a second wave (of infections) it will be as severe, if not more severe,” she said. (Source: Concord Monitor)

3. NH Medical Professionals: Masks Will Save Lives. A new study out of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington is forecasting that more than 33,000 lives could be saved by Oct. 1 if the whole country adopted wearing face masks. University of New Hampshire Associate Professor of Health Management Semra Aytur said wearing a mask in public should be combined with social distancing of at least six feet, hand washing and avoiding large gatherings in order to prevent a second wave of Covid-19 later this summer or in the fall. “If enough people just wore the cloth face covering, along with hand washing and physical distancing, it would really make a difference,” Aytur said. Meanwhile, Dr. Michael Calderwood, associate chief quality officer at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, said that while small children and people with pre-existing respiratory illnesses can’t wear masks, it makes mask wearing by those who are able to wear them even more important. (Source: NH Business Review)

4. Market Basket and Shopping Malls Biggest Beneficiaries of Free Mask Program. Records obtained by NHPR through a right-to-know request show that large grocery chains, shopping malls and tourist-geared enterprises were among the biggest recipients of a temporary free mask distribution program for New Hampshire businesses. The program ended on May 22 — but not before receiving requests for more than 7 million masks from 15,000 businesses, nonprofits and other entities in the state, according to emergency management officials. After the program was suspended, the state began to sell leftover disposable masks in state-owned liquor stores, where they are available for purchase in boxes of 50 by the public for $30 each. You can view the entire searchable list of recipients on NHPR’s database.(Source: NHPR)
   Note: unlike many New Hampshire businesses, state liquor stores do not sell or provide individual masks to customers, or require customers to wear masks.

5. Man Spits on Officer Claiming to Have COVID-19. A Massachusetts man is facing multiple charges after allegedly spitting at a Hampton police officer’s face and claiming to have COVID-19, a claim police later learned was false. The man allegedly spat at the officer through an open window while in the back of a police cruiser after being arrested for driving while intoxicated early Friday. He was transported to Portsmouth Regional Hospital for testing and is being held in the Rockingham County Jail. (Source: Seacoast Online) The incident is the latest in a series of similar assaults across the country where individuals claiming to have the virus have spit—or threatened to spit—on police officers and others.

6. Protesters Again Urge Release of ICE Detainees from Dover Jail. In the latest in a series of Sunday protests at the Strafford Country House of Corrections, about 50 cars made three passes from the Strafford County Courthouse, past the jail and then back to the courthouse where speakers urged freeing 60 remaining ICE detainees. Protest organizers say that housing detainees in a jail setting puts them at high risk of exposure to COVID-19. At the rally, speakers stood in front of a line of 60 cutout figures representing people being detained in the jail. Tess George of Never Again Action said there is one figure for each detainee. “There used to be 77,” said George. “We will continue doing this until there are zero. We will keep up the pressure until we have an immigration policy that stands for equal justice no matter how much money you have, what color your skin is or what country you came from.” Since the start of the pandemic, two cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in people being confined at the jail, but Superintendant Chris Brackett says there are currently no active cases. (Source: Seacoast Online)

7. Behind on Rent? Learn What to Do When NH’s Eviction Moratorium Expires on July 1. Tonight at 6:30 p.m. Manchester Housing Alliance, Granite State Organizing Project, and Progressive Manchester will host an online information session via Zoom with Attorney Steven Tower of New Hampshire Legal Assistance’s Housing Justice Project. Tower will discuss the implications of the moratorium’s end and what impacted renters can do to avoid losing their homes. Additional guests will be on hand to provide information about programs implemented with federal COVID Relief funds to help renters and homeowners, and an update on pending state legislation that may provide additional relief. See the link for details if you would like to participate or listen in. (Source: Manchester Ink Link)

Sunday June 28

Volunteers outside the Music Hall processing record donations to Fill the Hall.

After a Saturday that saw 2 new deaths and a spike in new cases in New Hampshire, here are the things you need to know about the state and local response to the COVID-19 pandemic to start your Sunday.

1. 51 New Cases Include Outbreak at Nashua Nursing Home. Nearly half of the 51 new cases announced on Saturday were due to an outbreak at Greenbriar Healthcare, a Nashua nursing home. State officials said the 21 new positive cases at the facility are part of an "ongoing outbreak". According to an update from the state, 23 people have died due to COVID-19 at Greenbriar since the start of the pandemic with 35 staff infections and 82 residents contracting the virus. Of the 51 new cases announced yesterday, one was a child, 58 percent were women and 42 percent men. (Source: Concord Patch News) You can find the state’s update on active outbreaks in NH nursing homes on the 2nd page of this report:.

2. Portsmouth Doctor: Spikes in COVID-19 Cases Correlate With States Reopening. Dr. Ben Locwin, a healthcare executive who has been on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic, says as the re-opening continues to occur nationwide, New Hampshire and Maine will be targets of high potential infectivity. Locwin says new spikes in other states are correlated with the early phases of re-opening combined with “quarantine fatigue” and a reduction in personal individual vigilance. He says relaxation of vigilant behaviors is guaranteed to cause case numbers to climb. Locwin writes, “There have been many more people thinking that ‘The COVID-19 situation is basically over,’ but the virus, and our collective responses to it, will determine when the COVID-19 situation is over.” (Source: Seacoast Online)

3. Pandemic and Big Hearts Help Portsmouth Food Drive Exceed Goal. Seacoast residents responded to the plight of hungry kids by donating more than double the amount of food and six times the amount of money raised last year at the sixth annual “Fill the Hall” event at the iconic Portsmouth Music Hall. The fundraiser is a collaboration between the Music Hall and Gather, Portsmouth’s food pantry. The donations help Gather’s Meals 4 Kids program which helps families fill gaps left by free or reduced lunch programs at school when school lunch is not available. (Source: Seacoast Online)

4. NH Senate to Decide Monday on Bill Changing Voting Procedures. An amendment to House Bill 1266 recommended by the Senate Election Law Committee Thursday would add several temporary measures to New Hampshire law to make it easier and safer for voters to participate in both the Sept. 8 state primary and the Nov. 3 general election. Under the bill, communities could begin partial processing of absentee ballot information several days before the election, allowing them to expedite what is expected to be an avalanche of absentee ballots. The bill would also allow voters who show up at the polls to request to have their necessary registration documents delivered outside the polling station by one of the town election workers. It would also eliminate the need to complete separate forms to request ballots for both the primary and general elections by adding a checkbox to the form. (Source: Concord Monitor) Note: In Portsmouth, applications to register to vote and to request an absentee ballot are available on the Voter Information page of the City of Portsmouth website. Although changes are being considered to the absentee ballot application, you can still use the current form to request an absentee ballot. Just remember to fill out TWO forms—one for the primary and one for the general election—if you want to vote absentee in both. Also keep in mind that if you request an absentee ballot and forget to mail it in or misplace it, you can still come to the polls and vote on Election Day. But what you can’t do is both vote absentee AND vote at the polls.

5. Lodging Facilities Able to Book to Full Capacity Starting Monday. Starting tomorrow, hotel and motel operators in New Hampshire hoping to salvage the summer will no longer be limited to booking at 50% capacity. Mike Somers, president and CEO of NH Lodging and Restaurant Association says COVID-19 has hit the lodging industry hard. "A lot of these folks, they essentially had to close their doors," Somers says. "We're excited that it's going to come right into the July 4th vacation week, so timing is good.” (Source: WMUR) Note: Out-of-state visitors will be required to sign a form attesting that they have quarantined in their home states for 14 days prior to coming to New Hampshire. But no enforcement measures have been announced as the governor has stated he prefers an “honor system” to imposing requirements.

6. Lobster Prices Fall as COVID-19 Shrinks Market. Lobster prices are falling in New England as the industry deals with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, and they could drop even more later this summer, industry officials said. America’s lobster catch typically picks up in the summer, when lobsters shed their shells and reach legal trapping size. This year, lobstermen will likely bring their catch to the docks in a time when restaurants are slowed or shuttered and seafood processors aren’t taking nearly as many of the crustaceans. That could translate to lower prices to consumers, who are already paying less than $6 per pound for lobsters. But it also translates into more work for less money for loberstermen, some of whom are selling their catch on the docks as the restaurant market fluctuates. (Source: Seacoast Online)

Saturday June 27

After a Friday that saw 8 additional deaths, here is what you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic in New Hampshire to start your Saturday.

1. Portsmouth High Seniors Graduate in Socially-Distanced Ceremony. With seats 6 feet apart and only two guests allowed per student, the 275 members of the Portsmouth High School Class of 2020 graduated together Friday night. The in-person ceremony was conducted at the high school football field despite the coronavirus pandemic that led some schools to hold online commencement ceremonies. (Source: Seacoast Online)

2. Governor Extends State of Emergency. On Friday, Gov. Sununu extended New Hampshire’s COVID-19 state of emergency for another 21 days. The first declaration was issued March 13, which was the same day the federal declaration was made. The governor has extended the state of emergency five times since and has issued more than 55 emergency orders so far. (Source: NHPR)

3. NH Campgrounds and Lodging Facilities Will Move to Full Capacity Starting Monday. During a news conference Thursday, Gov. Chris Sununu said beginning Monday, June 29, hotels, lodging and campgrounds in the Granite State will be able to operate at 100% capacity. They have been allowed to be open for more than three weeks but at decreased capacity. (Source: NECN)

4. Self-Employed Welcome New Emergency Relief Program. Self-employed business owners who have taken a hit from the coronavirus pandemic will soon be able to apply for relief from the state’s new Self-Employment Livelihood Fund. Becki Locke, co-owner of Salon at Monument Square in Alton said, “We didn’t qualify for the Main Street because we don’t have employees, so I was really happy when the governor said that he was going to help us self-employed individuals.” Grants of up to $50,000 are anticipated to help roughly 10,000 to 15,000 self-employed people across New Hampshire. Applications will be available starting July 6. (Source: WMUR)

5. UNH Provost Says Reopening Does Not Put Finances Over Safety. With UNH students scheduled to start to returning to campus on Aug. 10, some faculty, staff and residents accused the university of prematurely abandoning the campus-wide remote learning implemented this past spring early in the COVID-19 pandemic. “I would push back on that pretty hard,” Provost Wayne Jones said this week when asked to respond to the allegations, which allege the university alleged UNH is opening up its campuses primarily to harvest lucrative housing and meal payments to help stem the economic hardship incurred by handing out $27 million in refunds for those things in April. The allegations intensified after internal UNH projections indicated the $27 million in housing and meal refunds would create a $10 million budget deficit in fiscal year 2020, which could balloon to as high as a a $30 million deficit in FY21, which starts July 1. (Source: Seacoast Online)

6. Dartmouth Will Bring Back Students in Shifts. Dartmouth College officials previewed a plan that would invite undergraduates back to campus for two of the school’s four terms next school year. College Provost Joseph Helble also told viewers of an online town hall this week that returning students will be screened Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. The college also plans to implement a plan for contact tracing and will limit the size of social and academic gatherings, require students and staff to wear masks, and will reduce the density of residential spaces. (Source: Concord Monitor)

7. Update: Science Says Stay Outside, Wear the Mask, Don’t Sweat the Groceries. While advice has shifted throughout the pandemic, six months worth of experience with the virus had led scientists to conclude: 1) There’s probably no need to disinfect your groceries or to pull on a pair of sterile gloves to open your mail. 2) Wearing a mask to an outdoor event or protest is an effective way to protect yourself and others. 3) Lingering indoors, especially inside a crowded bar without wearing a mask, is almost a surefire way to pass the coronavirus. This week, Maine Governor Janet Mills announced that indoor bars will not reopen as scheduled in Maine on July 1. In New Hampshire, indoor bars have been allowed to open but are subject to capacity limits and social distancing requirements. (Source: Portland Press-Herald)

8. Shaheen to Request Federal Relief for NH Summer Camps. The COVID-19 crisis has left youth camps across the state in a precarious position, and some may not survive. That was the message camp leaders gave to U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen in a conference call Thursday. Camp leaders told Shaheen that federal stimulus money, such as the Payroll Protection Program, has helped them keep their heads above water financially. But those who operate residential, summer youth camps pointed out that their facilities did not qualify for either PPP assistance or for relief to small businesses under the Main Street Relief Fund. They asked for Shaheen to support efforts for the camps to get financial relief under any future federal COVID bailout legislation. Shaheen noted that a $3 trillion bailout bill backed by Democrats has passed the House, but is stalled in the Senate, where Republicans hold a majority. (Source: Laconia Daily Sun) Note: while the governor has announced that a portion of remaining Main Street Relief funds will be allocated to self-employed workers, who also were not eligible for the first wave of grants, there has been no public mention about expanding assistance to residential camp owners.

9. Hassan Asks for Action on Scammers. In a letter sent to several federal agencies, NH Sen. Maggie Hassan asked for action against scammers taking advantage of people during the coronavirus pandemic. Hassan says more than 1,000 reports have resulted in $1.5 million in losses to date. (Source: Associated Press via WCAX) Earlier this year, the N.H. State Attorney General’s Office warned residents about a series of specific coronavirus-related scams, including fake charity scams, medical scams, social security scams, and stimulus scams. (Source: NH Department of Justice)

Friday June 26

After 10 new deaths were reported yesterday along with 40 new cases, here are the other things you need to know about the state and local response to the COVID-19 pandemic to start your Friday.

1. Rent Relief Urged for Portsmouth Downtown Businesses to Survive. If downtown businesses don’t get some rent relief, many will close by the end of October. That dour downtown business news was shared during a Wednesday meeting of the Portsmouth Citizen Response Task Force, which was formed to assist downtown businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In a letter to the committee, former Portsmouth Mayor State Marchand proposed a six-month, $15 million relief program that would pay hundreds of downtown businesses half their rent. He suggests public funding pay $10 million of the cost, with landlords, lenders and philanthropists paying the rest. City Manager Karen Conard said during Wednesday’s meeting she recently met with restaurant owners who worry that lack of rent relief could be the issue that takes down their industry. “They’re very concerned about how to sustain in the long term” said Conard, explaining the restaurant owners feel their need exceeds federal funds through the PPE and Main Street Relief Fund. (Source: Seacoast Online)

2. NH Plan to Provide Relief to Self-Employed Workers. Starting after the Fourth of July holiday weekend, self-employed Granite Staters will be able to apply for grants of up to $50,000 to cover losses from COVID-19, Gov. Sununu announced Thursday. While the total amount of funds allocated to the program wasn’t specified, Sununu said the Main Street Relief Fund has yet to spend $62 million of its $400 million allotment. The application period for these grants will run from July 6-17. Sununu also said any unemployment benefits a self-employed business owner has been paid will be deducted from that firm’s losses. (Source: Manchester Union Leader)

3. NH AG: Most Common Coronavirus Violations Involve Restaurants. Through a right-to-know request, NHPR has discovered that the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office has received more than 150 complaints since May 21 related to businesses in breach of COVID-19 guidelines. The most frequent complaint revolves around masks and social distancing at restaurants. The use of short term rentals by out-of-state residents, before those restrictions were lifted earlier this month, was the second most common complaint. In total, the Attorney General’s Office issued 30 violations, but has taken no formal legal action against any businesses. To submit a complaint or tip to the Attorney General’s office, call 603-271-1225 or email EO40issues@doj.nh.gov. (Source: NHPR)

4. Big Crowds, Few Masks at Hampton Beach. While masks have been a slightly more common sight on good beach days along Ocean Boulevard, Hampton Police Chief Richard Sawyer acknowledged masks were not being worn by many on the beach itself. “People are talking about masks not being worn. They’re not. They’re not required,” said Sawyer. Still, he also said officials are trying to be cautious with the reopening process so cases do not rise in New Hampshire like they have in Florida, which saw a single-day record of 5,511 new cases Wednesday amid reopening efforts. State Sen. Tom Sherman, D-Rye, a medical doctor who has worked with local and state officials on the reopening process, said the next several weeks will tell more about whether people at Hampton Beach have been effectively social distancing. (Source: Seacoast Online) Meanwhile, Hampton residents are calling for a heightened police presence at Hampton Beach this week after complaining of unruly crowds, illegal fireworks and overflowing trash on the recently closed-down Ocean Boulevard. (Source: Seacoast Online)

5. Senate Panel Approves Temporary Voting Changes in Response to Pandemic. The Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs Committee Thursday agreed 4-1 to temporarily change state law to expand absentee voting so voters can avoid the polls with less exposure for election workers. An amendment proposed by Sen. Thomas Sherman, D-Rye, also adds a new check box to the absentee voter application, allowing a voter to request absentee ballots for both the primary and general election with one application. It also allows election officials to begin processing absentee ballots before Election Day—a change that will help prevent poll workers from needing overwhelmed by the large number of absentee ballots predicted for this fall’s elections. The committee approved the bill despite failing to agree on changes to language allowing voting outside the polls if a voter shows up to vote on Election Day but is concerned about COVID-19. The committee decided to continue talking over the weekend to try to reach a compromise and may amend the bill further when the full Senate debates and votes on it Monday, June 29th. (Source: InDepthNH)

6. Most Overnight Camps Will Remain Closed This Summer. 95% of New Hampshire sleep-away camps will remain closed this summer. While the governor’s guidelines for reopening allow overnight camps to reopen this Monday, June 29, Ken Robbins, president of the New Hampshire Camp Directors Association, says late notice and strict guidelines will force nearly all camps to stay closed. “The state guidelines that came down just a few weeks ago, they are extraordinarily difficult to meet,” he says. “They’re certainly appropriate given the real threat that we’re facing, but… it’s all but incompatible with how camps operate.” (Source: NHPR)

7. Portsmouth, Rochester and Dover Pools Reopening But Not Exeter. While Portsmouth’s indoor pool will remain shuttered, the city’s Recreation Department has announced the Peirce Island Outdoor Pool will reopen on July 6 – seven days a week in one-hour blocks –by reservation only between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Walk-ups without a reservation will not be allowed entry, the city says, and there will be a half-hour break in between each hour block for cleaning. Reservations may be made up to two days in advance, up until 10 a.m. the day of. The pool will be open to Portsmouth residents only this summer, and all swimmers are asked to bring a photo ID to prove residency. Masks will required for entering and exiting the facility, and when using the restroom. (Source: Seacoast Online)

8. A Return to the Classroom Raises Health Concerns for Teacher’s Family. As the state finalizes guidelines for the return of students to classes in the fall, the decision to return to the classroom may carry life-or-death implications. Second-grade teacher Katie Bamberg said that as challenging as remote learning was for her and her two sons, it offered her family peace of mind. Her husband, Pete Bamberg, is at high risk for complications from COVID-19. He's undergoing chemotherapy for brain cancer. "I am nervous to go back, just because of what I could potentially bring home," Katie Bamberg said. (Source: WMUR)

9. Fans to Be Allowed at Rescheduled Race at Loudon Speedway. Fans will be allowed to attend the rescheduled NASCAR Cup Series race on August 2 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The grandstands and suites at the track will be open to race fans, subject to social distancing requirements and additional safety protocols with be in place. Capacity will be limited to 35%. Fans will not be required to wear masks during what officials say will be the largest spectator event in New England since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Source: WMUR)

10. What Does the Data Tell Us About the Spread of COVID-19 in New Hampshire? While the NH Dept. of Health and Human Services provides a daily dashboard of COVID-19 statistics, it’s (charitably-speaking) a visual hot mess that makes it a challenge to glean useful information and insights. On the other hand, NHPR has been taking many of the same daily data points and has been spinning them into a series of insightful interactive charts designed to answer key questions, such as “How many cases are emerging each day?” and “How much is NH testing?”. You can find the NHPR charts here. Meanwhile, you can find the state’s dashboard here.

Thursday June 25

After a day when hospitalizations in NH hit their lowest point since April, but 27 new cases and 4 deaths were reported, here is the news you need to know to start your Thursday.

1. As States Reopen, Tourism Officials Shift Focus from “Staycations” to “Safecations”. As the coronavirus continues to upend the way cities and states market themselves as summer travel destinations, some tourism officials are starting to emerge from an especially awkward position: telling potential visitors to stay away. But in some states, including New Hampshire, the industry is starting to pivot to encourage people to explore places closer to where they live and has started to cautiously outreach to out-of-state visitors. Lori Harnois, the director of travel and tourism in NH, calls the new strategy: “Dream, plan, go.” (Source: Seacoast Online) But sadly, the virus may not be cooperating. In the past week, 26 states have seen new cases rise dramatically. (Source: CNN) While active COVID-19 cases in New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont have been trending downward, yesterday the states of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut announced they will require travelers from states that hit a specified infection level to self-quarantine or face fines as high as $10,000. They will also require their own residents who visit hot zone states to quarantine when they return home. (Source: CNN)

2. Housing Advocates Warn of “Perfect Storm” When Federal Jobless Aid Ends. New Hampshire affordable housing advocates are bracing for a “perfect storm” this summer, as tens of thousands of residents are set to see their $600 per week federal unemployment benefits come to an end on July 25. Meanwhile, another change is set to come next week that will hit people who have fallen behind on their rent especially hard: the expiration of an emergency order banning evictions and foreclosures. Since March, many New Hampshire tenants have been protected under an emergency order issued by Gov. Sununu at the start of the crisis. But with that order set to expire Wednesday, July 1, and Sununu indicating that he won’t extend it, advocates worry that despite $35 million allocated for housing relief, there could be a flood of evictions and foreclosures down the line. A bill now working its way through the legislature would provide continued protections for when the moratorium expires. (Source: Granite State News Collaborative via NH Business Review)

3. UNH Poll Shows Sununu Approval Falling But Still at High Levels. Just over three-quarters (78%) of New Hampshire residents in a survey conducted by the UNH Survey Center say they approve of the governor’s handling of the coronavirus situation, while 21% disapprove and the rest neither approve nor disapprove or don't know. Approval of Sununu's handling of the COVID-19 situati􏰀on has declined slightly compared to April (89%) and May (87%). But 84% of respondents report being very confident or somewhat confident in the ability of state government as a whole to respond effectively to the crisis. The survey also revealed that 35% of those responding say they know someone who has contracted the illness. But the percentage of New Hampshire residents who say they are very worried or somewhat worried about contrac􏰀ting COVID-19 themselves continues 􏰀to decline, falling from 74% in to 58% in June. Meanwhile, the poll also shows significant differences between people identifying as Democrats and Republicans when it comes to their level of comfort in resuming activities outside the home. But on a positive note, despite party differences, 96% of those surveyed reported wearing a mask at least once during the crisis. (Source: The Granite State Panel, conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center)

4. Education Department Survey Says Most Parents Want Kids to Return to Classes in Fall, But Educators Urge Caution. A statewide survey of tens of thousands of Granite State parents showed that a majority are ready to get their children back in classrooms in the fall, but many educators are concerned about enforcing social distancing measures. State education officials conducted the survey to inform the planning of how to safely bring back and instruct students in the fall. A majority of the 41,000 parents who responded said they wanted their children back in the classrooms, but many teachers had concerns. "I think the reality is that at some point, the second wave is going to hit," said Megan Tuttle, president of the NEA New Hampshire. "We need to be ready to go back to remote instruction, but we need to do it better than we did before." (Source: WMUR )

5. Hospitals Seeing Fewer ER Patients Because of COVID-19 Fears. As reported hospitalizations from the virus hit their lowest point in NH since April, hospitals say patients needing emergency or acute care are waiting longer to come in or not coming at all over fears of COVID-19. The concern is that delays in receiving care are worsening the effects of injury and disease, while quick intervention could mean life or death. “We’ve seen people who’ve had a stroke that we can’t do anything further at this time,” St. Joseph director of emergency medicine Dr. Deepak Vatti said. “We could have intervened if they had shown up sooner at the time of onset of symptoms.” Hospitals have separate areas to receive and treat COVID-19 patients and say there’s no reason to avoid them if you have a medical emergency or need treatment. (Source: WMUR)

6. Deerfield Fair Canceled Because of Coronavuris Concerns. The 144th annual Deerfield Fair has been called off because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Tuesday night, the fair’s board of directors voted unanimously in favor of canceling. That vote was then confirmed in a second vote by the fair’s membership. (Source: WMUR)

7. North Country Amusement Parks Prepare to Open. Starting Monday June 29th, amusement parks across New Hampshire will be able to open at 25% capacity. Whale’s Tale Waterpark in North Lincoln will be among the first to open up to visitors starting on Monday. But Santa’s Village won’t reopen until July 1 while Storyland will open July 17 for season passholders and on July 22 to the general public. While Storyland and Whale’s Tale both plan to conduct temperature checks on visitors entering the parks, a spokesman for Santa’s Village says temperature checks will not be required and that the park will be doing verbal screenings instead. Tickets to all three attractions are only available online and guests are required to RSVP for the day they wish to visit. (Source: Manchester Union Leader)

8. Water Country to Open July 15. The Water Country water park in Portsmouth will open for season pass holders on July 15 and for the general public on July 18. In compliance with state guidance, the park will limit capacity in the park itself as well as in each pool, ride, slide, and building. Guests must RSVP for the day they wish to visit, in addition to having a pre-purchased ticket or season pass. The park will sell tickets and season passes online only. Walk-up sales will not be available this summer. (Source: Seacoast Online)

9. Reminder: Today is the Final Day for Nonprofit Organizations to Apply for NH Nonprofit Emergency Relief Fund Grants. The grants are intended to reimburse nonprofits for the cost of business interruptions caused by required closures so they are in a position to better contribute to the state’s recovery from the impacts of the coronavirus outbreak. For more information, visit https://www.goferr.nh.gov/covid-expenditures/nh-nonprofit-grants. (Source: Monadnock Ledger-Transcript)

Wednesday June 24

Seen outside Kaffee Vonsolln in downtown Portsmouth.

Following a day when 4 more lives were lost in New Hampshire to COVID-19 (all residents of long-term care facilities), here is what else you need to know to start your Wednesday.

1. Contact Tracing Finds No Viral Spread from Protests. There is no sign yet of any increased spread of COVID-19 in New Hampshire due to protests and marches in response to the death of George Floyd. “We're investigating each and every case," said Dr. Benjamin Chan, the state epidemiologist. "We reach out to people to get information on their close contacts so we can try and prevent further transmission, but I'm not aware of any cases that have come from large group gatherings like the protests." When asked to comment, the governor said he doesn't think there are any broader conclusions to be drawn at this point, but that he's generally more worried about people gathering indoors. (Source: WMUR) And yet...

2. Most Remaining Restrictions on Restaurants Could Be Lifted by July 4. Restaurants throughout New Hampshire will be able to open up to 100% of capacity in the next reopening phase, if they can separate tables by six feet, the Governor’ Economic Re-opening Task Force voted Monday. But the panel also agreed to pass on a request to the Division of Public Health and Gov. Chris Sununu to allow restaurants to substitute some kind of physical barrier when social distancing is not economically feasible. “The economics of social distancing doesn’t make sense for our industry,” said Mike Somers, CEO of the New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association, who said that the restaurants are “bleeding,” even in the North Country, where 100% capacity is already allowed. DJ Bettencourt, the governor’s point point on the task force, says “The next step is to lift all restrictions. I foresee wrapping up first week of July.” But public health officials remain “very firm” on the social distancing recommendations, said Patricia Tilley, deputy director of the state Division of Public Health. “We are looking at the states to the south and west and seeing a dramatic increase, she said. “Part of the increase is due to more relaxed rules.” (Source: NH Business Review)

3. Federal Regulators Investigate Death of NH Nursing Home Employee. Hackett Hill Center in Manchester is facing a federal workplace safety investigation into the recent death of an employee. According to a publicly available inspection report on the OSHA website, the federal workplace safety agency opened an investigation into Hackett Hill on May 27. Lori Mayer, a spokeswoman for Hackett Hill's parent company, Genesis Healthcare, confirmed that the federal inquiry stems from Hackett Hill reporting “an employee death, which we believe was COVID-related.” Mayer declined to provide additional details on the employee’s death or any follow up steps the facility is taking, citing privacy concerns. As of June 18, 56 cases of COVID-19 had been identified among residents and 16 among staff members with 16 deaths. (Source: NHPR)

4. Pay Supplement for Nursing Home Workers to Be Extended. A $300 a week bonus for front-line workers in Medicaid-funded nursing homes will be extended through the end of July. The bonus is intended to help New Hampshire long-term care facilities retain workers who are among the most poorly paid in the nation who have been putting themselves at risk to care for residents during the pandemic. (Source: Concord Monitor)

5. Sununu Allocates More Federal Dollars and Threatens Vetoes. At a Tuesday press event that covered a wide range of topics, the governor announced the allocation of $18 million more in federal CARES Act funds to support youth programs, people with substance abuse issues, and veterans. He also called a bill passed last week by the Senate (HB1166) that would provide unemployment benefits to workers who who stay off the job due to a reasonable risk of exposure or infection from COVID-19 “a disaster” and said he would veto it while also threatening to veto several additional unnamed bills. (Source: InDepthNH). In the 2019 legislative session, Gov. Sununu vetoed 57 bills that reached his desk—nearly 4x as many as any previous New Hampshire Governor. (Source: NHPR)

6. Spike in Drug Overdoses in NH and Vermont Linked to Pandemic. Opioid overdoses in both NH and Vermont have spiked upwards during the pandemic. NH saw a 30% increase in fatal overdoses in March and April, while Vermont has seen its numbers more than double. Cynthia Seivwright, who directs the Vermont Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program at the state Department of Health, cites fear, anxiety and depression tied to COVID-19 itself along with related job losses and financial challenges. Seivwright said it appears that some of the deaths were right after the person received a stimulus check. “Getting those checks is a trigger for people,” she said. (Source: Granite State News Collaborative via Concord Monitor)

7. UNH to Reopen in Fall at 50% Capacity. University of New Hampshire campuses will reopen to students starting Aug. 10 with a number of changes and restrictions university officials say will ensure safety during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Precautionary changes include: reducing residence halls to 50% capacity or less, eliminating triple and quad rooms; reserving two dorms for quarantine housing; mandatory facemasks; a stay-at-home policy for anyone who is ill; reducing dining hall capacity; new to-go meal options; a mixture of in-person and online courses, plus various course changes to comply with social distancing recommendations; remote learning approval processes for vulnerable students; and more. The changes will also include new penalties for students who don’t comply with UNH’s safety guidelines. (Source: Seacoast Online)

8. Education Task Force Considers Guidance for School Reopenings. Parents, teachers and education officials are anxious for students to get back to school this fall, but there’s a lot of concern about achieving social distancing and workable hybrid learning plans, a New Hampshire education task force acknowledged Tuesday. The School Transition Reopening and Redesign Taskforce plans to issue 10 preliminary recommendations by June 30 to the state. NEA-New Hampshire President Megan Tuttle issued a statement afterwards saying the association is concerned that the recommendations “do not go far enough to protect the health of our students and staff.” (Source: Seacoast Online)

9. Deaths At Home Rising During Pandemic. According to data available through the New Hampshire Division of Vital Records Administration, the number of deaths in the state attributed to common causes, such as cancer and heart disease, has held steady during the past few months and there have been modest differences in the number of deaths from suicide, homicides, and traffic accidents. But what’s new is a shift in WHERE people are dying in New Hampshire: Deaths at home are on the rise, while deaths in hospice facilities have been declining during the pandemic. (Source: NHPR)

Tuesday June 23

Here are the things you need to know about NH’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic to start your Tuesday.

1. Dartmouth Infectious Disease Expert Says NH Numbers Are Trending Downward. As COVID-19 cases spike upward in 23 other states, New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont are seeing a downward trend in active cases. Dr. Antonia Altomare, infectious disease physician and hospital epidemiologist at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, says she and other experts say they will be watching how the state’s reopening and recent protests in the wake of the killing of George Floyd affect the curve. New Hampshire is faring better in the battle against the pandemic than neighboring Massachusetts but worse than Vermont and Maine. Maine, which has a population similar to New Hampshire’s at an estimated 1.3 million, has tallied about half the number of cases — 2,629 total confirmed cases as of June 21. Maine reports that 102 of its residents have died from COVID-19. That’s about one-third the number of deaths New Hampshire has reported. Meanwhile, the trajectory of the coronavirus in Vermont stands out because the number of cases spiked in April and then fell sharply — a sign, that another health expert says is a sign, “they did something right. Most states don’t look like that.” In New Hampshire, no new deaths and only 15 new confirmed cases were announced on Monday. (Source: Keene Sentinel)

2. NH Hospitals Prepare for Next Spike in Cases. Despite encouraging signs locally, New Hampshire hospitals aren’t letting their guard down. With the governor saying the state needs to be prepared for a potential spike in cases in September and October and cases already increasing at an alarming rate in other parts of the country, hospitals are building up inventories of PPE and keeping health protocols in place for staff and patient safety. (Source: Keene Sentinel)

3. Dartmouth Report Finds Rural Areas Adapted Well to Pandemic. Dartmouth college researchers said they were surprised to find that rural communities and health care systems have so far adapted well to the additional challenges of the pandemic. In a series of 50 separate interviews, researchers learned that health care organizations partnered in new ways to prepare rural hospitals to care for the critically ill. Social service organizations also stepped up to identify groups who were especially at risk of contracting the virus or of side effects related to mitigation efforts. But despite the collaborative response, researchers noted that the region is still facing substantial challenges, including ongoing difficulties for health care providers trying to obtain personal protective equipment and issues with ramping up testing and contact tracing. (Source: Granite State News Collaborative via Concord Monitor) It should also be noted that rural areas of the state have experienced far fewer cases than southern regions—something that could change as warmer weather brings in waves of tourists from areas where the virus has been more prevalent. You can see up-to-date maps of both cumulative and current positive cases on the daily NH Division of Public Health Services dashboard: https://www.nh.gov/covid19/dashboard/summary.htm

4. Maine Will Not Reopen Indoor Bar Service on July 1. Maine Governor Janet Mills has announced that the reopening of indoor bar service is being postponed indefinitely to protect public health from the higher risk of COVID-19 transmission in such settings. Bars across Maine were recently allowed to reopen for outdoor service and were tentatively scheduled to resume indoor service on July 1. But concerns over major outbreaks in other states directly linked to the reopening of indoor bars led to the announcement. (Source: Portland Press-Herald)
   Note: In New Hampshire, indoor bar areas were allowed to reopen on June 15, but with a social distancing requirement of 6 feet between individuals or small groups. Games and other bar functions (e.g. pool/billiards, darts, arcade games, etc.) are not allowed. In related news, an official from HospitalityMaine claimed on Monday that Maine’s hospitality industry is “on the verge of collapse” because of shutdowns precipitated by the COVID-19 virus and a strict emergency order that requires out-of-state visitors to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. (Source: Seacoast Online)

5. NH School Districts Scramble to Feed Kids Through School Vacation. Schools that expanded their meal programs in March when the pandemic forced the shutdown of NH schools are expanding them once again to offer meals to students home for the summer. During the pandemic, the USDA issued waivers, allowing school districts to provide to-go meals, to deliver meals, and even to provide multiple days worth of meals at one time. At the same time, the waivers allowed most families to access meals for free (normally just under 25% of students in New Hampshire are eligible for free or reduced lunch). The waivers have been extended throughout the summer. (Source: NHPR)

6. Summer Day Camps Begin to Open. While as many as half of all NH day camps have been postponed or cancelled because of fears over transmission of the coronavirus, others cautiously began to open on Monday. Precautions included temperature checks and additional cleaning. The guidelines also limit the number of campers in a group to nine, along with one instructor. (Source: WMUR) In Portsmouth, spots are still open for children in the city’s summer sports camps and enrichment programs that kick off starting July 6. You can find more information here.

7. Reminder: Deadline to Apply for NH Nonprofit Emergency Relief Fund Grants is June 25. The State of New Hampshire has allocated $60 million in federal funds for emergency grants to help nonprofit organizations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal of the program is to help non-profits weather the cost of of business interruptions caused by required closures so they are better able to contribute to the state’s recovery from the impacts of the coronavirus outbreak. For more information, visit https://www.goferr.nh.gov/covid-expenditures/nh-nonprofit-grants. (Source: Monadnock Ledger-Transcript)

Monday June 22

After another Sunday with 27 new cases but no newly announced COVID-19 deaths in NH (because death, for some reason, consistently appears to take a holiday at the NH Dept. of Health and Human Services on Sundays), here are the things you need to know to start your Monday.

1. Pandemic Parking Rules Draw ‘Aggression’ From Beachgoers As Temperatures Climb. With parking at NH seacoast state parks limited to 50% capacity, tempers were even hotter than the weather over the weekend as would-be beach goers who failed to make a reservation took out their frustrations on parking lot attendants. (Source: NHPR)
   Public Service Announcement: To make a reservation and avoid a making scene in front of a carload of disappointed kids where you make things even worse by angrily yelling at young parking lot attendants just doing their jobs, go to https://newhampshirestateparks.reserveamerica.com to reserve a parking space (or camp site) in any NH state park accepting reservations.

