Coronavirus: Church convention canceled, computer donations to be accepted for students
An Idaho organization is launching a campaign to collect donated computers for students who do not have one this year.
Idaho Business for Education, a nonprofit involving nearly 250 businesses, calls the new phase its “Close the Divide” campaign, according to a news release.
The Idaho State Board of Education estimates that about 200,000 students do not have a computer and about 30,000 don’t have internet access, according to the nonprofit.
The campaign asks businesses and individuals who have a spare computer to donate the device for students in need. To learn how to donate, visit to http://www.idahobe.org/close
Supporters may also donate to the Idaho Community Foundation, at www.idahocf.org/funds/internet, to support the Internet for Students Emergency Fund.
Idaho Business for Education is also hosting Close the Divide day on Aug. 5 at multiple locations across the state to collect donated computers. For information on locations, visit the website. Supporters may also donate money for a new computer or internet service at the website.
Jehovah’s Witnesses convention goes virtual
As the number of cases of coronavirus in Idaho nears 15,000, cancellations continue, including the Jehovah’s Witnesses convention in Nampa.
The convention was scheduled for July 3-5 in English and Aug. 28-30 in Spanish at the Ford Idaho Center. The event will now be held on a virtual platform on the church’s website, jw.org, in more than 500 languages, according to a news release. The average attendance is usually about 6,500 people from multiple states over two weekends.
“Our worship is centered on mutual love for God and each other, irrespective of where we are physically,” said Robert Hendricks, U.S. spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses. “As much as we long to meet together, life is far too precious to put at risk.”
Red Cross offering free grief support
The American Red Cross of Greater Idaho has set up a support system for families who have lost a loved one to COVID-19. The Virtual Family Assistance Program can be reached online or over the phone.
People may visit redcross.org/get-help to access a support hub with special virtual programs, information, referrals and services to support families in need. People without internet access may call 833-492-0094.
The Red Cross has set up a virtual team of specially trained mental health, spiritual care and health services volunteers who can help connect grieving family members, offer support services in the community, host online classes for families who need coping skills and provide other services.
All services are free and confidential.
Idaho prisons cases grow, again
Among the roughly 600 Idaho inmates being housed at the Eagle Pass Correctional Facility in Texas, 93 men are on quarantine status after being exposed to a staff member who tested positive for COVID-19, according to the Idaho Department of Correction’s daily update. As of Tuesday, IDOC hadn’t reported any of those men testing positive yet.
Also on Tuesday, IDOC reported that among the incarcerated population, 1,870 people have been tested and 141 of those results are pending. They reported that 993 tests came back negative, 62 were positive with symptoms, 556 people were asymptomatic positive and 118 people have recovered. That’s a total of 736 positive tests.
The department didn’t report any new cases of staff testing positive for the virus, but said a large number of staff on quarantine are unable to work.
Tuesday reported cases in Idaho
As of Tuesday, Ada County cases rose to 5,823. Canyon County has 3,381 confirmed cases, second-most in the state.
Ada County reported three new deaths and 168 new confirmed cases Tuesday, coming only a day after new cases dipped into the 50s.
Statewide, 127 Idaho residents have died since the pandemic began and 14,847 confirmed cases have been reported.
Counties with confirmed COVID-19 cases: Ada 5,823, Adams 14, Bannock 219, Bear Lake 6, Benewah 29, Bingham 132, Blaine 546, Boise 17, Bonner 96, Bonneville 295, Boundary 20, Camas 1, Canyon 3,381, Caribou 22, Cassia 345, Clearwater 7, Custer 7, Elmore 123, Franklin 34, Fremont 22, Gem 95, Gooding 83, Idaho 17, Jefferson 46, Jerome 314, Kootenai 1,094, Latah 46, Lemhi 7, Lincoln 38, Madison 79, Minidoka 297, Nez Perce 103, Oneida 8, Owyhee 143, Payette 229, Power 23, Shoshone 30, Teton 44, Twin Falls 832, Valley 37 and Washington 143.
This story was originally published July 22, 2020 at 8:15 AM.
