Coronavirus: 2 schools allow small groups. Firm’s toilet-paper sales soar. More layoffs
With approval from their local health districts, Bishop Kelly High School in Boise and the Payette School District reopened Tuesday for small groups of students in need of academic help.
Bishop Kelly set up a large room with 10 6-foot tables for students to use voluntarily on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays through May 15. Each student will have a table for two- or three-hour sessions. If a student needs a computer, the school will provide a sanitized one.
Principal Mike Caldwell said in an email he expects about 20 students per day on a voluntary basis. Bishop Kelly will open a second room if more students arrive.
All students must apply hand sanitizer before entering. Students are asked but not required to wear masks.
Payette established makeshift study halls in its high school gym and middle school commons. Students can schedule times to meet with a teacher or tutor. Priority will be given to academically at-risk students.
Payette installed Plexiglas barriers between students and tutors at each computer station. Stations are at least 6 feet apart and will be disinfected after each use.
All district staff in the tutoring area will wear protective masks and gloves, and will observe social distancing guidelines. All Payette students must undergo a screening for health risks and symptoms, including a temperature scan, before entering.
Idaho coronavirus cases keep growing
Southeastern Idaho Public Health tweeted a news release Wednesday announcing a newly reported case of the coronavirus in Bannock County. It is the county’s eighth case of the virus, which causes COVID-19 respiratory disease.
The Bannock County patient is a man in his 50s who is self-isolating at home, according to the health district. Officials are still investigating how he contracted the virus.
On Tuesday, health officials reported a few new cases, mostly coming coming from the South Central Public Health District. Twin Falls County reported eight new cases, bringing its total to 183. A new case was reported in Blaine County, and others were confirmed in Jerome and Madison counties.
No deaths were reported Tuesday. The state’s death count remains at 66. Idaho has recorded 1,965 cases since the pandemic began.
As of Wednesday morning, 33 of Idaho’s 44 counties had reported cases of COVID-19: Ada 671, Adams 3, Bannock 8, Bingham 4, Blaine 489, Bonner 4, Bonneville 17, Camas 1, Canyon 246, Caribou 1, Cassia 13, Custer 2, Elmore 29, Fremont 2, Gem 11, Gooding 11, Idaho 3, Jefferson 4, Jerome 51, Kootenai 62, Latah 5, Lemhi 1, Lincoln 26, Madison 9, Minidoka 8, Nez Perce 65, Owyhee 8, Payette 14, Power 2, Teton 9, Twin Falls 183, Valley 2 and Washington 1.
Community spread has been found in 17 Idaho counties: Ada, Bannock, Bingham, Blaine, Bonneville, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Jefferson, Jerome, Kootenai, Lemhi, Owyhee, Madison, Payette, Teton and Twin Falls.
Toilet paper frenzy boosts Clearwater Paper sales
Panic buying and hoarding fueled by the pandemic led to a 23.6% increase in the number of rolls of toilet paper sold by Clearwater Paper Corp. during the first three months of 2020 compared to 2019.
The Spokane company, whose 1,300-worker Lewiston plant makes toilet paper, sold 608 million rolls of toilet paper during the first quarter. A year earlier, Clearwater sold 492 million rolls during the same period.
By March 21, Clearwater had shipped 216,000 rolls in March to Costco Wholesale in Clarkston, Washington, across the Snake River from Lewiston. That totaled more rolls than were shipped to the store in all of 2019.
Clearwater Paper reported net sales of $478 million for the quarter, up 11% from the first quarter of 2019.
More Idaho layoffs announced
Two Idaho companies have notified the state Department of Labor they have laid off a total of 204 workers.
Community Partnerships of Idaho, which provides services for children and adults with development disabilities and mental illness, laid off 145 workers, according to a notice filed under the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act.
The layoffs affect workers at offices in Boise, Nampa, Emmett, Mountain Home, Fruitland and Twin Falls. The Boise office, at 3076 N. Five Mile Road, sustained the largest number of layoffs, 65.