2. Concord Monitor Reports 3 of 4 Critical Measures Are Now Being Met in NH for Control of COVID-19. According to reporter David Brook’s weekly status report, for the first time since the start of the pandemic, the state has experienced a two-week drop in cases as measured by the 14-day running average, which would indicate the virus is abating. The state is also reporting fewer than 4 new cases per 100,000 people each day, which shows that the disease is below dangerous levels. Another positive indicator is that the rate of positive PCR tests is under 5%. But on the flip side, the state has failed to reach a level of at least 150 PCR tests performed per 100,000 people per day—and the number of people tested has declined over the past two weeks despite a more rigorous testing protocol for nursing homes and the governor loosening restrictions on testing in the general population. (Source: Concord Monitor)

3. 70-Year Old Liquor Store Employee Reports Being Pressured to Return to Work. A 70-year old NH liquor store worker who has been on medical leave for chronic health conditions since March has taken his case to YouTube and the State Employees Association. Bob Walker of Grafton says he suffers from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), is a diabetic, and has already had one heart attack. His original leave, requested at the direction of his doctor, expired on May 22 and Walker says he hasn’t been able to get another one. Rich Gulla, president of SEA, says that going back to work shouldn’t be a life-or-death decision. “The fact that the State is putting some of its workforce in this situation is shameful. The last thing anyone wants to do is read about public service employees who need to be hospitalized because they reported to work against doctor’s orders,” Gulla says. (Source: Manchester Union Leader)

4. Mistake on Relief Application Could Spell Doom for Concord Business Owner. A Concord shop owner says she may have to permanently close her store after making a small mistake in her application to receive a grant from the state’s Main Street Relief Fund. Paulette Boghosian says she incorrectly responded to one question on the application, a mistake she said automatically disqualified her from receiving any money. Realizing her mistake later, she reached out to Sununu’s office, the Department of Revenue Administration and others, who told her the application could not be changed. She has requested an appeal and a spokesman for the governor says the state is trying to expedite the appeal process for all applicants. (Source: Concord Monitor)

5. Resourceful Farmers Create a Boom Out of a Potential Bust. Online farm stores, curbside pickup, and fully prepared meals-to-go are combining with traditional farm stands to keep NH farmers afloat during the pandemic. (Source: Keene Sentinel)

6. Summer Day Camps Can Reopen Today. While not all day camps will be reopening, those that do will be emphasizing hygiene, daily health screenings, and reducing the number of campers to allow for more social distancing. Staff and older children will also be required to wear masks. (Source: WMUR)

7. Questions Parents Should Ask Before Sending Their Kids to Summer Camp. With the reality of COVID-19 on the minds of many parents considering sending one or more children to camp, three UNH professors have created a guide to help parents make the best decision for their families. Professor Jayson Seaman says, “All the guidelines coming down from the national associations and the state governments are really for camps, camp directions,” he said. “I felt like there was a gap between the kind of information that camps had and were working on, and then what I felt like parents could benefit from.” (Source: Laconia Daily Sun) You can access the UNH guide here.

8. NH Senate Holds the Cards in Final Days of Pandemic-Interrupted Legislative Session. The decision by members of the GOP minority in the NH House of Representatives to refuse to allow rule changes that would have extended the legislative calendar to let the House act on remaining Senate bills and House bills was roundly criticized at the beginning of the month. But according to veteran State House Reporter Gary Rayno, the unintended consequence of the move wasn’t to torpedo an entire year’s worth of legislation. It was to give all of the leverage to the Senate. In its most recent session, the Senate approved over a dozen “omnibus” bills already passed in the House that were amended to combine them with multiple related bills as well as to accommodate changes desired by members of the Senate. Because the House is only able to meet to agree (“concur”) or disagree with the Senate’s changes and cannot make its own changes, the Senate had total control of the content of any legislation it voted to send back to the House. So when the House meets to take up these bills one last time on June 30, members will only be able to vote for or against a motion to concur with the Senate’s changes. Meanwhile, the Senate is holding hearings and votes this week on several stand-alone bills (also previously approved by the House) that, if approved by the Senate, must also be “concurred with” by the House. This legislation includes a bill that would create an extreme risk protection order or “red flag” law as well as a bill that would establish an independent redistricting commission. As was the case with the omnibus bills, the Senate is free to pass the stand-alone bills as-is, to kill them outright, or to amend them in any way it sees fit. Bills the House fails to concur with will die because one of the consequences of minority’s refusal to extend the House calendar is that committees of conference will not be able to meet to hash out differences. But legislation where the House does vote to concur will move on to the governor, who may sign it into law, veto it, or allow it to become law without his signature. (Source: InDepthNH) The bottom line is that after a very wild ride, the good news is the legislation emerging from this session still has the potential to meet or exceed many of the pre-pandemic expectations of the people who voted to send us to Concord in 2018.

Sunday June 21

Sign (and scary prop) outside Colby’s Lunch in downtown Portsmouth.

Here is the news about NH’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic that you need to start your Sunday.

1. A Somber Fathers Day as Seacoast Nursing Homes Not Ready for In-Person Visits. While many nursing homes have been allowing (closed) window visits, this is the first weekend since March when outdoor visits will be allowed under revised guidance issued last week. However, many area nursing homes still have not finalized plans to support outdoor visits or have had time to train staff members to assure proper social distancing is observed, that masks are worn, and that proper hand hygiene is maintained. Dr. Richard Feifer, chief medical officer at Clipper Harbor adds that once visits are allowed, “Visitors will be screened prior to the visit including a temperature check. We will pre-schedule visits and will allow no more than two residents to have visitors at any one time.” (Source: Seacoast Online) You can find a list of long-term care facilities with active outbreaks here.

2. Road Closure and Heavy Beach Traffic Causing Mammoth Tie-ups Along the Seacoast. While the closure of Ocean Boulevard in Hampton is making it easier to accommodate social distancing, it has also created a traffic nightmare for local residents and people trying to get to the beaches during the current heat wave. With lots at state parks in Hampton and Rye operating at only 50% capacity, potential visitors who failed to make an online reservation are being turned away. As a result, many motorists are cruising up and down Route 1A and local roads looking for private parking, while others are simply turning around and going home. (Source: NECN) You can make a parking reservation for Hampton Beach State Park (South) here.

3. Performing Arts Centers Warily Approach Reopening. With performing arts centers able to reopen with restrictions starting June 29, not all venues are planning to jump back in with live indoor performances right away. Some, like the Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord, have yet to set an opening date. Others, like Derry’s Tupelo Music Hall, plan to continue with outdoor performances. Tupelo owner Scott Hayward has been able to substitute outdoor concerts for indoor performances and says he isn't changing that. “We have six shows this weekend and almost all of them are sold out. People are comfortable being outside, and our drive-in model people are 20 feet apart and there's a car between them,” Hayward said.” (Source: WMUR) Meanwhile, in an online post, the operators of Portsmouth’s Seacoast Repertory Theater say that when The Rep reopens they plan to exceed—not simply meet—state guidelines for reopening. Customers and staff will be required to wear masks, screenings and temperature checks will be conducted, the entry process will be reworked to minimize lines and crowding, and the theater will operate at 30% capacity. (Source: Seacoast Rep)

4. “Fill the Hall” Food Food Drive Spotlights Childhood Hunger. With economic disruption caused by the pandemic leading to food insecurity, organizers of the annual “Fill the Hall” fundraiser hope to spark unprecedented support for the Saturday, June 27 event at The Music Hall in Portsmouth. “We are calling this the year of 20/20 vision,” said Monte Bohanan, marketing director of The Music Hall. “We are challenging ourselves to collect over 20,000 pounds of food, and raise over $20,000.” Instead of people placing bags of food inside the theater, donations will be gathered on Chestnut Street and placed in trucks. A running tally will be kept on the marquee and a handful of Music Hall staffers will place symbolic bags on theater seats to represent donations. “We will be keeping operations outside, right in front of The Music Hall’s doors,” said Chris Curtis, film and outreach manager at the theater. “Folks will still be able to turn up on foot or by vehicle. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. there will be volunteers accepting donations of food and money.” (Source: Seacoast Online)

5. Summertime Business Picks up in Lakes Region Despite Postponement of Motorcycle Week. While business owners were happy to see thousands of visitors pouring into the area during the first summer-like week of the season, they were also somber about missing out on Motorcycle Weekend, which for many is their biggest money-maker. The event, which would have been wrapping up today, has been postponed until August 22-30. Joyce Messer of Tops Beachwear said, “The whole month of July doesn't make as much money as Bike Week, really. All the businesses around here really need it, the whole state, actually.” (Source: WMUR)

6. With Community Fireworks Displays Cancelled, Officials Expect Private Fireworks to Increase. With cities across the state, including Portsmouth and Concord, have calling off their annual fireworks shows to minimize health risks during the coronavirus pandemic, State Fire Marshal Paul Parisi said he expects more people to put on private fireworks shows, increasing the risk of fireworks-related accidents. According to Interim Concord Fire Chief Guy Newberry, firecrackers and other handheld fireworks are the most common cause of injuries, with children and teenagers being the most vulnerable to accidents. “These are not kids’ toys. These are for adults,” Newberry said. (Source: Concord Monitor)

Saturday June 20

This photo was taken at 7 p.m. Friday in downtown Portsmouth. In normal times, there would be dozens—perhaps hundreds—of people strolling on the sidewalks looking for an interesting place to shop or to get a bite to eat on a surreally beautiful early summer evening. But sadly, these are not normal times.

After a Friday when 6 additional deaths increased NH’s COVID-19 death toll to 337 and the World Health Organization said that worldwide coronavirus spread set a one-day record with 150,000 new cases, here are the other things you need to know to start your Saturday.

1. Portsmouth Restaurants Struggling. While indoor dining resumed this week across the state, many Portsmouth restaurants are still closed -- and at least 10 have shut down for good since March. “I am concerned for Portsmouth, I am concerned for all of us,” restaurateur Matt Louis said. Louis owns 4 restaurants and says lack of outdoor dining space combined with operating at 50% capacity does not make financial sense for establishments dealing with small spaces and tight margins. (Source: NECN)

2. Lodging Operators Fear 14 Day Quarantine Period Is Causing Visitors to Book Trips Elsewhere. States from Maine to Hawaii are trying to strike a balance between containing the coronavirus and encouraging out-of-state visitors to spend their cash on hotels, restaurants and other businesses. Measures like Maine’s mandatory 14-day quarantine period have gotten a thumbs-down from many in the tourism industry, who fear visitors will choose to wait things out until they can hit the beach without worrying about violating a state-imposed quarantine or searching for a testing site. Visitors to Maine can avoid a quarantine by being tested before they arrive, or they can reduce the quarantine’s duration by being tested after arrival. But the state is encouraging visitors to test before arrival, and “know before you go.” Vermont and New Hampshire residents are exempted from the rules. New Hampshire has an honor system that requires visitors to attest they have self-quarantined at home for 14 days. (Source: Seacoast Online)

3. NH Health Commissioner Floats Ideas for Return of In-Person Learning at NH Schools. Health and Human Services Commissioner Lori Shibinette said Friday that parents and students should prepare for a different kind of school year, with staggered scheduling and reduced class sizes. “You can tell kindergarteners or first-graders to wear a mask and distance, but that distance – that’s not realistic,” Shibinette said. “We know that’s not going to happen. So, what are the other things we’re putting in place to make sure these kids stay safe.” Guidance on safety measures for a return to the classroom is expected to be released after July 4th. (Source: WMUR)

4. Teachers Voice Eagerness and Anxiety About Return to Classes in Fall. The president of the New Hampshire Chapter of the National Education Association, Megan Tuttle says that most teachers want to get back in the classroom if health professionals deem it safe to do so. But they also want to know how social distancing will work and want a plan in place that includes hygiene and personal protective equipment requirements for staff and students. They also want to know what will happen if a student or teacher tests positive for COVID-19. “We need those protections in place for those parents that don’t want their children to go back and also for the educators that don’t feel safe,” Tuttle said. “They shouldn’t be forced to go back in because everyone wants to go back.” (Source: WMUR)

5. Guidance Released for NH Summer School Classes. In a possible partial preview of what to expect this fall, the New Hampshire Department of Education has issued guidance for local schools to open their buildings for in-school summer programs. The recommendations include the wearing of face masks, staggered drop-off and pick-up times for parents, and moving class activities outside if possible. (Source: NHPR) The detailed guidance for summer school programs is available here.

6. Policy Group Says More Help Needed for Renters. The NH Fiscal Policy Institute is urging policymakers to actively evaluate and assess whether more assistance is needed to help residents keep their existing housing or secure permanent housing when a ban on evictions expires on July 1. $35 million in federal emergency assistance has been allocated under the New Hampshire Housing Relief Program. This Program will provide one-time assistance grants, not to exceed $2,500, for households that had past-due rent from April 2020 forward. Even with increased unemployment compensation from the federal government, about one in ten adults in New Hampshire reported to the U.S. Census Bureau that they missed last month’s rent or mortgage payment or had slight or no confidence that their household can pay next month’s rent or mortgage on time. (Source: NH Fiscal Policy Institute)

7. Plans for New Portsmouth Hotel Scuttled Because of Pandemic. Plans for a five-story Moxy Hotel on Green Street were withdrawn with the COVID-19 pandemic is cited as the reason. In a letter to the city’s Planning Department and the Historic District Commission, project architect Carla Goodknight withdrew the application for the project from HDC consideration. “Due to recent events regarding COVID-19, the project will not move forward at this time,” Goodknight wrote. (Source: Seacoast Online)

Friday June 19

Here is what you need to know about NH’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic to start your Friday.

1. Portsmouth Reopens Playgrounds. The caution tape used to seal off playground equipment since March has been removed and children are once again allowed to play on Portsmouth City playgrounds. Parents are urged to sanitize the hands of their children before and after use of playground equipment and to avoid play areas that are crowded. (Source: Seacoast Online)

2. Restaurant Owners Tell Sununu’s Task Force That Indoor Seating Limits Are Unworkable. Restaurant and small bistro owners told members of the Governor's Economic Reopening Task Force Thursday that they will be unable to break even if their eateries continue to be restricted to half-capacity because of COVID-19. On Monday, restaurants in Hillsborough, Rockingham, Strafford and Merrimack counties—where 90% of NH’s COVID-19 cases have occurred—were allowed to reopen indoor seating at 50% capacity. In other parts of the state, operating at 100% capacity is allowed as long as tables are spaced 6 feet apart. Ann Masterson of the Ignite Bar & Grille in Manchester said the limits are hampering her bar business. “We’ve got a 14-seat bar at night. If four people walk in, then it’s all full, and we can’t take anyone else,” she said. (Source: Manchester Union Leader)

3. COVID-19 Outbreaks May Delay Reopening of Indoor Bar Seating in Maine. Just over the state line, Maine officials are reconsidering a plan that calls for bars to open for indoor service on July 1. Outbreaks involving dozens of customers and employees at bars in Jacksonville, Florida, and Boise, Idaho, show how easily the new coronavirus can spread, said Dr. Nirav Shah, director of the Maine Center for Disease Control. “When we think about COVID-19, the duration and density of exposure, bars raise significant health concerns on both fronts,” Shah said. “This constellation of factors is prompting us in Maine as well as health authorities in a number of other states, including Massachusetts and Vermont, to re-evaluate our timeline for when bars can safely reopen.” (Source: Seacoast Online)

4. NH to Add Relief Fund for Self-Employed Business People. The fund will be an offshoot of the Main Street Relief Fund, a $400 million pool of federal funds that has been allocated for small businesses. During the application process, thousands of small business people were rejected because they did not qualify for the program. The governor is expected to announce additional details next week. Meanwhile, checks are being mailed today to the 5,500 businesses that did qualify. (Source: NHPR)

5. Amusement Parks, Performing Arts Facilities, Movie Theaters, Adult Day Care Centers May Reopen With Restrictions on June 29. Under new guidance announced yesterday, amusement parks may re-open at 25 percent capacity, adult day care centers will be required to screen clients each day and request them to wear cloth face coverings, and indoor movie and performing arts theaters can also reopen. Customers at performing arts venues must be verbally screened before entering and admissions will be restricted to 50% capacity with 6 feet of distancing. You can find complete guidance for all reopening sectors on NH’s Safer At Home reopening timeline. (Source: InDepthNH)

6. NH Courts Announce Plan to Reopen Hearings and Jury Trials. Three months after the novel coronavirus halted jury trials, canceled thousands of hearings and pushed off legal deadlines, the New Hampshire Judicial Branch is working toward a phased reopening of the courts that could include a pilot jury trial in Coos County this August. A committee of judges, clerks, administrative staff and information technology experts is now finalizing plans to safely resume both jury trials and grand jury proceedings later this summer, even as the virus still poses a threat. “We have consulted with the state’s chief medical director regarding safety measures we will put in place to ensure that prospective jurors are safely returning to court,” says NH Superior Court Chief Justice Tina Nadeau. (Source: Concord Monitor)

7. Moultonborough to Hold Drive-Through Town Meeting. After two pandemic-related postponements of the annual town meeting, Moultonborough city officials were getting antsy about getting voter approval needed to conduct town business. So tomorrow, voters will gather at the Sandwich Fairgrounds in their cars to decide on a warrant that includes articles to demolish an historic building and construct a new community center. Voters are asked to enter the fairgrounds near the Sandwich Fire Station at 8 a.m., and stay in their vehicles. They will be routed past a station with the supervisors of the checklist, then will drive to a field where they will be directed to park – with a safe distance between each vehicle – for both the school district and town meetings. With the forecast for warm weather, voters are urged to bring drinks, snacks, and an extra supply of patience. (Source: Laconia Daily Sun)

Thursday June 18

After a Wednesday when new COVID-19 cases in leaped to 73 and there were 4 additional deaths, here are the other things you need to know to start your Thursday.

1. Expanded Testing at Nursing Homes Leads to Jump in Confirmed Cases. The number of new cases of COVID-19 soared Wednesday to the highest daily figure in weeks as results from the expanded testing program at long-term care facilities kicked in. The state said 73 new cases were confirmed Wednesday, 54 of which were from “recurring testing of residents and staff at three long term care facilities experiencing an outbreak.” The other 19 were from other sources. (Source: Concord Monitor)

2. COVID-19 Closing NH Summer Camps. Parents looking for summer camps for their children will have fewer to pick from and almost none with overnight accommodations. In testimony to the Legislative Advisory Board of the Governor’s Office for Economic Relief and Recovery, Ken Robbins, president of the New Hampshire Camps Association, said that while camps don’t want a bailout, the cost of screening for COVID-19 along with physical modifications and steps to comply with health care guidelines which would require doubling or tripling nursing staff, would cost some camps more to open than staying closed. (Source: InDepthNH)

3. UNH Prepares for Belt Tightening As Fewer Students Enroll for Fall Classes. New University of New Hampshire projections indicate “extraordinary” COVID-19 costs could create a budget deficit of up to $10 million when the university’s current fiscal year ends June 30. With enrollment for fall classes trending downward, UNH is also projecting a deficit of up to $30 million in the upcoming year. (Source: Seacoast Online) Since March, the University of New Hampshire, Keene State College and Plymouth State University, have refunded $42 million to students who left their campuses early because of COVID-19. Meanwhile, the universities are taking on additional costs to make campuses safer for returning students as well as to provide a better remote learning experience should campuses need to be closed again. (Source: WMUR)

4. Health Officer Says Portsmouth Pool Could Reopen But Not Without Risks. The outdoor pool on Peirce Island could reopen this summer with COVID-19 precautions, said Health Agent Kim McNamara. McNamara told the council she and her staff developed a safe reopening plan for the outdoor pool. Under McNamara’s plan, use of the pool would be limited to 50 people at a time, in one-hour increments. A half-hour in between the one-hour pool times would be used to disinfect the area and get the 50 swimmers out and 50 new people in. (Source: Seacoast Online)

5. Red Cross Offers Free Antibody Test in Return for Blood Donations. After the cancellation of thousands of blood drives across the country, the American Red Cross is now offering an incentive—COVID-19 antibody testing for all blood product donations. To learn more about antibody testing or to schedule a donation in NH, visit redcrossblood.org. (Source: Concord Monitor)

6. Juneteenth Event in Manchester to Offer Free COVID-19 Testing. This Friday’s Juneteenth celebration of the end of slavery in the United States will include art, music, poetry, and free COVID-19 testing. The testing will be walk-up and available by appointment only from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday outside the YWCA in Manchester. Appointments can be made by calling the Manchester COVID-19 hotline at 603-668-1547. The rest of the day’s Juneteenth festivities will take place down the street, on a grassy area outside of The Hop Knot restaurant. (Source: NHPR)

7. Nashua Steps Up to Aid Overwhelmed Food Pantries. Four Nashua food pantries will no longer be forced to turn away large donations of meat and other freezable food products thanks to donations of four commercial freezers from the Greater Nashua Food Council and United Way of Greater Nashua. (Source: Manchester Union Leader)

8. NH Doctors Criticize GOP U.S. Senate Candidates for “Fear Mongering” About Vaccinations. A group of NH physicians is calling out two GOP U.S. Senate candidates over comments in recent online forums that they don’t believe in mandatory vaccinations. (Source: NHPR)

9. Canobie Lake Park Announces Plans to Open Next Month. The popular amusement park aims to open July 16. “We are spending this time preparing the Park for our new normal. Please understand that this will include new policies, procedures, online reservations, and health & safety protocols designed to create a safe space where families & friends may enjoy their time together in an open-air, outdoor environment,” park officials wrote on Facebook. (Source: WMUR)

10. Pandemic Linked to...Septic Failures?!? Perhaps the most unanticipated impact of the state’s stay at home order is the apparent uptick in failure of septic systems. The NH Dept. of Environmental Services says it received more replacement applications in May of this year than in May of 2019. DES spokesman Jim Martin thinks more people working from home may be responsible. “Under the situation that we’re living in today, where many, many households have their entire families staying at home much more than they ever have in the past, there’s much more stress being put on their septic systems," he says. (Source: NHPR)

Wednesday June 17

After a Tuesday that saw 27 new cases and 6 more lives lost to COVID-19, here are the things you need to know to start your Wednesday.

1. Relief on the Way for NH Small Businesses. Gov. Sununu announced on Tuesday that 5,466 grants have been approved and checks are on the way as part of the Main Street Relief program, which compensates businesses for some of their losses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sununu said the average grant awarded is nearly $62,000. Each grant will cover 17% of a business's losses with a cap of $350,000. (Source: WMUR)
   Note: with 5,466 grants announced and an average grant of $62,000, this would mean $339 million out of the $400 million in funds allocated for the program have been spent.

2. New Guidance to Allow Limited Family Visits to NH Nursing Homes. Under a new state policy expected to be released this week, residents of long-term care facilities will be allowed to have visitors in outdoor areas. Residents and visitors must remain at least 6 feet apart and wear face coverings. Health Commissioner Lori Shibinette said no contact will be allowed during the visits, and residents can have no more than two visitors at a time. Visitors must also be at least 12 years of age. Visitors are currently banned from the facilities, whose residents have experienced 83% of NH’s fatalities from the virus since the start of the pandemic. (Source: WMUR)

3. NH Jobless Rate Dips to 14.5%. Numbers for the month of May released by the NH Dept. of Employment Security show that while over 100,000 state residents remain unemployed, the percentage of people who remain jobless is down from its 17.1% peak in April. Prior to the pandemic, NH’s unemployment rate was 2.4%. (Source: NHPR) Looming over NH residents on unemployment is the July 31 expiration date of the expanded federal unemployment benefit. The benefit, which is part of the federal CARES Act, boosts checks by $600 per week. The supplement will end unless extended by Congress and approved by the President. (Source: Forbes)

4. Hampton Beach Seafood Festival Cancelled. The Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce made the announcement today, stating that it doesn’t believe the September event could be held safely during the coronavirus pandemic. The three-day event has seen more than 100,000 attendees in the past. (Source: Seacoast Online)

5. Socially-Distanced NH Senate Approves Omnibus Bills on Prescription Drugs, PFAS, Health Care, Child Protection, Criminal Justice and Transportation Infrastructure. Meeting in a State House chamber usually reserved for the much larger House of Representatives, the NH Senate met to vote as a body on Tuesday for the first time since the start of the pandemic. Before the day was over, the 24 senators approved nearly 200 separate bills packaged into about two dozen “omnibus” bills that will go back to the House at the end of the month. Many of the bills addressed aspects of the coronavirus pandemic such as long-term care and nursing home facilities, allowing pharmacists to administer a COVID-19 vaccines after one is developed, requiring insurers to continue to cover telemedicine, giving cities, towns and school districts more flexibility for annual meetings and budgets, expanding broadband throughout the state, and allowing absentee voting for any reason. Senators also approved a criminal justice package requiring law enforcement officers to report misconduct by other officers, requiring all applicants for law enforcement positions to get a psychological screening, outlawing the use of choke holds by police, and banning private prisons. Senators also voted to establish a $10/hour state minimum wage in 2021 and to raise it to $12 in 2023. Because all of the omnibus bills were previously passed in the House but were heavily amended by the Senate, the House will meet again on June 30 at Whittemore Arena to vote on whether or not to accept the changes the Senate has made. A simple majority vote will send them on their way to the governor for signature. (Source: InDepthNH) Also very much worth noting is that HB1264—the PFAS omnibus bill—passed 23-1. It extends the work of the seacoast cancer cluster commission for two years, requires insurers to cover PFAS blood testing, makes NH’s toughest-in-the-nation PFAS standards a formal part of state law. It also includes includes $50 million for a loan fund to help towns and businesses comply with the new PFAS rules. Future legal settlements with chemical-makers are very likely to boost that fund. (Source: NHPR)

6. Businesses in No Hurry to End Working from Home. While businesses in retail and service sectors, such as restaurants, have accelerated the pace of bringing employees back to work on-site, businesses where employees work mostly in offices are saying “not-so-fast”. Eversource officials said they have no plans for remote workers to return for at least the rest of the summer. Debbie Irving, of Riverstone Resources, whose 350 Manchester employees have been working remotely since March, says “We were one of the first companies out, but we're not going to be the first to go back.” (Source: WMUR)

7. Laconia to Limit Crowds at Weirs Beach. Laconia’s Parks and Recreation Commission voted unanimously Monday to set the limit of people allowed onto the popular Lake Winnipesaukee beach at 400 people, which is less than 20 percent of the beach's rated capacity of 2,200 people. (Source: Laconia Daily Sun)

Tuesday June 16

After a Monday where no new COVID-19-related deaths were announced in NH, here is what you need to know to start your Tuesday.

1. Goodbye “Stay at Home Emergency Order”; Hello “Safer at Home Advisory”. At 11:59 p.m. Monday, the rarely-enforced emergency order banning gatherings of 10 or more people and limiting trips outside the home to walks, grocery shopping, and visits to essential businesses expired. Replacing it is a new order that “advises” people under age 65 to practice social distancing and to limit trips outside the home. People 65 and over—or those with underlying health conditions that put them at additional risk—are “strongly advised” to continue to stay in their residences as much as possible. The state’s Universal Reopening Guidelines for businesses, attractions, and organizations as well as guidelines established for individual sectors, such as hotels and restaurants, remain in effect. You can review the replacement advisory here.
   Note: While deciding what level of risk is acceptable to you when you venture outside the home is an individual decision, guidelines for reopening businesses, attractions, and activities has largely been been a committee decision in most states, including New Hampshire, where the Governor’s Task Force on Reopening the Economy has been churning out reopening guidelines for over a month. It’s a process that has been repeatedly criticized for being arbitrary and for unfairly prioritizing the reopening of some types of business over others. But new research from MIT provides a more data-driven approach for weighing the economic value delivered by businesses versus the level of risk they present. The study used a combination of location data from cell phones to assess crowding and risk for viral spread; and payroll, revenue, and employment data to to assess economic impact. While researchers say decision-makers have generally made good calls about which businesses should stay open or closed, they noted a big exception—liquor stores. While most states, including NH, have treated then as “essential businesses”, liquor stores rated 20th out of the 26 business types in economic importance, but 12th highest in risk. (Source: MIT News) While the reopening horse has largely left the barn in NH, results from the study could inform which businesses are shuttered first and which will be allowed to stay open should the pandemic force a second shutdown.

2. NH City Leaders Express Concern About Relaxing Restrictions As Virus Spikes After Reopenings in Other States. With the expiration of the state’s stay at home order, leaders from 3 of the state’s largest cities say reviving the economy while protecting public health is a balancing act that requires a mix of vigilance and optimism. Alderwoman-at-large Shoshanna Kelly of Nashua says flipping the switch will not make the pandemic go away. Meanwhile, Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig says she's especially worried about removing the 10-person cap on social gatherings and would have preferred a more gradual approach before eliminating caps on gathering completely. "So it could have increased to maybe 20 or 50, but where there's no limit, that does make me a little nervous," Craig said. Craig also expressed concern that her city has yet to see a 14-day decrease in the number of COVID positive cases, which was the initial marker set by the federal Coronavirus Task Force for states to consider reopening. (Source: NHPR)

3. Indoor Dining Returns. On the first day NH restaurants were allowed to reopen for indoor service, at least two Seacoast restaurants had lines waiting outside shortly after they opened. The Goat, with locations in downtown Portsmouth and Hampton Beach, started serving inside at 11 a.m. Monday. “It’s great, we’re excited to be open,” said Jamie Giorgio, the director of operations at the Portsmouth location. “We’re looking forward to abiding by all the CDC obligations, and rules, and also give everyone a great dining experience like we always have. We’re just excited to be open. Hopefully, everyone will understand that we’re just getting back into it. We’re pretty much starting from scratch again, but we will do our best to make things work. It’s been challenging, to say the least.” (Source: Seacoast Online)

4. Maine Governor Lifts Ban on Indoor Dining in Southern Maine Restaurants. Restaurants in York, Cumberland and Androscoggin counties will be allowed to reopen their indoor dining rooms beginning this Wednesday. Gov. Janet Mills said she decided to revise her order after state officials documented public health trends—including new case rates and hospitalization rates—improving in all three counties. (Source: Portland Press Herald)

5. Mental Healthcare Providers Urge NH Senate to Pass Bill Extending Telemedicine Beyond COVID-19. The state Senate votes today on a bill that would make permanent much of the telehealth system that has emerged in New Hampshire during the pandemic. Mental health providers are urging passage of the plan, which has already cleared the House. The bill would make it easier for patients to access remote care and would require equal telehealth coverage under Medicaid and private insurance. (Source: NHPR)

6. Planet Fitness to Reopen Thursday. Planet Fitness will reopen all of its 19 Planet Fitness locations in New Hampshire on Thursday, June 18. The gyms will open at 50% capacity in accordance with state guidelines. Both staff and gym members will be required to wear masks or face coverings. (Source: Seacoast Online)

Monday June 15

Here are the things you need to know about NH’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic to start your Monday.

1. Stay at Home Order Ends at Midnight Tonight As Restrictions Ease for Restaurants, Gyms, and 13 Other Sectors. Today will be the biggest day for reopening yet. With NH’s stay at home order set to expire at 11:59 p.m. along with a requirement that banned scheduled gatherings of 10 or more people, Monday will see restrictions relax for a wide range of businesses, activities, and attractions. For the first time since the start of the pandemic, hard-hit restaurants will have the option of serving diners indoors. Also set to reopen or move into a new phase of reopening today are fitness centers (at 50% capacity) along with race tracks, road races, museums, galleries, bowling centers, and wedding venues. (Source: NHPR) For a complete timeline and list of business, entertainment, and recreational sectors where restrictions are being eased this month—and detailed guidelines for each—see https://www.covidguidance.nh.gov (Source: Governor’s Economic Reopening Task Force)

2. As Reopening Accelerates, Key Health Measures Lag. While state officials cite declining hospitalizations and case counts as reasons to continue to ease restrictions implemented at the start of the pandemic, other metrics provide reasons for concern. In its weekly update, the Concord Monitor tracks four key public health metrics. In today’s update, NH failed to meet goals for 3 out of the 4 measurements. The three goals the state has failed to meet include 1) a two-week drop in cases as measured by the 14-day running average, 2) fewer than four new cases per 100,000 people each day, and 3) at least 150 PCR tests performed per 100,000 people per day. However on the positive side, the state has met the goal of having a positive rate of PCR tests below 5%, indicating that the virus is not spreading rapidly in the general population. (Source: Concord Monitor) Note: While COVID-19 does not appear to be spreading rapidly through NH at this time, over a dozen other states have been experiencing a major upswing in new cases and hospitalizations. (Source: Time)

3. Rockingham County Nursing Home Workers Demand Full Share of State Pay Boost. More than 20 employees at the Rockingham County Rehabilitation and Nursing Center have signed a petition demanding they be fairly compensated through a state program created as an incentive for front-line workers who cannot work remotely during the coronavirus pandemic. The workers claim the weekly stipends they’re receiving through the Long-Term Care Stabilization Program are half of what they’re supposed to be. They point the finger at the nursing home’s administration, insisting it isn’t following state guidance for distributing the stipends. NH nursing home workers are among the lowest-paid in the country and the program was created as a temporary measure to make it easier for facilities to retain staff during the pandemic. (Source: Manchester Union Leader)

4. Supporting the Mental Health of Health Care Workers a Key Focus of NH Medical Community. As NH hospitals and medical facilities have worked to treat the 513 patients hospitalized across the state since the start of the crisis, they have also taken steps to care for workers facing both physical and mental health risks. Kellie Mueller, Assistant Vice President of Behavioral Health Services at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, said that when COVID-19 struck, the hospital set up an incident command center, with one branch of it dedicated to supporting staff. “We do daily rounds, to see how everyone is doing,” said Mueller. “Our employee assistance program is available 24/7 and now includes a support line for staff, and families. We meet regularly with the leadership of every department. We are trying to normalize what is not normal. Thank God we never saw the surge we expected, but the reality is COVID is here to stay and we can’t forget how exhausting this is for our staff.” (Source: Seacoast Online)

5. Shut Down By Pandemic, NH Police Academy Considers Cirriculum Changes In Response to Calls for Police Reform and Accountability. As a temporary shutdown continues at NH’s only police training academy, its new leader has created a task force including educators, civil rights activists and law enforcement officials to critique the academy’s diversity and cultural dynamics training and make recommendations for improvement. Director John Scippa also says the academy does not teach chokeholds, strangleholds or neck restraints as part of its curriculum for new recruits or as part of its instruction for in-service officers. The use-of-force technique, which is not criminally banned in New Hampshire, has come under intense scrutiny since the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis nearly three weeks ago. A reopening date for on-site training at the academy has yet to be announced. (Source: Granite State News Collaborative via Manchester Ink Link)

6. COVID-19 Forces Changes to Local Election Campaigning. With voters and candidates alike concerned about the risk of catching and spreading the coronavirus, the state’s Democratic Party plans to focus more on phone banking, peer-to-peer texting, and virtual educational events. Campaign season starts to swing into full gear today after the official period for filing for state representative, state senate, governor, US Senate, and Congressional races closed on Friday. (Source: WMUR) Full disclosure: I was one of the candidates who filed and assuming the people of Portsmouth Ward 5 will have me back, I’m very much looking forward to continuing to represent them in 2021 and 2022.

7. Remembering Ray Kohler. The focus on death counts during the pandemic hides the truth that behind each number is a real person who touched the lives of others in profound ways. In the first of a series called “Elegies of Joy”, Manchester’s Ray Kohler is profiled in InDepthNH. As Marie Kohler, Ray’s wife of 49 years, says, “These people count – they are not numbers.” (Source: InDepthNH)

Sunday June 14

New outdoor dining area readies to open outside Tuscan Market in downtown Portsmouth.

Here are the things you need to know about NH’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic to start your Sunday.

1. Restaurants Prepare to Reopen for Indoor Dining Tomorrow. In more populous Rockingham, Hillsborough, Merrimack and Strafford counties, restaurants will be able to open at 50% capacity, while establishments in other counties will be able to operate with no capacity restrictions as long as table are spaced 6 feet apart. The guidelines require workers to wear cloth face coverings, but make them optional for customers. While some restaurants have been open for outdoor dining, many others lack suitable outdoor space and have been unable to operate. (Source: Manchester Union Leader)

2. NH Gyms Also Prepare to Reopen Monday. While individual training sessions were allowed in the first phase of reopening, the second phase allows fitness centers to open their full facilities. Despite a requirement to limit the number of people inside facilities to 50% capacity, McCall Gosselin of Planet Fitness doesn’t expect that to be a problem. “We've actually reopened in 41 states already across the country, over 1,000 clubs, and we haven't experienced lines yet,” Gosselin said. (Source: WMUR) You can see the full reopening guidelines for gyms and fitness centers here.

3. Other Restrictions Set to Relax. In addition to restaurants and gyms, a long list of additional businesses and activities will be free to restart operations with restrictions on Monday or, in some cases, to move on to a less restrictive phase of reopening. Changes will go into effect tomorrow for tourist attractions, weddings, race tracks, art galleries, amateur sports, road races, public swimming pools, and more. You can find a complete list along with detailed guidelines for each here. (Source: Laconia Daily Sun).
   Note: individual businesses and attractions have the option to delay reopening for things like additional cleaning or to bring on new staff. So it’s not a bad idea to check before you go.

4. Caution Reigns for NH Brides-to-Be. Despite changes in guidelines that will allow weddings and wedding receptions to take place with social distancing and other restrictions starting June 15th, some brides are choosing to delay their ceremonies. Meanwhile, others are splitting up certain activities and still others are downsizing their plans. (Source: Granite State News Collaborative via Monadnock Ledger-Transcript)

5. Ready to Reopen? Some on Seacoast Aren’t So Sure. While some of the people questioned by Seacoast Online said it’s great that restaurants and other businesses are reopening, others are more hesitant about eating indoors near strangers and said it would depend on the situation. Nicholas Berrios-Nadeau of Dover said he will go to indoor dining at a restaurant when he can. “I think they are being very careful,” he said. “I know they will be cleaning and sanitizing tables between customers. I know the servers wear masks. So, yes, I would feel safe. I would go to concerts, as long as they are socially distant, and people wear masks. I am not opposed to wearing a mask where it is the right thing to do.” (Source: Seacoast Online)

6. COVID-19 Changes—But Doesn’t Stop—NH Graduation Ceremonies. While some communities have postponed or held virtual high school graduation ceremonies, others have found ways to create a unique experience that let grads and dads (and moms too) celebrate together while taking precautions against the spread of coronavirus. On Saturday, Concord held three separate ceremonies with mask-wearing grads, family members, teachers, and school committee members spaced 6 feet apart in folding chairs. (Source: Concord Monitor ) Merrimack Valley High School grads received their diplomas in a car parade at NH Motor Speedway in Loudon. (Source: WMUR) Meanwhile, 174 graduates of Kennett High School in Conway rode the chairlift to the top of Mt. Cranmore with up to 4 family members. There they received their diplomas and were photographed. (Source: WMUR) In Exeter, restrictions on the number of guests, temperature checks, and folding chairs that allowed for social distancing made it possible to hold a ceremony that resembled a more traditional graduation—but with precautions allowing grads to be together one last time. (Source Seacoast Online)

Saturday June 13

Curbside pick-up and take-out has become part of coronavirus life. This artwork is from a sign outside Portsmouth’s Restaurant Massimo.

