Coronavirus: YMCA to reopen, Boise mall anchors reopen, business group seeks computers
As part of a phased reopening process, YMCA facilities in the Treasure Valley will start opening for members starting Tuesday, May 26.
The initial opening will include cardio and weight rooms at all four facilities, according to a news release. Before someone can enter the facility, members and staff will be asked to fill out self-assessments on their health. Anyone with symptoms will be asked to stay home and not enter.
Those who go to the YMCA facilities will notice new measures taken to ensure the safety of patrons. Disinfecting supplies and hand sanitizing stations will be found throughout facilities.
The YMCA’s reopening plan is contingent on the state entering into Stage 2 of Gov. Brad Little’s Idaho Rebounds plan. Stage 2 allows for gyms and recreational facilities to reopen.
YMCA hours will be Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.
As conditions improve, the YMCA plans to open other areas of its buildings, like aquatic centers, group exercise studios and youth programs.
Boise mall anchor stores reopen
Dillard’s, the last store at the Boise Towne Square mall to close when the coronavirus pandemic forced shutdowns in March, has reopened. And J.C. Penney, the only mall anchor store not yet open, will open Wednesday, as will its Nampa store, the company said.
As with other Boise Towne Square anchor stores that have reopened, Dillard’s and Penney’s hours will be limited. Dillard’s is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Penney’s hours will be noon to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Kohl’s, Macy’s and the mall itself reopened earlier under Stage 1 of Idaho Gov. Brad Little’s reopening plan, which took effect May 1, allowing retailers to reopen their physical stores.
J.C. Penney is reportedly preparing to file for bankruptcy. The company’s website on Tuesday said 16 stores in other states were already fully open. The Nampa store is at 1200 N. Happy Valley Road in the Nampa Gateway Center.
The Boise mall’s fourth anchor store, Sears, closed in January 2019. Its building remains unoccupied and has been on the market for several months.
Dillard’s other Idaho store, in Idaho Falls, also has reopened.
Idaho Tent Gives drive
Idaho Tents & Events, a Boise area party rental service, has created “Idaho Tents Gives.”
“Our mission is to give back to areas of the community that have been impacted the most,” said a press release from Idaho Tents & Events. “We are partnering with El Ada Community Action Partnership by hosting a food and donation drive for nonperishable food and personal care items.”
The Idaho Tents Gives donation drive will be held May 26-29 from 9:30am-5:30 p.m. daily. Donations can be dropped off curbside at 3900 W Chinden Blvd. in Boise.
Each person who donates 3 or more items will be given a 10% off coupon to be used at Idaho Tents & Events.
Items needed for the drive:
- Nonperishable food items
- Personal care items
- Chapstick
- Deodorant
- Nail clippers
- Shampoo
- Shaving cream
- Socks
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrushes
Eagle Pass prison staff member tests positive
The Idaho Department of Correction confirmed that a staff member at the Eagle Pass Correctional Facility tested positive for the coronavirus. The facility, in Eagle Pass, Texas, is a private prison that IDOC contracts with to house about 600 Idaho offenders due to crowding in the Idaho facilities.
Eagle Pass is medium-custody facility owned and operated by the GEO Group. IDOC spokesperson Jeff Ray said Tuesday that the staff member’s last day working at the facility was April 29.
“The three housing units where the employee had been working were placed on isolation status for two weeks beginning April 30,” Ray said in an email Tuesday. “That status is scheduled to end tomorrow. So far, none of the men in those housing units have exhibited symptoms.”
Additionally, on May 9, a man incarcerated in another housing unit at Eagle Pass was tested for COVID-19. Those test results are pending, Ray said.
None of the Idaho prisons have reported that offenders have tested positive, as of Tuesday.
Idaho Business for Education donates, seeks computers for schools
A Boise nonprofit has collected over 1,000 computers for distribution to school districts around Idaho.
Since the coronavirus outbreak began, Idaho Business for Education has reported over 1,000 computer donations from businesses and individuals around the state.
The computers have been delivered to 21 school districts across Idaho, according to a news release. The group is also preparing to send out $200,000 worth of personal headsets next week.
IBE estimates there are between 12,000 to 15,000 students in need of computers around the state, and the group estimates that even more are without internet. Based on information gathered from school districts, IBE estimates that 22,000 students are without internet access.
The nonprofit is still accepting computer donations.
“If you have an unused computer stored in your closet or, if you are a business, with several computers collecting dust in a storage area, please donate them to IBE,” IBE President and CEO Rod Gramer said in the release. “We will get them sanitized, wiped of sensitive data and into the homes of these students.”
If you or your business would like to donate computers, visit the group’s website at idahobe.org/cap for information on drop-offs and regional contacts.
The group is also accepting donations to improve internet connections for students. Donations can be made at www.idahocf.org/funds/internet.
Three new Treasure Valley deaths reported
On Monday, health officials around the Treasure Valley reported three new deaths connected to the coronavirus, which causes COVID-19 respiratory disease.
Two deaths were reported Monday in Ada County and another in Canyon County. All three were age 80 or older, according to data from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. Ada now has 21 deaths and Canyon’s total sits at seven.
In total, 70 people in Idaho have died as a result of the coronavirus.
Ada and Canyon also reported new cases Monday, as did Twin Falls, adding seven cases to the county’s total. As of Monday evening, there were 2,074 reported coronavirus cases in Idaho.
Cases have been reported in 33 of Idaho’s 44 counties: Ada 692, Adams 3, Bannock 9, Bingham 4, Blaine 496, Bonner 4, Bonneville 17, Camas 1, Canyon 254, Caribou 1, Cassia 15, Custer 2, Elmore 30, Fremont 2, Gem 12, Gooding 15, Idaho 3, Jefferson 4, Jerome 63, Kootenai 64, Latah 5, Lemhi 1, Lincoln 27, Madison 12, Minidoka 8, Nez Perce 69, Owyhee 8, Payette 14, Power 2, Teton 10, Twin Falls 223, Valley 2 and Washington 2.
Community spread has been detected in 13 Idaho counties: Ada, Bannock, Bingham, Blaine, Bonneville, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Jefferson, Jerome, Kootenai, Lemhi, Owyhee, Madison, Payette, Teton and Twin Falls.
This story was originally published May 12, 2020 at 10:23 AM.