A story in Sunday’s Statesman reported that the organization’s revenues have fallen by half since the coronavirus pandemic began.
IVI Hotel Management of Washington announced 59 layoffs at two Boise hotels the company operates. Thirty-nine employees were laid off at Springhill Suites at 424 E. ParkCenter Blvd., and 20 were laid off at Residence Inn, 1401 S. Lusk Place.
Generally, when companies with 100 or more workers shut down or have mass layoffs, they must file WARN notices.
The Department of Labor has now received notice of 1,504 layoffs statewide because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Free COVID-19 testing for grocery store employees
Kroger, the nation’s largest grocery store chain and owner of Portland-based Fred Meyer, has announced that it will offer free coronavirus testing for each of its employees.
Tests will be offered to workers based on symptoms and medical need, the company said in a news release. The company’s pharmacists are able to order and administer the tests, following an order from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
“The widespread availability of diagnostic testing will now allow our associates to feel more empowered and knowledgeable about their health, creating safer stores and facilities,” Colleen Lindholz, president of Kroger’s health care division, said in a statement.
Village at Meridian institutes new health measures
The Village at Meridian beefed up health and safety measures after reopening on Friday.
Additional hand sanitizing stations have been added at the 100-acre development at 3597 E. Monarch Sky Lane. And restrooms and high-touch areas will be cleaned more often.
All Village at Meridian staff members will wear masks and gloves or will work behind a protective screen when in a public location. That includes cleaning crews, security officers and concierge staff.
Signs have been added encouraging customers to practice social distancing of at least 6 feet from others. Ground markings show appropriate distancing.
The shopping center playground will remain closed.
Security officers will remind shoppers gathering in groups of social distancing guidelines. Under Gov. Brad Little’s recovery plan, groups are not allowed to congregate in the current stage.
If Stage 2 moves ahead as tentatively scheduled for May 16, groups of 9 or fewer people could gather. Stage 3, set to begin May 30, would allow 10 to 50 people.
Some Village stores have reopened but many have not. Before they can reopen, businesses must have a plan for compliance with the state’s mandates and protocols.
“A handful of retailers were prepared and ready to open this past Friday while others are working on meeting state and local guidelines in order to open responsibly,” Hugh Crawford, the Village’s general manager, said in a news release.
An online directory lists stores that have reopened or are opening soon.
Personal protective equipment, such as masks, is encouraged on the property. For more information on The Village at Meridian, visit www.thevillageatmeridian.com.
Dairy West launches campaign for food insecure people
During the pandemic, Dairy West announced that it is launching a program called “Curds + Kindness,” to direct surplus, nutrient-rich dairy foods to those who are hungry and unable to afford groceries throughout Idaho and Utah.
Dairy processors are transforming their excess milk into cheese, butter and other dairy foods instead of discarding it.
”Dairy farmers want to get dairy foods into the homes of those who need them most,” said Kristi Spence, Dairy West’s senior vice president of marketing, in a news release Wednesday. “Much of our local dairy foods are used in restaurants, schools, and hotels, so current restrictions have caused a milk surplus.”
Dairy West, which represents farm families in Idaho and Utah, and has offices in Meridian and Twin Falls, is working with community partners to devise a mutually beneficial solution that directs nearly 200,000 gallons of milk per week that would have otherwise been disposed.
Curds + Kindness will continue at least through the end of May for the nearly 5 million residents of Idaho and Utah.
”We are constantly discussing solutions to help us all, and since agriculture — including dairy farming — is at the core of our region and local economies and provides sustenance for all of us, we will continue search for ways to provide relief throughout this crisis,” Spence said. “Through a collaboration with Idaho and Utah food banks and some local school districts, dairy foods will be made available at existing sites across the two states we serve.”
This story was originally published May 6, 2020 at 9:11 AM.