On a weekend that started with news of 46 new COVID-19 cases and 7 new deaths, here is what else you need to know to start your Saturday.

1. Fund to Aid NH Renters Comes as Eviction Crisis Looms. With an emergency order preventing landlords from initiating eviction and foreclosure proceedings set to expire on July 1, Gov. Sununu has announced details for a new Housing Relief Program for renters. The program will draw on a $35 million allocation from the federal CARES Act to provide one-time grants of up to $2,500 that may be applied to past-due rents dating from April 2020 as well as to other one-time housing expenses that, if left unpaid, could place housing in jeopardy. The Department of Health and Human Services will administer the funds, which will be disbursed by the five Community Action Program (CAP) agencies around the state. Housing advocates and representatives of landlord groups estimate the actual need at closer to $50-70 million—and possibly much higher. (Source: NH Business Review)

2. NH Film Festival Canceled. In another blow to the arts in NH, organizers of the NH Film Festival announced the cancelation of the October event. “While we are extremely optimistic that the Seacoast community will recover from the pandemic, we don’t feel that we can properly plan and execute the multi-day event with so much uncertainty still ahead,” a statement released Friday said. (Source: Seacoast Online)

3. School Officials Concerned with Negative Impact of Remote Learning. Superintendants in school districts outside the state’s major population centers say many students are falling behind because of problems with remote learning. In Franklin, Superintendent Dan LeGallo said said younger students have been affected most. "It's so difficult to try to provide for them within this technology piece," he said. "They are such hands-on learners, and they need that interaction with each other and their teachers." (Source: WMUR) Meanwhile, rural NH communities with limited or no access to high-speed Internet services are welcoming the news of a $50 million program to improve broadband access across the state. (Source: WMUR)

4. Dockside Dining Keeping Lakes Region Restaurants Afloat. During the COVID-19 pandemic, lakeside eateries that have both docks and a place to eat outside have been unusually busy, enjoying steady traffic at a time when many others have been struggling. (Source: Laconia Daily Sun) In Portsmouth, restaurants open for outdoor dining and takeout are listed here. (Establishments approved for outdoor dining are listed in bold.) On Monday, NH restaurants will be able to reopen for indoor dining at reduced capacity under revised reopening guidelines. You can access the complete guidelines for restaurant reopening here.

5. NH Reporter Takes COVID-19 Test On Video. This article and the accompanying video are good reminders of four things: 1) the very real need to get tested if you find yourself in situations where you are exposed to the virus , 2) testing is now much easier to get than it was earlier in the pandemic, 3) depending on the type of test you’re given, it can take several days before you know the results of your test and 4) that the working reporters who bring you the news are not only braving situations that put their own health at risk, but that most are quietly taking steps to ensure they don’t put anyone else’s health at risk. (Source: InDepthNH) If you would like to be tested for the virus, you can find more information here.

6. NH Chipmunk Invasion Has Homeowners Going Nuts. No it’s not just you. During the pandemic, higher than normal numbers of the little fellas have been busy invading lawns, gardens, and homes across the state in growing numbers reminiscent of 2018’s infamous squirrel apocalypse. (Source: Manchester Union Leader)

Friday June 12

A “clicker” used by members of the NH House of Representatives to vote Thursday in an historic session at UNH’s Whittemore Arena.

On a day following the announcement of 34 new COVID-19 cases and 7 additional deaths—all at long-term care facilities—here is what you need to know about NH’s response to start your Friday.

1. Stay at Home Order Will Not Be Renewed. New Hampshire’s stay at home order will officially expire on Monday, June 15, after Gov. Sununu decided not to extend it. The order will be replaced by an “advisory”. There will no longer be any restrictions on group gatherings of 10 or more people. “We're doing it with great confidence," Sununu said. "Our numbers continue to drop -- that's a great sign. I think we want to keep encouraging people to wear their masks when they're out in public and they can't socially distance. It really does make a difference." The governor also announced gyms, pools, bowling alleys, tourist trains, organized motorcycle rides and small racetracks can also resume operations with some restrictions. (Source: WMUR) You can access an updated reopening timeline and complete reopening guidance for each business sector here.

2. More Emergency Spending Allocations Announced. Yesterday Gov. Sununu announced additional allocations to be made from the $1.25 billion the state received from the federal CARES Act. They include $35 million for a short-term rental assistance program, $50 million to provide broadband access in remove parts of the state, $30 million to long-term care facilities, $15 million to homeless shelters, $2 million to chambers of commerce, and $10 million to private colleges and universities. (Source: InDepthNH)

3. Another New Nursing Home Outbreak, No New “Super Spread” Seen Yet After Black Lives Matter Protests. NH Dept. of Health and Human Services Commissioner Lori Shibinette reported Thursday that nine residents and 11 staff have tested positive for COVID-19 at the Bedford Hills long-term facility. Shibinette also said that at this point, contact tracing has yet to identify a “super spread” from the Black Lives Matter marches held across the state almost a week ago. She says the situation is still being watched and it is too early to determine whether any new cases are the result of exposure during the marches. (Source: InDepthNH)

4. Obstruction Rules as Hundreds of Bills Die in Historic House Session. On Thursday, the NH House of Representatives met for the first time as a full body since March 12. While UNH and the Whittemore Center proved to be gracious and well-prepared hosts, the session itself did not go well as most bills on the calendar died without a vote. Facing intense Republican opposition, the House failed to adopt new deadlines needed to bring the bills to a vote. Failure to reach the needed two-thirds majority effectively killed all the remaining House bills on the calendar and any Senate approved bills not yet approved in the House. Because there were not enough votes supporting the rule change, bills to establish an independent redistricting commission, expand the child advocate’s oversight, establish the state’s 10-year highway improvement plan, expand net metering, and to encourage construction of affordable housing all died. The House also failed to adopt rule changes that would have allowed several new bills to be introduced, including racial profiling and implicit bias legislation, a bill to give homeowners struggling with mortgage payments an additional 6 months to pay, and bill that would have adjusted business tax triggers. The only bill receiving approval during the rancorous 5-hour session was one allowing restaurants to sell beer in growlers brought in by customers during a state of emergency. (Source: InDepthNH)
   Note: about 40 GOP legislators refused to wear masks and found themselves relegated away from the floor of the arena to a section of the stands behind a plexiglass barrier. Some were also seen refusing temperature checks before entering the arena. Keep in mind that the average age of members of the NH House of Representatives is 63. Some representatives arrived in wheelchairs. Others attended despite having underlying health conditions that put them at significant additional risk. In this session, if nothing else we have learned to expect obstruction. As one of 400 legislators, you try to do your job as best you can, follow the rules, and let the chips fall where they may. But failing to take simple precautions to avoid the spread of a virus among your own colleagues that has already killed over 116,000 of our fellow Americans and over 300 people right here in New Hampshire—and is still killing nearly 1,000 people every day across the country—was nothing less than a form of assault. It was irresponsible, dangerous, and unforgivable. If there is any good news coming out of yesterday’s session, it’s that when the House meets again later in the month, our job will consist of voting on whether or not to concur with bills emerging from the Senate. Fortunately the Senate has been busy over the past several weeks, consolidating related bills into a smaller number of omnibus bills that have been added to bills previously passed in the House. It is also possible that a few of the bills killed yesterday will be added to the omnibus Senate bills in the form of amendments. While this work is still taking shape, the good news is only a simple majority is required in the House to concur with bills already passed in the House and amended by the Senate. This means that while this legislative session has been frustrating, it won’t be for nought. Expect some very good legislation to finally emerge at the end of the month for the governor’s signature. But sadly, between the pandemic and lack of cooperation in extending deadlines usually passed in unanimous procedural votes, also expect to see some important and necessary legislation delayed until it can be refiled for consideration in the 2021 session.

5. NH Senate Committee Approves Bill to Provide Additional Emergency Funding to Long-Term Care Facilities. The New Hampshire Senate Health and Human Services Committee has signed off on a bill that would transfer an additional $25 million in federal aid to long term care facilities in the state. Long-term care facilities have borne the brunt of the coronavirus outbreak in New Hampshire, accounting for 82 percent of all COVID-19 deaths. (Source: NHPR) New Hampshire Senate Democrats are backing a proposal that would increase unemployment benefits by $100 a week. The proposal, which is drawing opposition from business groups, would also allow applicants fearing exposure from COVID-19 at their job to collect benefits while also requiring employers to provide paid time off for COVID-19 testing at an employee’s request. The bill would also make it possible for businesses employing fewer that 15 people to obtain personal protective equipment for their workers at no charge from the state. (Source: NHPR)

6. Hampton Beach Readies for Next Phase of Reopening. Plans for live music, expanded parking and amusements like arcades were presented Wednesday to the Governor’s Re-Opening Task Force which is expected to vote on the recommendations Monday. “I think in a lot of ways we could be back to normal come July to the best we can,” Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce President John Nyhan said. (Source: Seacoast Online)

Thursday June 11

With the news of 7 additional deaths and 54 new cases on Wednesday, the death toll in New Hampshire has topped the 300 mark. Here are the other things you need to know to start your Thursday. 1

1. Despite State Push for Testing, Poll Shows Demand Declining Among NH Residents. According to a poll released Wednesday, despite increasing testing capacity in the state, the demand for testing among New Hampshire residents has declined considerably since May. According to the poll released by the UNH Survey Center, only one in seven residents now want a test to determine if they currently have COVID-19. Of those who say they would like to be tested but have not yet been tested, issues that have held them back include not knowing where to go to get a test, a lack of symptoms, and concerns about insurance or payment. (Source: UNH Survey Center)
   Note: the full cost of COVID-19 diagnostic testing is covered by most health insurance plans with no deductible or coinsurance. If you don’t have insurance or your health insurance plan doesn’t fully cover the cost of testing, you still have access to testing at no cost to you at any ConvenientMD, ClearChoiceMD, Lamprey Health Care, CVS Pharmacy, or temporary testing locations operated by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services across the state. Here is a list of locations offering testing.

2. Should You Get Tested for COVID-19? Governor Says “Yes” But Health Experts Say “It Depends”. While the tangible benefits of being tested are limited for people not displaying symptoms or working in jobs that increase exposure to the virus, the push from the state health department for all to get tested is well advised, according to an infection disease expert and another doctor interviewed by the Keene Sentinel. But the two doctors cautioned that those who do get tested should keep in mind the results are only a snapshot in time and warn against being lulled into a false sense of security. “Testing does not replace the need for maintaining common courtesies such as wearing a mask, social distancing, etc.,” said Dr. Michael Lindberg, chief medical officer at Monadnock Community Hospital in Peterborough. (Source: Keene Sentinel)

3. Reminder: Main Street Relief Final Application Deadline is Tomorrow, June 12. The 13,000 Granite State businesses that submitted pre-applications to the $400 million Main Street Relief Fund by the May 29 deadline have until Friday, June 12, to submit their final application. Final rules for the state’s Main Street Relief Fund, were released Friday, five days later than originally scheduled. (NH Business Review)

4. Details Announced for NH Nonprofit Emergency Relief Fund. Eligibility guidelines, timelines, and required steps for non-profit organizations seeking financial relief from the COVID-19 pandemic have been released and can be found here: https://www.goferr.nh.gov/covid-expenditures/nh-nonprofit-grants The State of New Hampshire will award a total of $60 million in emergency grants. The application period opens today, June 11th, and closes June 25th. (Source: Governor’s Office for Economic Relief and Recovery)

5. Committee Makes COVID-19 Election Recommendations. The Secretary of State's Select Committee on 2020 Emergency Election Support says New Hampshire should distribute protective gear to all of its polling places, reimburse municipalities for increased absentee balloting costs and take a more proactive approach to voter education. They committee was tasked with evaluating how to plan for fall elections amid COVID-19 and how to use $3.1 million in emergency election funding New Hampshire received as part of a federal coronavirus relief package. (Source: NHPR) You can read the comittee’s full report here.

6. FEMA Document Demanded by Sen. Hassan Reveals FEMA Asking Nurses to Reuse Masks and Gowns As US PPE Production Continues to Lag. Internal Federal Emergency Management Agency slides show that the government's supply of surgical gowns has not meaningfully increased since photos first emerged in March of nurses wearing trash bags for protection. Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., had demanded the internal FEMA presentation shown to a Senate Committee be made public. The information also revealed that as US PPE production continues to ramp up slowly, FEMA plans to meet demand by manufacturing cloth gowns and "decontaminating" N95 respirators, which increase the risk of contamination. FEMA has come under heavy criticism for raiding and redirecting state-purchased supplies of masks, gloves, and gowns and for not providing details about how it determines which hospitals and nursing homes get priority. (Source: Manchester Union Leader)

7. Some Recipients Confusing Stimulus Payments with Junk Mail. Taxpayers who do not have direct deposit set up with their tax returns have been receiving their stimulus funds in the mail in the form of debit cards. But the unofficial appearance of the mailing along with the use of a third-party vendor to issue the cards instead of them coming from directly from the Treasury Department is leading to confusion. “Unfortunately the cards almost look like junk mail. What we’ve seen is people throw them away or almost throw them away and then realize what they are,” Enfield Police Chief Roy Holland said. If you think you may have thrown your card away, or believe it was lost or stolen, call 800-240-8100 for a replacement. You do not need to know your card number, but you will need to provide your Social Security Number. You can find more information at EIPcard.com. (Source: Concord Monitor)

8. AMTRAK Downeaster to Resume Limited Service on June 15. The commuter train will operate only one southbound line in the morning, and one northbound train departing from Boston at 5 p.m. Before the pandemic, the Downeaster ran five daily trains in each direction. Downeaster service has been suspended since April 13 due to social distancing protocols stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. Masks will be required for passengers boarding and moving on the train, but they may be removed when seated. (Source: NHPR)

9. No On-Campus Classes at SNHU This Fall. Citing ongoing health concerns because of the pandemic, Southern New Hampshire University will continue with remote learning through the fall semester at online rates. (Source: WMUR)

Wednesday June 10

Here are the things you need to know about our state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic to start your Wednesday.

1. 8 New COVID-19 Deaths—6 at Long-Term Care Facilities. The deaths announced on Tuesday increased NH’s overall death toll during the pandemic to 294. Despite the new fatalities, State Epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan says the state is seeing only 2% to 3% of the people being tested actually test positive for the virus. The state is now testing residents at a rate of 1,800 per day. Although Chan says the state has yet to see an increase in hospitalizations or deaths as the state reopens, Gov. Chris Sununu said he still expects there to be a second wave of the coronavirus in late summer or early fall. "I've always said there's a second surge coming," Sununu said. "I hope I'm dead wrong, I really do. We all have to be prepared for that, potentially." (Source: WMUR)

2. Outdoor Nursing Home Visits May Resume Soon. Commissioner of Health and Human Services Lori Shibinette said the state has developed a working group and is developing guidance for opening up nursing homes to outdoor visits by appointment. She said she hoped to have something to report later this week or in the next week. At the same press briefing, officials also announced adult day centers may be able to reopen soon with distancing and reduced capacity for seniors, many of whom have dementia and have cognitively declined during the pandemic. (Source: InDepthNH) The state’s Economic Reopening Task Force—which consists primarily of political, business, and tourism stakeholders and has only two members with backgrounds in healthcare—has developed guidance for the reopening of adult day care centers. These centers provide a respite during the day for families with a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s or a related disease. In the first opening phase, centers could open at 50 percent capacity with no new admissions, no visitors, and daily screening of everyone for COVID-19. Masks would be worn by staff and patients with exceptions. (Source: InDepthNH)

3. NH’s Economy Looking Better. In an optimistic briefing delivered to the Governor’s Economic Re-Opening Task Force, Deputy Employment Security Commissioner Richard Lavers said nearly 90% of New Hampshire’s economy is “open for business and working” even as more than 100,000 people were still collecting unemployment last week. While admitting that restaurants, clothing stores and lodging facilities continue to suffer, Lavers said new unemployment claims continue to drop. (Source: NH Business Review)

4. Seacoast Real Estate Market Weathering the Storm. While condominium sales slowed in May and closings were at a record low for the month of May, the median single-family sale price actually rose $5,000 from last month to $510,000. Buyer activity is very strong right now,” said Adam Gaudet, president of the Seacoast Board of Realtors. “Multiple offers are quite common and indices, such as May residential pendings, point to a swift return to normal June numbers. At this point, I think inventory levels are more of a concern to buyers than the pandemic.” (Source: Seacoast Online)

5. Judge Hears Arguments Challenging Sununu’s Emergency Order. Saying “this is not the pandemic we were sold two-and-a-half months ago”, the lawyer for a New London salon owner told a superior court judge that the number of fatalities, hospitalizations and confirmed cases in the state does not meet the threshold for a governor to declare a state of emergency, and that there is no imminent threat. (Source: NHPR)

6. Mental Health Experts Help Parents Struggling with Stress. Reaching out to family and friends for help or contacting a help line are two of the ways experts say can parents can reduce some of the stress of dealing with active children at home. (Source: WMUR)

Tuesday June 9

After a Monday where no new deaths and 37 new cases were reported, here is what you need to know to start your Tuesday.

1. Maine Reopens the Door for NH Residents. Short-term visitors from New Hampshire and Vermont will once again be welcome to make non-essential trips into Maine, beginning this Friday, as the state eases up on its pandemic-related travel restrictions. This means Granite Staters are once again welcome to visit Maine attractions and book rooms without a requirement to quarantine for 14 days. (Source: Seacoast Online)

2. Distribution Rules Released for Main Street Relief Fund. After anxious NH business owners spent several days at the start of the month nervously wondering about the status of their applications, the state has finally clarified distribution rules for $400 million in grants to ailing NH businesses. Among other things, rules make it clear that self-employed individuals can’t receive assistance. Businesses must also be based in New Hampshire, have been in operation since May 29, 2019, and cannot be in bankruptcy or permanently closed. The fund also excludes nonprofits, childcare providers, healthcare providers, schools, colleges and farmers, all which will be aided separately. There is also a provision that a grant can turn a grant into a loan if a business overstates its estimated losses. (Source: NH Business Review)

3. Protections for NH Renters Set to Expire. Temporary protections for renters against eviction will end if Gov. Sununu lets New Hampshire's state of emergency expire on June 26. People needing help to avoid evictions should contact their municipal welfare office. (Source: NHPR)
   Note: Under emergency order #24, the governor clarified that his original order (emergency order #4) while temporarily restricting landlords from evicting tenants during the pandemic because of problems related to income loss, does not relieve tenants of their obligation to pay all rent that is due. (Source: Office of the Governor)

4. Seacoast Chambers of Commerce Upset Over Denial of Emergency Funding. New Hampshire’s latest COVID-19 relief program guidelines, released Friday night, once again do not include local chambers of commerce and other 501 (c) (6) nonprofits. “To say the news (about not receiving any funding) is disappointing is putting it mildly,” said Valerie Rochon, president of the Chamber Collaborative of Greater Portsmouth. While chambers of commerce and other 501(c)(6) organizations are eligible for assistance through the federal Emergency Impact Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, funded through the CARES Act, a spokesman for Gov. Sununu said “additional federal regulatory parameters”do not make chambers “a good fit” for either the Nonprofit Relief Fund or the Main Street Relief Fund. (Source: Seacoast Online)

5. What the Numbers Say About COVID-19 in NH. The Concord Monitor has been tracking 4 key measures that once achieved will indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic is under control. As of late last week, the bad news is that despite reopening proceeding at an accelerated pace, the state is falling short on 3 of the 4 indicators. This includes a measure initially floated at the federal level as a sign that states could reopen—a two-week drop in cases as measured by the 14-day running average, which would indicate the virus is abating. As of Friday, the state’s two-week average of 73 cases per day is more than one-third higher than the goal. (Source: Concord Monitor)
   Note: The governor and other state officials have repeatedly pointed to hospitalizations as a key measure. As of today, 78 people are hospitalized with the illness, which is less than half the number of people hospitalized at the peak in late April and early May. Also, while the number of reported new cases in NH was 26 on Sunday and 37 for Monday, the number of cases and deaths reported over weekends during the pandemic has typically been much lower than the numbers reported on weekdays, when DHHS staff keeps regular business hours.

6. NH Libertarians Sue Over Signature Requirement. Members of NH’s Libertarian Party are suing the state over a requirement that forces them to obtain physical signatures in order to place candidates on the ballot. Under existing election laws, Libertarian candidates running for president, governor or U.S. senator in New Hampshire must collect signatures from 3,000 registered voters to get on the ballot for the 2020 elections. The Party argues this is unreasonable because signatures are typically collected door-to-door—a practice that is less safe to do now because of the ongoing pandemic. (Source: NHPR)

7. Municipalities Consider Mask Ordinances. Although two NH cities have enacted ordinances to date requiring the wearing of cloth face coverings in stores and other places where 6 feet of distancing can’t be maintained, threats of lawsuits, fear of potential confrontations, and enforcement concerns have led others—including Portsmouth—to avoid any requirements to wear them. (Source: Granite State News Collaborative via Concord Monitor)

Monday June 8

Whittemore Arena ready and waiting for the June 11 House session.

After a Sunday when 3 new deaths and 26 new cases were reported in NH, here’s the news about our state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic that you need to know to start your Monday.

1. Legislature Readies for June 11 Session at UNH. When the NH House of Representatives meets on Thursday at Whittemore Arena at UNH, remote clickers will be used for voting, results will be displayed on the arena JumboTron, and legislators will sit in chairs evenly spaced 6 feet apart in every direction on the arena floor. All Representatives will be given a mask and plastic shields and separate seating sections will also be available—one to seat representatives who cannot medically wear a mask, but can use a shield, and another for those who refuse to wear either. Those refusing to wear masks or shields will be separated from other lawmakers by a plastic barrier and will have their own bathrooms. But safety measures aside, how much legislators will be able to accomplish is still very much in doubt because of the refusal of GOP leadership to allow a change in House rules that would allow representatives to vote on remaining bills. The session will be the first full gathering of the entire NH House of Representatives since the start of the pandemic in March. It was moved to Whittemore Arena from Representatives Hall in Concord to allow more space for social distancing. (Source: InDepthNH)

2. State to Allow Voter Registration by Mail. In addition to being able to request absentee ballots for the primary and general elections, would-be voters who have yet to register will now be allowed to register by mail. (Source: Seacoast Online) But make sure you have access to a copier, extra stamps, and plenty of time to sort through an extensive list of procedural requirements. Also make sure to round up a friend who can witness your application without bursting out laughing at instructions that seem more intent on punking people concerned about the virus than protecting public health. A sample, courtesy of the NH Sec. of State’s Office: “A person can witness a document being signed by watching the person registering to vote sign the form from a socially appropriate distance of 6 feet or more or through a window. The document, once signed by the person registering to vote, can then be left in a place where the witness can approach after the person has backed away and the witness can then sign the document. The witness can either leave the document for the person registering to vote to mail, or the person can provide the whole packet to the witness so the witness can mail the documents after the witness signs the document.” (Source: NH Sec. of State Website)

3. NH’s LGBTQ+ Community Finding New Ways to Celebrate Pride. With traditional June Pride celebrations cancelled or postponed because of COVID-19, virtual events are fostering online connections and helping to raise money. Organizers also say that they’re seeing their community come together and redirect efforts this month toward the Black Lives Matter movement after waves of protests against the police killing of George Floyd have swept New Hampshire. (Source: Granite State News Collaborative via the Concord Monitor)

4. Scammers Victimizing Unemployed Granite Staters. Criminals using ID theft and other techniques have pocketed an estimated half-million dollars that should have gone to newly unemployed NH residents. (Source: Manchester Union Leader)

5. What’s Open and What’s Still Closed? With updates and proposed updates to the list of businesses, services, and attractions coming fast and furious, it can be a challenge to keep track of what’s open, what’s closed, and what’s reopening soon. NHPR has a comprehensive list in the form of FAQs that it updates anytime something changes.

   • Reopened? Among other things, beaches, hotels, golf courses, equestrian facilities, outdoor petting zoos, and helicopter tours.

   • Still off limits? Mingling at bars, working out at gyms and fitness clubs (except for small classes), and state park facilities. (Source: NHPR)

6. Virus Tests Resilience and Adaptability of NH Media. With the pandemic forcing some NH media companies to layoff or furlough employees and others (including the Nashua telegraph) to move their operations online, leaders of three NH media companies say they are adapting as business fallout from the pandemic becomes the new normal. “We take it one day at a time,” said Howard Altschiller, executive editor of Seacoast Media Group. “Hopefully we can come through this crisis without too much damage to the organization. We were challenged and learned how to be nimbler after the Great Recession. I’m cautiously optimistic. I believe the best attitude is to be realistic and keep your eye on future opportunities.” On a positive note, since March, Altschiller says digital subscriptions have risen 17%. (Source: NH Business Review) Note: One of the best ways to support the people who bring us the news in NH during the pandemic is by subscribing or by making an online donation. Interested? (Or starting to really dislike paywalls?) You can find more information here.

Sunday June 7

Here are the things you need to know about New Hampshire’s response to the coronavirus pandemic to start your Sunday.

1. NH COVID-19 Cases Top 5,000. After the announcement of 74 new cases and 5 new deaths on Saturday, the total number of confirmed cases in New Hampshire now stands at 5,019. 28% of the cases are still active. (Source: WMUR) You can review the number of cases in individual NH cities and towns here. In Portsmouth, there are 18 active confirmed cases among residents—64 total since the state began tracking cases in March.

2. Protests Raise Concerns About COVID-19 Risks. Large, well-attended protests against racial injustice and police brutality that have spread across New Hampshire and across the country since the murder of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis have led to concerns about the risk of increased transmission of the coronavirus. However, Dr. Ben Locwin, of Portsmouth, an expert in infectious disease epidemiology, said any spikes in COVID-19 infections attributable to mass gatherings at protests are more or less negligible compared to if no stay-at-home measures were put into place from the onset. While urging protesters to consider self-quarantining themselves afterwards, Locwin says warmer, more humid weather makes it more difficult for the virus to persist in aerosoled droplets. Meanwhile Ramsay Dean, a Black Lives Matter organizer who attended Thursday’s protest in Portsmouth, said the risks associated with getting infected with COVID-19 do not outweigh the urgent need for structural reform to end systemic racism within law enforcement. “I’m a level-headed person and I understand the coronavirus is a serious public health issue,” said Dean, of Portsmouth. “But racism and police brutality are also a public health crisis and minorities are the ones being disproportionately infected with the coronavirus. At the end of the day, we have to do what we have to do. These protests are important.” (Source: Seacoast Online)

3. As Reopening Restrictions Ease, Contact Tracing Takes on Added Importance. Semra Aytur, an associate professor of health and management policy at the University of New Hampshire, says the countries that have been the most successful in containing coronsvirus have been the ones who have been the most rigorous in adopting contact tracing. With contract tracing, public health professionals investigate each case of an illness to try to identify where the person was infected and who they have been in contact with. This information can help identify people who have been infected by the virus so they can be treated and quarantined. According to Jake Leon, director of communications for the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, the state is once again partnering with ConvenientMD to help conduct contact tracing. The state currently has between 100 and 125 contact tracers right now, which Leon says is enough for the number of cases New Hampshire is currently experiencing. The contract with Convenient MD, whose cofounder was a major campaign donor to Gov. Sununu, hasn’t yet been submitted to the Executive Council for approval, Leon said. (Source: Granite State News Collaborative via the Concord Monitor)

4. Hampton Beach Businesses Get a Boost. On a weekend where sunshine has alternated with clouds and occasional thundershowers, Hampton Beach saw business pick up. This is the first weekend NH hotels were able to book guests as well as the first weekend after the easing of emergency restrictions that had previously banned sunbathing and other stationary beach activities. To ease potential crowding and make social distancing easier to maintain, Hampton Beach has closed Ocean Boulevard and reduced parking capacity by 50%. (Source: WMUR) Meanwhile a group that earlier in the week had announced a plans for a protest on Saturday to reopen the beaches—only to see the governor reopen them on Friday—held its protest at Hampton Beach anyway. The group’s demands now include a total reopening of “everything” in the state and a return to “normal”. (Source: WMUR) Since the start of the pandemic in March, the coronavirus virus has killed 283 people in NH and over 110,000 nationally—figures that do not include people who died at home and/or were never diagnosed. During June, an average of more than 20,000 new cases have been confirmed in the US each day. (Source: NBC News) As of today, 84 people suffering from COVID-19 and related complications are hospitalized in NH. A total of 487 hospitalizations have been recorded over the course of the pandemic. (Source: NH Dept. Of Health and Human Services)

5. AMC Restarts Counting Ascents of NH’s 4,000 Foot Peaks. The Appalachian Mountain Club’s Four Thousand Footer Committee is once again accepting peaks “bagged” by climbers in its official counts. The Committee had suspended recording ascents on April 13 to support NH’s stay at home order, but says it will start counting new ascents made as of June 5. (Source: Conway Daily Sun)

Saturday June 6

Here is the news related to the COVID-19 pandemic in NH that you need to start your Saturday.

1. Starting June 15: Stay at Home Order Ends and Indoor Seating at Restaurants to Restart. On a Friday that saw 5 new deaths and 80 new cases, Gov. Sununu announced the biggest steps yet in the process to reopen the state’s economy. Although NH’s stay-at-home order remains in effect until June 15, the governor said Friday that he will allow it to “sunset” without renewing it. Under new guidelines announced at a press briefing, restaurants may reopen for indoor dining on June 15 at 50% capacity in Hillsborough, Rockingham, Merrimack, and Strafford counties. Restaurants in other NH counties may fully reopen as long as tables are spaced 6 feet apart. Restaurant staff are still required to wear masks or cloth face coverings. But face coverings remain optional but “recommended” for customers. Indoor wedding receptions will also be allowed starting on the 15th with tables limited to six people, and dancing within 6 feet of another person discouraged, with the exception of family members and people from the same household. Other revised guidelines announced on Friday include:

   • Overnight summer camps can open June 28.

   • Tourism and outdoor attractions can open immediately.

   • Out-of-state residents can now play golf here. Golf guidelines also shorten breaks between tee times. (Source: NHPR)

2. Sunbathing Resumes at Seacoast Beaches. Gov. Sununu and the state Department of Health and Human Services announced Friday morning that sunbathing and other stationary beach activities can resume immediately. (Source: Seacoast Online https://www.seacoastonline.com/news/20200605/gov-sununu-sunbathing-can-resume-at-seacoast-beaches ) Meanwhile, the organizer of a “Storm the Beaches” rally planned for today from noon to 4 p.m. at Hampton Beach announced the rally will still take place. “The beach event was never about sunbathing,” he said. (Source: Seacoast Online)

3. State Announces Program to Expand Testing for Asymptomatic COVID-19 Cases. As the state looks to learn more about how many people may have the virus without having symptoms, it is now encouraging all NH residents to get a test—even if you feel fine and aren’t showing any symptoms. The goal is to get a better handle on the scope of how much asymptomatic transmission of the coronavirus may be taking place. (Source: WMUR) More information on how to get tested is available here.

4. Red Cross Seeks Plasma from Recovered COVID-19 Patients. The American Red Cross is looking for people who have fully recovered from COVID-19 and have been tested for antibodies to donate blood plasma that could help save lives. Plasma containing antibodies has been shown to help patients hospitalized with serious complications from the virus. (Source: WMUR)

5. Portsmouth Schools to Receive $286,291 in COVID-19-Related Funding from NH Dept. of Education. The NH Department of Education has announced how $33.9 million in federal funding provided under the federal CARES Act will be distributed to NH school districts. The largest recipients of the funding, which is intended to offset the cost of remote learning and other expenses during the pandemic, are Manchester, Nashua, and Rochester. The formula favors larger school districts with higher percentages of low-income families and higher overall populations. Smaller communities with fewer low-income families receive much less. While word of the additional funding comes as good news, communities may not be spending it right away. That’s because the federal Department of Education has yet to provide specific guidance on how much of the money must be allocated to private schools. This means many communities are likely to hold off spending at least part of the funds for now. (Sources: WMUR and NH Dept. of Education) You can see the specific amounts all NH school districts will receive here.

6. Clean Energy Advocates Look to Next Stimulus Package for Job Training—Not Just Projects. Efforts to rebuild NH’s workforce in hard-hit sectors like energy efficiency should be a key focus of NH’s congressional delegation, according to Madeleine Mineau, head of the nonprofit Clean Energy New Hampshire. Rep. Chris Pappas and Rep. Annie Kuster and their Senate colleagues have called for renewable energy investment to be included in upcoming stimulus bills as a way to put people back to work. But Mineau, who made her remarks during a roundtable conference call Pappas and Kuster hosted on the topic, said job training must also be a key focus because companies may not be able to regain all the employees they once had. (Source: NHPR)

7. Court Agrees to Rehear Legislators’ Lawsuit Against Sununu. While a superior court judge dismissed the legislators’ request for a preliminary injunction, he did agree to rehear the case after the names of members of the Legislative Fiscal Committee were added as parties to the lawsuit. Earlier this year, Judge David Anderson refused to allow the case to go forward saying that the original plaintiffs—legislative leaders who do not serve on the Fiscal Committee—lacked standing to file the case. Legislative leaders had sued the governor to attempt to block him from spending federal funds without the Fiscal Committee’s approval, claiming that under NH law, only the committee may accept and allocate federal funds. But Sununu, claiming a conflicting 2002 NH law gives governors the power to accept and spend funds during states of emergency, chose to bypass legislative oversight from the committee and has already allocated $850 million of the $1.25 billion in federal CARES Act funds received by the state. While the governor did include legislative leaders from both parties in a Legislative Advisory Board to provide input on how the money should be spent, he ignored several of their recommendations, including one that would have allocated a higher amount of money to the state’s hard-hit hospitals. As for the remaining funds, Sununu has said he’ll hold back on spending them until later in the year so money will be available for needs that are not anticipated at this time. (Source: InDepthNH)

8. Hopkinton State Fair Canceled for 2020. The cancelation of the popular Labor Day weekend fair leaves only three of the state’s eleven annual fairs – Hillsborough Country Agricultural Fair, Rochester Fair, and Deerfield Fair – still planning to hold their events. Those three fairs are all held in September or October, leaving sponsors with more time to decide what to do. (Source: Concord Monitor)

9. Portsmouth Farmers Market Reopens Today. Portsmouth’s popular Farmer’s Market returns today, but in a different location with new rules in place. Instead of the City Hall Parking Lot, vendors will set up in the much larger parking lot of nearby Little Harbor School between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon. All customers and vendors must wear face coverings when inside the market. You can learn more about reopening safety precautions here. (Source: Seacoast Growers Association)

Friday June 5

Masked-up protesters at last night’s Black Lives Matter demonstration in downtown Portsmouth.

After a Thursday when 8 more residents of NH long-term care facilities fell victim to COVID-19, here are the things you need to know to start your Friday.

1. Over a Thousand March in Portsmouth Against Our Country’s Other Pandemic: Racism. Thursday night, a crowd estimated by Portsmouth police at 1,200 people gathered in downtown Portsmouth to peacefully celebrate the life of George Floyd and to condemn racism and police violence. The marchers, who were nearly all masked-up to prevent spread of the coronavirus, were joined by Portsmouth Police Chief Robert Merner who said he thought the event, organized by Black Lives Matter, was “fantastic”. “We’re very pleased,” Merner said. “Everyone got to exercise all of their constitutional rights. There were no disruptions.”)

