Working together to make things better.  That is what Nebraskans do.  I continue to be so proud of residents and businesses in District 17.  Everyone appears to be doing their best to prevent the spread of the COVID 19 virus in Northeast Nebraska.  Residents are social distancing and finding creative ways to still maintain the community-feel of our area.  The Health Departments have published flyers on social distancing and other practices to reduce the risk.

COVID 19 UPDATES: Over the weekend, there were three (3) cases of COVID 19  confirmed in District 17.  Two (2) cases are in Dakota County and one (1) in Wayne County.  There are no cases reported in Thurston County.  Please keep you and your family safe and follow the Governor’s guideline rules for 21-Days To Stay Healthy discussed below.

GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES 21-DAYS TO STAY HEALTHY

This past week, Governor Ricketts proclaimed April 10 to April 30, 2020 as a 21-day plan to Stay and Home and Stay Healthy, outlining 6 rules that are designed to help reduce the spread of COVID 19 in Nebraska.  He did not issue a shelter-in-place order, but instead stated he was counting on Nebraskans to do what he knows we all try to do– the right thing.  In his press release, the Governor suggested residents can help Nebraska stay healthy if we each:

1. Stay home except for essential errands. No social gatherings and respecting the 10-person limit.
2. Socially distance yourself. Work from home or use the six-foot rule as much as possible in the workplace.
3. Shop alone and only shop once a week. Do not take family with you.
4. Help kids follow social distancing. Play at home. No group sports and no playgrounds.
5. Help seniors stay at home by shopping for them. Do not visit long-term care facilities.
6. Exercise daily at home or with an appropriately socially-distance activity.

 Gov. Ricketts also proclaimed Sunday as a Statewide Day of Prayer. He asked that Nebraskans pray for the people being impacted by COVID-19, for people who are ill, for nurses and doctors, police, firefighters, emergency medical technicians and for people in nursing homes.

It seems like everyone is talking about and reporting on COVID 19.  Obviously, we all want to know as much as possible.  Sometimes too much information can be confusing if different numbers regarding testing results and related deaths are being reported.  For the most accurate information, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) posts numbers of confirmed cases daily at 4:00 PM ET (Weekend numbers are posted on Monday).  Their website can be accessed at https://www.cdc.gov/covid19  click on CASES in the US.,

MEAT PRODUCERS ADJUST

NEBRASKA CATTLEMEN have worked diligently to ensure continued safe and adequate production of beef products.  Leadership of the organization has tele-conferenced with other organizations and with USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue and Under Secretary Greg Ibach to discuss current and ongoing market-related challenges in the packing sector and relief efforts available under the recently passed federal CARES Act.  Cattlemen’s reported that they hope to have information from Secretary Perdue next week about financial relief available under the CARES Act to cattle producers who have been harmed by COVID 19.

Governor Ricketts, along with governors from other states, has issued emergency declarations that are providing relaxed trucker/carrier rules to aid in smoother transportation for the food supply.  Additionally, the Nebraska Cattlemen Board amended its current policy to increase competitiveness in fed cattle markets by increasing packer capacity and reinstituting good business practices by packers and renewed its request that our Nebraska delegation find long term solutions “to cattle producer profitability – by revamping the Risk Management Association Livestock Risk Protection program to eliminate limitations that discourage cattle producer participation and by modifying subsidy levels to attract increased participation by cattle producers,” stated the organization.

TYSON FOODS is doing its part, too.  The company is working to protect team members and to ensure continued ability to keep the food supply chain filled.  They have instituted practices of taking the temperature of workers at all locations before they enter company facilities, have stepped up deep cleaning and sanitizing efforts, are coordinating with federal agencies for personal protective equipment (PPE), and have erected dividers that increase space between line workers.  The company recently suspended operations at their Columbus Junction, Iowa pork plant due to cases of COVID-19 involving team members at the facility. In order to minimize impact on overall production, they’ve diverting the livestock supply originally scheduled for delivery to Columbus Junction to other pork plants in the region. Tyson Foods, Inc. is one of the world’s largest food companies and a recognized.

On the financial front, Tyson Foods, Inc. also announced on March 30 that it will pay approximately $60 million to about 116,000 frontline workers and truckers as a thank you for their daily support of the company’s operation.

As always, I invite you to let me know your thoughts, ideas, concerns, or suggestions by contacting me at jalbrecht@leg.ne.gov or by calling my office at 402.471.2716.