2. Gov. Sununu Previews Intent to “Move On” from Stay at Home Order and Says New Guidance for Restaurants and Weddings Also Coming. On Thursday, Gov. Sununu said he plans to make an announcement Friday regarding the stay-at-home order, which is set to expire June 15. "Our intent is to take June 15th and look at transforming the stay-at-home order into something like an advisory and allowing some more flexibility," Sununu said. "So tomorrow, we'll make an announcement surrounding that. We're still looking at some options, but moving on from the stay-at-home order on June 15 is our intent." The governor said there will also be new flex guidance on restaurants and weddings. (Source: WMUR)

3. Main Street Relief Program Hits Snag. After 3 days of uneasy silence from the state, state officials have finally clarified why business owners who have applied for aid from the Main Street Relief program have yet to receive word about the next step in the application process. Gov. Sununu says sorting out “duplications” has slowed things down. Meanwhile, Shaun Thomas, a tax policy analyst at the state Department of Revenue Administration, admitted that while things are taking a little longer than expected, “everybody is working very hard” and “it is better to get it right than get it wrong.” Over 13,000 NH small business owners submitted a pre-qualifying application before the May 29th deadline for part of the $400 million in available relief for small businesses. At the time they were told that if they qualified, a second application would be available on June 1st that also must be completed and submitted. But June 1st came and went without any word on next steps until yesterday. Under the original schedule, qualifying businesses were supposed to have until June 8 to submit a second application, but officials say that date will now be extended. (Source: NH Business Review) In a related story, U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen told NH business leaders on a conference call Thursday that she will do everything in her power to convince her Senate colleagues to pass a new round of federal payroll protection loans that they told her are desperately needed. NH restaurant owner Bill Greiner told Shaheen that millions of jobs nationwide will be at risk if businesses who already got loans under the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Payroll Protection Program can’t receive second loans. “The main issue we see in our industry is that anybody who got PPP money in round one is faced with running out of that money in the next few days and we're going to be back to where we were when we had the stay at home order put in place in New Hampshire,” Greiner said. (Source: Laconia Daily Sun)

4. Restaurant Owners Pitch Plan to Close Streets for Outdoor Dining. Portsmouth Outside, a group led by a team of local restaurant owners, has developed a plan to boost the city’s sagging dining industry by closing four Market Square streets for outdoor dining and shopping. The group hired an engineer to show how the plan can work and is now hoping city officials can make it a quick reality. But Mayor Rick Becksted said he has reviewed the plan and thinks it’s asking too much. He said foot and vehicle traffic needs to be maintained and major streets like Congress need to remain open. City Attorney Robert Sullivan said authority to close streets lies with the City Council and outdoor liquor licenses have to be approved by the city’s liquor board which includes public safety officials. More information is available at portsmouthoutside.com. (Source: Seacoast Online)

5. Necessity Forcing Reinvention of NH High School Graduation Ceremonies. Prompted by the danger of the virus in large gatherings, many school districts have postponed graduation ceremonies or are planning on virtual celebrations. But others are going the extra mile to provide students with a more fulfilling experience within safety and social distancing guidelines. From a planned ceremony in Salem involving vehicles to one in North Conway where grads will be zipped up to the top of a mountain via a chairlift to receive their diplomas, some school officials are trying to deliver a unique experience that doesn’t sacrifice safety. (Source: NHPR)

6. Legislators Work to Make No Excuse Absentee Voting Permanent. A temporary change that lets all NH voters vote absentee in this fall’s primary and general elections would be permanent under a bill approved yesterday by a Senate Committee. The bill, already passed in the House, would make “no excuse” absentee voting a fixture in all future NH state and federal elections. At a virtual public hearing of the Senate Election Law Committee, town election officials, voters, and representatives of the ACLU-NH supported the measure as a way to improve ease and access to voting. The committee approved the amended bill along party lines with one member denouncing it as a “poison pill”. The legislation now advances to the full Senate for a vote later in the month. NH is one of only 15 states that still requires at excuse to get an absentee ballot. (Source: InDepthNH)
   Note: To vote absentee in this fall’s elections, you must request separate absentee ballot applications for both the primary and general elections from your city or town clerk in time to receive your ballots before the election. If you live in Portsmouth, you’ll find instructions from the Portsmouth City Clerk along with the application form here.

7. Senate Committee Votes to Make Telehealth Permanent. Temporary insurance coverage for health care services offered online during the coronavirus pandemic would become permanent under a bill endorsed Thursday by a Senate committee. Officials representing hospitals, community health centers, dentists and mental health providers all told the committee that telehealth has been a valuable tool during the pandemic and should continue. (Source: Seacoast Online)

8. Portsmouth Teachers Hold End of Year Parade. Teachers and staff of Portsmouth’s New Franklin School held a bus-led car parade through 8 neighborhoods yesterday to thank parents and to let their students know they miss them after three months of remote learning. Today is the last day of virtual classes in Portsmouth. (Source: Seacoast Online)

Thursday June 4

A reminder from South Church in Portsmouth.

After a Wednesday where 9 new COVID-19 deaths were announced in NH—6 of which were associated with long-term care facilities—here is what you need to know about our state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic to start your Thursday.

1. Governor Says NH Doing a “Good Job” with Nursing Homes and “Excellent Job” Outside of Them. In a press conference on Wednesday that ranged from praising racial justice protesters in Manchester to the announcement of a new partner for COVID-19 testing in nursing homes, Gov. Sununu defended the state’s response to outbreaks in New Hampshire long-term care facilities. Sununu said that although NH has one of the highest percentages of overall deaths in nursing homes in the nation, it is a comparative ratio that has been pushed higher because of the excellent job the state is doing to protect the public outside of nursing homes. He said other statistics show NH has a lower percentage than other states of nursing homes with the virus and a lower percentage of residents within those homes who die. “It is a sign we are doing a very good job of keeping the mortality rate outside those facilities very low,” he said. “Relatively speaking we are doing an excellent job,” Sununu said. To date, 80 to 82% of NH deaths from COVID-19 in NH have involved residents of long-term care facilities—among the highest rates in the US. (Source: InDepthNH)

2. Nursing Home Administrators Seek Guidance on Eventually Loosening Restrictions. In a weekly call on Wednesday with state officials, nursing home administrators said that while COVID-19 remains a constant concern, isolation is a major problem for residents. "Whatever extent we can have some modest return to normalcy for facility-based care, that would be great, but I'd say we're a long ways away from visitation and some of the other things I know the residents and their family members would like to see," said Brendan Williams, president of the New Hampshire Health Care Association."We are not there yet, but we will be issuing guidance soon," said Dr. Elizabeth Talbot, of the Department of Health and Human Services. (Source: WMUR)

3. Strafford County Jail No Longer Accepting ICE Transfers From Facilities With COVID-19 Infections. The Strafford County jail is no longer receiving transfers of immigrants in federal detention from facilities with cases of COVID-19. On May 20th, an immigrant who had just been transferred to the jail tested positive for the virus. (Source: NHPR)

4. Task Force Mulls Reopening Plans for Amusement Parks. Under proposed guidelines, customers would have to undergo a temperature check before entering and everyone over age 3 would have to wear a mask. "Our rides will operate at approximately 50% reduction in capacity," said Ryan DeMaria, of Canobie Lake Park. "Guests and their parties will be directed to specific ride seats and will be separated by empty rows or seats on all attractions." (Source: WMUR)

5. Group Plans Saturday Protest at Hampton Beach of No-Sunbathing Rule. “We’re asking Granite Staters to help us celebrate D-Day and the freedoms that our ancestors were willing to fight and die for, which many have taken for granted,” said Andrew J. Manuse, chairman of ReopenNH. Phase 1 reopening guidelines for seacoast beaches allow running, walking, kayaking, swimming, surfing, and getting sunburned; but beachgoers are required to keep moving to minimize the risk of transmitting the virus to others. Partly to mostly cloudy skies are forecast in Hampton for Saturday with a chance of morning thunderstorms. (Source: Seacoast Online)

6. Resilient NH Playhouses Optimistic Performances Will Resume. While some theater companies have already announced the cancellation of their summer seasons, others are looking forward to resuming in-person performances later in the summer with changes designed to keep performers and members of the audience safe. Meanwhile, playhouses that have turned out the lights for the 2020 season expect to be back next year. Lyn Winter, managing director of Jean’s Playhouse in Lincoln, which has cancelled its summer season, is confident that the theater industry will emerge from the pandemic stronger than ever. “People have been predicting the death of theater for several thousand years,” she said. “The fact that technology exists can enhance what we do, but it can’t replace what we do.” (Source: Concord Monitor)

7. Split Over Business Taxes and Rule Changes Looms Over Planned June 11 Legislative Session. Plans for the NH legislature to resume its work hit a road block on Wednesday as House GOP leaders said they will not approve a rule change that would allow remaining House bills to be considered until the end of the month. Because a 2/3 vote is required, if GOP members do not vote to change the rules, most remaining legislation for 2020 would die. The legislature has not met as a full body to vote on bills since the start of the pandemic in mid-March. However, legislators have been working furiously behind the scenes to act on the remaining bills still in committee and to finalize logistics for the June 11 session planned for Whittemore Arena at UNH—the first meeting of the legislature outside of Concord since the Civil War. (Source: InDepthNH) In a Guest-View column in today’s Portsmouth Herald, I talk about the serious consequences of failing to come to an agreement that allows the legislature to finish its business. “As legislators, our biggest challenge after the protesters disband and the citizens who come to testify before us go home to their families is to create meaningful change that moves us to a better place as individuals, a state, and as a community,” Put simply, blocking the full legislature from voting on remaining bills would be a shocking act of obstruction without precedent in NH history. While it’s true that political battles in NH are always always hard-fought, in the end, legislators on both sides have always cast their votes and let the chips fall where they may. To refuse to allow voting to take place on legislation that addresses the real problems of real people would be nothing short of abandoning the responsibility every elected official has to respect the process and, as my favorite football coach might say, to do their job. You can read my entire commentary here.

8. Portsmouth Farmers Market Reopens June 6 At Little Harbor School. The Seacoast Grower’s Association says customers and vendors will be required to wear face masks. Vendor booths will be spread as far apart as possible and tents will be limited to one customer at a time. There will be no musical performances and food consumption on site is prohibited, including samples. However, just being inexplicably happy that one of the best things about living in Portsmouth is finally available to us again is very much allowed under the new guidelines. (Source: Seacoast Online)

Wednesday June 3

After a Tuesday that saw 11 new deaths and 65 additional people testing positive for COVID-19, here are the other things you need to know to start your Wednesday.

1. Portsmouth City Council Passes Resolution That “Respectfully Advises” Residents and Visitors to Wear Masks. City councilors on Monday approved a resolution by a 7-2 margin urging people in stores and other public setting where social distancing is difficult to maintain to wear masks or cloth face coverings. The resolution, introduced by Assistant Mayor Jim Splaine, is not an ordinance or a mandate. As a result, compliance remains mostly voluntary in Portsmouth as it is in all NH cities and towns with the exception of Nashua and Dover. Mayor Rick Beckstead and Councilor Petra Huda voted against the resolution. (Source: Seacoast Online)
   Note: During the public comment portion of the meeting, I urged the council to consider taking stronger action to reduce the possibility of a second viral peak that could prove catastrophic for our local business community. I asked them to consider passing either an ordinance mandating the wearing of cloth face coverings similar in scope to the Nashua ordinance; or a resolution urging the governor to enact a statewide mask mandate using his emergency powers. The council chose to do neither.

2. Coos County Approves Mandatory COVID-19 Testing for County Employees. Coos County commissioners have voted to approve mandatory COVID-19 testing as a requirement for employment for all nonunion county employees, including at the Sheriff's Department, the Department of Corrections and nursing homes. Failure to comply with the mandatory testing will result in suspension without pay for nonunion employees. (Source: WMUR)

3. Senate Committee Approves Bill to Study Safety in NH Long-Term Care Facilities. The Senate Health and Human Services Committee has given the green light to a bill that would set up a committee to look into issues impacting resident safety, from the risk of suicide, to adequate staffing, to availability of PPE and testing for COVID-19. (Source: Associated Press) In a separate step that illustrates how the legislature is dealing with the calendar crunch caused by the pandemic (and not being able to meet for 3 months), the same Senate committee unanimously passed HB-1264. The bill, which I sponsored, would extend the work of the Commission to Investigate the Seacoast Cancer Cluster through June 30, 2022. But an amendment added by Sen. Tom Sherman and Sen. Jeb Bradley inserts what were formerly three separate PFAS-related bills, allowing all four to be voted on by the Senate as a single package. This will save considerable time as the Senate races against the clock to deal with a clogged calendar and complete its work. You can learn more about what the amended bill will accomplish on the post on my website.

4. Summer Camps Struggling with Reopening Guidelines. With summer day camps allowed to reopen starting June 22 and guidance for overnight camps still in flux, some camps are choosing to stay closed for the summer while others says the new rules will be an overwhelming challenge to enforce correctly. (Source: WMUR) Citing concerns over managing social distancing requirements with large groups of children, the Seabrook Recreation Department announced it would be cancelling its summer day camp. (Source: Seacoast Online) You can access complete guidelines for the reopening of summer day camps here.

5. Homelessness a Continuing Challenge in Lakes Region and Throughout NH. Long-standing addiction, mental health, and shelter capacity issues have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has driven many of NH’s homeless residents out of shelters and into make-shift camps. As a result, shelters and local law enforcement are under even more strain, residents of homeless camps are dealing with other types of health hazards, and nearby residents and businesses grow increasingly frustrated. (Source: Laconia Daily Sun)

6. Lawsuit Claims State Went Too Far in Implementing Remote Learning. A lawsuit now in the hands of a judge in Rockingham county claims the governor’s order shutting down schools for the remainder of the school year is depriving children of an adequate education as guaranteed under the NH Constitution. The suit maintains that the health risk to school-age children is now so low that it is outweighed by the damage the plaintiff claims is being done by remote learning. (Source: WMUR)
   Note: The WMUR report does not address the potential impact on teachers, administrators, and other school workers whose health would also be at-risk should classes reopen. It also does not address the issue of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C), a rare but potentially fatal COVID-19 complication that has killed several children in New York State and is causing concern in NH after being detected in a child in Hillsborough County last month.

7. NH Highland Games Cancelled. The sponsors of the 45th NH Highland Games & Festival scheduled for September 18-20, 2020 have announced the cancellation of the popular event. A posting on the NHSCOT website reads in part, “Scots have a long history of being courageous, sensible, and resilient. We’ve all spent the last few months bravely dealing with the substantial challenges that this pandemic has posed. We’ve had to be practical and resourceful about all manner of things. We remain spirited and strong.” (Source: Associated Press and NHSCOT)

Tuesday June 2

Here are the things you need to know about NH’s response to the coronavirus pandemic to start your Tuesday.

1. 39 New Cases, No New Deaths. 39 new positive tests for coronavirus were reported on Monday by state officials. Although no new deaths were announced, State Epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan says several deaths are under investigation. (Source: WMUR)

2. Beaches Reopen, Crowds Light. NH seacoast beaches reopened for the first time on Monday with officials saying most people were complying with reopening guidelines. (Source: WMUR) In Hampton, lifeguards and police on ATVs were seen patrolling the beach, enforcing the no sitting and sunbathing rule. Susan Blake, of Hampton was happy to walk on the beach again and says she hopes people follow the new rules so beaches can remain open. “It bothers me that the police have already had to speak to people for plotting down on the sand,” said Blake. “That’s just going to ruin it for everybody. (I just wish) people would just try and comply the best they can. It’s tough for all of us.” (Source: Seacoast Online)

3. Keene Councilor Withdraws Proposal for Mask Ordinance. Citing a legal challenge to a similar ordinance that passed in Nashua, Councilor Randy Filiault on Sunday said he no longer plans to ask the council to consider passing an ordinance requiring face masks when at city businesses. (Source: Keene Sentinel)

4. Stock Sales by Lonza Partner Draw Calls for an Investigation. Two former members of the federal Securities and Exchange Commission say the timing of stock sales by would-be coronavirus maker Moderna, several key executives, and a major shareholder at the same time the company was hyping the results of phase one vaccine trials should be investigated. Harvey Pitt, the former chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission from 2001 to 2003 called the timing of the share sales "highly problematic." He suggested authorities issue subpoenas for emails, memos and other documents that can shed light on the share sales. Moderna's chief financial officer and chief medical officer sold nearly $30 million of shares combined on May 18 and May 19. Those stock sales, reported first by CNN Business, were done through frequently-used automated insider-trading plans. These plans, known as 10b5-1 plans, lay out future trades at set prices or on set dates to shield executives from accusations they are profiting from confidential information. Should Moderna’s vaccine be approved after additional trials, the vaccine would be manufactured by Lonza Biologics in Portsmouth. (Source: CNN)

5. NH House Committee Eyes Grim Pandemic Revenue Picture. Meeting Monday to revise state revenue estimates, members of the NH House Ways and Means Committee heard that State revenues could be $355-$600 million less than anticipated for the remainder of the biennium which ends June 30, 2021. Without additional federal aid, the state could be left to deal with the full amount of the shortfall. None of the $1.25 billion NH has received from the federal CARES Act can be used to offset state or municipal budget shortfalls. (Source: InDepth NH) Meanwhile House Speaker Steve Shurtleff met with House Republican leaders on Monday in an attempt to resolve a dispute that could leave the legislature unable to act on bills when it meets on June 11. (Source: InDepthNH)

6. NH Child Care Industry Struggles for Survival. John Hamilton of the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund – whose programs include financial and other assistance for child care providers around the state – calls the pandemic a “biological hurricane” that has reduced child care in the state to 30% of its capacity. Jackie Cowell, Director of Early Learning NH, says “One of our biggest worries prior to COVID-19 was that child care was at a premium. It was hard to find and hard to afford. If we lose these small businesses, what does that mean? What does that mean for parents who want to return to the workforce?” (Source: Granite State News Collaborative vis the Concord Monitor) Meanwhile, as of Monday, two-thirds of New Hampshire’s child care centers have been designated as emergency child care programs—a designation required for centers to reopen under state guidelines. Officials say 154 additional centers are expected to reopen by the end of the month. (Source: NHPR)

7. Free Tuition for Essential Workers Unlikely in NH. Though at least one state is considering it, essential workers and other New Hampshire residents should not expect free college tuition any time soon, despite the fact that New Hampshire has the second-highest in-state tuition in the country and is the only state that does not offer state grants directly to students for higher education. (Granite State News Collaborative via the Laconia Daily Sun)

8. Officials of Tourism Railways Pitch Plans to Reopen. Tourist trains, such as Mt. Washington’s Cog Railway, say the time when they can make money is slowly slipping away. On Monday, the industry proposed a four-phase approach to reopening, starting immediately. The task force also heard from the restaurant industry. Owners said they would like to move to the second phase of reopening with bar seating and some indoor dining, saying outdoor dining only helps a little. The task force is expected to vote on several recommendations later in the week, including the opening of movie theaters. (Source: WMUR)

9. Popular Portsmouth Pub to Close Doors Permanently. Ri Ra Irish Pub wrote on its Facebook page that “COVID-19 has had a devastating impact for the industry throughout the city of Portsmouth and our entire world. We would have much preferred to give the pub and all our staff and guests a well-deserved send-off, but unfortunately that was not to be.” (Source: Seacoast Online)

10. Portsmouth City Hall Reopens. On Monday, Portsmouth City Hall reopened its doors after being closed for much of the pandemic. Masks are required, appointments are recommended, and physical distancing measures will be in place. (Source: City of Portsmouth). However, City Parking Clerk Services have moved to the Foundry Place Garage.

Monday June 1

Wallis Sands Beach in Rye prior to reopening.

As seacoast beaches officially reopen today for walking, running, surfing, and kayaking—and NH mourns 3 new deaths and deals with 106 new cases announced on Sunday—here are the other things you need to know to start your Monday.

1. 83% of NH’s COVID-19 Deaths Are Now Long-Term Care-Related. A decreasing number of deaths in younger age groups combined with an ongoing pattern of fatalities in the state’s nursing homes means that the percentage of deaths occurring in NH nursing homes continues to creep upward. (Source: InDepthNH) NH’s death rate for long-term care residents remains the highest in the nation. If you have loved ones residing in long-term facilities in other states, you can access information about conditions in those states from here.

2. Measuring Progress Against COVID-19: How Will We Know When the Pandemic Is Over? When asked at a press conference last week how we will know the pandemic is “over,” in the sense that everyday life can cautiously resume even without a vaccine, DHHS Commission Lori Shibinette said “I don't think anybody knows the answer to that question.” But that didn’t stop the Concord Monitor’s David Brooks from proposing four measures based on research done by several groups. While the good news is that 2 of Brook’s measures are now being met and one is very close to being met, the not-so-good news is they still don’t add up to “being safe” unless people keep taking precautions like wearing masks, avoiding crowds, and keeping their distance. (Source: Concord Monitor)

3. NH Health Experts Say Masks a Must as State Reopens. Dr. Alexandra Howell, from Dartmouth College’s Geisel School of Medicine says that while there is not enough evidence to say with certainty wearing a mask will fully protect someone from the virus, wearing a facial covering is still essential since people can be infected with COVID-19 and not show any symptoms. “What is likely to cause spikes in the number of cases as states relax their restrictions and open business is a general sense of complacency from the public,” she said, urging people to take precautions until there is a vaccine established. (Source: Granite State News Collaborative ManchesterInkLink)

4. Pastor Not Ready to Reopen North Church. As on-site services resumed in many places of worship over the weekend, they remained virtual at Portsmouth’s iconic North Church. Rev. Frank Newsome says that he and church leadership felt it would be irresponsible for the church to reopen at this time and set September as a possible opening date. Newsome says “We have an aging congregation, people in a high risk category for the virus and some of our membership thinks September is even too ambitious. We think the risk to our congregation of opening up now is not worth it.” (Source: Seacoast Online) Detailed reopening guidance for places of worship can be found here.

5. Some Seacoast School Districts Trail Others in Providing Remote Learning Technology to Students. Dover School Business Manager Michael Limanni told the Dover City Council during a budget debate that the district is “extremely behind” other districts when it comes to remote learning and only has “1,200 devices for 4,200 students.” Meanwhile, Portsmouth Superintendent Stephen Zadravec says his district has about 1,800 devices for its 2,600 students. “We’re certainly fortunate to be in a pretty good position and we had been working our way through to a one-to-one ratio at the high school when remote learning started,” Zadravec said. “We’ve been able to give a device to any student who needed one, and beyond that we purchased a number of hot spots for families who may not have reliable conductivity.” Access to devices, such as Chromebooks, combined with connectivity issues for some students, point out very real disparities between between communities and students within those communities when it comes to remote learning, which will continue in NH at least until the end of the current school year. Source: Seacoast Online)

Sunday May 31

Beach closing sign in New Castle.

On a gorgeous New Hampshire Sunday, here are the things you need to know about the COVID-19 pandemic in our state to start your day.

1. NH Seacoast Beaches Reopen for Limited Activities on Monday. Although the town beach in Seabrook will be restricted to residents—and parking restrictions near town beaches in Rye and New Castle will make it challenging for non-residents to enjoy the sun and surf without being ticketed—state beaches will reopen on Monday for walking, running, swimming, kayaking, and surfing—but no sitting or sunbathing. (Source: WMUR)
   Note: This eyeopening interactive simulation shows how even on a beach, the risk of transmission can increase as more people share the space, get closer to each other, and have even modest degrees of interaction. Bottom line: the more people you see on the beach, the higher the likelihood of viral spread as spacing gets harder to maintain and more people who may behave negligently come onto the scene. (Source: Time Magazine)

2. Worship Services Return—With Restrictions. While some NH churches are still choosing to take a wait-and-see approach and plan to continue offering virtual services over the weekend, others are opening their doors for the first time since the start of the pandemic. But with capacity under state reopening guidelines limited to 40%, no handshaking, and 6 feet of social distancing required, those choosing to worship on-site returned to a familiar experience that was very different. (Source: Manchester Union Leader)
   Note: For a full list of what is reopening in NH starting in June—and to get detailed guidance on the flex reopening steps the state has outlined—see the timeline at https://www.covidguidance.nh.gov/timeline.

3. Shipyard Begins Phased Return of Workforce on Monday. After sending a large majority of its workforce off-base at the start of the outbreak, the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard will begin bringing workers back in the first of four phases that will see the on-base workforce eventually return to full strength. During the pandemic, at least one shipyard worker has died from COVID-19 and an undisclosed number of others have tested positive for the virus. Shipyard Public Affairs Officer Danna Eddy says, “Our defense in-depth measures consist of wearing cloth face masks, physical distancing, proper cough etiquette, frequent hand washing and cleaning of our work areas.” Plexiglass barriers are also being installed in office spaces where social distancing is challenging and screening procedures are being implemented to minimize the risk of infected employees returning to work. However no plans were announced to include diagnostic or antibody testing as part of the screening process. (Source: Seacoast Online)

4. Pandemic Forces Changes for Charity Fundraisers. As COVID-19 scrambles plans for non-profit fundraising events, postponements have become common but many events are going virtual. Popular runs and walks that typically draw hundreds of supporters and thousands in donations have been converted into events combining the physical and online worlds. Individuals and small teams can raise money and complete the course at different times over a period of days. Meanwhile, NH Gives, a 24-hour online giving event on June 9 and 10, is hoping to help the state’s nonprofits make up for some of the financial losses incurred by the fundraising disruptions. Donors can choose which organization they would like to sponsor and every gift of up to $1,000 will be matched. You can find more information or make a donation here: https://www.nhgives.org (Source: Concord Monitor)

5. A Silver Lining for Seacoast Tourism and Travel? With analysts predicting consumers will forfeit big ticket resort and cruise vacations in 2020 for shorter ‘leisure’ trips, local tourism and travel industry leaders say the Seacoast is better equipped than most areas to bounce back as the country slowly reopens. (Source: Seacoast Online)

6. Demand for Home Pools Soars. As the weather warms, NH pool dealers have been experiencing record sales. Jeff Huberty, the owner of stores in Concord and Manchester says that in his 28 years in the business he has never seen anything like this. “From the minute we open the doors in the morning till we close at night we are mobbed.” (Source NH Business Review)

Saturday May 30

Friday’s COVID-19 toll in NH included 7 new deaths and 107 new cases. Here are the other things you need to know to start your Saturday.

1. NH Stay At Home Order Extended to June 15. Gov. Sununu says the state’s stay at home order will be extended for at least another two weeks beyond the original May 31 expiration date. But at the same press conference, reopening plans and timelines were announced for hotels, drivers education classes, places of worship, and summer camps. (Source: WMUR) On May 29 (today) places of workshop may reopen at no more than 40 percent of building capacity. Drivers education classes may also resume. Hotels and seasonal rentals will be reopened to NH residents for stays beginning June 5. Out-of-staters who have completed a two-week at-home quarantine period may also book rooms and rentals. Meanwhile, day camps will to be able to open on June 22 and overnight summer camps on June 28. The governor says the later start date for camps is because the state is still trying to figure out social distancing requirement for transportation as well as possible quarantine requirements for children coming in from out-of-state. (Source: InDepthNH)

2. New State COVID-19 Dashboard Shows 82% of NH Cases Related to Long-Term Care. The new Department of Health and Human Services COVID-19 Dashboard replaces both the COVID-19 Daily and Weekly Summary Reports. (Source: InDepthNH) The new report can be accessed directly at https://www.nh.gov/covid19/dashboard/summary.htm

3. Two Lawsuits Challenge NH COVID-19 Restrictions. Challenges to Gov. Sununu’s emergency orders have moved from the streets and into the courts. One of the lawsuits claims that the state's remote learning is inadequate, while the other says Nashua's mask ordinance is unnecessary and unconstitutional. (Source: WMUR)

4. Justice Department Says Maine's 2-Week Quarantine Rule Discriminates Against Tourists. In a Maine case being watched closely in NH, the US Department of Justice is siding with campground and restaurant owners who sued the state over a two-week self-quarantine policy for out-of-state visitors. Maine Gov. Janet Mills said she was “disappointed” and “disgusted” by the federal action and says objections to these requirements were never raised when the President and his own task force took steps to limit travel. On Friday, the judge rejected a motion for a preliminary injunction against Gov. Mill’s orders. Several of NH’s emergency orders also subject out-of-staters to differences in quarantining and reopening guidelines. (Source: NHPR). Gov. Mills has also been sharply critized by Maine restaurant owners for postponing the easing of dine-in restrictions in the three most populous Maine counties that originally were to have started on June 1. (Source: Seacoast Online)

5. Two Manchester Hospitals Report COVID-19 Outbreaks. Elliot Hospital and Catholic Medical Center are in the process of testing, contact tracing, and assessing the scale of the outbreak clusters at their facilities after discovering initial infections earlier this week. At Catholic Medical Center, at least seven patients and seven staff within a general surgical unit tested positive this week. At Elliot, 5 patients in the geriatric unit have tested positive. Manchester, home to both CMC and Elliot, has been hit harder by COVID-19 than any other community in New Hampshire. As of Friday morning, it was the site of at least 442 active cases, more than four times the number recorded anywhere else. (Source: NHPR)

6. State Drops Lake Monitoring Program Because of Pandemic-Related Budget Constraints. A budget and hiring freeze at the Department of Environmental Services combined with fewer internships means water conditions will be monitored this summer only at Seacoast beaches. Lakes and ponds, which are usually monitored for turbidity, phosphorus and algae blooms will not be routinely tested by the state. “We are encouraging towns to sample their own freshwater beaches, says Amanda McQuaid of the state’s Harmful Algal and Cyanobacterial Bloom Program. “We will also be available to respond to cyanobacteria bloom issues or any complaints related to beaches. We just cannot get to all of the beaches this summer for routine testing,” she said. (Source: Concord Monitor)

7. Athletics, The Arts, and Extracurricular Activities on the Chopping Block for Portsmouth Schools. If the School Department is asked to cut $1.8 million because of pandemic-related revenue shortfalls, Superintendent Steve Zadravec says more than $600,000 will need to come from positions and funding for athletics and extracurricular activities. (Source: Seacoast Online)

Friday May 29

After a Thursday that saw 101 new cases and 9 new COVID-19-related deaths in NH, here are the other things you need to know to start your Friday.

1. Governor Now Expects to Extend Stay at Home Order Into June. With the current order set to expire on May 31, Gov. Sununu said Thursday that he expects to extend NH’s stay at home order “for a couple more weeks.” Sununu says, “We're not going to do it in months at a time, but really do it a couple weeks at a time and kind of mesh it with how we're doing with our reopening process." The governor also announced he’s a) calling on the Trump Administration to address funding formulas he believes have shortchanged front-line hospitals in Manchester and Nashua and b) he's forming a COVID-19 equity response team to examine the issue of the pandemic hitting minority communities in a disproportionate way. (Source: WMUR)

2. Major Outbreak Strikes Manchester Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. On Thursday the state announced that 31 residents and 7 staff workers at Mt. Carmel Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Manchester have tested positive for COVID-19. The outbreak was discovered as part of facility-wide testing for all New Hampshire nursing facilities ordered by the state two weeks ago. Source: WMUR)

3. Officials Begin Moving People Out of Manchester Homeless Camps. With area homeless shelters now better prepared for physical distancing, moving people out of encampments created when residents abandoned shelters because of COVID-19 has become a top priority for local health officials. A spokesman for Families in Transition, a Manchester shelter, says physical distancing means fewer beds, but a third of them are still available. But police say moving people from camps to shelters can be a challenge. Manchester police chief Carlo Capano says, “We are seeing the mental health issues are just becoming overwhelming.” (Source: WMUR)

4. Durham Issues Order Requesting Residents, Workers, and Visitors to Wear Masks. The order requests face coverings be worn in most situations outside the home. Exceptions include running, biking, and recreational walks in the woods—unless there is a crowd. The town’s order also provides exceptions for children age 2 and younger, anyone who has trouble breathing, or anyone who is unconscious or unable to remove a mask without assistance. (Source: Fosters) Meanwhile, Nashua officials urged residents to follow the city’s newly approved mask ordinance and bring face coverings whenever they expect to be shopping, in public buildings, or in any location where maintaining a minimum of 6 feet in distance is challenging. Despite a potential $1,000 fine, Nashua Police Capt. Craig Allard says, “Our goal is not for this to be a punitive thing, but an educational piece.” (Source: Concord Monitor)

5. Groveton Race Track Owners Cancel Saturday Race After Warning from AG. The owner of Riverside Speedway in Groveton has decided not to reopen for racing this weekend after Attorney General Gordon MacDonald’s office told him the state would seek an injunction to stop another race from happening. The track reopened last weekend in defiance of an emergency order banning planned gatherings of more than 10 people. (Source: Manchester Union Leader)

6. Battle Over How Much Federal Emergency Money Should Go to Private Schools Holds Up Distribution of Aid to NH Schools. A week and a half after $37 million dollars in CARES Act funds were received for NH schools, none of the money has been distributed. Officials at the federal level are battling over how much of the money will go to private schools. Because of the disagreement, federal officials have yet to finalize guidance on how states like NH can spend and distribute the money. “It’s been very frustrating trying to understand how we access the CARES funds,” said Manchester Superintendent John Goldheart in a conference call with U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen on May 19. “I don’t get a lot of answers from our state department.” (Source: Concord Monitor)

7. Struggling to Survive, Seacoast Restaurants Change and Adapt Their Models. The reopening of restaurants capable of offering outdoor dining is hiding the stark reality that many restaurant owners have already been forced to shutter their businesses. According to Evan Mallett, owner of Portsmouth’s Black Trumpet, “What is clearly going to be lost first are the neighborhood mom-and-pop shop establishments, not the Burger Kings and Applebee’s. The personal touch is the soul of Portsmouth’s dining scene. We have these connections between our employees, food service providers and our clients that are more noticeable and vital here than in any other community I know.” Mallett predicts it will be a long time before those connections can take root again.“In the meantime, we have to redefine what a restaurant is,” he said. “Some places are turning into grocery stores or switching to a takeout or outdoor dining model. Most of these ‘pivots’ are clumsy and sometimes comical, but they are necessary.” (Source: Seacoast Online) According the the Portsmouth City Manager’s Office, 47 of Portsmouth’s dining establishments have now reopened for outdoor dining. There are close to 200 restaurants within the city’s borders. Several popular restaurants, including Lure and Agave, have already announced they will permanently close.

8. Task Force Considers Ground Rules for Reopening Charitable Gaming. Fewer players, no food or cash exchanged at the table, and informing gamers that masks are “highly recommended” are some of the rules being considered should charitable gaming resume later this summer. The Charitable Gaming Operators Association has been lobbying the governor and officials with the state Division of Public Health Services to include charitable gaming in the second round of reopening, which has yet to be scheduled. (Source: Manchester Union Leader)

9. Laconia Officials Consider Options to Reduce Crowding at Weir’s Beach. Capping summertime crowds at 600 people and developing contingency procedures to shut down the beach if social distancing can’t be maintained are under consideration by the city Parks and Recreation commission. (Source: Laconia Daily Sun)

Thursday May 28

On a day when NH awoke to 9 new deaths as a result of COVID-19, here are the things you need to know to start your Thursday.

1. First NH State Prison Inmate Tests Positive. The NH Department of Corrections has confirmed that the first inmate of the state prison system has tested positive but has declined to specify which of the three state prison facilities was involved. The Manchester Union Leader reports that to date, the state has done little testing of inmates. As of Wednesday, only 17 of the system's 2,360 inmates had been tested. The Corrections Department does not report how many of the 823 staff have been tested, but 11 have reported positive. (Source: Manchester Union Leader)

2. State to Shut Down All But Four Flex Medical Sites. Saying that the front lines of the pandemic have shifted to long-term care facilities, Gov. Sununu says most of the temporary sites set up to handle an expected overflow of COVID-19 patients from area hospitals will be closed. The overflow failed to materialize in NH, where outbreaks were more scattered and the rate of hospitalizations was less than in states like Massachusetts. Sununu says the flex sites could reopen if the situation changes and that cots will remain up and ready at locations in Manchester, Plymouth, Littleton and Durham. “The fact that the COVID hospitalization number is consistently at or under 100 beds at any given time assures us that we have plenty of capacity at this time," Sununu says. (Source: WMUR)

3. State Facing Nearly Half Billion Dollars in Revenue Losses. Even without a second wave of the coronavirus hitting NH, a top state tax official told members of the House Ways and Means Committee that pandemic-related revenue losses could top $450 million by the middle of next year. Business tax revenues are projected to be off by as much as $300 million, while rooms and meals tax revenues are expected to fall $100 million short of pre-pandemic projections. Committee members were told the speed of the state’s economic rebound depends how quickly earnings for people and business impacted by the pandemic return to normal. (Sources: NHPR and InDepthNH)

4. Also Facing Revenue Losses, Portsmouth Asks Department Heads to Plan for 0% Budget Increase. While state officials, including the governor, are generally waiting to see see if additional federal relief may help ease the revenue situation caused by the pandemic, the Portsmouth City Council has asked all city departments to return to the drawing board and present “what-if” budgets for fiscal year 2021 with a zero percent increase. Superintendent of schools Steve Zadravec says this would result in what amounts to a $1.8 million cut from the budget originally proposed for the city’s schools. “It would not be a belt tightening, it would be an amputation,” Zadravec says. (Source: Seacoast Online)

5. State Epidemiologist: False Positive Tests Very Rare, False Negative Tests Much More Common. Dr. Benjamin Chan says as many as 3% of people testing negative for COVID-19 may actually have the virus. As of Monday, more than 63,000 New Hampshire residents have been tested for COVID-19, with 4,200 testing positive and 58,800 testing negative. Chan acknowledges that the high percentage of potentially false negatives means hundreds have received test results saying they don’t have the virus when they actually do. The state recommends personal physicians retest their patients if they suspect a negative test. (Source: Manchester Union Leader)

6. NH Scientists Say Lives Being Lost Because Sununu Refuses to Mandate Masks. Frustrated after two months of having their pleas rejected, members of the New Hampshire Science and Public Health Task Force say the governor’s refusal to mandate face coverings has already cost lives in NH. Former acting state epidemiologist Rich DiPentima says mandating wearing face coverings at indoor locations such as grocery stores and liquor stores would go a long way to ending community transmission. He also says it will help eliminate infections in places where social distancing is difficult if not impossible such as long-term care facilities, prisons and jails, and businesses such as meat packing plants. When asked about masks at a Tuesday media event, Sununu said, “We encourage folks to wear them absolutely. Is it absolutely required by CDC guidelines or anything like that? No, it’s not. It’s not absolutely required here.” Sununu says a mask requirement isn’t necessary in because NH doesn’t have the same rate of transmission of the virus as Massachusetts. (Source: InDepthNH) Meanwhile, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, implored Americans to wear face masks in public. While Fauci said he believes that wearing a mask is not "100% effective," he also says it is a valuable safeguard and shows "respect for another person." Fauci says he wears a mask "for people to see that's the kind of thing you should be doing." (Source: CNN)

7. Temporary Remote Filing System Launched for Domestic Violence Restraining Orders. With the pandemic’s stay-at-home order trapping victims with their abusers for longer periods of time, the state of NH is now letting victims of domestic violence and stalking apply for protective orders online. The new remote filing option requires victims to contact one of the state’s 13 crisis centers or the Strafford County Family Justice Center, where advocates can guide them through the electronic submission process. (Source: Concord Monitor)

8. Town of Rye Prepares to Reopen Beaches with New Rules and Strict Enforcement. Rye Police Chief Kevin Walsh has hired extra staff and plans to strictly enforce new state guidelines once beaches reopen on June 1. While walking, running, swimming, and surfing are OK, sunbathing or gathering in crowds will not be allowed. During the first phase of reopening, Route 1A will remain closed to parking and there will be no parking on all side streets. Police will also not allow motorists to drop off passengers. Anyone parking in the Rye-only lots without a permit will be issued $100 tickets with $50 tickets for other parking infractions. (Source: Seacoast Online)

9. Portsmouth Library Announces Reopening Plan. Starting June 1, the library will be open for returns with curbside pick-up of library materials available by appointment starting June 8. All materials will be quarantined by a minimum of 72 hours before being made available again. (Source: Seacoast Online )

Wednesday May 27

A day after deaths attributed to the novel coronavirus topped the 100,000 mark in the US—and 4 more people died from COVID-19 complications in our state—here are the things you need to know about NH’s response to the pandemic to start your Wednesday.

1. Hampton Hotels Accused of Violating Emergency Order. Several hotels at Hampton Beach are being investigated after being accused of taking in guests in violation of the governor’s April 6th emergency order. "We are receiving complaints by phone, by email, social media," said Hampton Deputy Police Chief Dave Hobbs. "Some people are reaching out, and we're investigating." Police have referred the complaints to the NH Attorney General’s office, but it is not clear what, if any, action will be taken. (Source: WMUR)

2. Governor Sununu Cautions Public Not to “Snitch”. After several recent media reports about businesses illegally reopening in violation of state guidelines, Gov. Sununu at his Tuesday media event maintained that violations have been “few and far between.” He also suggested that he didn’t want the public to notify law enforcement if they suspect someone may be violating his own guidelines. “Look, we are not asking consumers to pick up the phone and we don’t have snitch lines and all that, I don’t believe in all that,” said Sununu. “If there are businesses that are kind of thwarting the guidance, we usually hear about it one way or the other, I’ll say that. And we respond to it appropriately.” (Source: NHPR)

3. House Session and a Full Year of Legislative Work Down the Drain? Plans to reconvene the NH legislature on June 11 for the first time since the start of the pandemic hit a snag yesterday that could make it impossible for state lawmakers to pass any legislation this year. (Source: NHPR)

4. Governor in No Hurry to Adjust State Budget. Despite predictions of an impending revenue crisis, Gov. Sununu says it is premature to make any permanent budget adjustments. The state faces a projected $500 million to $700 million shortfall over the remainder of the biennium ending June 30 2021. Sununu is hopeful that a federal stimulus package now taking shape in Congress will help offset expected shortfalls in business, interest and dividends, and rooms and meals taxes. (Source: InDepthNH)

5. Three Staffers Test Positive at State-Run NH Psychiatric Hospital. Visits and public access to New Hampshire Hospital in Concord continue to be restricted after three staff members tested positive for COVID-19. There have been no cases among residents. (Source: InDepthNH)

6. State Expands COVID-19 Testing for Businesses. NH businesses with employees who closely interact with customers will now be able to send them to a New Hampshire Division of Public Health testing site for free. Companies with over 50 employees who have the same needs will be able to arrange to have a mobile testing van come on-site to test employees. Tests also are available at the nine state testing sites (including newly opened sites in Keene and Londonderry) to anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 as well as health care workers, child care workers, people over age 60 and those with certain health conditions regardless of whether they have symptoms. (Sources: Seacoast Online and NH Business Review)
   Note: Not all tests for COVID-19 are alike. This article provides a good overview of the pluses and minuses of diagnostic PCR tests (used to verify whether you have an active case of COVID-19) and antibody tests (used to see if you once had COVID-19 and your body has produced antibodies that could infer immunity and be used in plasma transfusions to help people hospitalized with more serious complications). (Source: Seacoast Online)

7. Fitness Centers Gear Up for Limited June 1 Reopening. Facilities will be limited to small classes and personal training. Larger fitness centers, like Planet Fitness, will remain closed. (Source: WMUR)

Tuesday May 26

Here are the things you need to know about NH’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic to start your Tuesday.

1. A Memorial Day Like No Other. To minimize crowds and the potential spread of the coronavirus, virtual ceremonies and smaller, private ceremonies replaced the usual parades and large gatherings on Monday. Berk Bennett, Commander of American Legion Post 35 in Hampton, was pleased to see that people came out to observe wreath-laying ceremonies in Hampton, North Hampton, and Hampton Falls. “Dying for freedom is not the worst thing that can happen. Being forgotten is,” said Bennett. (Source: Seacoast Online)

2. $19.78 Million in Federal Aid Coming to NH Nursing Homes. Members of the NH congressional delegation announced the new funding over the weekend. 80% of NH’s COVID-19 fatalities to date have been residents of long-term care facilities, the highest rate in the nation. Administrators have not only been forced to battle the virus. Since mid-March, they have also been forced to battle a lack of PPE, shifting availability of testing from the state, staffing shortages, and lack of resources to deal with the crisis. (Source: Nashua Telegraph)

3. New COVID-19 Cases Edge Downward. While the state’s 5-day average number of new cases dipped over the long holiday weekend to its lowest point since late April, the virus continued to claim victims, as one new death and 50 new cases were reported on Monday. While any downward trend in the number of new cases is reason for cautious optimism, whether the dip represents the start of a long-term trend or is simply the result of long weekend itself will become clearer as we move through the week. As the article notes, the number of new cases reported by the Department of Health and Human Services over weekends is typically lower than during week. (Source: Concord Monitor)

4. Social Distancing Providing a Silver Lining for Social Service Providers. The need to replace many traditional in-person visits with phone and video meetings has leveled some of the persistent barriers to providing social services to people living in more remote locations or who lack access to transportation. While connectivity can sometimes be a challenge, Marcy Doyle, director of the Institute for Health Policy and Practice and Telehealth Practice Center at the University of New Hampshire, says no-show rates have dropped for people getting behavioral health services. Doyle says that instead of having to make arrangements for transportation and childcare, they can just answer the phone. She said providers are still working out how to get all the information they need through a phone and video call but said there are upsides, like being able to see where a client lives. (Source: Manchester Union Leader)

5. Pandemic Leads to Business Boom for NH Garden Centers. Gardening supplies aren’t quite the new toilet paper. But business is way up at garden centers and plants and supplies are already in short supply. Dave Short, owner of the Stratham Circle Nursery, says the demand for plants is up in every category, in particular, edible plants like fruits and vegetables. He thinks people have a survivalist mentality right now. “Not only are they home and bored, but they’re home and thinking it might be nice to have a food source of our own”, Short says. (Source: NHPR). Meanwhile, WMUR reports that bicycle sales have also been off the charts in recent weeks, leading to near-empty showrooms in some shops. (Source: WMUR )

6. Reminder: Today is the Final Day to Apply to Serve on the Portsmouth Citizen’s Response Task Force. Creation of the task force was unanimously approved at the last Portsmouth City Council Meeting. Proposed by councilors Deaglan McEachern and Jim Splaine (read their guest editorial here), the 19-member task force will advise the council and city staff on policies related to the pandemic, while providing a connection to the community that will make future policies easier to adopt and to follow. Members of the task force will include representatives of the business community, restaurant owners and managers, non-profit organizations from the arts community and health services, citizens, members of the Economic Development Commission, health care professionals, and city staff members including the City Manager and Health Officer. You can apply using this form. Note: You do not have to be a Portsmouth resident to apply.

Monday May 25

On a cloudy and cool Memorial Day, here are the things you need to know about NH’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic to start your Monday.

1. Sunday’s Toll: One New Death, 63 New Cases. NH’s death toll from the novel coronavirus now stands at 209 with most of the state’s active cases in Hillsborough and Rockingham Counties. (Source: InDepthNH )

2. Bad News Over the Border: New Study Says Massachusetts Coronavirus Rates Are Much Higher Than Reported and Could Rise Steeply. A new model from British researchers shows the virus has already infected many more residents than the state has confirmed. The model indicates about 896,000 Massachusetts residents are now infected, almost 10x more than the 92,675 confirmed COVID-19 cases reported by the state on Saturday, but significantly short of the threshold for herd immunity. According to the model, the outbreak in Massachusetts is at a crucial crossroads and the daily number of deaths could increase by more than twofold if residents push too quickly to resume their pre-pandemic lifestyle. (Source: Boston Globe)

3. State of NH Ends Free Disposable Mask Distribution to Businesses and Starts Selling Them at Liquor Stores. The state has shut down a program that it claims resulted 12,750 businesses receiving 7 million disposable surgical masks from the state supply. Businesses and residents may now buy them in boxes of 50 at NH state liquor stores for what it claims is the same price paid by the state. The masks being sold are equivalent in effectiveness to cloth masks. (Source: Concord Monitor via The Valley News)

4. House Leader Details Plans for Reconvening Legislature on June 11. When the House of Representatives meets at Whittemore Arena, House Speaker Steve Shurtleff says over 30 bills will be considered in what he hopes will be a 4 to 5 hour session, including some that have been amended to consolidate them with similar or related bills. The legislature will also consider a constitutional amendment that would allow the full legislature to meet remotely. Currently, the NH State Constitution requires the 400 member legislature to meet in-person with one exception—if the state is under enemy attack in time of war. In an interview with WMUR, Shurtleff said, “I would like to see that broadened to include any kind of national or state emergency like we are seeing now.” The amendment would require 2/3 support in both the House and Senate and voters would also need to approve it in the November election. With demonstrations expected when the House meets, Shurtleff, a former police officer and US Marshall, says he’s confident police are capable of handling the situation. A bigger concern, with an average age of 63 and several House members with serious underlying health conditions, is protecting members against potential infection. To that end, Shurtleff says members will have their temperature taken and will be issued disposable masks upon entering. Face shields will also be available for those with asthma or COPD who are concerned that a mask may restrict their breathing. Shurtleff says he understand that some members may refuse to comply and says “alternative seating” will be provided for them. You can watch the full interview and access a transcript here. (Source: WMUR)

5. Inside a Nursing Home Struggling with COVID-19. Hillsborough County Nursing Home has received above-average rankings over the years from the federal government. Only three weeks ago, its biggest problem was a chronic staffing shortage caused by NH’s extremely low Medicaid reimbursement rates. But a major COVID-19 outbreak has that has left one resident dead and 41 others testing positive along with 21 staff members is taking a heavy toll on residents, administrators, and staff. “This is the hardest time in my career,” says Administrator David Ross. “There’s so much fear in the building. Fear from staff. Fear from families. Fear from the residents,” he said. (Source: Manchester Union Leader)

6. NH Department of Education Surveying Parents on School Reopening. If you’d like to weigh in on what the school reopening process for September might look like in New Hampshire, you’ll find the survey at education.nh.gov/survey2020. The survey closes May 29 at 8:00 p.m. EST. (Source: WMUR)

Sunday May 24

On a morning when NH awakens to news of 4 new deaths and 77 new positive cases, here are the things you need to know to start your Sunday.

1. Virtual Ceremonies to Mark a Solemn Memorial Day. While much of the focus over the last few days has been on the potential for crowding in tourism and recreational hotspots, the pandemic will leave a quieter and more solemn mark on traditional Memorial Day celebrations. Mindful of limits on planned gathering of more than 10 people, communities have cancelled parades and larger ceremonies for tomorrow and are moving to virtual ceremonies and smaller, private ceremonies to celebrate the men and women who gave their lives fighting for their country. (Source: Seacoast Online)

2. Race Track Opens in Defiance of Governor’s Order. Riverside Speedway opened the 2020 racing season Saturday despite being warned by the state of the “consequences for blatant defiance of the Governor’s emergency orders.” On Saturday before the races, Chief Peter Pelletier of the Northumberland Police Department issued a written warning to the track owner. Senior Assistant Attorney General Benjamin Agati, the lead prosecutor on enforcement of the governor’s emergency orders, said “There will be consequences for the blatant defiance of the Governor’s emergency orders.” A crowd of several hundred people attended. (Source: Manchester Union Leader)

3. UNH Polls Shows NH’s Confidence in Federal Response to Pandemic Has Declined. After holding fairly steady from March into April, a poll by the UNH Survey Center found that by mid-May, only 36% of those surveyed are “very” (18%) or “somewhat” confident in the federal response, while 63% are “not very” (23%) or “not at all” (40%) confident. The results represent a 9% overall decline in confidence since April. Also declining by a similar amount was trust in federal science agencies, such as the CDC. However, confidence in the president’s handling of the crisis was largely unchanged from March to May, with 40% indicating some level of approval for his handling of the crisis and 57% indicating some level of disapproval. (Source: UNH Survey Center)

4. Spending Decisions for 2/3 of NH’s Federal CARES Act Dollars Have Been Made: Where is the Money Going? After weeks of meetings by members of the Governor’s Office for Economic Relief and Recovery (GOFERR) and GOFERR’s Legislative Advisory Committee to gather input from stakeholders and make recommendations for spending $1.25 billion allocated to NH as part of the Coronavirus Relief Fund, final spending decisions have been made by Gov. Sununu. In the most recent series of allocations by the governor, small business received the largest block of funds with the establishment of the $400 million Main Street Relief program. But hospitals across the state, which have shouldered a heavy financial burden in addition to treating the most seriously ill patients during the crisis, received a much lower amount than the recommendation of the GOFERR Legislative Advisory Board. The remaining unspent funds are being reserved for needs expected to come later in the year. (Source: NH Fiscal Policy Institute)
   Note: the Legislative Advisory Committee, made up of eight members with four from each party, had recommended hospitals receive at least $140 million in this first phase of spending. Under the governor’s direction, they will receive only $20 million. The committee’s full allocation recommendations are available from this spreadsheet (Excel required).

5. Jaffrey-Ringe Announces Plans for Socially Distanced In-Person Graduation. The outdoor graduation plan by the Jaffrey-Ringe Cooperative School District includes seats placed 6 feet apart and limits each student to 4 guests. The district is providing face masks for the graduates to wear throughout the ceremony. Students will be allowed to temporarily remove their masks for a photo opportunity after receiving their diplomas on stage before returning to their seats. You can access the full plan here. (Source: Keene Sentinel)

6. Suicide-Related Crisis Calls Down During Pandemic But Advocates Brace for an Upturn. Although suicide-related calls are down in NH, calls to the national disaster hotline, which fields mental health-related calls, are up by 900% to 1,000%. The Lancet, an international medical journal, writes that a rise in suicide rates are often associated with a rise in unemployment rates, a trend experts saw during the 2008 financial crisis. Ken Norton, Executive Director of NAMI New Hampshire, says the lower call volume in NH is likely the result of several factors, including lack of privacy to make phone calls, concerns about COVID, and a desire to avoid emergency rooms and hospitals. (Source: Concord Monitor)

This Week’s Economic Re-Opening Task Force Scheduled Meetings

• Tuesday, May 26, 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm

• Wednesday, May 27, 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm

• Thursday, May 28, 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm

• Call-In Information: 1-800-356-8278 or 1-857-444-0744 Pin: 194499 or 600744 During the Public Comments session, to request to speak, press 5*

Saturday May 23

A sign in downtown Portsmouth urging residents and visitors to wear masks.

After a day when 5 new deaths brought NH’s toll over the 200 mark, here are the other things you need to know to start your Saturday.

1. Nashua Makes Mask-Wearing Mandatory. Thursday night the Nashua Board of Aldermen voted to require residents and visitors to wear cloth face coverings in Nashua in situations where social distancing is not possible. Violators face a $1,000 fine, but police say they're more interested in educating the public about why they need to wear a mask than in collecting fines. "The idea of this is that we can protect other people from our respiratory droplets by wearing these face masks," said Bobbie D. Bagely, director of the Nashua Department of Public Health. (Source: WMUR) While governors in Maine and Massachusetts have both issued executive orders requiring face coverings to be worn in public, Gov. Sununu said earlier this week that he thinks issuing a similar statewide order for NH is not appropriate at this time. (Source: Newsweek)

2. Seacoast Beaches to Reopen on June 1–But No Sunbathing Allowed. Hampton Beach and the other ocean beaches will reopen on June 1 for walking, running, swimming, and surfing. But Gov. Sununu says “we’re not there yet” when it comes to lounging on the beach on a blanket. “It’s really about active recreation,” Sununu said. “Hopefully…if the data gets better, it can allow for beach sunbathing later in the summer.” (Source: InDepthNH)

3. Lakes Region Gears Up for Holiday Crowds. With good, if chilly, weather expected and Seacoast beaches closed until June 1, crowds are expected to descend on NH lakes and surrounding towns over the holiday weekend. (Source: NHPR)

4. Baseball Practices and Other No-Contact Sports Training Can Resume. On Friday the governor announced no-contact sports practices are now allowed on playing fields, for up to 10 players with social distancing. All participants, coaches and parents will be required to wear cloth face coverings and hand sanitizer must also be available. Complete guidelines are listed here. In the absence of state guidance at the start of the pandemic, the City of Portsmouth decided to close all playing fields through Labor Day. A virtual meeting of the Recreation Board will take place on Wednesday to discuss the issue. But Portsmouth Major Rick Beckstead, who served as a Little League board member for 6 years, said, “We’re going to make it happen here, period.” (Source: Seacoast Online)

5. State Confirms First Case of Rare COVID-19 Childhood Syndrome in NH. The first case of COVID-19-associated Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children, or MIS-C, has been detected in Hillsborough County. The child has been hospitalized, and is not in critical condition, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services. Symptoms are similar to Kawasaki Disease and typically involve a persistent fever and an inflammatory response in multiple organs. You can read the full DHHS Health Alert here. (Sources: WMUR and NHPR) As of Friday, 161 children in New York state have been diagnosed with the syndrome and 3 have died as a result. (Source: New York Times)

6. NH Liquor Sales Spike. For the March 1 to May 13 period, sales at NH state liquor stores were up 13.51 percent, or $17.3 million, compared to the same time period last year, according to figures provided by the New Hampshire Liquor Commission. North Hampton Assistant Manager Holly Miller says sales have been strong throughout the pandemic, and she’s seeing a lot of out-of-staters coming in off the highway. “Two-thirds of our sales are to people from out of state,” she said. “Definitely seeing folks who I think have second houses and are coming up for the long weekend.” (Source: Laconia Daily Sun)

7. Manchester State Liquor Store Closes After Employee Tests Positive. The store has been temporarily closed for deep cleaning and the worker is self-isolating. According to NHPR, unlike when a state DMV employee tested positive, state health officials did not publicly announce the case at the liquor store until asked by reporters. (Source: NHPR)
   Note: At the start of the pandemic, state liquor stores in NH were classified by the governor as “essential businesses”. Masks for customers are required for workers, but are only “recommended” for customers. While curbside pickup, which limits potential exposure for customers and workers alike, is now available at the two state stores with the highest sales volume, it is not available in any of the state’s other 73 stores. At the end of March, workers received a temporary 10% pay boost. However, those working less than 30 hours per week are not eligible for state health insurance. According to the NH state employee’s union, part-time workers outnumber full time workers at NH state liquor stores by a 6:1 ratio.

Friday May 22

Just before sunrise on the rocky beach at Rye, NH.

As New Hampshire readies for what promises to be a gorgeous, but very different, Memorial Day weekend, here are the things you need to know about the response to COVID-19 in our state to start your Friday.

1. Statewide Death Toll Climbs to 199 As Two More Staff Members Test Positive at Portsmouth Nursing Home. On Thursday the state reported nine additional COVID-19 deaths, all in people age 60 and older. Meanwhile, two additional staff members at Clipper Harbor have tested positive, bringing the total number of infected staff to 8. While no residents are reported to have tested positive, state and local health officials are monitoring the situation closely. (Source: Seacoast Online )

2. Manchester Man, 29, On Ventilator. Corey Martin, a 29-year-old staff worker at a halfway house in Manchester is in a medically-induced coma suffering from respiratory failure COVID-pneumonia. Martin, who has no underlying health conditions, tested positive for COVID-19 along with his wife and young son, who are not showing symptoms. “We just want to make it known that just because you’re young and healthy does not mean that you can’t get sick,” Crystal Martin said. “My husband is literally fighting for his life and he’s healthy.” (Source: WMUR)

3. Announcement on Beach Reopenings Expected Today. Agreements on proposed guidelines for reopening state beaches have been reached by the Governor’s Economic Reopening Task Force and the communities of Hampton, North Hampton, and Rye. If approved by Gov. Sununu, the first phase of reopening will allow for 50 percent of available parking spaces to be used along the beaches and would limit beach access to transitory uses like walking, running, and surfing. Parking would remain banned along Seacoast Routes 1A and 1B. Later today, Sununu is expected to announce a beach reopening plan, including a timeline. State beaches will remain closed over the Memorial Day holiday weekend. (Sources: InDepthNH and NHPR) Meanwhile, the governor is encouraging residents and visitors to maintain physical distancing over the holiday weekend and to be careful of gatherings of more than 10 people. Sununu says the state will continue to use a “light touch enforcement” approach. When beaches do reopen, he says he doesn't anticipate using additional staff to enforce social distancing and hopes that with parking restrictions, it will be more difficult for the usual massive crowds to materialize. (Source: WMUR) Earlier this week, the town of Seabrook announced a plan to reopen its town beach to town residents only. Seabrook is also pushing back on Hampton’s plan to close traffic on Ocean Boulevard, which Seabrook officials say could back-up traffic into their community. (Source: Seacoast Online)

4. Plan to Reopen Hotels Would Restrict Bookings to NH Residents and Some Out-of-Staters. Under a plan proposed to the Economic Reopening Task Force, out-of-state residents would be required to sign a document attesting that they have quarantined for 14 days at home before coming to the state to stay in a hotel. This differs from the approaches taken by neighboring states where reopening guidance requires out-of-state guests to quarantine for 14 days within the borders of those states. (Source: Seacoast Online) In New Hampshire, out-of-staters visiting the state for an extended visit or to open vacation homes have been urged by the governor to voluntarily self-quarantine for 14 days, but he has not chosen to require it—meaning that there is no way to enforce it.

5. Child Care Providers Push Back on Restrictions in Reopening Guidelines. A group of child care providers say limiting groups to 10 people—including supervising adults—will force them to turn away clients from working families and will hurt their efforts to successfully reopen. The 10-person limit is consistent with a ban on gatherings of more than 10 that still applies under New Hampshire’s stay-home order. (Source: Manchester Union Leader)

6. Pandemic Isolation Challenges Drug Recovery Centers. Requests for drug recovery counseling are up sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic even as social distancing requirements make it difficult for those providing and seeking these services. Research by Well Being Trust and the Robert Graham Center for Policy Studies in Family Medicine and Primary Care found that the economic failure, massive unemployment and social isolation associated with the pandemic could boost by 75,000 the number of people who die from drugs, alcohol or suicide. (Source: Laconia Sun)

Thursday May 21

On the morning after 8 new deaths and 149 confirmed new COVID-19 cases were announced, here’s what else you need to know about NH’s response to the pandemic to start your Thursday.

1. 51 New Cases at Manchester Nursing Home, New Outbreaks at Two Others. COVID-19 continues to find its way into NH long-term care facilities. Yesterday, state officials announced 51 more residents and staff had tested positive at Villa Crest in Manchester, which has already been battling an outbreak. Meanwhile, new outbreaks were reported at Community Bridges developmental disabilities residential facility in Belmont, with two residents and four staff members testing positive, and Greenbriar HealthCare nursing home in Nashua, with 10 residents testing positive. (Source: InDepthNH)

2. Nursing Homes Remain Off-Limits to Visitors. After noting that 1% of NH’s total nursing home population has now been lost to COVID-19, state epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan says the ban on visitors to the state’s long-term care facilities will last well past May. On a call Wednesday with state health officials, hundreds long-term care facility professionals looked for clarity on testing, personal protective equipment and quarantine policies for asymptomatic residents. (Source: WMUR)

3. Executive Council Approves Governor’s Plan for COVID-19 Spending. In a unanimous vote, the NH Executive Council approved $1.4 billion in spending for the month of June, including more than $900 million for COVID-19 relief programs proposed by Gov. Sununu. $400 million will go for a Main Street Relief Fund to help small businesses severely impacted by the crisis. Approval came after the governor provided 250 pages of documentation to address concerns raised by councilors during their April meeting. (Source: WMUR)

4. Second Immigration Detainee at Dover Jail Tests Positive for COVID-19. Stafford County Jail Superintendent Chris Brackett says the man had been transferred to the Strafford County Jail from another facility on May 14 and showed no symptoms. He is currently being held in a negative pressure cell with jail staff taking full precautions to prevent transmission to other detainees and staff. The New Hampshire chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union has filed a class-action lawsuit against the jail in the hopes of securing the release of all civilly held immigration detainees. (Source: Seacoast Online)

5. Lonza Partner Criticized For Hyping COVID-19 Vaccine Without Citing Supporting Data. A day after the news that Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine generated an immune response, the Cambridge-based company’s valuation soared to $29 billion. But the company has come under fire from vaccine experts for failing to disclose data that would support its claims for the vaccine’s effectiveness. Moderna has yet to release a product or to actually bring a vaccine to market, but currently has a variety of vaccines for infectious diseases in its pipeline. The company typically doesn’t publish its work in scientific journals, preferring to communicate via press releases—a problem for many in the scientific community. Should Moderna’s vaccine be approved after additional rounds of testing, Lonza Biologics of Portsmouth is slated to start manufacturing it later this year. (Source: StatNews)

6. Late or No Stimulus Payments Still an Issue for Many. Hundreds of NH residents have been flooding the phone lines of the state’s congressional delegation, reporting difficulty getting their $1,200 federal stimulus payments. In addition to helping with individual cases, Sen Maggie Hassan, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, Rep. Annie Kuster, and Rep. Chris Pappas have cowritten a letter urging Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig to investigate. Many of those reporting trouble obtaining their payments are on Social Security or disability and do not ordinarily file tax returns. (Source: Manchester Union Leader )

7. Private Bus Lines Plea for Share of Federal Aid. The nation’s 3,000 or so private bus lines worry they’ll go under without the same kind of federal help trains and airlines received. Jim Jalbert, owner of C&J Bus on the seacoast, says the bus industry was “sort of got forgotten” in the federal aid package but praised the New Hampshire congressional delegation for working hard to help. (Source: Seacoast Online)

8. NH Catholic Churches Can Resume Distribution of Communion, But Not Masses. Under an interim plan until masses and church services are again allowed, parishes may begin distributing Holy Communion as soon as this weekend under strict health guidelines. (Source: Manchester Union Leader)

9. Concord Announces Plans for “Socially Distant” Graduation Ceremony. As many communities move to virtual ceremonies or indefinite postponements because of the pandemic, the city of Concord is planning on an in-person graduation. The Concord plan calls for students to be dropped off, organized by marshalls into socially distant gathering points, and kept 6 feet apart during the ceremony. To minimize the crowd size, each student will receive only 2-3 tickets for family members and diplomas will be picked up from a desk without the traditional handshakes and hugs from school staff. The plan has received approval from both the state Department of Education and the state Department of Health and Human Services. (Source: Concord Monitor)

Wednesday May 20

After a Tuesday when the NH health officials confirmed 10 new deaths from COVID-19, here is the news you need to know to start your Wednesday.

1. Outdoor Weddings, Camps, Youth Sports Take a Step Towards Reopening. The state Economic Reopening Task Force has unanimously approved reopening recommendations for outdoor weddings, summer camps, museums, art galleries, and low-contact youth sports. The suggested guidelines now go to the Division of Public Health Services for review and to Gov. Sununu for final approval. (Source: Manchester Union Leader)

2. Unemployment in NH Hits Record 16.3%. NH’s unemployment rate ballooned in April, the first full month of the pandemic. 150,000 Granite Staters lost their jobs. No sector of the economy was spared, but leisure and hospitality workers were among the hardest hit with 62% losing their jobs, including a staggering 84% of all workers at full-service restaurants. (Source: NHPR) Note: You can access job loss data for all NH work sectors here.

3. Details Still Being Hammered Out On Business Relief Plan, But Businesses Urged to Apply Now. Even as key decisions on spending restrictions and caps on aid for individual businesses are still being hammered out, the state has started to accept applications for aid under the Main Street Relief Program. As of Monday, 3,000 small businesses had filled out pre-applications for grants—a small fraction of the businesses that would be eligible under the program. If you are a small business owner and would like to apply, complete and submit the pre-qualification form by May 29. Pre-qualification is the first step of a two-part application process. More specifics will be announced on Monday, June 1. Businesses will then have until June 8 to complete the second step by applying for the aid itself. (Source: NH Business Review)

4. Board Warned Housing Crisis About to Explode. Housing advocates and officials told the Legislative Advisory Board of the Governor’s Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery that perfect storm caused by the pandemic is about to hit the state’s rental market. Rental delinquencies, now estimated at 10-30%, are expected to increase dramatically when moratoriums on evictions and foreclosures expire. The Director of the NH Housing Finance Authority has proposed a $25 to $100 million emergency allocation for a short-term rental assistance program that would make payments directly to property owners for three to six months. Meanwhile, an advocate for NH’s homeless population estimates that 76 percent of the state 46 shelters will need infrastructure improvements to accommodate the need for more social distancing and greater capacity, particularly before the winter months. (Source: InDepthNH)

5. Child Advocates Worry Abuse is Not Being Reported. A 67% drop in referrals for possible child abuse cases since the start of the pandemic has child advocates concerned that abuse cases are going unreported. With schools closed and children at home, educators, who are the primary reporters of alleged crimes, aren’t in a position to recognize the signs of abuse. In the absence of this oversight, child advocates, including the state Division for Children, Youth and Families, are asking all adults to be extra vigilant. (Source: WMUR)

6. Portsmouth City Council Approves Creation of Portsmouth Citizen’s Response Task Force. After considerable discussion Monday night, the Portsmouth City Council unanimously approved the creation of a citizen’s task force to gather public input and make recommendations to the City Council and city staff on policies regarding COVID-19. The goal is to have members of the task force, proposed by Councilors Jim Splaine and Deaglan McEachern, selected and in place by June 1. While elected officials will be ineligible to participate, individuals from the non-profit, restaurant, health care, retailer, and hotel sectors are invited to apply by contacting city councilors or the mayor. There will also be two seats on the task force reserved for residents at-large. If you’re interested, you can contact all city councilors by using this form or contact the mayor by using this form.

7. Manchester Clan Loses a Father But Gains a Family. The Johnson family of Manchester, NH lost their dad to COVID-19, who became one of NH’s 182 fatalities from the virus. But along the way, the family forged a special relationship with the nurses at Catholic Medical Center who cared for him and relayed messages from him using signs in his hospital window. This report from ABC World News Tonight is a reminder that the worst of times can bring out the best in people. Across NH and across the country, health care workers are stepping up to deal not only with sickness and death, but the separation, anxiety, and grief the virus inflicts on patients and family members. (Source: ABC News and WMUR)

Tuesday May 19

After a day when, thankfully, zero new COVID-19 deaths were reported in NH, here is the pandemic-related news you need to know to start your Tuesday.

1. NH Beaches to Remain Closed As Governor OKs Reopening for Child Care Centers and Small Group Recreational Activities. On Monday, Gov. Sununu said NH seacoast beaches will not reopen for Memorial Day. However, he did issue new guidelines that will allow childcare centers to reopen along with small group outdoor recreational activities. While the childcare guidelines won’t require children to wear masks, adults dropping off children will be asked to wear cloth face coverings when they're in child care facilities. Meanwhile, mini golf, kayak and canoe rentals, driving ranges, shooting ranges, and paintball games complying with new guidelines for attractions will be allowed to reopen immediately. You can access the complete reopening guidelines for childcare centers here and the reopening guidelines for small group outdoor recreational activities here. (Sources: WMUR and Seacoast Online)

2. Outdoor Dining Resumes in NH. After two months of being limited to curbside pickup and delivery only, restaurants and cafes across New Hampshire are again serving customers outdoors. Justin Rivlin, general manager of The River House in Portsmouth, says, “We put in just about every single safeguard we could possibly read about in the last two months, and I think because of that, we’ve really created an environment that is safe, not only for our guests but for our employees.” The timing for allowing diners back inside restaurants is still up in the air. Many restaurants that lack outdoor space are likely to remain closed. (Source: NHPR ) In a related story, last night the Portsmouth City Council ordered city staff to expedite and simplify the process for outdoor dining permits for restaurants that have never before offered outdoor service. (Source: Seacoast Online)

3. Restrictions Make Reopening a Tough Call. For NH businesses struggling with cash flow issues that are allowed to reopen, the rules for reopening can present challenges. Not only are large numbers of potential customers hesitant to resume normal shopping, dining, and recreational activity to avoid catching the virus, but the reopening guidelines themselves often limit the number of customers and restrict services where proper social distancing is difficult or impossible to maintain. Some business owners are also frustrated over apparent inconsistencies when it comes to the reopening rules for different business sectors. Amy LaBelle of LaBelle Winery in Amherst observes, “I drove by the Amherst Walmart and there were at least 1,000 cars in the parking lot. With respect, what would be different about allowing me to host an event with proper safety guidelines in place?” (NH Business Review)

4. No-Bid COVID-19 Contracts Raise Questions. According to NHPR, recently disclosed state contracts show that the governor has authorized several no-bid, retroactive deals worth hundreds of thousands of dollars to political benefactors, without traditional outside approval. Sununu has been criticized for bypassing the traditional oversight role of the legislature and the Executive Council during the state of emergency. The contracts in question were included on the Executive Council’s agenda this week, but simply as “informational items,” and not requiring the standard up-or-down vote from the five-member council. The Executive Council meets Wednesday at 10 a.m. 🍿🍿🍿🍿 (Source: NHPR)

5. Lawmakers Request Declaratory Judgement in Lawsuit Over Governor’s Emergency Spending Powers. Monday’s court filing seeks to undo an earlier decision by Hillsborough County North Superior Court Judge David Anderson, who previously ruled in the governor’s favor. Legislators are contesting the governor’s use of emergency powers to bypass the need for Legislative Fiscal Committee oversight. Under NH law, only the Fiscal Committee is authorized to approve of the acceptance and allocation of federal funds. (Source: InDepthNH)

6. Lonza Partner’s Experimental Vaccine Shows Early Promise. A vaccine developed by Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Moderna Inc. appears to be safe and has produced antibodies in test subjects similar to those seen in people who have recovered from COVID-19. If further testing proves to be successful, the vaccine could move into production later this year at Lonza Biologics in Portsmouth. (Source: Seacoast Online)

7. Absentee Ballot Applications Now Available in Portsmouth. For the September 8, 2020 State Primary and the November 3, 2020 General Election, anyone concerned about potentially exposing themselves to COVID-19 in a public polling place may request an absentee ballot. The Portsmouth City Clerk’s Office is now accepting applications by mail or by fax for absentee ballots for both elections. If you want to vote in both elections, complete a separate application for each. If you are voting absentee because of COVID-19 concerns, be sure to select "I am unable to appear in person due to a disability" as the reason for requesting your ballot when you are filling out your application. Now is also a good time for anyone who may be out of state at the time of either election, such as a student attending college out-of-state, to apply. Starting June 1, applications may also be picked up or dropped off at the City Clerk’s Office after at Portsmouth City Hall, which is reopening starting in June for appointments and walk-ins. It has been closed to the public since March.

Monday May 18

Here are the things you need to know about NH’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic to start your Monday.

1. Restaurants Can Offer Outdoor Dining Starting Today. As the COVID-19 state of emergency is slowly rolled back, restaurants across the state have the option of reopening today for limited outdoor dining. But lack of suitable outdoor space, health concerns, and the need to operate at only a fraction of full capacity will keep many restaurants closed, or offering takeout only. (Source: Laconia Daily Sun) Although cloudy weather is expected across the state today, warm temperatures drew people from across the state and New England to downtown Portsmouth yesterday for takeout food and shopping. (Source Seacoast Online )
   Note: You can find state guidelines for restaurant reopening here and the City of Portsmouth’s restaurant reopening action plan here.

2. Employees Navigate New Rules in Deciding Whether to Return to Work. As NH businesses continue to reopen, employees and employers alike are struggling to understand their rights and obligations. While guidelines allow some employees to decline to come back to work and continue to collect unemployment, simply having a general concern about exposure to the coronavirus isn’t enough. Employees are allowed to continue to collect unemployment ONLY if they are unable to work for one of the reasons underlined in the federal CARES Act, which range from having active COVID-19 symptoms to having an underlying health condition that puts them at higher risk. Another reason that won’t fly is declining to return to work because you don’t want to give up the extra $600 a week in federal pandemic unemployment compensation. (Source: Granite State News Collaborative vis the Concord Monitor)
   Note: Being age 60+ does not qualify you to remain on unemployment unless you have symptoms, are in quarantine, or have an underlying health condition.

3. Curbside Pickup Launched at Two NH State Liquor Stores. As part of a pilot program, customers can now place an online order at two of the state’s busiest liquor stores and pick it up curbside the next day. The I-95 northbound store in Hampton and and the I-93 northbound store in Hooksett are frequent stops for day-trippers and vacationers from coronavirus hotspots in southern New England and the hope is that having fewer people crowd into stores will lower the risk of transmission of the virus. (Source: Manchester Union Leader)

4. As Legislature Resumes Session, Budget Woes Loom. In this article, veteran NH state house reporter Gary Rayno outlines the challenges the legislature faces over the summer—and speculates on the potential steps it may take to offset revenue losses caused by the pandemic. (Source: InDepthNH)

5. Public Meeting Schedule for This Week. Under NH’s Right to Know Law, all COVID-19 emergency task force and commission meetings are open to the public. Follow the link for times and call-in information. (Source: InDepthNH)

   Also this week, several House and Senate Committees are holding work sessions and executive sessions that are open to the public. You can find a list of the bills being considered and call-in information by following the links.

   • May 19, 1:00 p.m. House Judiciary Committee work session

   • May 20, House Ways and Means Committee Work Session (10:00 a.m.) and Revenue Estimates (11:30 a.m.)

   • May 21, 10:00 a.m. House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee Work Session and Executive Session

   • May 22, 10 a.m. House Finance Committee Executive Session—www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/onlinemtgs/fin.aspx Several ongoing commissions and legislative committees are also meeting this week. You’ll find the full list in the House Calendar.

   The Portsmouth City Council will meet remotely via Zoom tonight at 7:00 a.m. On the agenda is a proposal by Councilors Jim Splaine and Deaglan McEachern to create a Citizen’s Advisory Task Force to inform city policy to respond to the the public health and business challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sunday May 17

Sign in the window of Popovers in downtown Portsmouth.

“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.”

— Helen Keller

As NH awakens to news of 12 new deaths and 98 new COVID-19 cases, here are the other things you need to know to start your Sunday.

1. More Cases, Higher Death Rates Predicted for NH Tourism Hotspots. As businesses, attractions, and recreational facilities begin to reopen, the regional epidemiologist at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center credits early emergency action by state officials for keeping initial caseloads below early projections. But as summer begins, Dr. Michael Calderwood expects COVID-19 cases across the state to rise—not decline. Calderwood wants to see a measured reopening that weighs the risks and benefits of each step, and monitors increases in hospitalizations and deaths after each change. “With each decision, there’s always a risk to get it wrong, and so you want to make sure that you are allowing yourself a period to evaluate the decision and the impact of that decision and then adjust,” he said. “We have to continue to look at this week by week.” (Source: Manchester Union Leader)

2. Inmate Tests Positive at Strafford County Jail. A civil immigration detainee who recently arrived at Strafford County House of Corrections has tested positive for COVID-19, the day after it was announced that a staff member was positive. The inmate is the first known to have tested positive in any NH correctional facility. Today at 1:00 p.m., a “Rolling Rally” held by immigration advocates driving by the jail is planned to celebrate the release of 14 immigration detainees formerly being held at the Strafford County lockup, and to urge Immigration and Customs Enforcement to free those still being held on civil (non-criminal) immigration charges who are still being detained. (Source: InDepthNH)

3. Virus Rules Slow Illegal Immigration Along Canadian Border. An emergency policy put into place as part of the U.S. government response to the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in fewer illegal border crossings. The policy requires most asylum-seekers crossing the border into the United States to be returned to Canada. Canada has a similar policy that is set to expire on June 30th. The Canada Border Services Agency says that between March 21 and May 13, 26 asylum seekers were returned to the U.S., including 21 “irregular” border crossers. US officials have returned 27 asylum seekers attempting to cross into the US from Canada through the end of April. (Source: Seacoast Online)

4. UNH Holds Virtual Graduation Ceremony. With plans in the works to host an in-person celebration later in the year, UNH held a virtual commencement ceremony on Saturday for graduating seniors. (Source: Seacoast Online) Last week, the university also announced plans to restart in-person classes in the fall semester. (Source: The New Hampshire) The university has also announced that it will give approximately half of the $11.6 million it has received from federal CARES Act emergency funds to students. About 11,000 students are eligible for grants of between $250 and $700 apiece. (Source: The New Hampshire and NHPR)
   Note: While the grants won’t hurt, they represent a small fraction of the total costs UNH students pay in tuition, room and board, books, and fees to attend the university. For the 2020-2021 academic year, costs for NH residents will pay $34,830 to attend UNH and live on-campus and non-residents face as much as $52,920 in total costs. (Source: University of New Hampshire)

5. An Uncertain Future for Seacoast Theaters. With performances cancelled, losses continue to mount for popular Portsmouth venues, including the Music Hall, the Seacoast Repertory Theater, the Players Ring, and 3S Artspace. The Seacoast Rep alone has already canceled 123 performances, with an estimated loss of $250,000. Operators have experimented with online performances, but timing and conditions for reopening performing arts spaces will depend on yet-to-be-announced state guidelines and the progress of the virus. (Source: Seacoast Online)

6. Portsmouth City Council to Hear Proposal to Create City COVID-19 Response Task Force. As restaurants ready to reopen for outdoor dining tomorrow, the Portsmouth City Council will be taking up a proposal during its 7:00 p.m. Monday meeting to create a Portsmouth Citizens’ Response Task Force. Proposed by Councilors Jim Splaine and Deaglan McEachern, the 19-member task force would draw from stakeholders across the community to make reopening recommendations to city officials. (Source: Portsmouth City Council Meeting Agenda for May 18) You can read more in a “Guest View” column authored by Splaine and McEachern in today’s Portsmouth Herald.
   Note: Late last week, the Portsmouth Business Reopening Work Group—an existing group that includes city staff and representation from local businesses—released a preliminary set of working guidelines to translate the Governor’s general guidance into specific processes reopening businesses will need to follow. More here.

Saturday May 16

Signs of the times.

With the reopening process gaining momentum, COVID-19 continues to claim lives and generate new cases across the Granite State. Yesterday state officials announced 8 additional deaths and 88 new positive tests. Here are the other things you need to know to start your Saturday.

1. $595 Million in Federal Emergency Aid Approved for Distribution. The bulk of the aid, announced Friday by Gov. Sununu, targets small businesses. Under the Main Street Relief program, $400 million will be set aside for businesses earning less than $20 million in annual revenue to help pay expenses such as bills and property taxes. Health care, higher education, nonprofits, child care, and farms will receive the remaining $195 million. Small businesses have until May 29 to apply using this online form. (Source: WMUR)

2. NH House of Reps to Meet Again on June 11. For the first time since the Civil War, the New Hampshire House of Representatives will meet to vote on legislation in a location other than the State House in Concord. Because of social distancing and health requirements necessary during the pandemic, the House will meet at 10,000 seat Whittemore Arena on the UNH campus in Durham. Upon entering the facility, representatives will have their temperature taken and will be issued surgical masks. The House has been unable to meet because of COVID-19 health risks since mid-March. Meanwhile the much smaller state Senate will also meet in a much larger space. The 24-member Senate will take over Representatives Hall in the State House where the 400-member House of Representatives usually meets. (Source: NHPR) In today’s Concord Monitor, House Speaker Steve Shurtleff says safely finishing the work started this session will help Granite Staters during this crisis and better prepare NH for a potential second surge of the virus. (Source: Concord Monitor)

3. State Reevalating Use of Rapid Testing Machines. After recent FDA findings that up to 15 percent of negative test results from testing machines manufactured by Abbott Labs may be false, Health and Human Services Commissioner Lori Shibinette says protocols for using the COVID-19 testing machines would be changing. Among the changes being considered is administering a second test to anyone with COVID-19 symptoms who tests negative. (Source: NHPR)

4. Salon Owner Sues Sununu Over Reopening Restrictions. Claiming that restrictions under the governor’s state of emergency banning services such as hair coloring are keeping her from 90% of her business, Mary Rivard of New London is taking the governor to court. “I feel like my hands are so tied and I’m trapped not being able to run my business the way it should be run,” she says. Her lawsuit claims that the governor lacks the authority under the state’s emergency statute to continue to declare and renew the state of emergency originally declared in March. (Source: WMUR)

5. Judge Critical of ICE After Jail Employee Tests Positive. A day after a worker the the Strafford County Jail’s medical unit tested positive for COVID-19, U.S. District Court Judge Landya McCafferty chastised Immigration and Customs Enforcement for not doing enough to quickly identify medically vulnerable immigration detainees at the Strafford County jail. The judge has called a hearing for May 29 where ICE must address a host of issues, including COVID-19 risk reduction, testing of inmates, and identification of high risk inmates. (Source: Manchester Union Leader)

6. Most NH Renters Continue to Pay Rent During Pandemic. While saying that many tenants are paying their rent on-time, two groups representing landlords say some tenants appear to be taking advantage of the Governor’s order banning evictions during the COVID-19 state of emergency. But with no state database collecting information on late payments and evictions, the extent of the problem is unknown. (Source: Granite State News Cooperative via Manchester Ink Link)

7. League of NH Craftsmen Moves Popular Sunapee Fair Online. Citing the COVID-19 pandemic, the nonprofit League of N.H. Craftsmen will hold its 87th annual Craftsmen’s Fair online this year, rather than in person at the Mount Sunapee Resort. (Source: Valley News)

Friday May 15

After a day when the state announced 84 new cases and one new death, here are the things you need to know about NH’s response to the COVID-19 Emergency to start your Friday.

1. Mask Mandate Proposed by Nashua Public Health Officials. Nashua Aldermen will vote next week on an ordinance requiring masks or cloth face coverings to be worn in restaurants and while shopping in the city’s grocery and retail stores. The ordinance, which would impose a $200 file on violators, received the unanimous approval of members of Nashua’s Board of Public Health. It would allow restaurant patrons to remove their face coverings once seated. Alderman Linda Harriott-Gathright says, “It has been a challenge, to be honest with you, here in Nashua. I am very happy that we are even considering that Nashua become a mask city, and particularly because we are a border town.” Since the start of the pandemic, Massachusetts has become one of the primary hot zones for COVID-19 in the country, with over 80,000 confirmed cases and over 5,000 deaths, many in counties bordering NH. (Source: Manchester Union Leader) Meanwhile, WMUR reports Portsmouth city officials say pressing the matter now could only create more conflict. “We’re recommending folks follow CDC guidelines to wear facemasks in public and by face masks we’d further specify the fabric or cloth kind,” Portsmouth city manager Karen Conard said. “Leave the surgical masks for those who really need them.” (Source: WMUR) At the state level, a letter signed by 178 Democratic state representatives (including me) has been sent to Gov. Sununu. The letter calls for the state's stay-at-home order to be modified to include a temporary requirement for people to wear face masks in public when they are unable to maintain social distancing. Governors in Massachusetts and Maine have issued similar requirements. You can read the full text of the letter here. In response, the Minority Leader of the NH House of Representatives issued a statement saying the guidelines now in place in NH are reasonable and that any requirement to compel NH residents and visitors to wear masks would “create more chaos.” You can read his full statement here.

2. Portsmouth Nursing Home Staff Tests Positive for COVID-19. Clipper Harbor has joined the list of nursing facilities across the state struggling to contain the virus. Although no cases have yet been announced for residents, 8 staff members have now tested positive. (Source: Seacoast Online)

3. Enforcement Limited As Scofflaw Businesses Violate COVID-19 Orders. As the state prepares to reopen restaurants for outdoor dining on Monday, a small number of business owners in sectors that have yet to receive the official okay to reopen have opened their doors anyway in violation of the governor’s emergency order. Frustrated with the economic strain of the shutdown, they face penalties including misdemeanor charges for disorderly conduct and fines of up to $20,000. But according to state officials, residents shouldn’t expect the cavalry to swoop in on these infractions. “Residents are encouraged to have a conversation with local law enforcement if they are concerned about violations of the governor’s orders,” a state official said in response to a question from NHPR about how citizens can report concerns. (Source: NHPR)

4. Federal Funding Formula Hurting Larger NH Hospitals. Catholic Medical Center and Elliot Hospital in Manchester say they’re receiving a disproportionately small amount of the federal emergency money reserved for hospitals. Officials from the two Manchester hospitals say that even though they’ve treated 61% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in NH, they have only received 9% of the federal funding that has gone to hospitals in the state. They blame a faulty distribution formula that favors rural hospitals, which have seen only a small fraction of the active cases seen in Manchester and Hillsborough County. Manchester leads NH cities with 770 cases at Hillsborough County, which also includes Nashua, tops NH counties with 1,624 cases as of today. (Source: WMUR)

5. Stakeholders Group Readies Recommendations for Emergency Spending. The second of two groups tasked by Gov. Sununu to recommend how federal emergency funds will be distributed is prioritizing needs and moving towards a final set of recommendations. The Stakeholders Advisory Group to the Governor’s Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery has established three categories of priorities, with the highest being distributed within 60 days and the later rounds between 60 and 180 days. Among the group’s highest priorities are grant and loan programs for businesses, nonprofits and housing programs for homeowners and renters impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and for homeless. (Source: InDepthNH)

6. Guidelines Approved for Reopening Hampton Beach—But No Date Set. The Governor’s Economic Reopening Task Force has sent its final recommendations for reopening Hampton Beach on to public health officials for review. The plan involves closing down Ocean Boulevard and restricting parking capacity to 50%. The plan was recommended by the Hampton Board of Selectmen in a 3-2 vote on Wednesday. Selectmen Mary-Louise Woolsey and Regina Barnes voted against supporting the plan. Woolsey said after the meeting she believed it was too soon to open the economy and was concerned about public health. The governor has indicated that he prefers to wait-and-see what Maine and Massachusetts experience after easing their beach restrictions before reopening NH beaches. (Source: Seacoast Online)

7. New Emergency Order Waives Requirement to Change Political Party Affiliation In-Person. Eligible voters will now be able to make the change by filling out an application and affidavit and mailing both to their city or town clerk, or dropping them off at a location designated by the clerk. (Source: WMUR)

8. Unemployment Claims Continue to Trend Down. In its weekly update released yesterday, the NH Employment Security Department said an additional 9,491 people filed first time unemployment claims in NH. While the volume of claims had trended downward for over a month, 182,925 people have filed since the pandemic started in mid-March. The state’s unemployment rate now stands at 17.1% with the highest number of claims coming from restaurant and hospital workers. (Source: NHES Weekly COVID-19 Employment Update)

Thursday May 14

Reopening continues.

Here is the news about NH’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic you need to start your Thursday.

1. Congressional Delegation Secures $61 Million for COVID-19 Testing and Contact Tracing for NH. Members of the state’s congressional delegation have secured funding for expanded testing that will play a key role in successfully reopening NH’s economy. The $61 million coming to New Hampshire is part of $25 billion targeted for expanded testing nationwide. (Source: WMUR)

2. Nursing Homes Call for Daily Testing of Workers. To reduce the risk of workers bringing COVID-19 into NH long-term care facilities, nursing home administrators are calling for greater supplies of personal protective equipment and expanded state testing for staff members that would include testing for every worker at the start of each workday. Nursing homes residents currently make up over 75% of NH’s COVID-19 fatalities—the highest fatality rate for this population in the country. (Source: WMUR)

3. Sununu Not Ready to Open NH Beaches. Pointing out that it actually snowed this week, the governor said Wednesday that he’s in no rush to reopen state beaches. Although Hampton officials have pushed for a June 1 reopening, he says he prefers to take a wait-and-see approach to see how Maine and Massachusetts residents handle the easing of restrictions in their states. Sununu also took time to remind NH residents that the “stay-at-home order really is still in place,” adding the reopening with restrictions that began with retail stores, hair salons and other businesses doesn’t change that. (Source: Seacoast Online)

4. Portsmouth’s Annual “Hit the Decks” Event Postponed. The May 21 event is traditionally one of the kick-offs to Portsmouth’s summer season. The news comes as many Seacoast restaurants struggle to decide whether to reopen on Monday May 18 for socially distanced outdoor table seating. (Source: Seacoast Online)

5. Making Reopening Work for ALL of Us. In today’s Portsmouth Herald, I’ve written a “Guest View” column that’s available via Seacoast Online. While I won’t repeat every point here because I know that everyone is capable of reading the column for themselves, I do want to emphasize one point: wearing a mask or cloth face covering when we shop or go out in public is not only the best way to protect each other during the pandemic—it’s also something every one of us can do save an entire generation of small business owners from the catastrophic impact of a second wave of the virus. For that reason, in the absence of an emergency order at the state level requiring masks to be worn in public, I have called on our City Councilors to pass an ordinance that would require mask-wearing in public. For Portsmouth to reopen successfully and have the best possible chance at holding off a second wave, this one simple act is the one thing every one of us can do. So regardless of whether or not our Mayor and City Council decide to take this step, please “#MaskUpNH: Save Lives, Save Our Businesses.” (Source: Seacoast Online) Note: If you’re a NH business owner, you can apply for a supply of free masks using this form and then pick them up at a DMV office.

How to Get Tested for COVID-19.

Regardless of your insurance status, if you have any COVID-19 symptoms, are over age 60, have an underlying health condition, or you believe you may have been exposed an infected person, you can and should get tested.

• If you are insured, your coverage will pay the full cost with no deductible.

• If you are uninsured, the state will cover the full cost of your test.

• If you have a regular doctor, he or she can arrange a test for you.

• But if you don’t—or if your doctor isn’t available—you can arrange to be tested at one of seven locations that are part of NH’s Community-Based COVID-19 Testing Program. But before you go, you must sign up for an appointment. There are three ways to do it:

  • Complete and submit the online form

  • Email covidtesting@dhhs.nh.gov, or

  • Call the COVID-19 Coordinating Office at 603-271-5980. Note: There are now seven drive-through testing locations through the state. They are located in Claremont, Concord (newly-opened), Lancaster, Milford, Plymouth, Tamworth and Rochester.

• Manchester Public Health and Nashua Public Health are running separate test sites for residents of those communities.

• ConvenientMD is also offering COVID-19 testing at a drive-through location at Pease Tradeport for a slightly narrower group of people, including anyone currently displaying symptoms as well for asymptomatic health care workers and first responders . As with the Community Testing Program, the state will cover the cost of your testing arranged through ConvenientMD if you don’t have health insurance. You can find more info here. To arrange testing at this location, contact ConvenientMD at 603-570-2800 or complete the pre-registration form at https://convenientmd.com/patient-pre-registration-form/.

Today’s Public Meeting Schedule

• Economic Re-Opening Task Force 1:30pm - 3:30pm
  Call-in: 1-800-356-8278 or 1-857-444-0744 Pin: 194499 or 600744

• GOFERR Stakeholder Advisory Board 2:00 PM
  Call-in: 800-356-8278 PIN: 194655

Wednesday May 13

Sign outside Portsmouth’s Clipper Harbor Senior Living Center.

As we wake up this morning to news of 9 more deaths and 81 new cases, here is the news you need to know to start your Wednesday.

1. Crisis in NH Nursing Homes Grows as Hillsborough County Nursing Home Outbreak Worsens. WMUR reports that the coronavirus pandemic has exposed a staffing crisis in New Hampshire's 74 long-term care facilities. Low pay, hard work and a good economy made recruiting a challenge, leading to staffing shortages that existed even prior to the pandemic. Since the crisis began, a steady flow of workers have left nursing home jobs over fears of catching the virus themselves due to lack of PPE and proper protective procedures. An emergency order signed Monday by Gov. Chris Sununu is intended to ease the situation by making it possible to get certified as a temporary health worker after completing an eight-hour online course. (Source: WMUR) Meanwhile, state officials have revealed that the number of residents at the Hillsborough County Nursing Home who have tested positive for COVID-19 has increased to 30. Five staff members have also tested positive. All 290 residents have now been tested for the virus. (Source: InDepthNH) With family visits not expected to resume any time soon, many nursing facilities are not only battling the virus—they’re also faced with nurturing the increasingly fragile emotional well-being of a growing number of their residents. Window visits, technology, and small socially-distanced gatherings for art or instruction are some of the steps staff are taking. (Source: Laconia Daily Sun)

2. Sen Hassan Questions Fauci on Ways to Keep Nursing Homes Safe. In response to questioning from NH Sen. Maggie Hassan during a Senate hearing on Tuesday, the top medical official in charge of the federal government’s coronavirus task force called for stricter COVID-19 controls in the nation’s nursing homes. The news came a day after Vice President Mike Pence and White House Coronavirus Task Force coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx issued a “strong recommendation” to states, urging them to test all nursing home residents in the country within two weeks. (Source: Skilled Nursing News) Note: Last week, NH officials announced that all nursing home residents statewide would be tested as soon as possible and that an ongoing random testing process would follow.

3. 10% Positive Testing Rate Concerns Nashua Mayor. As businesses begin to reopen in NH’s second largest city, Mayor Jim Donchess, emphasized the importance of wearing masks and social distancing. Nashua has experienced eight deaths and more than 280 cases of COVID-19, which Donchess said is probably an underestimate because of limited testing. (Source: Manchester Union Leader )

4. Financial Toll Mounts for NH Hospitals. Health care sectors across the state have suffered major financial losses due to the epidemic which, in some cases, have been made worse by the state’s low Medicaid reimbursement rates. But for hospitals, which had an average 50% revenue loss starting in March as beds emptied and elective procedures were cancelled, losses could top a staggering $700 million. (Source: InDepthNH)

5. Task Force Recommends Reopening Guidelines for Health Clubs, Hotels, Child Care Facilities, and More. Most of the steps approved by the Governor’s Economic Reopening Task Force involve added sanitization procedures and adoption of rules for employers and employees. With the new guidelines in hand, the governor has the flexibility to announce a timeline for easing restrictions as the public health situation dictates. (Source: InDepthNH) Note: All of the draft guidance approved by the task force can be found at this website https://www.nheconomy.com/reopeningtaskforce.

6. Seacoast Residents Create Petition to Reopen NH Beaches. The petition, started by a Rye resident, calls on the state to restore access for surfing, walking, running, swimming, and fishing, similar to what is allowed on Massachusetts beaches. The Governor’s Economic Reopening Task Force has received input from Hampton and state park officials on guidelines for reopening seacoast beaches, but no timeline has been announced and beaches remain closed. (Source: Seacoast Online)

7. Pandemic Spurs Innovation for Seacoast Restaurants. With state restrictions on their operations still in place and many fighting to stay in business, restaurateurs and chefs are experimenting with new business models and preparing for a very different “new normal”. (Source: Seacoast Online)

8. Patience and Persistence Urged for Unemployment Filings. While 90% of new claims are being processed within 8-10 days, Deputy Commissioner of Employment Security Richard Lavers says 10% involve complications that require more time and patience to work through. According to Lavers, the two biggest hang ups are separation payments and verifying income for self-employed claimants. He suggests people experiencing delays call the hotline at 603-271-7700. Wait times are shorter because new claims have declined for 5 consecutive weeks. (Source: Foster’s)

   Note: In a Zoom call yesterday with myself and over 70 other state representatives, Lavers explained that changes expanding eligibility for unemployment during the crisis have been challenging to reprogram for an antiquated system designed to automatically reject applicants in situations that previously made them ineligible. This has led to time-consuming manual work-arounds. However, new processes and assistance from the NH National Guard are helping staff cope with the flood of paperwork from first-time claimants. Lavers also says some of the delays are being caused by complications involving federal rules around the supplemental $600 federal payment. These rules make it impossible for the state to approve a request “and let the paperwork catch up later.” Despite these issues, Lavers says that NH was able to respond quickly and has been paying out pandemic-related claims since the end of March. He says this is in contrast to many states which continue to experience huge backlogs. If you’ve tried the hotline and are still experiencing long delays in receiving approval or repeated rejections, another option is to contact your state representative for help. We’re still here to serve you!

Tuesday May 12

As reopening slowly begins, two new nursing home outbreaks and 89 new positive cases are reminders as we start our Tuesday that the virus is far from done with us. Here’s what you need to know today.

1. NH Retailers and Hair Salons Cautiously Begin to Reopen. On the first day retailers and salons were allowed to reopen, many in downtown Portsmouth remained closed and about 50% of parking spaces remained empty. But businesses that did reopen were also taking steps to protect the health of their employees and customers. Some had signs urging customers to “mask up” before entering. Others provided masks to customers who didn’t have one, while still others had hand sanitizer available and spoke of the steps they were taking to sanitize items and surfaces in their businesses. (Source: Seacoast Online) One store owner I personally spoke with was wearing a mask (as all retail employees are required to do under the reopening guidelines) and had a display of masks at her store entrance along with a sign inviting customers to “mask up.” She told me that she’s incredibly excited to be able to reopen and welcome people back to her store, but she also wants to make sure people feel safe.

2. Malls Slow, Golf Courses Busy. While retail and hair establishments got off to a slow start, golf courses got off to a jump start as many saw a high level of first day activity. (Source: InDepthNH)

3. Salem Selectmen Adjourn Without Taking Mask Vote. A proposed ordinance that would have fined residents and visitors to Salem over the age of 2 for not wearing masks in public places was put on the back burner last night after it became apparent that it didn’t have the votes to pass. (Source: WMUR)

4. Officials Report Two New Nursing Home Outbreaks. One of the new nursing home outbreaks is the first involving county nursing home. The outbreak at the Hillsborough County Nursing Home in Goffstown involves 12 residents and two staff members. (Source: InDepthNH)

5. State Health Experts Urge Caution to Avoid Catastrophic Second Viral Surge. While saying that a recent plateau in cases and a decline in hospitalizations are good signs, State Epidemiologist Benjamin Chan and Health and Human Services Commissioner Lori Shibinette are urging Granite Staters to avoid letting their guard down. Shibinette says there are possibly large numbers of people infected with the virus who may not be displaying symptoms. Chan says that asymptomatic carriers combined with the high number of people who have yet to be infected means that it is vital to continue staying home as much as possible, to wear face coverings in public, and to maintain six feet of social distancing when you must go out. (Source: Seacoast Online)

6. Legislative Panel Makes Spending Recommendations for Emergency Funds. $345 million in emergency spending has been approved by the Legislative Advisory Board appointed by Gov. Sununu. The panel was created by the governor to recommend how federal money received to help with COVID-19 emergency costs should be spent. Under the board’s recommendations, $100 million will be set aside for acute care hospitals, $100 million for business relief, $30 million for NH non-profits, $20 million for nursing homes, and $40 million for other health care providers. The clock is now ticking for the governor to examine the recommendations and make final spending decisions that will start the flow of emergency funds to the hospitals, businesses, organizations, and people that desperately need them. (Source: Manchester Union Leader)

7. NH To Get Small Supply of COVID-19 Treatment. About thirteen hospitals in New Hampshire have signed up to receive small supplies of the drug known as remdesivir. Preliminary data from a government study shows the drug helped patients with coronavirus recover faster. (Source: NHPR)

8. Sununu Walks Legal Tightrope With Restrictions on Out-of-Staters. While some legal experts say the governor’s emergency orders prohibiting out-of-staters from camp grounds and golf courses are legally questionable, others say that because the restrictions are narrowly defined, they will likely be upheld if challenged in court. (Source: Granite State News Collaborative via the Concord Monitor)

9. Court Fight Continues Between Governor and Legislature. The battle between legislative leaders and the governor over the governor’s power to override the spending authority of the legislature continued yesterday as the NH Attorney General’s office filed objections to an attempt by legislators to appeal an initial ruling supporting the governor. (Source: InDepth NH)

Please Help the People Who Help Us Stay Informed.

With many businesses closed because of the pandemic and jobs lost across the state, advertising revenues have sharply fallen at local newspapers forcing painful cutbacks. Some have already been forced to lay-off reporters, cut salaries, and move away from print to electronic publication. Meanwhile, non-profit news providers, such as InDepthNH and NH Public Radio, depend on financial support from readers and listeners. If you can afford it, now has never been a better time to show your support for the people who bring us the news by subscribing or making a small donation. Here are some links to make it easier.

• Seacoast Online

• InDepthNH

• NHPR

• Concord Monitor

• Nashua Telegraph

• Manchester Ink Link

• Manchester Union Leader

• Laconia Daily Sun

• Conway Daily Sun/ Berlin Daily Sun

• The Valley News

(Note: WMUR is not on this list because based on my careful observations, the My Pillow Guy has bought approximately half of all the available commercial slots during its newscasts and other programming.)

Monday May 11

At the start of a critical week when businesses across the state begin to reopen, here are the things you need to know to start your Monday.

1. Businesses Begin to Cautiously Reopen. Retail stores, golf courses, hair salons, and barbershops will have the option of reopening today under new state guidelines to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Masks or cloth face coverings will be required for retail employees, stylists, and customers of barbershops and hair salons. But masks will generally not be mandatory for customers of retail establishments unless the store owner requires them. There will also be limits on how many customers can be inside at any one time. (Source: NHPR) While some business owners are looking forward to getting back to business-as-usual, others are less than confident that now is the time. Rye business owner Christine McGill, owner of Christine’s Crossings, who is over 60, says she’s afraid for herself and her customers and is still considering how to reopen. (Source: Seacoast Online) Although masks are mandatory for Maine and Massachusetts residents venturing outside to shop and visit other public places, Gov. Sununu has yet to make wearing a mask or cloth face covering mandatory in NH. But knowing that many potential shoppers will feel less-safe shopping in stores without masks, Simon Malls, the owner of The Mall at Rockingham Park in Salem, has acquired 2,000 masks and will give them to shoppers who request them. Meanwhile, The United Way of Greater Nashua is organizing a group of volunteers to distribute masks to shoppers at the Pheasant Lane Mall in Nashua and the Merrimack Premium Outlets. (Source: Manchester Union Leader) Note: Tonight, Salem Selectmen vote on a proposed ordinance that would require the wearing of masks or cloth face coverings in public with violators facing a $200 fine.

2. Mandatory COVID-19 Employee Screening Starts Today at Dartmouth College. Under new campus public health guidelines, employees must be screened each day before they start work. Dartmouth is setting up temperature-checking stations and is also requiring faculty and staff to wear cloth masks or face covering while working. (Source: Dartmouth News)

3. County Nursing Homes Remain Outbreak-Free. While 77% of NH deaths from COVID-19 have involved residents of long-term care facilities, the state’s 11 county-run nursing homes have so far remained outbreak-free. Health and Human Services Commissioner Lori Shibinette said Friday that she does not know why county-run homes haven’t experienced any outbreaks while 15 private facilities around the state have seen outbreaks. (Source: InDepthNH)

4. Transparency Remains an Issue in State Spending of Federal COVID-19 Emergency Funds. In this article, veteran NH State House reporter Gary Rayno explains how emergency spending decisions are being made and approved—and where the process is lacking transparency. According to Rayno, while spending reports being provided by the governor list amounts being spent on items and services, they don’t list the names of the companies hired to provide them. This includes the contract for testing with Convenient MD, whose cofounder has donated to Gov. Sununu’s past political campaigns. Rayno, a long-time journalist and veteran of the NH political scene, questions if there can truly be accountability without knowing who’s actually receiving the money. (Source: InDepthNH)

5. Schedule of Important Public Meetings for the Week of May 11-15. As state decision-makers continue to get input on how to safely reopen closed business, recreational, and entertainment sectors and continue to debate where to apply emergency funding, the public is invited to listen in and, in some cases, provide input. At 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, the Governor’s Economic Reopening Task Force will conduct a public comment session to gather citizen input on potential guidelines for the reopening of seacoast beaches. Follow the link for call-in details. (Source: InDepthNH)

Sunday May 10

On a morning when New Hampshire awakens to news of 10 more deaths and 71 new cases—including 5 involving children—here are the things you need to know about the state, local, and citizen response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

1. A Special and Emotional Mother’s Day for Nursing Home Residents and Families. Window visits, technology connections, and staff willing to go the extra mile are ensuring that no mom will be forgotten on this Mother’s Day. (Source: Seacoast Online)

2. High School Administrators Mull Graduation Ceremony Options. While Portsmouth has postponed its graduation ceremony with the hope restrictions will ease later in the summer, other cities and towns are beginning to announce plans for drive through ceremonies and virtual ceremonies. (Source: Seacoast Online) Meanwhile, Concord School District officials are hoping the state Department of Health and Human Services will approve its plan for an in-person graduation, where students and participants would wear masks and maintain social distancing. (Source: Concord Monitor)

3. Salem to Consider Making Masks Mandatory. Monday night, the Salem Board of Selectmen will vote a proposed ordinance that would require anyone in town 2 years of age or older to wear some type of face covering in locations open to the public. Under state law, local municipalities have the power to supplement state public health rules with ones that address unique local circumstances. While the wearing of masks or face coverings is required under emergency orders issued in Maine and Massachusetts, Gov. Sununu has yet to issue a similar emergency order in NH. Salem is a shopping and retailing hub that sits just over the border from Massachusetts, which has the dubious distinction of being one of the nation’s coronavirus hotspots. (Source: WMUR)

4. Lawmakers from Both Parties Call for Faster Disbursement of Funds to Hospitals. Six weeks after Gov. Chris Sununu created a $50 million emergency hospital fund, less than half of the money – $21.3 million – has been disbursed. To date, 59 zero-interest loans have been made from the fund. (Source: Concord Monitor)

5. Sen. Shaheen Calls for Americans to Get COVID-19 Vaccine for Free. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen is one of 22 U.S.. Senators calling on the CDC and the White House to ensure that once a COVID-19 vaccine becomes available, all Americans have free access to it. Their letter also requests information on administration plans to manufacture, distribute, and administer an eventual vaccine. (Source: NHPR)

6. After Years of Debate, Paid Family Leave Becomes a Reality in NH. For years, paid family leave in NH has been the subject of intense debates. Gov. Sununu has twice vetoed family leave bills passed by the legislature. A third bill, House Bill 712, was approved by the House and Senate and was on its way to the governor for his signature before the pandemic interrupted state government. The bill would offer 12 weeks of paid leave at 60% of salary, paid through a 0.5% payroll deduction. While the governor has yet to sign or veto HB 712, thanks to the federal response to pandemic, paid family leave has been in effect in New Hampshire since March. Under emergency funding from the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), employers are required to pay two weeks’ sick pay (up to a maximum of $500 a day) to those affected directly by the virus and two-thirds pay (up to a maximum of $200 a day) to those who have to take care of others. A recent survey by the Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire shows use of FFCRA paid family leave has become widespread. But with FFCRA expiring on July 1st and no assurance it will be extended, the fate of HB 712 takes on added importance—especially during a pandemic, where family health and childcare emergencies remain risks for workers at all income levels. (Source: NH Business Review)

7. NH Goodwill Stores Join Retailers Reopening Monday. Like other retailers planning to reopen on Monday, Goodwill says shoppers can expect changes when it comes to safety steps, such as store workers wearing masks and the number of people allowed in stores at one time. But the biggest changes have already started for donors. Goodwill reopened for donations on Friday. But large items, such as couches, are not being accepted and bins are being provided for touchless, self-service donations. See Goodwill’s website for more information. (Source: Manchester Union Leader)

NOTE: This update is also available on my legislative website at https://www.davidmeuse4nh.com/updates1/2020/4/15/daily-nh-coronavirus-update. Once again, many thanks to NH’s working journalists who bring us information like this every day.

Saturday May 9

As New Hampshire wakes to the news of 7 new deaths from COVID-19, including 5 who were residents of long-term care facilities, here are the things you need to know to start your weekend.

1. Study Shows NH COVID-19 Testing Falling Short. A national study conducted by the Harvard Global Health Institute in partnership with NPR shows New Hampshire will need to more than double the number of tests it does each day to contain COVID-19. The news comes after the Associated Press revealed New Hampshire is among a majority of states that has yet to reach a recommended 2% federal government threshold for testing of a state’s population prior reopening. This week, as tests and testing supplies became more available (Source: Seacoast Online), state officials announced the expansion of eligibility for testing. While previously only health professionals, first responders, and people with symptoms could be tested, on Thursday eligibility was broadened to include anyone who thinks they’ve been exposed to the virus, is over age 60, or who has a health condition that puts them at risk. “Testing is outbreak control 101, because what testing lets you do is figure out who’s infected and who’s not,” said Ashish Jha, director of the Global Health Institute. (Sources: Manchester Union Leader and NPR). Note: equally as critical as the number of tests being provided is the accuracy of the tests themselves. Officials at the federal level continue to struggle with both quantity and quality despite $25 billion in funding to ramp up testing included in a recent congressional relief package. (Source: Vox)

2. Antibody Testing Now Available in NH. State officials have announced that a test that can tell if you’ve recovered from COVID-19, even if you never displayed any symptoms, is now available in New Hampshire. Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Lori Shibinette encourages people who tested positive and have recovered from COVID-19 to get an antibody test along with people who earlier had COVID-19 symptoms, but recovered without being tested. She says people with confirmed COVID-19 antibodies in their system are able to donate blood plasma, which may contain antibodies that may be helpful to hospitalized patients severely ill with the virus. The state has contracted with ClearChoiceMD to perform antibody testing. The company has centers in Alton, Belmont, Epping Goffstown, Hooksett, Lebanon, Portsmouth, Tipton, and (soon) Lincoln. The governor says most insurers will cover the cost. (Source: WMUR)

3. Debate Continues Over How to Best Spend $1.25 Billion in Federal COVID-19 Emergency Funds. Members of the Legislative Advisory Committee charged with making spending recommendations to the governor spent Friday disagreeing on how funding should be allocated between city and rural hospitals. Members also disagreed on whether to recommend approval for smaller parts of the package or to wait until consensus is achieved on all of the elements of the overall package. Both the Legislative Advisory Committee and the Stakeholders Committee to the Governor’s Office For Economic Relief and Recovery have conducted weeks of input sessions from business owners, hospitals, tourism officials, and members of the public. The focus is now shifting to finalizing specific funding recommendations for the governor, who will make the final decisions on how who gets the money and who doesn’t. (Source: InDepthNH)

4. State Issues Reopening Guidelines for Dentists. While the state never required dentists to close their offices, many shut down voluntarily during the early days of the pandemic. The new guidelines require dental office employees to wear protective equipment, including masks, and having staff screened for COVID-19 symptoms before each shift. A spokesperson for dental hygienists expressed concern that resuming non-emergency dental procedures could put her colleagues in conflict with CDC guidelines and at risk for contracting the virus. The governor says the guidelines don’t force any office to reopen or any patient to go to the dentist. (Source: NHPR)

5. NH Colleges Prepare for Fall Reopening. The chancellor of the University System of New Hampshire says plans are in the works to welcome students back to campus in the fall. (Source: WMUR)

6. Golfers Should Expect Changes As Courses Reopen Monday. Advance reservations, sitting in your car until 15 minutes before tee time, no drinking water or other amenities on the course, no rakes or flags, and clubhouses closed except for restroom use mean that golfing during the pandemic will be a very different experience. (Source: Concord Monitor)

Friday May 8

Seen in a store window in downtown Portsmouth.

Here are the things you need to know about the state and local response to the COVID-19 pandemic to start your Friday.

1. Granite Staters Start Taking Advantage of More Easily Available Testing. 2,200 NH residents signed up for COVID-19 testing on Thursday—the first day after state restrictions on who can get tested were eased. In addition to going through their doctor, people who suspect they may have the illness, are over age 60, or who may be more vulnerable to the virus because of a separate health condition can now apply to get tested via a form on the Department of Health and Human Services website. Tests are available at six Community-Based testing locations across the state. (Source: WMUR and NH DHHS https://www.wmur.com/article/state-encourages-people-to-sign-up-for-covid-19-testing/32408819 ) In a related story, DHHS says a programming error that allowed one testing applicant’s personal information to be temporarily exposed has been fixed. (Source: NHPR)

2. State Provides Guidance for Graduation Ceremonies. The NH Department of Education has released new guidance on hosting graduation ceremonies during the pandemic that would allow schools to host in-person ceremonies as long as all attendees can easily maintain proper social distancing. Car parades and virtual graduations are also options, but some municipalities, like Concord, have already expressed interest in gathering students for graduation, while others have said they prefer to wait until the pandemic subsides before hosting in-person ceremonies. (Sources: NHPR and Concord Monitor)

3. Arts Spokesperson Urges Creation of Working Group to Define Reopening Guidelines for Performing Arts Centers. A task force charged with recommending guidelines to reopen NH businesses heard from representatives of the performing arts on Thursday. Nicolette Clarke of the Capitol Center for the Performing Arts in Concord warned that some or all of the state’s performing arts centers may “remain dark for part or all of the 2020-2021 performing year.” She noted that in venues like Manchester’s Palace Theater and Portsmouth’s Music Hall, people often sit “elbow-to-elbow” in sold-out theaters, “making reopening very complicated to figure out.” (Source: InDepthNH)

4. Portsmouth Braces for Partial Reopening. With retailers split 50/50 on whether or not to reopen at 50% capacity on May 11, the city is bracing for a potential flood of “Massachusetts license plates” as mandatory closing restrictions are relaxed. “We are dealing with something we’ve never seen before, something for which we do not have a playbook,” says Portsmouth City Manager Karen Conard. (Source: Seacoast Online)

5. Portsmouth Cancels July 4th Fireworks, Reopens Selected Recreational Facilities. This year’s Independence Day fireworks, the city’s popular Peirce Island Swimming Pool, and team sports played on the city’s recreational fields are the latest casualties of the COVID-19 crisis. But city officials announced basketball courts, tennis courts, and pickleball courts will reopen for Portsmouth residents only starting on May 18th. (Source: Seacoast Online)

6. Seacoast Grapples with Extended Beach Closings. As other parts of NH’s economy begin to open in May, seacoast beaches will remain closed. While business owners fear a lost summer and are anxious to reopen, law enforcement officials wonder how social distancing and other potential restrictions can be enforced in an area less than an hour’s drive from major population centers. (Source: NHPR)

7. Hampton Beach Leaders to Ask for June 1 Opening. At today’s meeting of the Governor’s Economic Reopening Task Force, business leaders and state park officials will present plans for reopening Hampton Beach on June 1. Under the suggested guidance, beach goers would be prohibited from sitting or laying down on the beach, but activities like walking, jogging, swimming, and surfing, would be allowed. (Source: Seacoast Online)

8. Public Meeting Call-in Information for Friday May 8. An extremely busy day is on tap for committee and task force members making funding and reopening recommendations and decisions. If you’d like to listen in on the testimony and debate, access the link for call-in information to all of the available meetings . Worth noting is that today from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. the public will have an opportunity to share views and concerns with members of the Governor’s Economic Reopening Task Force. To take part, call 1-800-356-8278 and use PIN 600744. (Source: InDepth NH)

Thursday May 7

Here are the things you need to know to know about your state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic to start your Thursday.

1. State Announces 19 Deaths and Expanded Testing at Long-Term Care Facilities. On Wednesday, state officials confirmed 19 additional coronavirus-related deaths. All were residents of long-term care facilities. The news came during a press briefing where Gov. Sununu and Dept. of Health and Human Services Commissioner Lori Shibinette told reporters that all NH nursing home residents who have not already tested positive will now be tested. Shibinette says the plan includes ongoing random testing of residents afterwards along with testing for staff once every 7-10 days. With Wednesday’s announced deaths, 77% of the state’s 111 fatalities to date involve residents of long-term care facilities—the highest rate in the country. (Source: InDepthNH) Meanwhile, a story by NHPR highlights the fact that behind the appalling numbers are real people with real stories and families. 89-year old Simonne Gagnon from Merrimack had christened herself the "queen" of Hanover Hill in Manchester, which has become the epicenter of NH’s nursing home outbreaks. She died the day after Easter. More here.

2. Staff Members at Two Portsmouth Elder Care Facilities Test Positive. Portsmouth Health Officer Kim McNamara announced yesterday that three staff members at two city nursing homes have tested positive for COVID-19. She says that the infected workers will not return to work and follow-up testing of residents is ongoing. (Source: Seacoast Online)

3. Expanded Testing for Anyone with Symptoms Starts Today. Under an expanded testing protocol announced Wednesday by the governor, anyone with a single symptom will be able to schedule a test at one of five mobile testing sites across the state, even without a doctor’s recommendation. To schedule a test, fill out the form found at the state’s COVID-19 website or call the state Health and Human Resources Department at 603-271-5980. Testing is available regardless of your insurance status. (Source: Manchester Union Leader)

4. Business Group Asks Governor to Waive COVID-19 Liability for Businesses. The NH Business and Industry Association wants Gov. Chris Sununu to enact a “safe harbor” order to protect employers from employees filing COVID-19 litigation. Jim Roche, president of the BIA, says that without protection from litigation from employees who fall ill to the virus, some businesses would shrink from resuming operations altogether and others would be kept from operating at full capacity. BIA attorneys have drafted and presented suggested language to the governor for an emergency order that would prevent a business from being held liable for personal injury caused by exposure to coronavirus while working as long as the business was “relying on and generally following applicable government standards and guidance related to coronavirus exposure.” (Source: NH Business Review) Opponents of the move are concerned that the high burden of proof imposed on employees along with state rules that in large part make mask-wearing voluntary for customers may result in businesses taking fewer safeguards to protect the health of their employees. In short, that it will expose more employees to the illness while giving them no legal recourse.

5. Diversity Council Asks Sununu to Respond to Disparate Impact of COVID-19 in Minority Communities. Supported by data showing NH’s black and Latino residents are being disproportionally affected by COVID-19, the Governor’s Council on Diversity and Inclusion is asking the governor to create a team charged with creating an action plan to address the impact of the disease on the state’s racial and ethnic minorities. (Source: NHPR)

6. Executive Council Presses Sununu for Additional Spending Information. By a 4-1 vote, the Executive Council voted Wednesday to table $950 million in spending, including $450 million in federal CARES Act funding for municipalities and raises for first responders, with some councilors concerned that Gov. Sununu is keeping them and state legislators out of the spending loop in violation of the state Constitution. Councilors will take up the funding issue again at their meeting in two weeks. Worth noting is that because the money is intended for disbursement in June, the Council’s vote will not delay those checks. The identities of parties receiving low-interest loans as well as information on how Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut plans to spend $42 million in state education grants are two of the areas that councilors Andru Volinsky and Debra Pignatelli zeroed in on in their request for more information. (Source: InDepthNH)

Wednesday May 6

After a day when 3 new deaths brought NH’s toll during the pandemic to 92, here are the things you need to know to start your Wednesday.

1. New State Data Shows 72% of NH COVID-19 Deaths Have Occurred in Nursing Homes. In the 16 facilities identified by the state, 473 residents have been infected with 66 confirmed deaths and 18 additional deaths where cause of death is still under investigation. Multiple deaths have occurred at 9 facilities, with Hanover Hill in Manchester (18) and Bellamy Woods in Dover (9) topping the list. The state also announced that 266 workers at long-term care facilities have tested positive for the virus. In response, State Senator Dan Feltes has called on Governor Sununu to immediate begin routine testing of all workers and residents at long-term care facilities across the state. “It hasn’t happened, it has never happened, and things are only getting worse at these facilities,” said Feltes, who is also an announced candidate for governor. (Source: InDepthNH)

2. New Web Portal Seeks to Streamline Access to Unemployment Benefits. The NH Dept. of Employment has launched a new online portal that it claims will make it easier to file for benefits and check the status of claims. Since the start of the pandemic, people using the state’s online unemployment system have been plagued by poor response times, confusing menus, and lack of online confirmation of transactions. You can access the new website here: https://www.unemploymentbenefits.nh.gov (Source: WMUR)

3. Reopening Not a Slam Dunk for Many Seacoast Restaurants. Lack of suitable outdoor space, lingering safety and liability concerns, and how to operate profitably at reduced capacity are all factors that may lead some seacoast restaurant operators to decide to wait to reopen until after May 18, when restaurants will be initially allowed to reopen with outdoor seating only. (Source: Seacoast Online)

4. Gyms, Attractions, Amusement Parks, and Baseball Leagues Press Task Force to Reopen. On Tuesday, a spokesman for health clubs and gyms sought permission for clubs to open their doors as early as May 18th at 50% capacity. The 19-member Governor’s Reopening Task Force heard yesterday from representatives of recreational and tourism groups suggesting guidelines for safely resuming activities. The task force is charged making recommendations to Gov. Sununu for reopening various aspects of the state’s life and economy while protecting residents from the spread of COVID-19. (Source: InDepthNH)

5. Interior Towns Take Steps to Limit Access to Trailheads, Beaches, and Scenic Spots. In areas popular with hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, local Select Boards are taking steps to limit access and minimize crowding, including restricting nearby parking and cracking down on illegal parking. The news comes as many state parks have started to implement a reservation system to maximize distancing and minimize the potential for crowding that could lead to further spreading of the virus. (Source: Concord Monitor)

6. Hampton Beach Considers Steps to Reduce Crowds. With an eye on making it easier to maintain social distancing should seacoast beaches reopen this summer, Hampton town officials are looking to cut available parking in half and to shut down part of Ocean Boulevard to create a “walking mall.” (Source: Seacoast Online)

7. “RVs 4 MDs” Gives Health Care Workers a Safe Place to Stay. RV and camper owners are being sought to lend their vehicles to health care workers concerned with bringing the virus home to their families. For more information, contact newhampshirervs4mds@gmail.com or RVs4MDs@rvshare.com—or join their Facebook group. (Source: Seacoast Online)

8. Meetings for Wednesday May 6
   Curious how your government is making decisions during the pandemic? Listen in on these meetings.

   1. Executive Council (The council is expected to consider spending warrants related to the emergency that have been requested by Gov. Sununu)—
      10:00 AM Call-in: 800-356-8278 PIN: 125563

   2. GOFERR Meeting of the Bipartisan Legislative Advisory Board—
      1:00 PM Call-in: 800-356-8278 PIN: 389388

   3. Economic Reopening Task Force (Business Liability Issues, Religious Organizations, Dentistry)—
      1:30 PM-3:30 Call-in: 1-800-356-8278 or 1-857-444-0744 Pin: 194499 or 600744

Tuesday May 5

Here are the things you need to know about the state and local responses to NH’s COVID-19 crisis to start your Tuesday.

1. Relief Money on the Way to NH Municipalities for Pandemic Expenses. On Monday, Gov. Sununu announced plans to distribute $40 million in federal funds to cities and towns that can be used to pay for pandemic-related expenses, such as additional cleaning costs, telework arrangements, welfare expenses, and childcare costs for first responders. Portsmouth is eligible for up to $522,989. However under federal rules, the money can’t be used to make up for revenue shortfalls in other areas, which are expected to crush local budgets. During his afternoon press briefing, the governor also announced a temporary $300 per week pay bump for full-time safety workers across the state – including police, firefighters, EMTs and prison guards. Part-time workers will receive $150/week. (Source: NHPR)

2. State Tax Receipts Down 22% in April. The toll of the pandemic on state revenues is starting to take shape and the news is gloomy. Business tax receipts were down 40% for April, the first full month of the pandemic, with rooms and meals tax receipts down 43% because of shuttered hotels and restaurants. (Source: NHPR)

3. State Offers Masks to Reopening Businesses. Business owners needing masks for their employees can now order them from the state at no charge. The disposable masks, which will help keep an asymptomatically infected employee from spreading the virus but won’t prevent an uninflected wearer from potentially contracting the virus, may be ordered online using this form. Business owners can pick up their masks at several motor vehicle offices across the state. (Source: WMUR)

4. Portsmouth Health Officer Urges Councilors to Tap Brakes on Restaurant Reopenings. Portsmouth Health Officer Kim McNamara told city councilors last night that most restaurant owners do not want to open until late summer or fall because of health and liability concerns. McNamara also reported that there is more COVID-19 virus currently circulating than when Gov. Sununu’s stay-at-home order was first issued in March. But Portsmouth Mayor Rick Beckstead pushed back, challenging McNamara to come up with guidelines that would allow restaurant owners who want to reopen to do so. (Source: Seacoast Online)

5. Seacoast Salon Owners Blast Reopening Plan. Citing health concerns and bans on more profitable services, a group of seacoast salon owners say reopening restrictions ensure they will lose money and risk more exposure to the virus than they would if salons reopened in a later phase with more services available. (Source: Seacoast Online)

6. Fears Linger in North Country As Seasonal Campgrounds Set to Reopen. While the Gorham town manager says restrictions put into place by the governor are better than nothing, she’s still concerned that campground members from out-of-state will ignore the 14-day self-quarantining requirement and will immediately visit local grocery stores. (Source: NHPR)

7. NH Breweries Face Major Losses as Kegs Go Stale. Closed taprooms, bars, and restaurants are adding up to huge losses for NH breweries. One brewery alone, 603 Brewery in Londonderry, will likely be forced to dump 6,300 gallons of beer. While distillers may be able to use some of the beer to make hand sanitizer, most will likely be dumped. (Source: NH Business Review)

8. COAST Bus Routes to Partially Resume Next Week on Seacoast. Services on selected routes will reopen on May 11, but staffing shortages will limit the number of buses and routes that can be reopened. Passengers will find hand sanitizer dispensers and new barriers in place protecting drivers, who will also be wearing masks. Passengers are asked to use the bus ONLY for essential travel and are strongly encouraged to wear masks or cloth face coverings. (Source: WMUR) For more information, visit https://coastbus.org/COVID-19.

9. Public Meetings for Tuesday, May 5

   1. Meeting of the Stakeholder Advisory Board to the Governor’s Office for Economic Relief and Recovery—1:00 PM Call-in: 800-356-8278 PIN: 194655

   2. Meeting of the Governor’s Economic Re-Opening Task Forc— 1:30 - 3:30pm Call-in: 1-800-356-8278 or 1-857-444-0744; pin 194499 or 600744 or 125563 (interchangeable for both numbers).

      All meetings are open to the public and meeting minutes, recordings and presentations are available at www.nheconomy.com/reopeningtaskforce.

Monday May 4

With the total number of coronavirus cases now standing at 2,518 as of Sunday night, here are five things you need to know about NH’s response to the crisis to start your Monday.

1. Emergency Funding Recommendations to Come This Week. For the past few weeks, the Legislative Advisory Committee and the Stakeholder’s Advisory Committee to the Governor’s Office for Economic Relief and Recovery have been hearing testimony from groups vying for part of the $1.25 billion in emergency COVID-19 funding NH has received from the federal government. Later this week, both will make their final recommendations to the governor, who will decide what to do with the money. While the federal funds are expected to help, they represent far less than the actual needs cited by the groups and organizations that testified. So unless further funding is received, many businesses, non-profits, and service providers could go dark in the weeks and months to come. (Source: InDepthNH) You can listen in on today’s Legislative Advisory Committee Meeting at Call-in: 800-356-8278 PIN: 389388

2. NH Hospitals to Begin Phasing in Time-Sensitive Procedures Today. In addition to opening their doors for certain non-emergency and elective procedures, such as biopsies and joint replacements, hospitals are taking safeguards to ensure infected and non-infected patients are separated. The move comes after emergency restrictions on hospitals were eased Friday as COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to trend downward. (Source: WMUR)

3. As PPE Hunt Continues, State Silent on Spending. With NH, like most states, receiving little federal help acquiring much-needed personal protective equipment, officials say they are scrambling to move quickly enough to close deals with potential PPE suppliers. Part of the issue is that NH will only agree to pay for PPE after it is delivered, while some states are waiving that requirement. To date, no information has been released on how much the state has spent so far on PPE. Shipments arranged through the contacts of NH entrepreneur Dean Kamen, which the state is paying for, are the only ones the state has received. (Source: Concord Monitor)

4. Beach Ban Enforcement Ramps Up with Better Weather. Warmer weather and sunny skies attracted crowds this weekend along the seacoast even though beach access and parking is prohibited under the COVID-19 state of emergency. Rye police have issued over 200 tickets to violators since March 1st. Over the weekend, roads were jammed with people taking in the scenery. But despite the ban, several motorists stopped or attempted to park their cars and had to be moved along by police. Rye Chief Kevin Walsh says, “I had a complaint of people drinking in the parking lot of one of our restaurants,” said Walsh. “We will work with the liquor commission to resolve that one.” (Source: Seacoast Online and NHPR)

5. Portsmouth Sees Stream of Gift Card Purchases for Essential Workers. A Portsmouth restaurant owner says one customer purchased $2,000 worth of gift cards and distributed them to workers at Hannafords Supermarket. Cafe Nostimo owner Dean Zottos says, “What has been happening is people who got their stimulus checks, and who can afford to, have been buying gift cards. They are donating the cards to local medical workers and to grocery store employees. They are donating to the people who deserve recognition, who are taking the highest risk to help keep the rest of safe and fed during this crisis.” (Source: Seacoast Online) Other good news stories include: 15,000 free masks given out over the weekend by the Seacoast Chabad Jewish Center and Portsmouth City Councilor Cliff Lazenby’s announcement that during tonight’s virtual city council meeting he’ll be running a 10K on his treadmill to raise money for Gather, a seacoast area food bank. (Source (Seacoast Online)

Sunday May 3

After a Saturday when 121 new cases and 3 new deaths were announced, here are the things you need to know about the COVID-19 crisis in our region to start your Sunday.

1. Protesters Flaunt Emergency Order at State House Rally. Several hundred demonstrators, a few wearing masks and some with firearms and children in tow, called on Gov. Sununu to fully reopen NH’s economy. No arrests were made despite an emergency order issued by the governor banning scheduled public gatherings of 10 or more people. (Source: Seacoast Online)

2. Judges Orders Hearing for Medically Fragile ICE Detainees. A bail hearing has been ordered for immigrant detainees at the Strafford County Jail with medical conditions that make them more vulnerable to COVID-19. The detainees, who have not committed any crimes, are being held at the jail under a contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement while their asylum requests are being considered. (Source: Manchester Union Leader)

3. Local Experts Say Wearing Masks Will Shorten the Pandemic. Saying that not wearing masks in public will only prolong the COVID-19 state of emergency, a coalition of local physicians and scientists are lobbying to have the state make mask wearing mandatory. Dr. Kristen Johnson, of Core Physicians Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, said the use of masks will help health wise and economically. “As we gradually reopen, continuing to limit rapid spread of this virus will be paramount to being able to continue to move forward decreasing restrictions.” While changes to NH’s stay at home order announced on Friday include requirements for masks to be worn by retail workers and customers of barbershops and hair salons, they are “recommended” but not mandatory for members of the general public. This is in direct contrast to the neighboring states of Massachusetts and Maine, which last week issued emergency orders requiring the wearing of masks or cloth face coverings for people when out in public. (Source: Seacoast Online)

4. Businesses Warily Eye Kickoff to Summer Season. With the summer tourism season in jeopardy, the president and CEO of the New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association says most businesses are in a holding pattern. Mike Somers says, “People are legitimately trying to figure out how they are going to be one of the ones that survives.” While forgivable loans from the federal CARES Act are helping the businesses that have received them to stay afloat, uncertainty over when it will be again be safe for customers to patronize their businesses in large numbers is casting a cloud over the entire hospitality industry. (Source: NH Business Review)

5. Creativity a Key to Keeping Employees Working. Businesses without a market for their products during the pandemic are turning to each other to find ways to fill new needs and keep employees on the job. But for some, getting the word out to the public has been challenging because of actions by Google and Facebook. (Source: Granite State News Collaborative via ManchesterInkLink)

6. Not Sure What’s Reopening and When Under Stay at Home 2.0? Today’s Concord Monitor has an excellent summary of which types of businesses are eligible to reopen, under what circumstances, and the timeline for each sector. (Source: Concord Monitor ) For businesses owners and others needing specific guidance, the governor’s modified order along with specific guidance for eligible businesses can found at: https://www.governor.nh.gov/news-media/stay-at-home/index.htm

7. Portsmouth State Reps: Still Here to Serve You. While the full legislature won’t be meeting as a full body to vote on bills until the crisis has eased, Portsmouth’s seven state representatives are working behind the scenes to move legislation along in virtual committee meetings, are answering constituent questions, and are avail even to help resolve problems. Here’s an update on what we’ve been up to since the legislature last met in mid-March. (Source: Seacoast Online)

Saturday May 2

After another bad day, with 9 new deaths and 164 additional cases, here’s what you need to know about the state’s COVID-19 response to start your Saturday.

1. Gov. Sununu Partially Eases NH Stay at Home Restrictions. On a day when from outward appearances NH experienced one of its worst days of the crisis, Gov. Sununu, backed by state health experts citing an extended downward trend in hospitalizations, announced a series of modifications easing the state’s stay at home order. “Stay at Home 2.0” extends many stay at home restrictions through May 31st. Seacoast beaches and hotels across the state will remain closed and residents are still being urged to stay home, except to travel to work, healthcare providers, and to businesses that are open. However, campgrounds, golf courses, restaurants, hair salons, barbers, and retailers will be allowed to reopen. Timing and specific reopening rules and conditions vary, so make sure to read the article and/or the governor’s guidance for reopening. Worth noting is that in contrast to Maine Governor Janet Mills and Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, both of whom issued executive orders this week mandating the wearing of masks or cloth face coverings in public, face coverings in NH remain “highly recommended” for people venturing out in public, but will generally not be mandatory. However, there are exceptions. Face coverings will be required for both customers and staff of barber shops and hair salons. They will also be required for employees of restaurants and retail establishments. But for now, they will not be mandatory for restaurant and retail customers, although individual businesses may decide whether to allow people without face coverings inside. (Source: WMUR ) Note: You can find the full text of the Governor’s Universal Guidelines along with detailed breakdowns on reopening requirements for the business, health, and recreational sectors at https://businesshelp.nheconomy.com/hc/en-us/articles/360047733253-5-1-2020-Governor-Chris-Sununu-Issues-Stay-at-Home-Order-2-0

2. Coronavirus Vaccine to Be Made In Portsmouth. Lonza Biologics in Portsmouth will be part of an effort in starting in June to begin manufacturing a vaccine for COVID-19. Lonza is partnering with a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based biotechnology company to produce a vaccine called mRNA-1273, which has not yet been approved by the FDA. The vaccine is one of several currently being tested. Manufacturing will start in July with a second round of trials scheduled for the fall. (Source: Seacoast Online)

3. Portsmouth Hospital Joins COVID-19 Plasma Study. Portsmouth Regional Hospital will be taking part in a national study to find out if blood plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients could benefit people with severe or life-threatening cases of the virus. If you have recovered from the virus and would like to find out more about eligibility and the donation process, call the hospital’s dedicated COVID-19 plasma phone line at (833) 582-1971 or visit https://bit.ly/3fdtFl1. (Source: Seacoast Online)

4. Child Care Advocates and First Responders Make Cases for Emergency Funding. The legislative advisory board to the Governor’s Office for Economic Relief and Recovery heard testimony Friday from state agencies, first responders and childcare officials on how the COVID-19 epidemic has impacted their operations and created new needs. The advisory board will make its recommendations next week. (Source: InDepthNH)

5. Lawmakers Ask Judge to Reconsider Decision Allowing Governor to Bypass Legislature for Approval of Spending Federal Emergency Funds. In a legal filing made Friday, legislative leaders urged a judge to reconsider a previous ruling allowing Governor Sununu to spend federal emergency money without legislative approval. The lawmakers argue that they have proper standing to file the motion. Under NH law, only the Joint Legislative Fiscal Committee of the legislature may accept and allocate federal dollars. However, the governor argues that NH’s State of Emergency statute gives him the final power to accept and distribute funds during an emergency. (Source: WMUR)

6. Ogunquit Playhouse Cancels Season. The theater announced the cancelation of its 88th season because of the COVID-19 pandemic and estimates a $3 million loss. (Source: Seacoast Online)

Friday May 1

After a day when 6 additional deaths and 96 new COVID-19 cases were announced, here is what you need to know to start your Friday.

1. Gov. Sununu to Decide Today on Task Force Recommendation for Partial Reopening. While the full draft proposal considered yesterday by the Governor’s Economic Reopening Task Force was not made public, key elements of the plan discussed before a vote yesterday included outdoor dining at restaurants, campgrounds operating at 50% capacity, and hair stylists and customers required to wear cloth face coverings. The governor is expected to announce full details at this afternoon’s press briefing. (Source: InDepthNH) Across the border, Maine Governor Janet Mills announced a partial reopening for Maine’s economy on Tuesday, but followed it with an executive order a day later requiring the wearing of cloth masks in public starting today (Friday). (Source: Portland Press Herald) Meanwhile, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, citing the fact that cases are still peaking in NH and other states, cautioned against prematurely reopening the NH economy and easing social distancing measures. (Source: NHPR)

2. Portsmouth Ponders Reopening. With downtown retail stores shuttered and most restaurants closed except for those offering takeout, city officials in Portsmouth say they are prepared to take cautious steps forward to partial reopening, while protecting public health. “You get this one chance, and we’ve got to make sure that we’re doing it right,” Portsmouth Mayor Becksted said. (Source: Manchester Union Leader)

3. Unemployment Claims Down, Complaints Are Not. Unemployment claims in NH were down from the previous week by almost 20% and calls to the NH Employment Security Department hotline were down 40%. But newly unemployed residents applying for benefits continue to struggle with systems that were never built to handle the high volume of claims. (Source: Seacoast Online) Note: if you are having trouble getting through: Try to file online (specific call-in times are now being provided based on the letter of your last name at https://www.nhes.nh.gov/notice.htm); create an account; and refile every week until your claim is accepted or rejected. If you are self-employed: expect an initial denial, file the profit (loss) form, keep refiling weekly. If you need the hotline, don’t give up. It’s staffed weekdays from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. and after 5 p.m. is the best time to get through. It’s also open on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

4. Prescott Park Arts Festival Cancels Summer Season. The cancelation of the summer season of Portsmouth’s signature concert series and youth programs will result in a $1 million revenue loss for PPAF along with an economic ripple effect that will put additional unwelcome stress on local businesses. Meanwhile, the New Hampshire Theater Project, Pontine Theatre, 3S Artspace, The Players’ Ring, Seacoast Repertory Theatre and The Music Hall have all ceased live performances. The Music Hall is hoping to resume live performances in September. (Source: Seacoast Online) Note: Russ Grazier of the Portsmouth Music and Arts Center appeared yesterday before the Governor’s Office for Relief and Recovery Advisory Board to make the case for emergency financial relief for the organizations, artists, performers, and instructors who make up NH’s $2.6 billion creative economy. He said that during the pandemic the arts have taken on additional meaning as many artists, performers, and teachers have become “second responders”—helping children and adults dealing with separation, anxiety, and grief through music, art, and performing.

5. NH Nursing Homes Struggle with Costs and Vacancies. Along with the pandemic, exorbitant costs for hard-to-find personal protective equipment, staff shortages, empty beds, and NH’s low Medicaid reimbursement rates are adding up to big financial trouble for many of the state’s long-term care facilities. (Source: Concord Monitor)

6. Sununu Agrees to Provide Info on COVID Relief Money to Executive Council. After pressure from Executive Councilors Andru Volinsky and Debra Pignatelli, Gov. Sununu has decided to provide details about his plans to withdraw hundreds of millions of dollars from the state treasury to combat the COVID-19 epidemic. “This is a good first step,” Volinsky said. “We’ll have to wait and see the quality of the information and when we get it, but I am hopeful.” (Source: InDepthNH)

Thursday April 30

Five things you need to know to start your Thursday about progress and setbacks as NH responds to the COVID-19 crisis.

1. Two New Nursing Home Outbreaks and 6 Deaths Announced. Officials say the new outbreaks are at Hackett Hill in Manchester where 22 residents and two staff have tested positive for COVID-19, and at Mountain Ridge Nursing Home in Franklin where 13 residents and two staff have tested positive. During his press briefing, Gov. Sununu acknowledged that this isn’t good news, but pointed to positive trends in the number of hospitalizations as well as the overall numbers of people testing positive. During his press briefing, he also announced the state is committing $3 million in CARES Act funding to assist homeless shelters in New Hampshire. On Friday, he is expected to announce plans to reopen some sectors of the economy. (Source: InDepthNH)

2. Progress at Dover Nursing Home. The owner of Bellamy Woods says no additional residents or staff members have tested positive. Dr. John Hopkins also says two of the residents and five staff members who previously tested positive are now recovering. Last week, it was reported that 33 of 41 residents and 10 staff members had tested positive. While at least 3 deaths were reported at the facility during the April timeframe, Hopkins says he will defer to the state medical examiner when it comes to whether or not the virus caused or contributed to the deaths. (Source: Seacoast Online)
   Note: While news of recoveries is always good, this article calls into question how, when, and if unconfirmed deaths at nursing homes are being accurately reflected in the state’s COVID-19 fatality total. Unlike Massachusetts, which has created a public database of all long-term care facilities with COVID-19 cases, NH has only been releasing information on nursing home outbreaks incrementally. Moreover, while the daily tracking report from the NH Dept. of Health and Human Services shows a breakdown of cases and deaths across age groups, it does not separate cases and deaths in nursing homes. The DHHS report also lacks a breakdown on cases, recoveries, and deaths among essential workers—such as first responders, healthcare workers, and other workers deemed as essential during the emergency.

3. Kuster Outlines Plan to Boost Federal Support for Testing and Public Health Measures. As state officials prepare to at least partially remove some of the restrictions under NH’s state of emergency orders on Friday, Congresswoman Annie Kuster has released a plan that would create a national testing strategy including testing for every symptomatic or potential case. Kuster’s “Roadmap to Recovery” also calls on the president to trigger the Defense Production Act to compel production of personal protective equipment for healthcare workers. It would also boost funding for vaccine production. (Source: WMUR) Note: The full plan is accessible here.

4. NH Community College System Seeks Federal Relief Money. On Wednesday, members of the legislative committee advising Governor Sununu on allocating federal COVID-19 funding heard from Chuck Ansell, the chief financial officer of the state community college system. Ansell made a case for $29 million in student aid to help with tuition and other costs. He says that without the aid, unemployment caused by the pandemic may get in the way of the state creating a workforce aligned with its future economic needs. (Source: NHPR)

5. Virus Slowing or Stopping Responses to Right to Know Requests. At a time when it’s critical for government agencies to be transparent and accountable, some state agencies have slowed their response to right to know requests and one, the NH State Police, has stopped responding to them altogether. David Saad, president of Right to Know NH— a nonpartisan nonprofit that works to improve access to New Hampshire state, county, and local governments – said journalists and other members of the public have been contacting him since the start of the emergency to let him know the state is not fulfilling requests, and further, that officials are not going to give people a timeframe for when they plan to fulfill the requests. (Source: Concord Monitor)

Wednesday April 29

A day after COVID-19 cases crossed the 2,000 mark in NH, here are the things you need to know to start your Wednesday.

1. Gov. Sununu Set to Announce Limited Reopening Plans On Friday. An aide to the governor who is also chair of the Governor’s Economic Reopening Task Force says the announcement will address the stay-at-home order and a timeline for reopening parts of the state’s economy. (Source: InDepthNH)

2. Valley Street Jail Worker Tests Positive for COVID-19. Jail Superintendent David Dionne says every person who interacted with the employee has been identified and those who were in close enough physical proximity to be considered at risk of exposure have been notified and will be quarantined as per CDC guidelines. Last week, the State Department of Corrections announced that 11 staff members had tested positive, but as of this morning its website shows that no inmates or additional staff members have contracted the virus. (Source: InDepthNH)

3. NH Senate Dems Release Plan for Use of Federal Emergency Money. A week after a district court judge effectively removed the traditional power of the legislature to accept and allocate federal funds during an emergency, Senate Democrats shared their Granite Promise Proposal. Highlights include $250 million to stabilize the state budget, highlights include $105 million for New Hampshire-based businesses, nonprofit groups and farms, along with $75 million to help landlords, tenants and homeowners. "The governor has spent $125 million out of the general fund already to handle the situation that has come up that he had to address immediately, so that money has to be brought back," said Sen. Lou D'Allesandro. (Source: Manchester Union Leader)

4. Executive Councilors Press Sununu for Details on Emergency Spending. Executive Councillors Andru Volinsky and Debra Pignatelli are calling on Gov. Sununu to present his plans for distributing federal emergency money to the council for a vote. The Executive Council is scheduled to meet May 6 and will be asked to approve warrants seeking to withdraw several hundred millions of dollars from the state treasury. (Source: InDepthNH)

5. State Releases COVID-19 Case Info by City and Town. For the first time, the state has released data showing the number of cases in NH municipalities. Until now, information was available for counties, but not for individual communities. The worst hotspots are all in the southern tier of the state and include Manchester, Salem, Nashua, and Derry. (Source: NHPR)

6. Delays and Frustration Reign As Small Business Loan Program Resumes. As the second round of the federal small business relief program opened for business earlier this week, NH bankers expressed frustration over slow performance and system crashes. The first round of the program came under fire from Sen. Jeanne Shaheen after it was quickly exhausted after millions were funneled to large corporations rather than to the small businesses the money was intended for. (Source: NH Business Review)

7. Sen. Clark and Husband Announce Full Recoveries from COVID-19. Sen. Martha Fuller Clark and her husband, Dr. Jeff Clark, are grateful for the support they received from the community during their illnesses. “We feel very blessed, recognizing that we fall into the over-60 category, not to have been more seriously impacted by the virus, especially as we read about one tragic coronavirus case after another of individuals in our state and across the country having died,” she said. “Our hearts go out to their grieving families.” (Source: Seacoast Online)

Tuesday April 28

News on the NH impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to start your Tuesday.

1. Governor Says Anyone With Symptoms Can Now Get Tested. With the state now able to test 1,000 people a day, with an eventual goal of testing 1,500 per day, Gov. Sununu announced five new drive-in test sites going up this week in Tamworth, Claremont, Lancaster, Plymouth, and Rochester. The governor says part of the goal of the increased testing is to get the data needed to open up the economy sooner. But he cautioned that it would be “incredibly irresponsible” of people to tell him to “Just open things up.” Source: InDepthNH)
   Note: At a rate of 1,500 tests per day, it would take approximately 2 and-1/2-years to test all of NH’s 1.37 million residents one time. Many public health experts believe that to safely reopen the economy, testing will need to expand well beyond people who are displaying symptoms to proactively testing essential workers and others who present a high risk of transmitting the virus should they become asymptomatic carriers.

2. Sec. of State Creates Select Committee to Advise on How to Spend Emergency Election Funding. Members of the 6-member committee—which notably does not include the current chairs of the House or Senate committees charged with creating election policy—will help decide how to spend $3.2 million in federal COVID-19 emergency money. The funds are targeted at helping state and local election officials pay for additional procedures needed to protect public health and ensure safe voting during the pandemic. (Source: NHPR)

3. Reopening Task Force Outlines Recommendations for Reopening Beaches and State Parks. PPE and screening for park staff, social distancing rules, parking and capacity limitations, advance reservations for campgrounds, and no buses allowed at attractions like the Flume Gorge are just some of the recommended steps proposed yesterday by state parks director Phil Bryce. “No sitting on beaches. You can walk on the beach. You can run on the beach. You can even swim. We will have lifeguards on the beach. You just can’t hang out there,” said Bryce. (Source: NHPR and WMUR)

4. Emergency Grants and Federal Aid Coming to Struggling NH Arts Community. Monday, the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts announced it is accepting applications for Artist Emergency Grants from professional artists whose income has been impacted by COVID-19. While shifting to online classes and other innovations have helped, they haven't made up for severe losses in other sources of income, such as concerts, theater productions, and gallery showings. (Source: NHPR)

5. Star Island to Shut Down for 2020. For the first time since World War II, Star Island, the popular seasonal resort at the Isles of Shoals, will not open in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, the non-profit Star Island Corporation is expected to lose $1 million in revenue. For daytrippers, families coming for reunions, academic groups holding conferences, photographers looking for unique scenery, and faith groups holding retreats or looking for a quiet place to slow down and meditate, this news leaves a big hole in their hearts that only a reopening in 2021 will be able to cure. (Source: Seacoast Online)

6. Portsmouth Library Launches Pandemic Community Diary Project. The library hopes to collect individual experiences, images, and narratives. All residents are welcome to submit a short written entry, a photo, to answer the library’s question prompts, or longer documents. Entries can be submitted at cityofportsmouth.com/library/communitydiary. (Source: Seacoast Online)

7. Rumor Control an Increasing Problem for Cities and States. Concerned with the rapid spread of false information during the pandemic, cities and states across the country have set up telephone hotlines to provide quick, creditable sources of information. (Source: Pew Charitable Trusts)
   Note: in NH, residents can dial the state’s COVID-19 hotline at 2-1-1 or 603-271-4496 for answers to questions related to the outbreak and to be directed to available resources for help.

Monday April 28

A rainy start—and 77 newly reported cases—to begin the 8th week of New Hampshire’s COVID-19 Emergency. Here’s what you need to know to start your Monday.

1. Police Cracking Down on Seacoast Surfers. Surfers in Rye who continue to flaunt the emergency order closing state beaches can expect to receive violation notices and parking tickets going forward. (Source: Manchester Union Leader)

2. National Forest Closes Trailheads. To ensure social distancing, the White Mountain National Forest is shutting down several high-use trailheads, day-use areas and dispersed recreation facilities until further notice. While locals who can reach the trails by walking may still use them, others will be subjected fines as high as $5000.00 for individuals and $10,000.00 for organizations, imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. (Source: Conway Daily Sun)

3. As Clothing Resale Stores Shutter, Charities Seek Other Types of Donations. With second-hand clothing outlets unable to accept donations and unable to open for business, a key source of revenue for several seacoast charities has temporarily dried up. (Source: Seacoast Online)

4. NH Newspapers Struggle During Pandemic. The Telegraph of Nashua announced Sunday that it is moving online and ending print publication, except for the Sunday edition, starting immediately. The news comes as traditional newspapers struggle with dramatic advertising revenue declines caused by the pandemic. Other newspapers have tightened their belts by furloughing employees, holding fundraisers, and temporarily reducing salaries. (Source: InDepthNH)
   Note: This news is a sad reminder that in a market-based economy, a free press is not free. If you can afford it, supporting local journalism via a donation or an online subscription is one of the best ways to ensure our democracy continues to function with transparency and accountability during the crisis.

5. GOFERR Legislative Advisory Board Meets Today at 1:00 p.m. . Today’s meeting will focus on healthcare and federal guidance on the use of emergency funds. These meetings have produced a wealth of information on the losses and challenges New Hampshire businesses, healthcare providers, educational institutions, and non-profits are facing during the pandemic. Members of the public are invited to listen in by calling: 800-356-8278 and entering PIN: 389388. Note: The Governor’s Office For Economic Relief and Recovery was created by the governor to advise him on how and where federal emergency money received by the state should be spent. The Legislative Advisory Board was created to give the legislature the opportunity to provide input, but it has no actual decision-making or approval authority. (Source: State of NH Website)

6. Governor’s Economic Re-Opening Task Force to Gather More Input Today at 2:00 p.m.. The Re-Opening Task Force, which is charged with developing a plan of state and private-sector actions needed to restart New Hampshire's economy, meets this afternoon at 2:00 p.m.. The Arts, Entertainment, Recreation, and Healthcare are all on the agenda. The public is invited to listen in at: 1-800-356-8278 Pin: 194499 or 600744. Additional meetings for this week are listed on the linked page. (Source: Governor’s Economic Re-Opening Task Force)

Sunday April 27

Things to know on Sunday April 26 about how people and government are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic in NH.

1. NH Experiences Worst Day Yet for Coronavirus Fatalities. In the final day of the worst week of the crisis, COVID-19 claimed the lives of another seven New Hampshire residents. The latest deaths, all involving people age 60 or older, bring the state’s death total to 60. (Source: NHPR and NH Dept. of Health and Human Services)

2. Essential Workers Remind NH Residents “We’re Also Using NH Campgrounds”. With residents of more rural areas of the state fearing an influx of infected tourists should the state’s seasonal campgrounds open, NH’s year-round campgrounds have quietly been providing a source of short-term housing for essential workers. (Source: Concord Monitor)

3. Pandemic Prompts Planned Parenthood to Offer Remote Care. With telehealth services now covered by health insurance for the duration of the state of emergency, Planned Parenthood is expanding teleconferencing access to doctors to reduce the need for on-site visits. (Source: Keene Sentinel)

4. COVID-19 Raising Awareness of Racial Disparities in Healthcare. New data release last week by the NH Dept. of Health and Human Services shows minorities in the state are being disproportionally affected when it comes to COVID-19. According to NH NAACP President Rogers Johnson, “People are talking about it now due to the coronavirus. This population has always been adversely impacted.” (Source: Manchester Union Leader)

5. Organizers Seek to Move NH Motorcycle Week to August. On Monday night, Laconia City Councilors will be asked to approve moving Laconia Motorcycle Week to Aug. 22-30 if it cannot be held June 13-21 because of the COVID-19. (Source: InDepthNH)

6. Portsmouth Announces Parking Pass Program for Healthcare Workers and First Responders. Starting Monday, Portsmouth residents who are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic response will be able to obtain special hangtags that will allow them to park at no charge in metered spaces. Free parking will not be available in city garages because of the automatic gating mechanisms. The move comes days after Portsmouth, which had suspended parking fees and most enforcement at the start of the crisis, resumed normal fees and enforcement under budget pressures. (Source: City of Portsmouth)

7. NH Couple Organizes Wedding Ceremony on Zoom. Finally, a feel-good story (sort of). Rather than postpone their wedding ceremony, a Windham couple were wed with 70 friends and family looking on via videoconference. The couple hopes for an in-person celebration in July. (Source: WMUR)

Saturday April 25

As the 44th day of NH’s COVID-19 state of emergency begins, here are five things you need to know to start your Saturday.

1. Governor Extends State of Emergency Through May 15. At the end of a bad week that saw 16 new COVID-19-related deaths and 433 new cases, Gov. Sununu has acted to extend NH’s state of emergency through the middle of May. By renewing the state of emergency, which he must do every three weeks as long as he feels it is needed, the governor will continue to have the power to issue or to extend emergency orders. While he issued or extended several emergency orders yesterday, he has yet to extend the stay at home order, which is still set to expire on May 4. The governor is expected to make a decision on extending it next week. (Source: Manchester Union Leader) You can access all 33 emergency orders issued to date by the governor here.

2. 11 Staffers at Dept. of Corrections Test Positive for COVID-19. Information posted this week on the Department of Corrections website shows that 11 workers have tested positive for the virus, including 7 staffers at the men’s state prison, 3 at the women’s prison, and 3 field service workers. To date, no inmates have tested positive in the state prison system, but only 10 have been tested. The department is now doing contact tracing to determine if any inmates may have been exposed to infected staff members. (Source: InDepthNH)

3. Two Immigration Detainees Released from Strafford County Jail. Immigration and Customs enforcement decided to temporarily release two of the three detainees who had filed a lawsuit seeking to be released. The releases came just prior to a scheduled telephone conference between ICE and a district court judge, who had ordered ICE to provide a good reason for continuing to detain the immigrants, who were being civilly detained and had committed no crimes. The ACLU and other advocacy groups have argued that all civil detainees should be released because of the high risk to their health in a jail setting should there be an outbreak. (Source: Concord Monitor) Another group, Never Again Action NH, will be holding a drive-by car rally at the jail complex this afternoon a 1 p.m. for the third week in a row.

4. Backlog Grows As NH Courts Postpone Jury Trials Indefinitely. To limit foot traffic and keep social distancing, the New Hampshire circuit court system has canceled about 19,000 hearings since March 16 while the superior court system has already cancelled 6,000. The courts are still open for emergency hearings, including child abuse or domestic violence, or anything where life or personal safety are at risk. (Source: WMUR)

5. Retailers Outline Phased Approach to Reopening. With 90% of retail employees in the state now furloughed, industry officials outlined steps to getting the industry back on its feet at Friday’s meeting of the Governor’s Economic Re-opening Task Force. After re-opening for curbside pickup and delivery, NH Retail Association President Nancy Kyle says stores should be able to open their doors to customer traffic with social distancing in place. A final phase would lift all restrictions. (Source: WMUR) As reported by InDepthNH, Kyle also expressed concerns about getting employees to return to work who are now making an additional; $600/week in unemployment. She also cautioned that if the state adds specific mandates for customers, like safe coverings over mouth and nose, “you can’t have retail employees enforce that.” When asked by a task force member representing the Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce how stores would handle people wanting to try on what would happen when people wanted to try on clothing and shoes, Kyle said she hadn’t thought of that possibility. Also providing input to the task force was deputy director for the State Division of Public Health, Patricia Tilley, who said that demographic information reveals that most of the people who have gotten COVID-19 in New Hampshire are working-age people, but the most serious impacts have been to the older generation. (Source: InDepthNH)

Once again, many thanks to the NH journalists doing their best to bring us the news during the pandemic.

Friday April 24

Near the end of another very long week, here are 5 stories about how the pandemic continues to affect us in NH to start your Friday.

1. Hopes Fade for Quick End to Emergency. As NH struggles through the worst week of the crisis, with 9 new deaths and 183 new cases in just the last two days, Gov. Sununu says hopes are fading for a May 4 end to the state’s stay at home order. The current stay at home order is scheduled to expire on that day. (Source: InDepthNH)

2. State Strains to Handle Nursing Home Outbreaks. With the announcement of new COVID-19 clusters in two Derry nursing homes, 60% of NH’s coronavirus cases now involve residents and staff of long-term care facilities. (Source: NHPR)

3. Homeless Camps Grow as Shelter Populations Decline. City officials in Manchester are keeping tabs on a growing number of homeless camps populated by former residents of homeless shelters who left the shelters over COVID-19 concerns. Rather than removing them from the camps, the city plans to provide resources to make it easier for camp residents to maintain distancing along with porta-potties, hand-washing stations, food delivery, and supplies to help keep the camps clean. Massachusetts has experienced large outbreaks in several shelters and city and public health officials are concerned that social distancing is much more difficult in a shelter environment. (Source: WMUR)

4. Federal Guidance Bans Use of CARES Act Funds to Address State Revenue Shortfalls. In potentially devastating news for NH, according to guidance received Thursday from the U.S. Treasury Department, the state won’t be able to use any of the $1.25 billion in recently received federal funds through the CARES Act to offset revenue losses created by the economic impacts of the pandemic. While the state is allowed to use CARES Act money for overtime and other expenses directly related to the emergency, the guidance means it cannot be used to offset revenue losses caused by the pandemic. According to an analysis by Moodys Analytics, losses in revenues brought in through fees and taxes, such as Rooms and Meals and business taxes, combined with increased Medicaid costs will total between $247.9 million and $310.27 million. Although as much as $140 million of the Medicaid costs may be reimbursed, the shortfall will be significant for a state with only $0.9 million left in its General Fund Surplus and $115.3 million in the state’s “rainy day” fund. (Source: New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute) Note: At yesterday’s press briefing, the governor urged the legislature to repeal an increase in state business taxes that would be automatically triggered if revenues from the tax fail to hit targets agreed to by both the governor and the legislature in 2019. The legislature, which has not met as a group since the pandemic began in mid-March, would need to meet to approve any reductions.

5. Portsmouth Planning Board Meeting Cancelled by “Zoom Bombs”. A meeting of the Portsmouth Planning Board was cancelled Thursday after twice being interrupted by anonymous participants who were admitted after being given “the benefit of a doubt”. State and local officials alike have been struggling to maintain security during virtual meetings which, under the state’s Right to Know law, must be accessible to the public. (Source: Seacoast Online)

Thursday April 23

What to know about NH’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic to start your Thursday:

1. Impact of Pandemic on NH Hospitality and Retail Industries Called “Catastrophic”. Mike Somers, president of the NH Lodging and Restaurant Association, says the state’s hospitality industry is poised to lose a staggering $800 million through May. But he cautioned the Legislative Advisory Council of the Governor’s Office for Relief and Recovery against reopening the economy too soon and risking another wave of infections that could result in permanent closures for many more businesses. NH Retail Association president Nancy Kyle told a similar tale of locally owned retail businesses suffering under the economic shutdown. She echoed concerns about prematurely trying to return to business as usual. “If you open too early, businesses may have to close again if there is second wave of virus,” Kyle said. “Retail businesses will not be able to continue with closing a second time.” (Source: InDepthNH)
   Note: federal guidance on how the state can spend the $1.25 billion allocated to New Hampshire as part of the CARES Act is expected on Friday. Although the state received the full $1.25 billion amount earlier in the week, none of the money has been spent while the state awaits federal guidance. The guidance is critical because any money paid out for ineligible expenses must be paid back to the federal government by the state.

2. Judge Dismisses Legislature’s Suit Challenging Governor’s Emergency Spending Powers. A Superior Court Judge has ruled against legislative leaders in their battle to maintain legislative oversight of how $1.25 million in federal CARES Act funds will be spent in New Hampshire. Judge David Anderson ruled in favor of the argument from the governor’s lawyers that the four legislative leaders who filed the suit lacked legal standing because the legislature did not formally vote as a body to support the lawsuit. Both the NH House of Representatives and the NH Senate have been unable to meet as a full bodies since the pandemic struck in mid-March. The ruling effectively removes the ability of the legislature to accept and approve allocation of federal funds and concentrates this power in the governor’s office for the duration of the emergency. (Source: WMUR)

3. Mass Delegation Seeks Answers About Pandemic Operations at Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant. Concerned that workers may be at risk, Massachusetts U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey and Congressman Seth Moulton are asking for for details on how the plant’s owner, NextEra, is protecting workers from COVID-19 who are now refueling the plant. Refueling the plant requires extra workers and NextEra has refused to disclose the steps it is taking to minimize the risk of the illness spreading. (Source: NHPR)

4. Portsmouth Shelter Wants Residents Tested for COVID-19. Concerned with reports of widespread outbreaks and asymptomatic infections reported in Massachusetts homeless shelters, the operators of Portsmouth’s Crossroads House have requested testing for residents and staff. (Source: WMUR)

5. NH Mayors Get Creative to Help Small Businesses.

   1. Portsmouth Mayor Rick Beckstead has created the Clipper Strong Fund to collect donations for local businesses struggling during the pandemic. (Source: Seacoast Online)

   2. Keene Mayor George Hansel has proposed what he calls a “local stimulus plan" to boost a reopened economy that would include infrastructure work on Main Street, an arts corridor downtown, and a business hub at Keene State. (Source: Keene Sentinel)

   3. Nashua Mayor Jim Donchess has proposed a Coronavirus Impact Fund to help Nashua’s small businesses get back on their feet after the pandemic. The Fund will include $636,564 in community development block grants and $450,000 from a revolving loan fund. Businesses and nonprofits in need of assistance because of the pandemic may be able to receive an average grant of about $25,000, according to the proposal. (Source: Manchester Union Leader )

   4. Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig cast the deciding vote as Manchester Alderman approved creating a $1 million recovery fund to help struggling small businesses in Manchester. (Source: Manchester Union Leader )
      Note: While federal money for small business loans in the first wave of stimulus funding ran out quickly, a second wave of funding is expected to help. But for many small businesses, the level of assistance may fall short of what they need to survive during the state of emergency and to reopen afterwards.

6. How to Get Health Insurance if You’re Out of Work. This excellent article outlines potential coverage options and deadlines for action, ranging from COBRA, to the ACA Marketplace, to Medicaid. (Source: Concord Monitor)

Wednesday April 22

Following a Tuesday where 44 new cases were announced, but no new deaths, here are the things you need to know to start your Wednesday about the COVID-19 crisis in New Hampshire:

1. Decision on Extending Stay At Home Order Coming Soon. Gov. Sununu says he’s leaning towards extending the state’s stay at home emergency order, which expires on May 4th. He told reporters on Tuesday that restrictions could be eased sooner in parts of the state that have seen fewer COVID-19 cases. (Source: Manchester Union Leader )

2. Governor Forms Task Force to Reopen Economy. The task force—made up of business leaders, tourism and economic officials, legislators, and public safety officials—does not include any representatives from the public health sector. At his announcement, the governor cautioned that it doesn’t mean “we are flipping a switch and opening things tomorrow.” The public can listen in on the task force’s first meeting later today at 1 p.m. (Wednesday) by dialing 1-800-356-8278 Pin: 125563. (Source: InDepthNH)

3. Healthcare Workers Face Job and Income Loss As NH Hospitals Struggle. In a situation that seems surreal, at a time when health care workers are being praised as heroes, some in NH are dealing with pay cuts and furloughs as hospitals struggle to deal with financial losses stemming from the cancellation of elective procedures and costly steps taken to prepare for an expected surge in COVID-19 cases. Yesterday Catholic Medical Center in Manchester, which is projecting a $60-$70 million dollar loss through June, placed 423 employees on furlough and announced reductions in hours or pay cuts for 914 more. The hospital said it plans to continue to provide health benefits to the furloughed workers and will restore their jobs and their hours “as soon as it is safe to do so for our patients and staff.” (Source: Manchester Union Leader) Meanwhile, smaller hospitals across the state, already in a weak financial position, are seeing revenues down as much as 60%. Although the state created a $50 million emergency fund in March to aid hospitals, losses for NH hospitals add up an estimated $200 million per month. Hospitals also received money from the first round of federal CARES Act funding. But the amounts were far short of what is needed to offset ongoing operating losses, adding up for some to only about a week of operating expenses. (Source: NHPR)

4. NH Judge Orders ICE to Justify Continued Jailing of Immigrants During Pandemic. A federal judge has given officials at Immigration and Customers Enforcement until today to come up with a good reason to continue holding three civilly detained immigrants at the Strafford County Jail. The three detainees are awaiting action on asylum requests and have not been charged with a crime. On its website, ICE states it has released nearly 700 people nationally since March 15, after taking into account factors such as public safety, flight risk and immigration history. (Source: Manchester Union Leader )

5. NH Officials Urge Residents to Wear Cloth Masks in Public. The guidance comes more than two weeks after similar guidance by the Centers for Disease Control. While cloth masks do little to protect the wearer from catching the virus, they make it harder for people to spread the virus who may not be aware they are infected. While some cities and states have issued emergency orders requiring masks to be worn in public, in New Hampshire wearing masks is recommended, responsible, and the right thing to do—but it is still voluntary. (Source: New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services) In a related story, state fire officials urge residents not to microwave cloth masks to sterilize them. This is because cloth masks can overheat and quickly catch fire. (Source: WMUR)

6. Outbreak Forces Frozen Seafood Company to Suspend Operations. The High-Liner Foods plant in Portsmouth has temporarily suspended production after several employees tested positive for the virus. The news follows large outbreaks at food processing plants in other parts of the country. (Source: Seacoast Online)

Tuesday April 21

On the day after ALL of the state’s $1.25 billion allocation from the CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund finally reached New Hampshire, the state still awaits much-needed federal guidance on how the money can be spent. This guidance is critical because any money spent on expenses that are ineligible must be paid back later by the state. Meanwhile, here are five additional new things you need to know about our state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic to start your Tuesday.

1. Dover Nursing Home Outbreak Worsens. Thirty-three of the 41 residents of Bellamy Fields’ tested for the coronavirus have now tested positive. Although not yet confirmed by the state, at least three recent deaths at the facility have been at least partially attributed to the virus. (Source: Seacoast Online)

2. NH Hospitals and Nursing Homes Struggling with Financial Impact of Pandemic. Predicting that without additional aid, his hospital could run out of operating cash by the end of June, Alex Walker from Manchester’s Catholic Medical Center says “The longer this goes on, the more devestating it will become.” Elective surgeries in hospitals across NH have been virtually eliminated over the past month. At the same time, the expected surge of coronavirus patents has been less than expected. These factors, combined with a rush to acquire PPE at inflated prices and to convert hospital space to add more ICU beds means some hospitals are now dealing with a 50% or higher loss in revenue. Although some of the $1.25 billion the state has received will be used to help bailout struggling hospitals and nursing homes, officials say more assistance will be needed. Meanwhile, Brennan Williams of NH Healthcare Assn.—NH’s largest organization of long-term care providers—called on the state to step up its Medicaid provider rates, as other states have done during the emergency. He also told the Legislative Advisory Board for the Governor’s Office for Economic Relief and Recovery (GOFERR) that current one-off testing of staff for the virus is “inadequate” and compared the process of acquiring personal protective equipment (PPE) for nursing facilities to “something out of Lord of the Flies.” (Source: InDepthNH)

3. NH Hospitals Urge Patients Not to Fear Coming to Emergency Rooms. Hospital emergency rooms remain open for patients with emergencies not related to the virus, but hospitals across the state have seen a sharp decline in the number of people coming into the ER for treatment. Mary Valvano, Chief of Emergency Services at Portsmouth Regional Hospitals fears people who need emergency treatment—such as people experiencing heart problems—may be staying home because they fear catching the virus. Valvano says, “the ER is probably the safest place you can be as far as not catching the virus, because we've got all of these experts who are trained in how to clean rooms in between. We've been super careful about limiting visitors and anybody who comes into the hospital is screened for symptoms, and given a mask and hands are cleaned. And I don't think that the risk of getting the virus in the hospital is at all similar to where you're going to risk it in the public, say, a grocery store.” (Source: NHPR)

4. Legislative Committee Votes to Use CARES Act Funds to Backfill Money Borrowed by Governor from State Budget for Emergency. Against the wishes of the governor, the Legislative Fiscal Committee voted on Monday to use proceeds from the COVID-19 CARES Act federal grant to repay the state budget and restore eight projects that Gov. Sununu had borrowed from to provide relief for hospitals and fund additional domestic violence services. The committee’s decision means budgets will be restored for projects, such as the construction of a Secure Psychiatric Unit and to help low-income seniors pay for prescription drugs. While hospitals and others promised funding by the governor will still receive it, the committee’s action lowers the risk the CARES Act funding could run out before money for projects previously approved by the legislature and the governor could be paid back. (Source: Manchester Union Leader)

5. Judge to Rule If Governor or Legislature Has Final Approval to Spend Federal Pandemic Money. Superior Court Judge David Anderson promises a ruling “as soon as possible” in a lawsuit legislative leaders have brought against the governor over whether the governor is free to spend $1.25 billion in federal CARES Act money without legislative oversight or approval. The two sides clashed during yesterday’s hearing, which was conducted via videoconference with the attorneys representing the state and the legislative leaders both pointing to different state laws to back their cases. Also at issue is the power of the governor to “borrow” money from budgeted projects previously approved by the legislature to fund emergency projects while the state awaits federal relief dollars. While the judge didn’t set a specific timeline for his decision, it is expected to be handed down shortly. (Source: SeacoastOnline and the Associated Press)

Monday April 20

5 things you need to know about NH’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic to start your Monday and begin your week.

1. Hearing Adjourns in Legislature’s Suit Against Governor. Superior Court Judge David Anderson closed the Monday morning hearing promising a decision in the case “as soon as possible”, while not committing to a specific timeline. The lawsuit by legislative leaders against the governor seeks to clarify which branch of government has final say over approving the use of federal funds provided in response to NH’s COVID-19 emergency. (Source: WMUR)

2. TedxPortsmouth Cancels 2020 Event. Saying that it is more important for local businesses to support food banks and essential workers, organizers announced the cancellation of TedxPortsmouth 2020, which had been planned for September 26. Last year’s event drew over 900 people to the Music Hall in Portsmouth. While the event isn’t until September, the planning activity takes place in the spring and has been stalled by the pandemic. (Source: Seacoast Online)

3. Survey Says Most NH Residents Favor Continuing Social Distancing Over Restarting Economy. When asked if they placed a higher priority on continuing social distancing practices or restarting the economy, 2/3 of respondents in a Dartmouth College survey indicated a preference to maintain social distancing. However, younger people, who have been hit harder economically, were more likely to prefer reopening the economy than people over age 60. There were also large differences between people identifying as Democrats or Republicans. The survey also shows 1/3 of working New Hampshire residents say they have either lost their job or had their hours cut as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. (Source: NHPR)

4. Epidemiologists Say Increased Testing Is Key to Reopening NH. State Epidemiologist Benjamin Chan said Friday that much more testing is needed and has enlisted current staff to perform contact tracing. Gov. Sununu said it would be “weeks” before public health officials have a statistically significant sample of the population that has been tested to show a decrease in the rate of infections. Sununu says under the federal government’s guidance for the reopening of states’ economies Phase 1 of a three-phased approach could not begin until New Hampshire experiences 14 days of falling numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases. (Source: Seacoast Online)

5. UNH Researcher Says Rural Residents More Vulnerable During Pandemic. A senior demographer at the Carsey School of Public Policy at the University of New Hampshire says the state and federal responses to the COVID-19 pandemic should take into account that rural populations are older and have less access to hospital care. (Source: Manchester Union Leader)

Sunday April 19

Five updates on NH’s response to the COVID-19 state of emergency to start your Sunday.

1. Governor “Empathizes” with Lock-Down Protesters but Urges Patience. Flouting the governor’s emergency order prohibiting scheduled public gatherings of 10 or more people, over 100 protesters gathered at the State House to demand an end to the COVID-19 state of emergency. No one was arrested. The governor says he won’t lift the emergency until the state has 14 days of improving testing results that see a decline in the number of positive cases. (Sources: WMUR, NHPR, and Seacoast Online)

2. New DHHS Mobile Testing Unit Deployed to Dover Nursing Home, State Declines to Confirm Deaths Are COVID-related. The Department of Health and Human Services’ Metropolitan Medical Response System unit conducted rapid testing on residents of the Bellamy Fields Nursing Home in a week that saw 12 residents and 8 staff members test positive for the virus. Facility owner Dr. John Hopkins also confirmed that several deaths took place at Bellamy Fields this week. But state health officials have not yet confirmed that the virus was the cause of death. (Source: Seacoast Online)

3. Election Officials Prepare for Fall Flood of Absentee Ballots. Officials at the municipal level are already taking steps to prepare for what will likely be record numbers of voters filing absentee ballots in September and November. (Source: Granite State News Collaborative) Note: In Portsmouth, moderators have already started virtually meeting with selectmen at the ward level to plan ways make it easier to process ballots using the city’s aging electronic voting machines. Because the machines often reject folded or damaged ballots, processing absentee ballots (which always arrive folded and sometimes arrive stapled or torn) can be a time-consuming process requiring multiple attempts before the machine “accepts” and counts the votes on the ballot. Worth noting is that while NH law allows ballots to be removed from envelopes and prepared for processing as long as 7 days in advance of an election, state law requires them to be counted on the actual day of the election.

4. Sununu Asks Court to Dismiss Lawsuit by Legislative Leaders. Acting on behalf of Gov. Sununu, the state Attorney General’s office filed legal motions Saturday asking a court to toss out a lawsuit challenging his authority under an emergency powers law to spend more than $1 billion in federal COVID-19 relief funds without legislative approval. The hearing is scheduled to take place at 8 a.m. Monday and will be live-streamed on WMUR’s website and Facebook page. (Source: WMUR) To read the governor’s objection to legislative leaders trying to block his plan to seek legislative approval, see his court filing. To understand why legislators believe the advice and consent of the legislature is an essential part of good government during an emergency, see Rep. Marjorie Porter’s Op-Ed in InDepthNH.

5. NH Colleges Work to Reschedule Graduation Day. Mindful of health concerns, college administrators are making tentative plans for commencement ceremonies delayed by the state of emergency. (Source: Keene Sentinel and Granite State News Collaborative)

Saturday April 18

On a Saturday that follows the worst day of NH’s COVID-19 state of emergency (78 new positive cases and 3 deaths) here are five things you need to know about how the crisis is affecting NH and how people in NH are responding:

1. 36 New Cases Confirmed at Manchester Youth Facility. Illustrating the challenges state and local officials are up against containing the outbreak, 19 residents and 17 staff members have tested positive at the Gammon Academy, which cares for children and teens with developmental disorders. None of the children were sick or displaying symptoms, but all residents and staff were tested after two staff members started displaying symptoms. This case heightens concerns about the possibility of asymptomatic carriers playing a large role in transmission of the virus. (Source: WMUR) This news comes after a change this week in the state’s approach to testing at long-term care and other residential facilities led to the discovery of widespread outbreaks at several facilities. Previously, the state had recommended testing only for residents and staff displaying symptoms. But going forward, ALL residents and staff will be tested whenever a case is even suspected at a facility. (Source: NHPR) Heightening concerns over asymptotic transmission is newly released research showing people infected with the virus may be most contagious 1-2 days before symptoms appear. (Source: USA Today)

2. ACLU Lawsuit Seeks Release of Immigrant Detainees from Strafford County Jail. The ACLU and four NH law firms have filed suit against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) seeking the immediate release of immigrants awaiting civil immigration action, but who have not been charged with any criminal activity. While no jail staff or inmates have yet tested positive, the concern is that communal food service, close spacing of bunks, and shared toilets and showers could lead to a rapid spread of the virus should an inmate or staff member be infected. Similar lawsuits across the country have already led to the release of 70 detainees. (Source: Seacoast Online)

3. Municipal and County Officials Outline Need for Help with COVID-19 Costs. Municipal and county leaders say cuts in essential services are definitely on the horizon without an influx of state and federal dollars. They cite the additional direct costs of handling the emergency itself—such as PPE and staff overtime— along potentially crippling revenue losses caused by declines in the rooms and meals tax and property tax revenue. (Source: InDepthNH)

4. Opening Campgrounds Stirs Controversy. Gov. Sununu’s desire to keep NH campgrounds open during the state of emergency is running into opposition from residents of rural areas of the state who fear the health impact on their small communities if vacationers bring the virus with them. Bartlett lawmaker Anita Burroughs has started an online petition drive aimed at getting the governor to change his mind. (Source: Conway Daily Sun)

5. Dartmouth Researchers Work to Improve COVID-19 Testing. A lab at Dartmouth College is working to validate a new rapid testing method that may eliminate one of the key bottlenecks in the testing process—the need to extract RNA from the virus. (Source: NH Business Review)

Previous Updates

Friday April 17

On a bright, cold Friday with both snow and the promise of sunny 60 degree days coming soon, here are 5 updates about NH’s COVID-19 emergency to start your day:

1. NH Schools to Remain Closed for the Rest of the Academic Year. Citing emerging concerns about the role asymptomatic children could play in transmission of the virus, Gov. Sununu has announced that remote learning will continue for the remainder of the academic year. (Source: InDepthNH). In a related story, immediately following the governor’s announcement, the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association pulled the plug on the 2020 spring high school sports season. (Source: Seacoast Online )

2. COVID-19 Strikes NH’s Homeless Population. DHHS Commissioner Lori Shibinette says the while only a small number of the state’s homeless have tested positive for the virus so far, the state is actively trying to reduce the risk of a large outbreak by moving some residents out of crowded shelters into alternate housing and by setting up quarantine facilities for people who are infected. (Source: NHPR)

3. Seabrook State Rep. and Spouse Recovering from COVID-19. Seabrook Selectman and State Representative Aboul Khan and his wife, Morzia, are recovering after the virus left him bedridden for almost a week and her on oxygen for 10 of the 11 days she was hospitalized. “It is so painful to go through,” said Khan, “It’s really unbelievable, that if somebody didn’t go through it, they would not even know what happens to that person.” Khan credits the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine, which has yet to be approved for treating COVID-19, for playing a role in their recoveries. The Khans are unsure how they contracted the virus, but believe Morzia may have caught it while working her part-time job behind the register at a local store, or from their son while he was visiting. (Source: Seacoast Online)

4. NH Jails Weigh Public Safety vs. Inmate Safety as Some Inmates Released Early. To limit spread of the virus in NH county jails, some have started releasing select non-violent inmates as well as inmates at extra risk because of their age or a medical condition. While some are being released to home confinement with monitoring by ankle bracelets, concerns have have expressed about holes in the system that could result in the release of a person who may present a danger to members of the public. At least one elderly inmate convicted of domestic violence has already been released. The releases follow requests from the NH ACLU for inmates “at high risk” for the illness to be released. (Source: WMUR)

5. Judge Delays Hearing of Lawsuit by Legislators. At the request of Gov. Sununu, a lawsuit by legislative leaders attempting to block new spending of federal emergency funds by the executive branch without approval of the Joint Legislative Fiscal Committee has been postponed until Monday at 8 a.m. WMUR will livestream the hearing on its website. (Source: InDepthNH)

Thursday, April 16

As the 35th day of NH’s COVID-19 State of Emergency begins, here are five things you need to know to start your day:

1. State Agency Heads Deliver Progress Reports: Ventilators, Unemployment Claims Processing, and Federal Reimbursement for Emergency Spending Are Concerns. During a marathon Wednesday meeting of the Legislative Advisory Board of the Governor’s Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery, state agency heads delivered progress reports and answered questions. The highlights: a) ventilator supplies are adequate for now in NH, but DHHS Commissioner Lori Shibinette would be more comfortable with another 100-300; b) nearly every nursing facility in NH now has at least one confirmed case among patients and/or staff; c) DHHS is still not able to fully deploy the 15 quick result test machines received 2 weeks ago from the federal government because of an inadequate supply of test kits; d) While FEMA will pick up 75% of state emergency costs for overtime and other expenses, 25% will be the responsibility of the state, unless the percentage can be reduced by action taken at the federal level; and e) the State Department of Employment Security expects the federal $600 weekly benefit enhancement from the CARES Act to begin soon, retroactive from April 4 and continuing until July 31. (Sources: InDepthNH and WMUR) Note: On Friday, a court will hear arguments in the lawsuit that NH legislative leaders have filed against the governor, who has set up the Governor’s Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery to allocate federal COVID-19 funds during the state of emergency. The governor’s action directly conflicts with a state law that gives the Joint Legislative Fiscal Committee sole power to accept and allocate money from the federal government. You can read my letter to the editor on this issue in today’s Portsmouth Herald here.

2. Shipyard Commander Outlines Response to Virus. A week after it was announced a civilian contract worker has died of complications from COVID-19, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Cmdr. Capt. Daniel Ettlich says the Navy’s response to protecting the health of workers has been “extremely proactive”. Sanitizing stations have been added, cloth masks are now being manufactured on-site and worn by workers, and 31% of shipyard personnel are now working remotely from home. (Source: Seacoast Online)

3. The COVID-19 Crisis in New Hampshire: Initial Economic Impacts and Policy Responses. A sobering new report from the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute outlines the long road ahead to stabilize New Hampshire state revenues while meeting the needs of physically, psychologically, and economically vulnerable Granite Staters. According to the report: “New Hampshire was less well-prepared for a recession than most other states. While federal aid will provide critical support, the State will need to raise resources to both offset budget shortfalls and make the longer-term investments that will help to bolster economic resiliency.” (Source: New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute)

4. Would-Be NH Voters Can Now Register by Mail. Secretary of State William Gardner has confirmed that in addition to being able to vote by absentee ballot in this fall’s elections, voters will also be able to register to vote by mail. See your city or town clerk’s office for more information on deadlines and the registration process. (Source: WMUR)

5. Portsmouth’s Market Square Day Moved to September. Organizers have announced that because of public health recommendations related to the COVID-19, the 43rd annual Market Square Day Festival and 10K road race has been postponed to Saturday, Sept. 26. (Source: Seacoast Online)

Wednesday, April 15

Five updates on the state and local response to NH’s COVID-19 outbreak to start your Wednesday:

1. State Rolls Out Plan to Help Nursing Homes Reduce Infections and Retain Staff. On a day when it was announced that 4 more people have died of COVID-19 in NH long-term care facilities, the state rolled out a plan to improve screening for the virus and boost pay by $300/week for 6,600 workers caring for medically-fragile residents in nursing homes in hard-hit Rockingham and Hillsborough Counties. (Source: NHPR)

2. Governor’s Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery to Meet Today, Public Invited to Call In. Governor Sununu’s controversial attempt to negate the legislature’s role in approving the allocation of federal emergency funds swings into full gear today as the Governor’s group is scheduled to hear impact reports from key state agencies. Under the state’s right to know law, the public is required to have access to the meeting. If you would like to listen in, call 1-800-356-8278 at 1 :00 p.m. Wednesday and enter Pin 389388 when prompted. (Source: InDepthNH)

3. MIT Professors Work with Sen. Sherman on Software to Streamline Access to PPE and Avoid Hospital Overcrowding. Sen. Tom Sherman has been working on a voluntary basis as Chief Medical Officer of the COVID-19 Policy Group, a group of MIT professors working on software solutions to bolster the response of states like New Hampshire to the COVID-19 outbreak. The team has already helped NH acquire one supply of PPE and is working with state Emergency Management Director Perry Plummer to buy a half million more pieces of PPE, including masks, gowns, caps, and other gear needed by healthcare workers. (Source: Seacoast Online)

4. Frontline Employees Caught Between Desire for Safety and Need to Work. Some of the most essential workers in the COVID-19 crisis also happen to be among the lowest paid and also lack health care coverage. While individual grocery chains and businesses have taken steps to help protect workers—including setting up plastic barriers, limiting the number of customers in stores, and providing masks and gloves when available—none of the 30 emergency orders the governor has issued to date makes any of these steps mandatory. (Source: Concord Monitor)

5. Scam Artists Prey on Elderly During Crisis. NH Attorney General Gordon MacDonald says several specific scams have become widespread during the pandemic. They include impersonating Social Security officials to get personal information, impersonating IRS officials to tap into stimulus payments, pretending to be a family member in need of money for COVD-19 treatment, and fake charity scams. Anyone receiving suspected scam communications related to COVID-19 is asked to report them to the New Hampshire Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-888-468-4454 or email DOJ-CPB@doj.nh.gov, and visit the website at www.doj.nh.gov/consumer/complaints. (Source: Manchester Union Leader)